1. Photo © Michael Garnett, taken from the Time Out London Flickr group

  2. White drawing room, Derry Moore / Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2013

  3. Photo © Michael Garnett, taken from the Time Out London Flickr group

  4. The throne room, Derry Moore / Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2013

  5. Photo © Jamie Koster, taken from the Time Out London Flickr group

  6. Photo © Michael Garnett, taken from the Time Out London Flickr group

  7. The palace gates, Andrew Holt / Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2013

  8. Photo © Michael Garnett, taken from the Time Out London Flickr group

  9. Photo © Prad Patel, taken from the Time Out London Flickr group

  10. The grand staircase, Derry Moore / Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2013

Buckingham Palace

A chance to see world famous art, glimpse regal opulence and get inside HRH’s HQ
  • Attractions | Sightseeing
  • The Mall
  • Recommended
Advertising

Time Out says

What is it?

Many a tourist and local alike know the iconic façade of Buckingham Palace, standing grandly at the end of The Mall. But it was only in 1913 that this epic addition was made, by King George V and Queen Mary. Before that, in 1633, the palace wasn’t even royal – it belonged to Lord Goring, who was forced to hand over ownership to the Royal Family (under King George III) due to a flaw in his contract. Whoops!

Still, if it weren’t for Lord Goring’s poor knowledge of residential law in seventeenth-century Britain, who knows where the King and co would reside. And as for greeting great hordes of onlookers from that renowned balcony, they have Queen Victoria to thank for that. She requested a large balcony from which she could send off and welcome back her troops. To this day, this is where the Monarch and Royal Family appear for a wave on big occasions.

However, it’s not just major events that’ll see the Royal Family at work here. Buckingham Palace is the genuine HQ for the Monarchy and meetings take place daily here, as well as ceremonial occasions with international heads of state. Plus, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh actually live here, but they’re on a very private side of the Palace, so don’t count on a chance encounter

Why go?

There is still plenty for us norms to have a ganders at. All year long you can get a nosey round The King's Gallery, where you’ll find pieces from the Royal Collection. Plus, from February to November the Royal Mews is open for strolling along, and the State Rooms are open throughout August and September (as well as for one-off tours during the year when the King isn’t home). 

Don't miss:

The changing of the guard happens daily at 10:45 and lasts around 45 minutes. Arrive early to get a good view, because crowds fill up and fast.

When to visit:

Exclusive Guided Tours are available November 2024 - January 2025, with tours starting at various times between 10.30am -5pm

Ticket info:

Tickets and event information is available from the website.

Time Out tip:

We think The Queen Victoria Memorial at the front and round the side of Buckingham Palace is well worth a look. 

Read our full guide to visiting Buckingham Palace

Details

Address
Buckingham Palace Rd
London
SW1A 1AA
Transport:
Tube: Victoria/Green Park/Hyde Park Corner Rail: Victoria
Price:
Prices vary
Opening hours:
Times vary
Do you own this business?Sign in & claim business

What’s on

The Edwardians: Age of Elegance

The Edwardians are famous for all sorts of things: women’s suffrage, the invention of the vacuum cleaner, and wearing massive hats. The wealthiest Edwardians were also noted for their extravagant style and glamour, with masters like William Morris, Fabergé, and John Singer Sargent creating the most opulent art of the era. This spring, a major exhibition at The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, will take you through the glitziest parts of the Edwardian days – think grand balls, ladies lounging around in gowns, and lots of eleborate jewellery.  Age of Elegance will explore the lives and tastes of two of Britain’s most fashionable royal couples – King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, and King George V and Queen Mary – through more than 300 items, including fashion, jewellery, paintings, photographs, books, sculpture and ceramics. 
  • History
Advertising
You may also like
You may also like