Book Kensington Palace Tickets

Why Visit Kensington Palace?

Kensington Palace is central to Britain’s long history, housing royals for over 300 years! The massive two-story palace was also the home of Princess Diana, and is currently the home of Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, and his family.  

Surrounded by acres of sprawling gardens, Kensington Palace lets visitors step back in time and understand how royals lived and conducted themselves in the olden days. 

Kensington Palace was built in 1605 and has been renovated many times over the centuries. Visitors can marvel at the luxurious rooms in the King’s State Apartments, equally lavish spaces at the Queen’s State Apartments and the world-famous Sunken Garden, which hosted a breathtaking floral display that was planted in 2019 to mark the 200th anniversary of Queen Victoria’s birth.

A tour of the Palace grants you access to the King’s Gallery - the longest and largest of the Kensington Palace apartments that hosts the finest paintings from the Royal Collection. The palace also has seasonal exhibitions with 2020 featuring Diana: Designing for a Princess - showcasing one of Princess Diana’s iconic dresses and the designing process behind it, Queer Lives at the Palace - an intriguing look at the little-known stories of LGBTQ+ from the palace.

The magnificent royal residence holds engaging history and mesmerizing beauty - making the Kensington Palace an essential part of a traveler’s visit to London.

Deconstructing the Kensington Palace Tour

With all the intriguing sites and attractions that are on offer, visitors should consider buying Kensington Palace tickets online so they can make the most of their visit. A self-guided tour of the Palace, its gallery, exhibitions and apartments, as well as the surrounding gardens is a great way to spend your day. 

A self-guided Kensington Palace tour is perfect for casual visitors and history buffs alike since they can stroll through the royal residence, gardens and unmatched exhibitions as they wish. The Palace is well-equipped with digital info screens and audio guides to support a non-guided tour. Unlike a tour package, buying Kensington Palace tickets means that there is no hurry to move through sites at a fast pace or amble at attractions that do not interest you. 

Once Kensington Palace tickets have been purchased online, travelers can visit at their convenience. As they enter the Palace grounds, visitors are sure to be mesmerized by the white marble statue of Queen Victoria, erected back in 1893. Once inside, they can either indulge in the gardens of the Palace or enter the building. Everyone is bound to be enthralled by the extravagant interiors of the Palace.

Inside the Palace, there are 3 must-see sites - The King’s State Apartments, Victoria Revealed, and The Queen’s State Apartments. Starting with the King’s State Apartments, visitors can admire detailed, historic paintings along the grand King’s Staircase and walk through the Presence Chamber, the Privy Chamber, the awe-inspiring Cupola Room and the King’s Drawing Room. All these rooms have plenty of stories to tell and culminate in the King’s Gallery, filled with amazing paintings.

Victoria Revealed consists of two exhibitions aimed to give visitors an in-depth behind the scenes look into the childhood and life of Queen Victoria - featuring unique items that the Queen herself, her husband and children used. 

The Queen’s State Apartments is less grand than the King’s but has equally riveting stories to offer spread across multiple rooms. After roaming the interior of the Palace, you can end your visit at the Sunken Garden, admiring the numerous floral displays with a stunning pond in the center.

FAQs

Q. Who lives in Kensington Palace?
A. The Kensington Palace is the current official royal residence of the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, his wife Catherine and their children. Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke and Duchess of Kent, and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent also live there.

Q. How much does it cost to enter Kensington Palace?
A. The tickets to the Palace are £18 for adults and £7.60 for children online. There are also two family saver packs for £22.90 and £38.20.

Q. Can you take a tour of Kensington Palace?
A. Yes. Once you buy tickets, you can discover the Palace, exhibitions, gardens and all other public areas.

Q. How long does it take to tour Kensington Palace?
A. It takes around 3 to 4 hours to leisurely cover all the displays and attractions at the Palace.

Q. Is there a dress code for Kensington Palace?
A. There is no strict dress code for Kensington Palace but it is recommended to wear comfortable footwear and warm clothing since most areas of the Palace have no heating.

Q. How far is Buckingham Palace from Kensington Palace?
A. The two palaces are around 2 miles (3.2 km) apart so you can walk from one to another if you prefer.

Q. Is The Orangery at Kensington Palace closed?
A.Yes. The Orangery is currently closed for renovation and restoration. There is no opening date set for the Orangery yet.

Q. Can you take photos inside the Kensington Palace?
A. Non-commercial photography without flash is allowed inside the Palace but no filming is allowed. Certain items are not allowed to be photographed due to prior agreements. Tripods and selfie sticks are not permitted.

Q. Are Kensington Palace Gardens free?
A. Yes. Entry to the gardens is free but tickets need to be bought to enter the Palace.

Q. How many apartments are there in Kensington Palace?
A. Kensington Palace has 10 major apartments - home to current and former royals while there are plenty of other smaller staff apartments.