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Buckingham Palace: The Complete Guide

Visit Queen Elizabeth II's Official Residence

TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the British sovereign since Queen Victoria and her brood took up residence in 1837, has had a rather checkered career as a Royal residence. It was so unloved at one point that it was offered to the nation as a temporary House of Parliament. But today it's one of the most iconic attractions in all of the United Kingdom. Tourist experiences at Buckingham Palace can range from a casual viewing of the Changing of the Guards to a tour of the interior of the palatial complex. Here's what you need to know to plan your visit.

History of Buckingham Palace

In the early 17th century, during the reign of King James 1, son of Mary Queen of Scots, the land where Buckingham Palace and the Palace Garden now stands was a mulberry plantation for one of many doomed attempts to rear silkworms in Europe.

The land, now between Green Park and St. James's Park, already had a house on it when it was given to a nobleman in 1628. For the next 70 years, it passed from one noble resident to another until given to the Duke of Buckingham. He built a new house on the site and it became known as Buckingham House. 

The original Buckingham House cost £7,000 to build. A trifle when you consider that it is undergoing a £370 million, 10-year-long "essential" refurbishment that began in 2017.

The house first became a royal residence, though not an official palace, in 1762 when King George III bought it for his wife, Queen Charlotte, and children. Renovations undertaken then included fabulous ceilings designed by Scottish architect Robert Adam. 

When King George IV ascended to the throne, Buckingham House was still just a very big house. The king wanted a palace and employed the famous Regency court architect John Nash to give him one during the last five years of his life. Nash spent so much money (about £470,000) that as soon as the king died, the Prime Minister fired him.

Various other architects had a hand in renovations but when the next monarch, George III's brother William IV, became king the house was unfurnished and unloved. William refused to move in.

And then came Queen Victoria

William had a phenomenal number of illegitimate children but no legitimate heir, so the throne was then inherited by his niece, Victoria and her considerable family. In no time at all, Buckingham House, now officially Buckingham Palace, was too small. The parade of architects continued and the Brighton Pavilion was sold to fund the addition of a new wing for £53,000. The central balcony, familiar to watchers of royal weddings, was added then. And the Triumphal Arch, designed by Nash, was moved to the northeast corner of Hyde Park where it is now known as Marble Arch.

So, if behind its 19th century facade and early 20th century Portland stone cladding (George V), Buckingham Palace seems a bit of a hodgepodge, now you know why.

Visiting Buckingham Palace

The State Rooms of the palace have only been opened to the public since 1993, and then only during a limited period from mid July to the end of September. The public showings of "Buck House" were initially intended as a way to raise funds to repair Windsor Castle after a disastrous fire in 1992. It turned out it was so popular that the Queen continued to allow visitors every summer. Don't expect to catch a glimpse of Queen Elizabeth or member of the Royal Family on your visit, though. When the palace is open to the public she goes to one of her country residences or makes her annual visit to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.

And you're not likely to see much of real life at the palace. Buckingham Palace as 775 rooms, including 19 State rooms that are included in a visit. The State rooms are where the Queen and members of the Royal Family receive guests on State, ceremonial and official occasions. The rest - 52 Royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms - is strictly off limits.

What you will see is a series of extremely grand chambers filled with many of the treasures of the Royal Collection; paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, and Canaletto; beautiful examples of English and French furniture and much more. Highlights include:

• The White Drawing Room - considered the most magnificent of the reception rooms. Look out for a fabulous rolltop desk and a gilded piano provided for Queen Victoria.
• The Throne Room  - Who knew there were so many different thrones. Under a dramatic arch and canopy - designer John Nash was influenced by theater design - are the pair of Chairs of Estate used by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh during the Coronation in 1953. The chair was used before the Queen was anointed and crowned. Another throne, kept and displayed at Windsor Castle was used after. The room also has Queen Victoria's throne and chairs used by George VI and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. Surprisingly, before 1910, furniture used in the Coronation ceremony was sold to the guests, so there are no earlier thrones here.
• The Picture Gallery  This is where candidates about to be honored with knighthoods and other official honors wait before being invited into the ballroom for the investiture ceremony. While they're waiting, they can look at paintings from the Queen's collection, which are changed from time to time.
• The Ballroom  The largest of the State rooms is used for state banquets and investitures. It has a musicians' gallery, complete with an organ. The most striking feature of this room is the Throne Canopy, designed by Lutyens. It is topped by a triumphal arch, with winged statues - symbolizing History and Fame - and supporting a medallion with profiles of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The thrones beneath it were used in the coronation of Edward VII and Queen Alexandra in 1902. This room was styled, frankly, to knock your socks off. And depending upon where you stand on such things, it will either have the desired effect or you will think it demonstrates the worst excesses of Victorian design. The jury is out on that one.

After your tour of the 19 rooms, you can wander about in the gardens or have a light bite - tea and coffee, sandwiches and cakes - in the Garden Cafe.

Visitor Essentials

• When:  Buckingham Palace is open to the public from mid-July to the end of September and then for private tours on selected dates in the winter. In 2019, the Annual Summer Opening is from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. from Saturday, July 20 to Saturday, August 31 and to 6:30 p.m. through Sunday, September 29.
• Where: Between Green Park and St James's Park in Central London. The Palace is located at the juncture of two processional roads - Constitution Hill, which runs from Hyde Park Corner and the Wellington Arch to the Palace and The Mall (rhymes with the name Al,) which runs from the Palace to the Admiralty Arch and Trafalgar Square.
• By Train: Victoria Station and Charing Cross are the nearest rail stations. Check National Rail Enquiries for times and ticket prices. 
• ​By London Underground:  The nearest London Underground Stations are Victoria, Hyde Park Corner, and St James's Park Green Park and St James's Park. Check Transport for London to plan a journey. 
• By Bus: Bus numbers 11, 211, C1 and C10 all stop on Buckingham Palace Road, a short walk from the Palace entrance and other attractions. Victoria Coach Station, for longer distance coach arrivals, is about a ten minute walk.
• Prices - From January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019, here are the prices for Standard Admission: Adult tickets cost £25; student or senior tickets are £22.8; children from 5 to 17 and the disabled cost £14 and children under 5 are free. Family tickets for two adults and up to three children are also available.
• How to Buy - Tickets are sold for timed entry at intervals of 15 minutes apart. They are available on the day at the Palace but as the entry can be busy during the annual opening, visitors are advised to buy their tickets in advance - either at the Palace ticket office or online . 
• Combination Tickets: To make the most of your visit, Royal Day Out tickets are available that can be used for three attractions. In addition to the Buckingham Palace State Rooms, this combination ticket provides entry to the Royal Mews, where the Royal carriages and horses are kept, and to the Queen's Gallery. Find out more about Royal Day Out Tickets.
• Practical Information The Palace website has pages of information about everything from length of visit, multi-media guides in nine different languages, handicapped and access facilities to toilets and baby changing facilities. To find out about how to cope with the practical necessities of life, best check out their  Practical Information webpages.

What Else is Nearby

The Royal Mews  claims to be "one of the finest working stables in existence." I have no way to judge that claim, but it is fun to visit. The Royal Mews is responsible for all the road transportation of the Queen and Royal Family. The includes care of the many elaborate carriages of state, the horses that pull them and also the Queen's cars. You can visit this as part of a Royal Day Out ticket (see above) or separately. The Royal Mews are open between February and November, so most of the year except for the winter holiday season.

The Queen's Gallery is located alongside Buckingham Palace on Buckingham Palace RoadIt features changing works from the Royal Collection - paintings, furniture, decorative objects. In the summer of 2018, a special exhibition celebrates Splendors of the Subcontinent - art from India and the Mughal Empire. This gallery can be included on a Royal Day Out ticket - as above - or separately. The Gallery is open year round except for planned closures, listed on the website, for changing the exhibitions. 

Clarence House   is just off the Mall and down the road from Buckingham Palace. It was built during the reign of George III for his third son, the Duke of Clarence. It was the Queen Mother's home for more than five decades and is currently the official residence of the Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. Normally, it can be visited during the month of August. But the Clarence House will be closed to visitors all of 2019 for maintenance work. The expected re-opening date is August 2020.

One Word of Warning

The official Buckingham Palace website indicates that, if you have your ticket is stamped at the end of your visit, it will be good for unlimited visits for the whole year. That is seriously misleading  because Buckingham Palace is simply not open for a full year. It is open from mid-July to the end of September. If you buy a Royal Day Out ticket, the other attractions on it are open year round, but "Buck House" is not. Just be aware of that to avoid disappointment.

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You can even plan to picnic on the Palace grounds.

Per a press release shared by the Royal Collection Trust, "Visitors will be free to explore a route through the garden that encompasses the 156-metre Herbaceous Border, plane trees planted by and named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and views of the island and its beehives across the 3.5-acre lake." You can even bring a picnic and dine on the Palace grounds, an experience RCT is describing as a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

For those looking for a bit more of a structured visit, guided tours that focus on the Rose Garden, summer house, and wildflower meadow will also run each day. And on weekends in April and May, there will be additional guided tours of the gardens.

Starting in May and continuing to September, guided tours inside the Palace will also be available, and visitors can expect to see the State Rooms including the Music Room, the White Drawing Room, the Green Drawing Room, and the Blue Drawing Room. Those tours will include access to the gardens starting in July.

Tickets for all visits to Buckingham Palace are available on the Royal Collection Trust's website .

Throughout the pandemic, Queen Elizabeth has social distanced away from Buckingham Palace, primarily at Windsor Castle. No public announcements have been made as to when the British monarch is expected to return to London.

As the digital director for Town & Country, Caroline Hallemann covers culture, entertainment, and a range of other subjects 

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The Best Buckingham Palace Tours To Take in 2024 and Why

Ian Sumpter Last Updated: October 20, 2023

Buckingham Palace has been the focus of national and royal celebrations for generations. Walking the Mall and viewing the palace should be on anyone’s travel list, but should you take a tour? Here I’ll cover the best tours of Buckingham Palace to take this year and why.

Pro Tip:  Planning what to do on your trip to London? Bookmark this post in your browser so you can easily find it when you’re in the city. Check out our  guide to London  for more planning resources, our  best London tours  for a memorable trip, and the  top things to do in London .

Should You Take a Tour of Buckingham Palace?

The short answer is yes! But as the Tour Guy is a tour operator, that seems a fairly obvious answer. So why should you take a tour of Buckingham Palace?

Well, the Palace is not as old as many of the great royal estates, such as Windsor Castle, but it has been the center of national and royal life for over a century now. In the age of televised events, the balcony facing the Mall has become the most famous balcony since Juliet’s, with the royal family seen waving to crowds of thousands after Royal events like weddings, coronations, and so on.

Although King Charles III has taken up residence at Clarence House until Buckingham Palace’s restorations are completed in 2027, it remains the administrative office of the monarch and, as such, a hugely important royal site.

For fans of the monarchy or history buffs, a tour will offer fascinating oversight of a site of enormous cultural and historical significance.

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our guide to Buckingham Palace for more info.

Which Buckingham Palace Tours to Take?

There are several options if you want to tour Buckingham Palace. The staterooms are only open ten weeks a year, so interior visits can be hard to find, but we have daily options that cover the Palace from the outside and take in the key ceremonies, like the ‘Changing of the Guards’.

Our best Bucking Palace tours are as follows:

The Buckingham Palace Royalty Tour

London walking tour with changing of the guards at buckingham palace, london in a day tour with westminster abbey, tower of london & buckingham palace.

The Buckingham Palace Royalty tour is a fantastic and fascinating way to dive deeper into both the history of the Palace and the institution of the monarchy.

For most of the year, the State Rooms and Throne Room are closed to the public, but those rooms are open for ten weeks each summer. Tickets sell out quickly, but your space is guaranteed with this tour.

Your expert guide will lead you through St. James Park, originally a swamp turned into a hunting lodge by Henry VIII that remains a bastion of green tranquility surrounded by the concrete jungle of London.

Then, up the Mall, the royal mile of road leading to the Palace, used for the Changing of the Guard and Royal processions.

Your guide will lead you through security and into the Palace, where you will be given a personal audio guide to lead you through the magnificent State and Throne Rooms. Undoubtedly one of the best Buckingham Palace tours to take.

Note: The opening dates for 2024 have yet to be confirmed by the Palace, so be sure to bookmark this page and return towards the end of 2023 to find availability.

Highlights:

• Walking tour of St. James Park and the Mall
• Admission ticket to Buckingham Palace
• Audio guide for palace tour
• A friendly, local guide

Where should you stand to get the best view of the Changing of the Guards? What time should you arrive to make sure you don’t miss anything? What is the significance of the ceremony? All of this and more is answered with this London walking tour.

With this fascinating tour, you will get an in-depth tour of Westminster Abbey without spending hours in line like the rest of the crowds. Your expert guide is like a walking encyclopedia of all things London. They will entertain you with stories of the Abbey’s long history and the historical figures who have played a significant role in its history.

Thoroughly awed, you’ll stroll through the former hunting lodge of Henry VIII, St James’s Park, before finding the perfect spot to watch the Changing of the Guard. With Buckingham Palace in the background, your guide will regale you with stories of the Palace and the monarchy.

A perfect tour to introduce you to the wonderful history of London.

• Skip-the-line walking tour of Westminster Abbey
• Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace (Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sundays, weather permitting)
• Fun, knowledgeable local guide
• Maximum group size of 15

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our guide to Best Tours of London to Take and Why

Want to see London’s most iconic attractions in just one day? This action-packed London-in-a-day tour makes the most of your time in this historic city.

You’ll start with a tour of Westminster Abbey before strolling through leafy St James’s Park on your way to Buckingham Palace to watch the Changing of the Guards. Then see the famous balcony were the royals are so often seen during public events and hear countless stories of the monarchs who have lived here.

You’ll also have time to explore the Tower of London, gain access to the crown jewels, see 10 Downing Street, and so much more.

This in-depth tour lets you skip the line to see London’s best sites without the long wait, and you’ll even get to take a boat ride along the River Thames. A perfect way to see many of London’s highlights if your time in the city is limited.

• Skip-the-line entry and tour of Westminster Abbey
• Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace
• Boat ride down the River Thames by clipper
• Access to the Crown Jewels, White Tower and more
• Passionate local guide
• Skip-the-line Tower of London admission

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our guide to Top Things to See at Buckingham Palace

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The 5 best sightseeing tours of buckingham palace.

See one of Britain's top attractions on a walking, biking, bus or private taxi tour.

The Best Tours of Buckingham Palace

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A tour of Buckingham Palace is a must-do on your next London vacation.

On a visit to London , some of the top attractions are linked to the royal family. But nothing is quite as iconic as a visit to the one of the three official residences of the monarchy – Buckingham Palace . While it's only open to the public on select dates, you can relish in its beauty from the regal gates, snap a selfie and catch a Changing the Guard ceremony.

How to Tour Buckingham Palace

For about 10 weeks every summer (select dates from July 11 to Sept. 29, 2024), Buckingham Palace opens its elaborate gates, welcoming visitors to explore its lavish State Rooms, grounds and Royal Collection artworks. The Royal Mews is also open to visitors from March to October, showcasing the Royal Family's real working stables and ornate, historic carriages – including the Gold State Coach used for Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Coronation in 2022.

The Best Sightseeing Tours of Buckingham Palace

If you aren't here at the right time, fear not; this extravagant, 18th-century royal residence is just as impressive from the outside, making it worth a visit any time of year. Come on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Sunday morning to see the Changing the Guard ceremony – when the red-and-black-clad Royal Guard marches toward the palace, accompanied by striking military music – and see a tradition that's been running for more than 300 years. Combine it with explorations in the surrounding area of Westminster to see London at its most quintessential.

You can explore all of this independently, of course – but if you're looking to dig a little deeper, hear about the king's coronation and uncover local secrets, consider a guided London tour . Insider experts can point out the best photo spots, take you to the must-see sights and show you the ins and outs of the area while sharing  knowledge of the country's royal history along the way.

There are tons of options out there, so where do you start? Based on local knowledge and traveler review sites, here are some of the most highly rated tours.

Changing of the Guard Walking Tour

Price: From $13

Duration: 2 to 3 hours

Standout perk: Witness the pomp of the iconic Changing the Guard ceremony.

Watch the Royal Guard march toward Buckingham Palace as you witness this historic, quintessentially British spectacle on a two-hour tour of Westminster's highlights. Accompanied by a military band, you'll see the Old Guard (soldiers on duty) switch to the New Guard as they arrive at the palace from Wellington Barracks. Your guide will explain which regiment is which, before taking you on a guided walking tour past other world-famous, attractions, including Big Ben, Clarence House, the Houses of Parliament , St James's Palace and Westminster Abbey .

Recent travelers gave high ratings to the tour, saying guides were able to take them to the best photo spots for the ceremony, while offering a wealth of historical and entertaining insight.

Tours leave at 10 a.m. and depart from the corner of Piccadilly and Arlington Street (between The Ritz and The Wolseley), ending at Parliament Square.

Local tip: Look at the Horse Guards Clock on the Horse Guards Parade – the official entrance to Buckingham Palace and St James's Palace – to see a dark stain above the 2 (II, in Roman numerals). It marks the time King Charles I was executed outside the Palace of Whitehall in 1649, after being charged with treason.

View & Book Tickets: Viator

Windsor Castle & Buckingham Palace Tour

Price: From $164

Duration: 8.5 hours

Standout perk: Get a rare chance to explore the State Rooms with Buckingham Palace tickets, and tick off two of the United Kingdom's grandest royal residences in one day.

This twin-castle tour offers the opportunity to enter Buckingham Palace and see its State Rooms, Royal Collection artwork and other treasures, with commentary from an audio guide. After you've toured the palace, you'll travel by coach about 25 miles west of London to Windsor Castle – the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, and the family home of the monarchy for more than 900 years. Explore the castle's lavish State Apartments and grounds, and visit St George's Chapel – the burial place of Queen Elizabeth II alongside many other monarchs, and the spot where Prince Harry married Meghan Markle. Recent travelers said the tour was a great opportunity to see inside both palaces. Several commented on the extensive art collection at Buckingham Palace, and many enjoyed hearing insights from the guides, although some complained about long lines. The tour takes place from July through September on select Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and leaves from Victoria Coach Station at 7:45 a.m. Local tip: Windsor Castle has its own Changing the Guard ceremony, as well as its own extensive art collection – the ceremony takes place at 11 a.m. on select days of the week.

Full-day London with Changing of the Guard and Private Cruise

Price: From $158; with optional London Eye or Harrods cream tea for an additional fee

Duration: 9 hours

Standout perk: You'll see many of London's key attractions in one day, and enjoy a river cruise thrown in for good measure.

If you want to combine a visit to see Buckingham Palace's Changing the Guard ceremony with stops at several other London spots, this is a great choice. The full-day trip begins at the UNESCO listed Tower of London where you'll have the chance to see the crown jewels.

From here you'll visit Buckingham Palace to witness the famous pomp and pageantry of the ceremony, and get the chance to admire the palace's impressive architecture from the outside. The day includes a tour of the elaborate St. Paul's Cathedral (not available on Sundays), before embarking on a boat tour of the Thames, passing key attractions including Tower Bridge and Shakespeare's Globe. The day also includes a photo stop at Westminster Abbey, where Prince William and Kate Middleton married in 2011, and a brief walking tour of Parliament Square. Travelers can choose to add a ride on the famous London Eye observation wheel (or opt for a quintessentially British cream tea at Harrods instead).

Recent travelers loved the tour and praised the guides as highly knowledgeable and entertaining. Many were impressed with how much they saw in a day and said it gave them a great introduction to London (although it's worth noting a few felt there was quite a bit of walking involved).

Tours leave from Victoria Coach Station at 7:45 a.m. and finish at the London Eye.

Local tip: If you fancy delving deeper into the Tower of London in your own time, book a ticket to see the Ceremony of the Keys. Dating back seven centuries, this nightly ceremony is when the castle gets locked up for the night, with a special exchange between the sentry and Yeoman Warder taking place at 9:30 p.m. between the atmospheric battlements – both eerie and magical.

Tips on Trips and Expert Picks

Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

The London Essentials Bike Tour

Price: From $38

Duration: 3.5 hours

Standout perk: Get active on two wheels, and combine a Buckingham Palace stop with a visit to Kensington Palace and other royal sights.

This half-day guided cycling tour is a great option to get active on your London trip. You'll start at Kensington Gardens – the home of Kensington Palace, where Princess Diana lived with the now King Charles, and Queen Victoria's birthplace. From here, pedal to the Royal Albert Hall to check out this elaborate concert hall, opened by Queen Victoria in 1871. Afterward, cycle through Hyde Park and on to Green Park to reach Buckingham Palace, where your guide will regale you with little-known stories about the palace. Continue on to Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben as you take in some of the capital's key highlights, before returning to the Royal Parks.

Recent travelers raved about the tour and were really impressed by the knowledge of the guide. Many enjoyed the small group size and said the cycling was a good, leisurely pace, with plenty to see along the way, and iced tea and snacks included as a bonus.

The tour leaves from outside the main entrance at Hilton London Hyde Park. The recommended minimum age is 9 – you can pre-book junior bikes and child seats. While the bicycle and helmet for use during the tour are included, attraction entry fees are additional.

Local tip: If you've got time after the tour, it's well worth exploring Kensington Palace a bit more. Admire the elaborate, Georgian-era King's Staircase and the King's State Gallery with its fine art collection, see the Queen's State Apartments where Mary II would come to relax or welcome guests, and visit the Sunken Garden, once a favorite spot of Princess Diana's. After, enjoy afternoon tea or lunch at the Kensington Palace Pavilion amid the gardens.

View & Book Tickets: GetYourGuide

The Premier Classic London: Private 4-Hour Tour in a Black Cab

Price: From $461

Duration: 4 hours

Standout perk: You'll see many of London's must-see attractions, and as it's a private tour, you can tailor the trip to your liking.

If you're after a private tour, this half-day trip in a classic London black cab is just the ticket.

You can choose to align your visit to Buckingham Palace with a Changing the Guard ceremony, and you'll get expert commentary from your personal taxi driver, who's also a registered tour guide. Alongside the palace, you'll pass must-see points including the Houses of Parliament, Downing Street, St James's Palace, the Tower of London, Piccadilly Circus, Shakespeare's Globe, Borough Market and Covent Garden , with options to stop along the way.

Recent travelers loved the tour and said guides were able to tailor the trip, stopping at spots both on and off the tourist trail and offering plenty of historical insight.

Your driver-guide can pick you up and drop you off at your hotel; or a central London location.

Local tip: Make a stop at Borough Market to try some of the best food in the city, with more than 100 stalls offering everything from Persian to Italian, alongside plenty of fresh produce.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Laura French is an award-winning British travel writer based in London. She grew up just outside the city and worked around the corner from Buckingham Palace for several years. She loves exploring the surrounding area, and used her own experience alongside online research to compile the roundup.

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Buckingham palace will officially reopen to visitors this summer.

The garden at Buckingham Palace, as well as Windsor Castle, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse will reopen starting in May of this year

Buckingham Palace has become synonymous with the British royal family  as a whole; and while much of the city, like most of the world, has been closed in response to the pandemic , it appears that certain well-loved attractions are starting to come back to life.

The Royal Collection Trust has this week announced that Buckingham Palace will be reopening to the public after being forced to close due to the ongoing pandemic. The garden, Windsor Castle, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse are set to welcome visitors from May to September of this year.

Royal watchers will also be keen to note that the grounds of Queen Elizabeth ’s official London residence will also be opening to the public (for the first time), allowing visitors to explore through a self-guided tour.

According to a press release from the Royal Collection Trust, visitors will be free to explore a specific route through the garden than includes the 156-metre Herbaceous Border, plane trees planted by and named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, as well as views of the island and the garden beehives across the 3.5-acre lake. The best part? Guests will also be invited to enjoy a picnic on one of the lawns as included in the visit. Talk about a bucket-list experience.

The self-guided tours will be offered as soon as July and are set to run every day of the week. Buckingham Palace and Windsor will open slightly sooner, with special guided tours becoming available as soon as May.

Good news for those of us who aren’t planning to travel: a programme of “live online events” are also available, which will include tours streamed live from Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse that will be led by royal experts and historians.

Interested in finding out more about the online experience or keen to book in-person tickets? Be sure to check out the official Royal Collection Trust website.

See also: 20 Of The Most Stylish Royals To Follow On Instagram

How to get tickets to the hidden quarters of Buckingham Palace

This summer the East Wing of Buckingham Palace will open to the public for the first time.

The East Wing forms the front of Buckingham Palace , meaning the general public will have the chance to see the famous balcony where members of the Royal family greet crowds during jubilees, coronations and other ceremonies. Previously, only the State Rooms were open to the public.

The opening of the East Wing comes after five years of works, part of a wider renovation programme across the palace designed to update the building’s infrastructure, improve access and to preserve its treasures for future generations. The introduction of East Wing tours comes as the Balmoral Estate in Scotland announced guided tours of its interiors for the first time.

The new Buckingham Palace tours will take place from mid-July to the end of September. Only a small number of tickets will go on sale, but royal fans can increase their chances of securing them by signing up to an exclusive (free) mailing list.

Here’s everything you need to know about visiting the East Wing of Buckingham Palace this summer, plus information on other ways to explore the royal residence including the State Rooms, the Royal Mews and the King’s Gallery.

What will you be able to see on the tour?

The East Wing of Buckingham Palace is the front section of the building, as viewed from the main gates, incorporating the famous balcony where members of the Royal family have appeared for special occasions since 1851.

Led by a tour guide, visitors will learn about the history of the East Wing, which was commissioned by Queen Victoria to make space for her growing family; previously, the plot was a horseshoe-shaped courtyard. The construction of the East Wing was financed through the sale of George IV’s Royal Pavilion in Brighton, in 1850, after which some of its Chinese-inspired furnishing and decorations were transferred to the new wing.

The tour will lead visitors to rooms on the Principal Floor including the Principal Corridor, which runs the length of the wing. Many artworks and antiques from the Royal Collection decorate the rooms, including paintings by Thomas Gainsborough and Sir Thomas Lawrence. There is also a spectacular painting by John Charlton showing Queen Victoria arriving at St Paul’s Cathedral during her Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

In the Yellow Drawing Room, decorated with restored hand-painted Chinese wallpaper dating from the 18th century, visitors can peruse fine features including the Kylin clock, featuring two Chinese lions, and two hexagonal, nine-tiered porcelain pagodas.

The tour concludes in the Centre Room, which leads to the famous balcony where some of the most iconic royal photographs have been taken. Within the room there are two Chinese 18th-century imperial silk wall hangings, presented to Queen Victoria by Guangxu, Emperor of China, to mark her Diamond Jubilee, plus a newly restored glass chandelier shaped like a lotus flower and a set of beautiful Chinese porcelain vases.

What happens on a State Rooms tour?

The State Rooms are the public areas of the palace where the Royal family entertain guests during state or ceremonial occasions. There are 19 rooms in total, featuring treasures from the Royal Collection, fine English and French furniture and artworks by Van Dyck and Canaletto. Visitors can roam these rooms – including the White Drawing Room (the royal reception room), the Throne Room (the work of architect John Nash) and the Ballroom, where state banquets take place – on a self-guided tour.

Visitors to the State Rooms can buy a combined ticket incorporating the highlights of the Palace Gardens (described as a “walled oasis in the middle of London”), led by an expert warden. 

When will the East Wing tours take place?

Self-guided tours of the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace will run from July 11 to September 29. The East Wing Highlights Tours will start from July 15. For the first time since 2019, Buckingham Palace will be open for visitors seven days a week in July and August but only five days a week (Thursday to Monday) during September.

How do I book tickets to Buckingham Palace?

Tickets for the East Wing Highlights Tours will go on general sale on April 10. However, subscribers to the Royal Collection Trust newsletter will be given priority access to tickets 24 hours before general sale, on April 9; you can subscribe to the mailing list here .

Admission to the State Rooms costs £32 in advance or £35 on the day. A State Rooms and Garden combined ticket costs £47 or £50 on the day. The East Wing Highlights Tour must be purchased alongside a visit to the State Rooms, costing £75 in total for adults. You can book tickets on the Royal Collection Trust website.

Other things to see at Buckingham Palace

One of the most popular (free) royal attractions in London is the Changing of the Guard, also known as the Guard Mounting, which takes place outside Buckingham Palace every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from 10.45am, lasting 45 minutes. 

You can also visit the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace (£17 for adults). Here you can witness what happens behind the scenes at the working stables, and take a close-up look at the 260-year-old Gold State Coach, used during jubilees and coronation ceremonies.

The King’s Gallery (formerly the Queen’s Gallery) has changing exhibitions from the Royal Collection (£19 for adults); the current exhibition is Holbein at the Tudor Court , which ends on April 14. The next exhibition, Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography , begins on May 17 and charts the evolution of royal portrait photography since the 1920s.

Where to stay nearby

There is an entire suite of top-class hotels within a mile of Buckingham Palace. The pick, naturally, is The Goring , where Catherine, Princess of Wales and her family stayed on the night before the royal wedding in 2011. A fleet of footmen provide a butler service for suites, and all rooms come with complimentary do-it-yourself cocktails – much more fun than boring old champagne (rooms from £623).

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All You Need to Know About Buckingham Palace Opening Timings

Buckingham Palace is one of the most iconic and recognizable landmarks in the world. Located in London, England, this historic palace is the official residence of the British monarch, currently King Charles III. The palace has served as the centre of state occasions and royal hospitality since the early 18th century and has been the official London residence of the British monarch since Queen Victoria's accession in 1837.

Buckingham Palace opening hours

Exclusive Guided Tours: Available from November to May

• Tours start at various times: 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM
• Tours last approximately 1.5 hours
• Check the latest availability for tours

Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace 2024: The State Rooms are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays

• 11 July - 31 August 2024: Opening Time: 09:30 AM, Last Admission: 5:15 PM, Closing Time: 7:30 PM
• 1 - 29 September 2024: Opening Time: 09:30 AM, Last Admission: 4:15 PM, Closing Time: 6:30 PM

Shop and eat

Garden Café

• Services - Cafe, refreshments
• Closed - October to June
• 14th July to 31st August - 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM
• 1st September to 24th September - 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM

Buckingham Palace Road Shop:

• Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM
• Address: 7 Buckingham Palace Road, Victoria, London, England, SW1A 1AA
• Located outside of the Palace walls, Buckingham Palace Road is tucked around the corner from the grand façade, just a short walk from Victoria coach and rail station.

What is the best time to visit Buckingham Palace

The best time to visit Buckingham Palace will largely depend on what you want to see and do during your visit, as well as your personal preferences for crowd size and weather conditions.

Peak vs Low season

Low Season (November - March):

• Benefits: Shorter lines for tickets, exclusive guided tours available, potential for deals on tours, milder temperatures with occasional rain.

Peak Season (July - September):

• Highlights : Thriving atmosphere with vibrant energy, State Rooms open for exploration, daily Changing of the Guard ceremony, potential for larger crowds, peak season pricing, warmest weather with longer daylight hours.

Weekend vs Weekday

The best time to visit Buckingham Palace in terms of crowds is generally during the weekdays, as weekends tend to be more crowded. However, keep in mind that some events, such as the Changing of the Guard ceremony, only take place on specific days and times, so it's important to plan accordingly.

It's a good idea to arrive early in the day to make the most of your visit and avoid crowds. Keep in mind that the palace may close early on some days for official ceremonies or events, so it's always best to check the schedule beforehand.

How long do you need to tour Buckingham Palace?

The amount of time visitors spend inside Buckingham Palace can vary depending on their interests and the activities they choose to participate in. If you're interested in touring the State Rooms, it's recommended to allow at least two hours for your visit. This will give you enough time to explore the State Rooms, which feature historic artworks, furnishings, and other treasures, and learn about their rich history through the audio guides provided.

If you're also interested in visiting the palace gardens, then you may want to allocate an additional hour or two to your visit, especially if you plan to take a leisurely stroll and enjoy the scenery.

Focus on the State Rooms: This self-guided tour through 19 opulent rooms showcasing art, furniture, and royal treasures like the Throne Room and Grand Entrance is the palace's core attraction. Allocate 1.5-2 hours for a leisurely stroll with the audio guide.

Deepen your Palace Experience:  Combine the State Rooms tour with the  Royal Mews , home to the Queen's carriages and horses. This adds another 45 minutes to an hour. Consider venturing into the  Queen's Gallery , hosting special exhibitions (allow 1-2 hours depending on the exhibit).

Full Day (6+ Hours)

Immerse Yourself in the Royal World:  Take the "Royal Day Out" package, encompassing the State Rooms, Royal Mews, and the beautiful  Buckingham Palace Gardens . Explore the 16 hectares of landscaped lawns, lakes, and follies at your own pace (1-2 hours recommended).

Frequently asked questions about Buckingham Palace opening hours

A. Buckingham Palace is open to visitors in the summer from July to September. The opening timings for 2023 at 9:30 Am to 7:30 PM (14th July to 31st August) and 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM (1st September to 24th September). The last admission is at 5:15 PM in July and August and 4:15 PM in September. The palace is also open for guided tours on some days between November to March. 

As the palace is open for select days in a year, you should not wait to get tickets at the entrance. Buy in advance and plan your visit ahead of time to have a great experience.

You can get to Buckingham Palace via train, underground, bus or car. If you’re driving to the attraction, follow these directions on Maps .

Buckingham Palace has five gates in total. 

 A minimum of 2-3 hours are needed to explore Buckingham Palace. If you take guided tours, you will need to spend 90 minutes as the guide takes you through different sections of the palace.

The official address of Buckingham Palace is London SW1A 1AA, United Kingdom. You can find it on Maps .

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Buckingham Palace is launching the first-ever tours of its balcony rooms

New tours this summer will feature parts of the palace never seen before by the public

For the first time ever, the public could get a bigger peek into the secret lives of the royal family. Buckingham Palace has announced plans to open its famous balcony rooms to us normies this summer, making it the first time regular folk will be able to look out the palace’s windows and literally see life through the eyes of the royals. 

The first ever tours of the palace’s East Wing, which includes Buckingham Palace’s iconic front-facing balcony, will launch on Monday July 15 to coincide with the annual opening of the State Rooms. Until now, every summer visitors have been able to tour the back rooms and gardens of the palace. Now they will be given access to the front   of the building, too. 

Built in the 1840s, the East Wing is the youngest part of Bucky-P. It was added to the royal residence by Queen Victoria who wanted extra space when she moved into her new gaff after becoming Queen. Highlights of the balcony rooms include the principal corridor which houses two state portraits of King Edward VII, and the yellow drawing room, which displays two large, hexagonal, nine-tiered Chinese porcelain pagodas. 

A limited number of East Wing Highlights Tours will run daily in July and August and need to be booked in addition to the standard admission ticket to the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace.

East Wing Highlights Tours will go on sale on Tuesday April 9. Priority access will be given to Royal Collection Trust email subscribers for 24 hours, before remaining tickets go on general sale to the public on Wednesday April 10.

Tours of the East Wing and State Rooms cost £75. You can book online here .  

Never been to Buckingham Palace? Here’s everything you need to know . 

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Buckingham Palace Questions & Answers

I see the state rooms are closed to for tours in June - what about the rest of the property? I have combed the site and do not see information on visiting the gardens, etc. Are they open to the public even when the Queen is in residence? Are there any highlights you could recommend for family with a kindergarten aged child?

The gardens and palace are not open to the public except for certain weeks of the year which would be when the state room tours run. Outside of that there is no access to the building or the grounds (other than these few weeks). If you are willing to arrive very early they have the changing of the guards from 11:15am but it does get exceptionally busy. There are the nearby parks but aside from seeing the guards and feeding the squirrels in the park there is not a lot that would probably keep young childrens attention.

BP is only open for a few weeks in summer, suggestion is to visit Windsor Castle.

Buckingham Palace is only open to the public when the Queen is away at her summer residence. There is a window of about 8 weeks in August September. You purchase tickets from Viator or other companies. You would not pay for anyone under 3.

The Royal Mews and Queen's Gallery at the palace are open all year round and worth visiting. Your little one will probably enjoy the mews.

Hello Maxine,

You may also email the Royal Collection Trust through their website under the "Contact Us" tab with any questions about your visit.

Hope that this is helpful!

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Welcome to the most famous palace in the world

Our website brings you Information and Facts about Buckingham Palace including how to get there, when to visit the Palace, the History of the Buckingham Palace, Interesting Facts about the Buckingham Palace, Buckingham Palace Tours and not forgetting the world famous Changing of the Guard.

Please Note: Our website is not the official website of the the royal collection trust and have no link or association with buckingham palace, the King or the Royal family nor is it operated with their endorsement. It is, however, provided by dedicated royalists for your information and is the UKs oldest and much loved unoffical guide.

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Tickets & Tours

Parts of Buckingham Palace are now open to the public including the Queens Gallery and Gardens.

The State Rooms of the Palace are open for visitors to visit throughout the ‘Annual Summer Opening’ in July, August and September. The rooms are lavishly furnished with some of the greatest treasures from the Royal Collection.

The Buckingham Palace Gardens, also referred to as the Royal Gardens, are a vast and meticulously maintained landscape located at the rear of the palace. Covering an area of approximately 39 acres, the gardens offer a serene and tranquil escape from the bustling city.

Changing the Guard

The traditional ceremony of the old guard changing with the new.

Changing of the Guard is one of the oldest and most recognizable ceremonies connected with Buckingham Palace. The correct name of the ceremony known as Changing the Guard is actually Guard Mounting. In this process a New Guard exchanges duty with the Old Guard and both Guards are drawn from one of the regiments of Foot Guards.

The Royal Mews

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Buckingham palace interesting facts.

The Centre Piece of Britain’s Constitutional Monarchy

Buckingham Palace is home to over 775 rooms, 19 of these are State rooms along with 52 official royal bedrooms and guest rooms. The staff themselves, have an impressive 188 bedrooms, 92 offices and a lavish 78 bathrooms. Still very much a working building it is the center piece of Britain’s constitutional monarchy which includes the everyday duties of The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh as well as their immediate family. Buckingham Palace was first opened to the general public in 1993 and it is opened every year between April and September since.

Banquets & Ceremonies

State banquets also take place in the main Ballroom of Buckingham Palace; these formal dinners take place on the first evening of a state visit by a visiting Head of State. On these occasions, 150 or more guests in formal “white tie and decorations”, including tiaras for women, may dine off gold plate.

The largest and most formal reception at Buckingham Palace takes place every November, when the Queen entertains members of the foreign diplomatic corps resident in London. On this occasion, all the state rooms are in use, as the Royal Family proceed through them beginning through the great north doors of the Picture Gallery.

As Nash had envisaged, all the large, double-mirrored doors stand open, reflecting the numerous crystal chandeliers and sconces, causing a deliberate optical illusion of space and light.

Smaller ceremonies such as the reception of new ambassadors take place in the “1844 Room”. Here too the Queen holds small lunch parties, and often meetings of the Privy Council. Larger lunch parties often take place in the curved and domed Music Room, or the State Dining Room.On all formal occasions the ceremonies are attended by the Yeomen of the Guard in their historic uniforms, and other officers of the court such as the Lord Chamberlain. Since the bombing of the palace chapel in World War II, royal christenings have sometimes taken place in the Music Room. The Queen’s first three children were all baptised here in a special gold font. Prince William was also christened in the Music Room. However, his brother, Prince Harry, was christened at St George’s Chapel, Windsor.

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King Charles Is Opening New Doors to Royal Palaces, Including Family's Summer Retreat, to Public for First Time

Visitors will be able to tour Balmoral Castle, where Queen Elizabeth died, and new nooks of Buckingham Palace, including the room that leads out to the iconic balcony

Janine Henni is a Royals Staff Writer for PEOPLE Digital, covering modern monarchies and the world's most famous families. Like Queen Elizabeth, she loves horses and a great tiara moment.

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty; Greg Balfour Evans/Alamy

Balmoral Castle and Buckingham Palace are welcoming visitors in new ways.

It was revealed this week that both royal residences will welcome visitors into previously unseen spaces through ticketed tours this summer. In fact, Balmoral Castle in Scotland is opening "for the first time since the castle was completed in 1855," its website says.

Balmoral is famed as the royal family's cherished summer sanctuary in the Scottish Highlands, but it also holds sad memories for the group. Prince William  and  Prince Harry were spending time there in August 1997 when their mother, Princess Diana , tragically died in a car crash in Paris.

Queen Elizabeth , who her granddaughter  Princess Eugenie  once said was "most happy" at Balmoral, died there in 2022. Sources told PEOPLE at the time it was fitting she spend her last hours there because it was such a special place for her and her family — and now, the public can step into the castle in Aberdeenshire for themselves.

Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty

The Castle Internal Guided Tours experience is touted as a "historical journey" through "several of the beautiful rooms," comprised of a private guide that talks visitors through its history from acquisition by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1845 to a peek at how King Charles , Queen Camilla and other royal family members continue to use the space today. 

The royal family has previously permitted tours at Balmoral around the grounds and gardens, but access inside the castle was limited to the ballroom, making the Castle Internal Guided Tours the most intimate yet.

The tours are set to run from July 1 to August 4, capped at 10 people per session. The general guided excursion currently costs about $126 a person, while tickets with afternoon tea are about $189 — and are open to adults only.

Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty

While many of the internal Balmoral Castle tours have already sold out, there’s still plenty of availability for the Balmoral General Admission, featuring a trove of artwork by King Charles plus some royal fashion. The Ballroom promises "His Majesty The King's watercolor collection depicting scenery at Balmoral, Highgrove and Sandringham" and a "collection of outfits worn by Their Majesties King Charles and Queen Camilla, the late Queen Elizabeth and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother."

While Buckingham Palace has been a popular stop for royal watchers since 1993 when Queen Elizabeth opened its gates as a fundraiser after a devastating fire ripped through Windsor Castle in 1992, new areas of the famous London residence will be available to tour for the first time this year.

The East Wing of Buckingham Palace, where the King filmed his Christmas broadcast in December 2023, will be toured for the first time come summer. On April 3, the Royal Collection Trust announced that the iconic palace will open the wing via the Principal Floor following five years of restorative work.

Jonathan Brady - WPA Pool /Getty

The East Wing includes the front façade and iconic palace balcony, "where the monarch and members of the royal family have gathered for public appearances during special occasions or historic moments since 1851," including royal weddings, coronations and Trooping the Colour, the annual celebration of the monarch's birthday.

The Royal Collection Trust said that the royal family still uses the wing today for official meetings and events.

Royal watchers can save the date for East Wing Highlights Tours held daily in July and August starting July 15, booked in addition to standard admission to the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace.

Chris Jackson/Getty 

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The palace will be open seven days a week in July and August for the first time since 2019 before scaling back to five days a week in September.

While Buckingham Palace is synonymous with the British royals and serves as the hub of the monarchy’s operations, King Charles and Queen Camilla don’t actually live there! The palace is in the middle of a $460 million renovation reportedly not due to be complete until 2027 .

Stuart C. Wilson/Getty

As King Charles, 75, invites the public into new nooks for the first time this summer, The Times cited royal biographer Robert Hardman’s prediction that the King would open up Balmoral during his reign.

"Balmoral is private property. However, it needs public footfall not just to help pay the bills but to bring benefits to the wider community and to remain in step with other stately homes," the outlet quoted Hardman as writing in Charles III. New King. New Court. The Inside Story 2024 , which was published under the title The Making of a King: King Charles III and the Modern Monarchy in the U.S. in January.

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