Visit the most elegant retreat for Britain’s royalty at Kensington Palace. What was once a small suburban villa, became enriched with the stories of many royal names including Princess Diana, William III and Mary II, Queen Caroline, and many others. The palace was also the childhood home of Queen Victoria. Currently, the palace is the London home of The Dukes and Duchesses of Cambridge, Gloucester, and Kent, as well as the Prince and Princess Michael of Kent. A number of offices are also present in the building. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about visiting Kensington Palace including how to get there, special exhibitions, maps, parking, and more!
General timings: 10am to 6pm
Closed on: 24-26 December, 31 December, 1 January, and certain Mondays and Tuesdays.
The best time to visit Kensington Palace is during the off-peak season, from October to February, when crowds are more manageable and queues shorter. Visiting on weekdays, especially from Wednesday to Friday, is ideal, as weekends can be jam-packed. Arriving in the afternoon, around 2pm-3pm, helps avoid large tour groups. Note the palace's seasonal hours: open until 6pm in summer and 4pm in winter.
Address: Kensington Palace, Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX.
Kensington Palace is located in Kensington Gardens, London, near Hyde Park, offering easy access from central London and surrounding areas.
Nearest landmark: Albert Memorial (0.8 km)
The nearest tube station is High Street Kensington or Queensway Station (10 to 12-minute walk). You can reach these stops via District, Circle and Central lines.
Paddington is the closest train station to Kensington. It is 18-minutes away by walk.
Take bus numbers 70, 94, 148, and 390 to Bayswater Road or 9, 10, 49, 52, 70, and 452 to Kensington High Street.
There is no on-site parking at Kensington Palace. The nearest car parks is Q-Park Queensway (10-minute walk).
Download a copy of the Kensington Palace map on your phone before you get there and have a quick glance through it. Because the palace is huge, it helps knowing where you are and the significance of each room before and during your visit.
Find a wide range of food and drinks at The Palace Café and The Kensington Palace Pavilion.
Yes, Kensington Palace is open to the public.
There’s no parking facility at Kensington Palace, but you can find nearby parking. Blue badge holders can avail themselves of disabled parking spots at the palace.
The easiest way to reach Kensington Palace is via underground trains. It is just a 10-minute walk from High Street Kensington Station and Queensway Station.
The best time to visit Kensington Palace is around 2pm to 3pm post-lunch. By this time most of the big tour groups will be done with their visit. Learn more about Kensington Palace opening times here.
The recommended time to cover the whole of Kensington Palace is 2 to 3 hours.
No, there is no dress code to follow when you visit Kensington Palace.
Yes, Kensington Palace is accessible to people with special needs.
There are no rooms at the palace for the public to stay at, but you can book a nearby hotel.
Kensington Palace Tickets
Royal Afternoon Tea at Kensington Palace with Walking Tour of the Gardens
Combo (Save 5%): Tower of London + Kensington Palace Tickets
Combo (Save 5%): Frameless London + Kensington Palace Tickets
