Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace is the official London residence and principal workplace of the British monarch.
Buckingham Palace is located in the City of Westminster. It is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality.
Did you know that the Palace is originally known as Buckingham House?
The building which forms the core of a today’s palace was once a large townhouse built in 1705 for the Duke of Buckingham.
Did you know that the house was in a private ownership for at least 150 years?
Palace was subsequently acquired by George III in 1761 as a private residence for Queen Charlotte and known as The Queen’s House.
John Nash and Edward Blore were two architects who enlarged the house in 19th century. They formed three wings around a central courtyard.
Do you know why year 1837 is very important for Buckingham Palace?
Let me help you. Buckingham Palace finally became the official royal palace of the British monarch on the accession of Queen Victoria in that year.
Last major structural additions were made in the end of 19th and the beginning of 20th century. One of the biggest things that were changed during last major remodelling was definitely East front, which contains the famous balcony on which the royal family traditionally congregates to greet crowds in front of the Palace.
As all across the Europe also in London, Germans have made a lot of damage during the World War II. They manage to destroy the palace chapel. But they didn’t damage anything inside the palace. Interior designs from 19th century survived until today.
Did you know that the Buckingham Palace Garden is the largest private garden in London?
It is located at the rear part of Buckingham Palace and it covers much of the area of the former Goring Great Garden, named after Lord Goring.
Did you know that "Guard Mounting" is another term for Changing the Guard.
Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace encompasses colourful spectacle and British pageantry. The Queen’s Guard consists of the St James’s Palace and Buckingham Palace detachments. The New Guard, who during the course of the ceremony become The Queen’s Guard, march to Buckingham Palace from Wellington Barracks.
The ceremony lasts about 45 minutes and usually takes place daily at 11:30 from May until the end of July and on alternate days for the rest of the year, weather permitting.
For other term please see the schedule under additional information.
The privilege of guarding the Sovereign traditionally belongs to the Household Troops, better known as "the Guards", who have carried out this duty since 1660.
For operational and other reasons, this privilege is periodically extended to other regiments of the British Army. The Guards consist of five infantry regiments - the Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish and Welsh Guards - and two regiments of the Household Cavalry the Life Guards and Blues and Royals. Most of the Guards will have seen action overseas.
Explore the inside of the palace.
Entry to the Buckingham Palace is through the Ambassador's Court on Buckingham Palace Road. The Grand Hall is on the original site of the old entrance hall, dominated by the Grand staircase aptly named, because of its winding proportions and floral gilt-bronze balustrade.
What are State rooms?
The term "State Rooms" is applied to those rooms that were designed and built as the public rooms of the Palace, in which monarchs receive, reward and entertain their subjects and visiting dignitaries. Today the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace are used extensively by The Queen and members of the Royal Family to receive and entertain their guests on State, ceremonial and official occasions.
As you walk through the Guard Room you will spot the Gobelin tapestries lining the walls. The vibrantly coloured silk was in the Green Drawing Room provide the perfect compliment to the beautifully coved and gilded celling. This is the site of Queen Charlotte's salon.
In the splendid scarlet and gold Throne Room you can see the chairs used at the coronation of Her Majesty the Queen in 1953.
The magnificent Ballroom extending to 122 feet in length was opened in Queen Victoria's reign in 1856 to celebrate the end of the Crimean war.
In the picture gallery designed by Nash are wonderful art treasures by Rubens, Rembrandt, Canaletto, Vermeer, and many others. This is a selection from the Royal Collection held in trust by the Queen for her successors and the nation and is regarded as Britain's National Heritage.
In the State Dining Room the red silk damask on the walls makes a fitting background to the state portraits of Kings and Queens from George III to George IV. The regency dining chairs were purchased by the Prince Regent in 1813 for his home at Carlton House.
As you pass through the Blue Drawing Room, another of Nash's stunning rooms, note the thirty fake onyx columns and the Sevres porcelain table which was made for Napoleon. From the semicircular bow window of the domed Music Room you will have a good view of the garden and grounds.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has christened four royal babies in this room. Perhaps most magnificent of all is the White Drawing Room, furnished with French antiques and English cut glass chandeliers suspended from the beautiful ceiling, the delicate colours of the furnishings standing out against the gold walls.
The Minister's stairs at the end of the hall links the principal floor of state rooms to the Marble Hall, which is the heart of the old Buckingham House. Clad in Italian marble it contains some fine sculpture, including three groups by Antonio Canova.
Visiting Buckingham Palace with childrens.
When visiting Buckingham Palace with children you can do several things.
For instance you can take the free family audio tour and explore the Palace with James and Rachel. Suitable for children from 7 - 11 years.
Or you can relax and have fun in the Activity Room which is open during August for paper-based colouring activities.
Of course you can pick up a garden trail, ook out for birds, fish and insects and their different habitats in the Palace garden.
Fun in a Buckingham Palace
The Throne Room
There are lots of royal thrones in the Throne Room. Can you find the ones used by The Queen and Prince Philip?
The Ballroom
You can't miss the room where Queen Victoria threw parties for 2,000 people. The Ballroom is the largest room in the Palace - big enough to hold 84 double-decker buses.
The secret door
The Queen arrives in the State Rooms through a hidden door from her private apartments. Can you spot the door in the White Drawing Room?
Signs & symbols
Keep your eyes peeled for hidden royal signs and symbols. Look out for the crowns on doors, lions on furniture and roses on the ceiling.
The garden
The garden at Buckingham Palace is an oasis of calm green space in the busy city and all sorts of birds and insects love to make their home here.
Can you find the helipad and the lake that Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, fell in?
Buckingham Palace is the official London residence and principal workplace of the British monarch.
Buckingham Palace is located in the City of Westminster. It is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality.
Did you know that the Palace is originally known as Buckingham House?
The building which forms the core of a today’s palace was once a large townhouse built in 1705 for the Duke of Buckingham.
Did you know that the house was in a private ownership for at least 150 years?
Palace was subsequently acquired by George III in 1761 as a private residence for Queen Charlotte and known as The Queen’s House.
John Nash and Edward Blore were two architects who enlarged the house in 19th century. They formed three wings around a central courtyard.
Do you know why year 1837 is very important for Buckingham Palace?
Let me help you. Buckingham Palace finally became the official royal palace of the British monarch on the accession of Queen Victoria in that year.
Last major structural additions were made in the end of 19th and the beginning of 20th century. One of the biggest things that were changed during last major remodelling was definitely East front, which contains the famous balcony on which the royal family traditionally congregates to greet crowds in front of the Palace.
As all across the Europe also in London, Germans have made a lot of damage during the World War II. They manage to destroy the palace chapel. But they didn’t damage anything inside the palace. Interior designs from 19th century survived until today.
Did you know that the Buckingham Palace Garden is the largest private garden in London?
It is located at the rear part of Buckingham Palace and it covers much of the area of the former Goring Great Garden, named after Lord Goring.
Did you know that "Guard Mounting" is another term for Changing the Guard.
Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace encompasses colourful spectacle and British pageantry. The Queen’s Guard consists of the St James’s Palace and Buckingham Palace detachments. The New Guard, who during the course of the ceremony become The Queen’s Guard, march to Buckingham Palace from Wellington Barracks.
The ceremony lasts about 45 minutes and usually takes place daily at 11:30 from May until the end of July and on alternate days for the rest of the year, weather permitting.
For other term please see the schedule under additional information.
The privilege of guarding the Sovereign traditionally belongs to the Household Troops, better known as "the Guards", who have carried out this duty since 1660.
For operational and other reasons, this privilege is periodically extended to other regiments of the British Army. The Guards consist of five infantry regiments - the Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish and Welsh Guards - and two regiments of the Household Cavalry the Life Guards and Blues and Royals. Most of the Guards will have seen action overseas.
Explore the inside of the palace.
Entry to the Buckingham Palace is through the Ambassador's Court on Buckingham Palace Road. The Grand Hall is on the original site of the old entrance hall, dominated by the Grand staircase aptly named, because of its winding proportions and floral gilt-bronze balustrade.
What are State rooms?
The term "State Rooms" is applied to those rooms that were designed and built as the public rooms of the Palace, in which monarchs receive, reward and entertain their subjects and visiting dignitaries. Today the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace are used extensively by The Queen and members of the Royal Family to receive and entertain their guests on State, ceremonial and official occasions.
As you walk through the Guard Room you will spot the Gobelin tapestries lining the walls. The vibrantly coloured silk was in the Green Drawing Room provide the perfect compliment to the beautifully coved and gilded celling. This is the site of Queen Charlotte's salon.
In the splendid scarlet and gold Throne Room you can see the chairs used at the coronation of Her Majesty the Queen in 1953.
The magnificent Ballroom extending to 122 feet in length was opened in Queen Victoria's reign in 1856 to celebrate the end of the Crimean war.
In the picture gallery designed by Nash are wonderful art treasures by Rubens, Rembrandt, Canaletto, Vermeer, and many others. This is a selection from the Royal Collection held in trust by the Queen for her successors and the nation and is regarded as Britain's National Heritage.
In the State Dining Room the red silk damask on the walls makes a fitting background to the state portraits of Kings and Queens from George III to George IV. The regency dining chairs were purchased by the Prince Regent in 1813 for his home at Carlton House.
As you pass through the Blue Drawing Room, another of Nash's stunning rooms, note the thirty fake onyx columns and the Sevres porcelain table which was made for Napoleon. From the semicircular bow window of the domed Music Room you will have a good view of the garden and grounds.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has christened four royal babies in this room. Perhaps most magnificent of all is the White Drawing Room, furnished with French antiques and English cut glass chandeliers suspended from the beautiful ceiling, the delicate colours of the furnishings standing out against the gold walls.
The Minister's stairs at the end of the hall links the principal floor of state rooms to the Marble Hall, which is the heart of the old Buckingham House. Clad in Italian marble it contains some fine sculpture, including three groups by Antonio Canova.
Visiting Buckingham Palace with childrens.
When visiting Buckingham Palace with children you can do several things.
For instance you can take the free family audio tour and explore the Palace with James and Rachel. Suitable for children from 7 - 11 years.
Or you can relax and have fun in the Activity Room which is open during August for paper-based colouring activities.
Of course you can pick up a garden trail, ook out for birds, fish and insects and their different habitats in the Palace garden.
Fun in a Buckingham Palace
The Throne Room
There are lots of royal thrones in the Throne Room. Can you find the ones used by The Queen and Prince Philip?
The Ballroom
You can't miss the room where Queen Victoria threw parties for 2,000 people. The Ballroom is the largest room in the Palace - big enough to hold 84 double-decker buses.
The secret door
The Queen arrives in the State Rooms through a hidden door from her private apartments. Can you spot the door in the White Drawing Room?
Signs & symbols
Keep your eyes peeled for hidden royal signs and symbols. Look out for the crowns on doors, lions on furniture and roses on the ceiling.
The garden
The garden at Buckingham Palace is an oasis of calm green space in the busy city and all sorts of birds and insects love to make their home here.
Can you find the helipad and the lake that Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, fell in?
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Planing your visit:
We advise you to take approximately 2 or 2,5 hours for a complet tour of a Buckingham Palace (when it is open for a inside tour).
Changing the Guard schedule:
November and December 2013
even days | 2.,4.,6. etc.
Please note that the schedule can be changed
Oppening time:
Buckingham Palace is usualy opened only during the summer.
The schedule for 2014 will be published shortly.
But in year 2013 they will make an exception.
They offer you a premium winter tour which will be held on a selected dates between 6th of December 2013 and 2nd of February 2014.
A ticket for a tour is 75 £ and it include a glass of champagne, a copy of the official guidebook and 20% discount in the shop.
Usual ticket price
Adult | £19.00
Over 60 and Students | £17.50
Under 17 | £10.85
Under 5 | Free
Family | £50.00 (2 adults and 3 under 17s)
A booking fee of £1.25 per ticket applies.
Tickets purchased directly from Royal Collection Trust can be converted into a 1-Year Pass, giving 12 months' complimentary admission to the site(s) you have visited.
Other useful information
Eating and drinking is not allowed inside the State Rooms. You will be asked to place drinks and food in closed bags before being admitted to the Palace. Visitors to the State Rooms may relax in the Garden Café at the end of the tour. Situated on the West Terrace overlooking the Palace's famous lawn and lake, the Café offers a selection of refreshments.
Photography and filming for non-commercial purposes are welcomed in the garden at Buckingham Palace.
Photography, video recording and filming are not permitted inside the State Rooms.
In consideration of other visitors, mobile phones must be switched off inside the State Rooms.