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How To Visit Buckingham Palace In 2024: Tickets, Hours, Tours, And More

Eddie Saint-Jean Last Updated: August 23, 2024

Don’t just stand outside and look for the full-mast flag that means the monarch is home — go in! Buckingham Palace is the British Royal Family’s official residence and even you can visit. That said, it can be tricky and you’ll need to plan ahead. To help you out, I’ve put together this guide with info on tickets, tours, what to see, and the palace’s history. Here’s how to visit Buckingham Palace.

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 Buckingham Palace tours  for a memorable trip, and the top things to do in London .

Visiting Buckingham Palace: What We’ll Cover

Witnessing the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is one of the most iconic things you can do in London—after visiting the palace itself, of course.

As the official London residence of the British monarch since 1837, it is replete with all the opulence you would expect of kings and queens. If it’s on your bucket list, you’ll find out what you need to know about how to visit Buckingham Palace in this guide. Here’s what we’ll cover:

• Opening hours and tickets
• How much time to budget for your visit
• What to see in Buckingham Palace
• Guided tour options
• Facts and history of Buckingham Palace
• Places to eat nearby

Not ready to book a tour? Find out if London tours are worth it .

Buckingham Palace Opening Hours and Tickets

Opening Hours:

Visitors have access to the Buckingham Palace State Rooms and the Palace Garden for several weeks throughout the year. But for obvious security reasons, these can only be palace guided tours. Available dates vary based on the tours that the palace offers, but here’s what’s happening in 2024.

Palace-guided tours: From November to May there are tours available on Fridays at 4:00pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 10:30am through 2:30pm

Summer tickets: From July 11th until September 29th, there are tours running everyday with State Rooms closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Tickets have a timed entry so you’ll want to book ahead , but the palace is open from 9:30 am to the last admission at 5:15 in July and August, and 4:15 in September.

The Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place outside the palace building but within its gates. The public can view this ceremony without a ticket which takes place between 10:45 to 11:00. This time is not exact and is also dependent on weather. The ceremony only happens everyday in June/July and on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays for the rest of the year.

Tickets and Tours:

Tickets must be booked online or booked here for a guided tour that includes the area around Buckingham Palace.

Palace-guided tours in the winter and spring:

Adults: £95 Family guided tour: ages 5-17 is £49.50, under 5 is free

Summer Buckingham Palace tickets if purchased in advance:

Adults: £32 Young adults (18-24): £20.50 Child (5-17): £16 Disabled: £16 Under 5: Free Families: automatic discount for 1 adult and 2 children or up to 2 adults and 4 children

Pro Tip: Your tickets can be validated for up to a year if you ask a Warden to stamp it before leaving!

Address: Buckingham Palace

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our article on the best London tours to take and why .

How Long To Spend at Buckingham Palace

Short Answer: 2.5 hours for the State Rooms or 4.5 hours for the Royal Day Out

There are 19 State Rooms (the palace has a total of 775 rooms) so a meaningful visit will take a few hours. You’ll have access to several of the most ornately decorated rooms with treasures from the Royal Collection, paintings by old master artists, expensive sculptures, and elegant English and French furniture.

Also, you get to see the opulent and historic Throne Room. You might agree as I do that the White Drawing Room is even grander than the Throne Room. Find out for yourself!

What To See In Buckingham Palace

On your visit to the royal residence, make sure you see these incredible rooms and sights. There’s a lot of history and opulence to take in as you see Buckingham Palace. For a more detailed list with history, check out our article on the top things to see at the palace.

• The Changing Of The Guard
• The Throne Room
• The Queen’s Gallery
• The White Drawing Room 
• The Palace Garden
• Treasures Of The Palace
• The Ballroom
• The Gold State Coach
• The Diamond Jubilee State Coach
• The Grand Staircase

Buckingham Palace Tour Options

Guided tours to see Buckingham Palace, the Changing of the Guard, and other important areas around this royal area are the best way to get to know this historic site. We offer several top-rated tours that you can choose to make your vacation in London the best ever.

The Buckingham Palace Royalty Tour (2.5 hours)

Anyone can take an audio-guided tour, but if you book this tour, you get the special attention of a tour guide who knows incredible stories you won’t hear on that audio guide. Plus, you’ll first explore the serene St. James Park where you’ll hear about it’s transformation from a swampland to a deer park and a quiet oasis.

You’ll feel like you know the royals even better after exploring the Mall where official processionals and the Changing of the Guard have happened for centuries. Rest assured that your guide will get you to the right door at Buckingham Palace after entertaining you with stories of what you’ll see inside.

See tour itinerary, price, and description

London Walking Tour with Westminster Abbey and Changing of the Guard (3 hours)

Clients love our skip-the-line access to the famous Westminster Abbey where they can enjoy a few minutes of quiet time with their guide in the nave of the abbey before the public enters.

There’s more to see at Westminster than you think, so having a knowledgeable guide to lead you through the Quire, Poet’s Corner, and more, is extremely helpful. And if the Changing of the Guard happens on the day of your tour, they’ll be sure to help you see it from several vantage points.

London in a Day Tour with Westminster Abbey and Tower of London (7 hours)

Our top-selling London tour is a must-do when you’re traveling to the heart of the United Kingdom. Your local guides are highly qualified and can share an unreal amount of cool facts and stories about London’s iconic sites and history. Starting at Westminster Abbey, you’ll be amazed at just how much of London you can see on foot and on a Thames river cruise.

Your skip-the-line tickets help you maximize your time, and your guides know where the best spots to see the Changing of the Guard are found. Your final stop at the Tower of London brings London’s more grisly history to life. It’s the perfect place to end your busy day tour of London!

Not ready to book a tour? Find out if sightseeing tours in London are worth it .

Buckingham Palace Facts and History 

• The palace has a total of 775 rooms, 19 of which are state rooms open to the public. 
• There have been many properties on the site. From 1698, however, it was known as Buckingham House and was the home of the Duke of Buckingham, where it gets its name.
• In 1761, it became known as the Queen’s House after George III bought it for his wife Queen Charlotte.
• It became a palace for the first time in the 1820s when George IV had it lavishly restructured fit for a king.
• The royal family made it their official residence in 1837, and Queen Victoria was the first royal to officially live there as head of state.
• The palace entertains 50,000 invited guests a year. Also, it averages 578,000 paid visitors a year.
• The Changing of the Guard ceremony happens daily at 10.45 am. King Henry VII made them the official Royal Body Guard 500 years ago. 
• During World War II, the palace was repeatedly targeted but survived nine bombing raids. The Royal Family refused to move out despite concerns for their safety.
• The palace is heavily protected but in 1982 an intruder called Michael Fagan broke into the Queen’s bedroom while she was sleeping. When she awoke, they had a brief chat before she fled the room and raised the alarm.

Places To Eat Nearby

The good news is your dining options are plentiful, but you’ll need to choose wisely. You can dine like royalty on Buckingham Palace Road, very close to the palace. Or, on the same stretch of road, there are sandwich bars with a more laid-back atmosphere and casual dining.

Take your pick of traditional British fare or more exotic cuisines. Here are a few suggestions, but if you’d like more options, also check out our guide to the best restaurants near Buckingham Palace . 

The Laughing Halibut : £ | Takeaway —Grab some old-school fish and chips to take away or take a seat inside. It’s a great place for a quick lunch with good reviews.

Bon Gusto : ££ | Italian Cuisine —Fancy a change from British grub? Try this Italian restaurant with a selection of meat, seafood, and pasta dishes. There are also soups and Mediterranean salads.  

The English Grill : ££££ | Traditional British Fare —This restaurant promises you’ll dine like royalty. Indeed, it is ornately decorated with regal furniture and furnishings. You can enjoy traditional afternoon tea in a garden overlooking the Royal Mews. Also, the range of steak, salad, and dessert dishes (to name a few) are product-sourced from the same Royal suppliers as Buckingham Palace.

Find the best places to stay

Where To Stay in London

Deciding where to stay at a great hotel in London can take some effort since it’s a massive city. Make your decision easier with our list of the best neighborhoods and hotels in London.

Reader Interactions

Comments (10).

June 30, 2022

We Want to visit inside Buckingham Palace either on 13th or 14th July. Can you help us tour and visit it?

July 5, 2022

We don’t currently offer Buckingham Palace tours, but we’d love to take you around London to see the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, plus even more great locations on our London in a Day tour and Westminster Abbey tour .

July 1, 2022

Will we be able to turn up at Buckingham Palace and buy a ticket on the day? Shanthi

[email protected]

Not necessarily. Since the royal family uses Buckingham Palace, schedules and public access are subject to changes at short notice. Additionally, tours are not available every day. It’s best to plan ahead and purchase tickets before you arrive to have the best chance of entering the palace.

September 19, 2022

It’s my 70th birthday august 21 2023 and I would like to bring my children/grandchildren to visit Buckingham Palace. There will be 2 x Oaps, 3 adults, 1 child aged 9 and 1 aged 4. What would you recommend and at what cost? Thank you for your help Best wishes

September 21, 2022

What a fun trip! You can check their website for tickets next season. The palace is only open for 10 weeks in the summer, and it’s closed early this year due to the queen’s death. You can also book a trip out to Windsor Castle and Stonehenge for fun day trip to another royal residence.

In your ‘blurb’ “It became a palace for the first time in the 1820s when George VI had it lavishly restructured to be fit for a king.” This is incorrect. In actual fact it was ‘King George IV’ who died in 1830 King George VI was Queen Elizabeth II father and died in 1952

Thanks for letting us know about that typo! It makes a difference of generations!

I purchased four Buckingham Palace tour tickets for Thursday, September 29. I do have my confirmation email, but I don’t have the actual ticket email. If I would email my customer and order numbers to an office or a person, is there some way I could please get the email with the actual tickets.

Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and assistance with this matter.

You’ll need to check with the company from whom you purchased your ticket as they’ll have the accurate information.

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The Royal Residence: A Tour of Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is one of the most iconic landmarks in London, and it serves as the official residence of the British monarch. Here’s what you need to know about this majestic palace:

The History

Buckingham Palace was originally built as a townhouse for the Duke of Buckingham in 1703. It was later acquired by King George III in 1761 as a private residence for the royal family. Since then, it has undergone several renovations and expansions to become the grand palace we know today.

The State Rooms

The State Rooms at Buckingham Palace are open to the public during the summer months, and they offer visitors a glimpse into the life of the British monarchy. The State Rooms are used for official ceremonies and events, and they are filled with priceless works of art, lavish furnishings, and ornate decorations. Some of the highlights include the Throne Room, the Ballroom, and the Picture Gallery.

The Changing of the Guard

The Changing of the Guard is a daily ceremony that takes place at Buckingham Palace during the summer months, and every other day during the winter. It’s a colorful spectacle that involves the changing of the guard outside the palace gates. The ceremony lasts for approximately 45 minutes, and it’s free to watch.

Tips for Visiting

To avoid the crowds, it’s best to book your tickets in advance. You can also take advantage of the audio guide that’s available in several languages to learn more about the history and significance of each room. If you’re interested in seeing the Changing of the Guard, it’s best to arrive early to secure a good viewing spot.

Buckingham Palace is a must-see attraction in London, offering visitors a glimpse into the opulent world of the British monarchy. From the grand State Rooms to the colourful Changing of the Guard ceremony, there’s something for everyone at this iconic palace. So, book your tickets in advance and get ready for a royal experience you won’t forget.

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Buckingham Palace tours, Changing of the Guard

State rooms and palace gardens opening - a visitor's guide.

Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence of Britain's sovereigns since 1837. Buckingham Palace is one of the few working palaces remaining in the world today.

The fabulous residence of His Majesty The King is for many a must-visit destination on any visit to London. However the Palace is not open all year round - to come up close to fabulous works by Rembrandt, Rubens and Canaletto as well as the 19 exquisitely furnished State Rooms, you need to book tickets for the summer tours, available from the end of July to late September.

Buckingham Palace tickets 2024 - available now

Included in your ticket is access to Buckingham Palace Gardens, which opened for the first time in 2021.

You also have the opportunity to extend your day with a visit to the Royal Mews (open March - October).

If you find yourself in London outside the summer months, The King's Gallery is open year round and offers the chance to see a changing exhibition of items from the Royal Collection.

If you do not wish to enter inside the Palace but simply wish to see the spectacle of the Changing of the Guard , we discuss on this page.

For a really alternative traditional English experience, why not combine Buckingham Palace tickets with a 1950s classic Routemaster bus and river cruise ?

Want even more Royal days out in London? See our page Royal Palaces and Castles in London for highlights of the best.

BOOK Buckingham Palace 2024 tickets   Palace opening times 2024   What will I see?   Location   Royal Mews - BOOK TICKETS   King's Gallery - BOOK TICKETS   Changing of the Guard   Tour: Windsor Castle & Buckingham Palace   Royal themed tours in London   Other royal palaces

BUCKINGHAM PALACE TICKETS 2024

Book tickets for Buckingham Palace - only available late July to September

With option to add on Royal Mews

• The State Rooms • The Royal Collection • Paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens and Canaletto • Audio tour included • Famous 42-acre Buckingham Palace Gardens

Buckingham Palace opening times 2024

Buckingham Palace summer tours

Buckingham Palace is open every Monday and Thursday - Sunday from 15th July - 29th September 2024.

Entry works on a timed admission system, which is the time you select when purchasing your ticket. You should arrive no earlier than 10 minutes before the entry time on your ticket.

Alternative Buckingham Palace options rest of the year

The King's Gallery is a permanent space dedicated to changing exhibitions of items from the Royal Collection and is open year round.

The fantastic spectacle that is the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is another choice if you are in London outside the summer months.

The  Royal Mews  (the working stables for the royalty) is open for a longer period than the palace itself - from March to October.

Buckingham Palace - what will I see?

Buckingham Palace is a fully working royal palace, housing not only The King, but serving as the administrative headquarters of the Royal Household. It should be stressed for visitors that Buckingham Palace is very much a working palace, despite its undoubted treasures inside, access is very limited.

State Rooms

The 19 State Rooms are exquisitely furnished with fine examples of French and English antique furniture and display some of the greatest treasures from the Royal Collection, including works by Rubens, Canaletto and Rembrandt, sculpture by Canova and porcelain by Sèvres.

Buckingham Palace Gardens

Often called the ‘walled oasis in the middle of London', the gardens of Buckingham Palace are a true sight to behold. Home to 30 different species of bird and over 350 different wild flowers, there is plenty to see and enjoy. Visitors finish their tour with a walk along the south side of the garden, taking in views of the famous lake and the west front of the palace.

Audio guides

Your ticket includes an audio guide available in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Russian and Brazilian Portuguese.

How to get to Buckingham Palace

Location of the palace

Buckingham Palace is situated within the Royal Parks of St James and Green Park . Westminster and Trafalgar Square are a pleasant walk across St James Park and its delightful lake. Westminster Abbey , Big Ben, Mansion House, Churchill's War Rooms, Trafalgar Square, 10 Downing Street and the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery are all within 10 minutes' walk.

Nearest underground station

Victoria Underground & Railway Station (Circle, District and Victoria Lines) is 5-10 minutes' walk passing the Royal Mews. A much more pleasant walk is from Westminster across St James Park, about 10-15 minutes from Westminster Abbey. You can also walk to Buckingham Palace from Hyde Park Corner or Green Park Underground Stations (both Piccadilly Lines) in 5 to 10 minutes.

Hop-on, hop-off buses and Thames river services

All of London's hop on, hop off sightseeing buses stop at Buckingham Palace. However, immediately after the Changing of the Guard you are best advised to walk to Victoria or Trafalgar Square as waiting times to board a bus with seats available will be long.

Worth knowing...

There are several changing of the guard ceremonies besides that at Buckingham Palace. Changing of the Guards at Horse Guards is popular with much less crowds and if you visit Windsor Castle you'll see changing of the guard there too at much closer quarters than Buckingham Palace.

Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace

The Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace is the working stables for the royalty. You will see displays of carriages and cars used for ceremonial and state occasions there. A typical visit lasts 1 hour.

State vehicles are housed and maintained at the Royal Mews. They include the carriages used for royal and State occasions, such as State Visits, weddings and the State Opening of Parliament.

Carriages from the Royal Mews are also used on roughly 50 occasions each year to convey newly appointed High Commissioners and Ambassadors from their official residence to Buckingham Palace.

The Royal Mews are at the southern end of the Buckingham Palace complex mid-way along Buckingham Palace Road that connects Victoria Station and the front gates of Buckingham Palace.

The Royal Mews is open from March to October.

Book tickets for the Royal Mews

The King's Gallery at Buckingham Palace (previously the Queen's Gallery)

The King's Gallery was opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in May 2002, as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations. It hosts a programme of changing exhibitions from the Royal Collection. You will see a wide-ranging collection of art and treasures held in trust by Monarchy for the Nation.

A typical visit will last about 90 minutes and admission includes an audio tour device.

The King's Gallery is along Buckingham Palace Road that connects Victoria Station and the front gates of Buckingham Palace between the Royal Mews and the palace.

The King's Gallery is open to the public throughout the year.

Book tickets for the King's Gallery

Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace

What most people come to Buckingham Palace for, is the Changing of the Guard staged by the front entrance from 10.45am (actual handover at 11am). Daily during peak summer months (May to July) then every other day at other times.

Known as Changing the Guard or Guard Mounting, the process involves a new guard exchanging duty with the old guard. The soldiers are drawn from one of the five regiments of Foot Guards in the British Army: the Scots Guards, the Irish Guards, the Welsh Guards, the Grenadier Guards and the Coldstream Guards.

The handover is accompanied by a Guards band. The music played ranges from traditional military marches to songs from the shows and even familiar pop songs.

If the Monarch is in residence, there are four sentries at the front of the building, if away there are two.

To be honest many people are disappointed by this, the crowds also make it difficult to get decent photographs. There is no 'performance' if it rains. You may find it more enjoyable to go over the other side of St James Park to Whitehall where another Changing of the Guard takes place.

Changing of the Guards - Horse Guards

Changing of the Guard at Horse Guards takes place daily at 11am (10am on Sundays) and lasts about half an hour here. Here there are less crowds and no palace railings in your way of good photographs. You are also much, much closer to the Guards themselves and photo opportunities are far superior.

Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace tours - and Changing of the Guard

There are two different tours visiting Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle - one includes entry to both, the other to Windsor Castle only. Buckingham Palace is open for two months only during the summer from July to September. If you are not in London during this time, or do not wish to visit inside Buckingham Palace, The Royal London and Royal Windsor tour might be just the tour for you.

Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle Tour

Tour available during summer months July - September only:

Experience two of Britain's finest Royal residences on this fantastic full-day tour to Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. Get a rare glimpse inside the King of England's official residence at Buckingham Palace before heading to the largest, continuously occupied castle in Europe and ancestral home of the monarchy at Windsor Castle .

Royal London and Royal Windsor Tour

The Royal London & Windsor tour is available from April - December, and includes the Changing of the Guard outside Buckingham Palace (on selected days).

You will enjoy a panoramic drive through London with your expert tour guide, hearing interesting stories and facts about London's long history. Through the city of Westminster, you will see all of London's most iconic sights, including Westminster Abbey, the iconic Elizabeth Tower, also known as 'Big Ben' and much, much more.

In the afternoon you'll visit the historic town of Windsor, set in a glorious riverside location famous for its links to the British crown. Wander through the cobbled streets and browse the quaint tea rooms and shopping arcades.

WINDSOR CASTLE AND BUCKINGHAM PALACE FROM LONDON

Windsor Castle & Buckingham Palace - available end July - end September

• Entry to Windsor Castle • Entry to Buckingham Palace • Professional guide • Luxury air-conditioned coach with free Wi-Fi • London in Your Pocket app access

ROYAL LONDON & ROYAL WINDSOR - DAY TOUR FROM LONDON

Day tour visiting Royal London attractions and Windsor Castle

• Royal London Tour • Royal Windsor Tour • Entrance to Windsor Castle • See Changing of the Guard - subject to day

Other Royal themed tours in London

There are lots of Royal-themed tours on offer in London. Options range from fantastic panoramic coach tours to in-depth walking tours with knowledgeable guides.

Either way you'll learn a lot about the Royal Family and classic Royal attractions in London. These tours are becoming very popular so get booked up quickly.

For the ultimate in luxury there are a couple of afternon tea options for you : enjoy the fantastic Royal London coach tour together with a luxurious Afternoon Tea at the Cellarium Café & Terrace, Westminster Abbey , or Rubens at the Palace (located with fantastic views over the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace).

ROYAL LONDON COACH TOUR

• Royal London panoramic coach tour • Changing of the Guard Ceremony • Option to add on Thames River Cruise • Option to add on Afternoon Tea at Rubens at The Palace

ROYAL LONDON TOUR WITH WESTMINSTER ABBEY ENTRANCE & AFTERNOON TEA

Half Day Coach Tour - Royal London Tour with Westminster Abbey & Afternoon Tea

• Royal London tour • Admission to Westminster Abbey •  Expert Blue Badge Guide • VOX personal headsets • Afternoon Tea at the Cellarium Café & Terrace

WIZARD WALKS & ROYALTY AND LANDMARKS TOUR

• Wizard Walks guided walking tour • Royalty & Landmarks guided walking tour • Option to add on Hop-on bus ticket • Option to add on Poppie's fish & chips

ROYAL LONDON PRIVATE COACH TOUR

• See London's iconic landmarks including the Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace and much more • Watch the Changing of the Guard Ceremony • Live commentary throughout your journey in a private luxury vehicle

Other royal palaces in London

Tower of London: Founded by William the Conqueror in 1066-7 and enlarged and modified by successive sovereigns, today the Tower of London is one of the world's most famous and spectacular fortresses. In its time it has been a royal palace, a fortress, a prison, an armoury, a treasury and an astronomical observatory. The Tower of London now displays the Crown Jewels.

Kensington Palace: A rich royal history. Kensington Palace can boast of being the birth place of Queen Victoria and the official London residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Kensington is the home of a host of Georgian monarchs and royalty including Princess Diana who have all left their mark on this impressive Palace. Explore the vast state apartments which contain an array of beautiful paintings and sculptures.

Windsor Castle: Windsor Castle is one of three official residences of The King and has been home to the Sovereign for over 900 years. The King would call Windsor Castle his home.

The castle is the largest inhabited castle in the world and the oldest in continuous occupation. The imposing towers and battlements of the castle loom large from every approach to the town, creating one of the world's most spectacular skylines.

Hampton Court: For almost 200 years, Hampton Court Palace was at the centre of English court life, politics and national history. Its most infamous resident was Henry VIII.

Today Hampton Court is an easy day trip for all visitors to London in vast grounds next to the River Thames.

Kew Palace (with Kew Gardens)  Open from March - September, Kew Palace, once the home of George III and Queen Charlotte, requires a valid ticket for Kew Gardens to enter. See the Great Pagoda (which can be climbed with a separate ticket), Queen Charlotte's Cottage and the Palace itself with Royal Kitchens.

POPULAR LONDON ATTRACTIONS - ADVANCE PURCHASE AND/OR FAST TRACK TICKETS

Royal london.

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How To Visit Buckingham Palace

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“Pussycat, pussycat, where have you been? I’ve been to London to look at the queen!” These are the starting words of a traditional children’s nursery rhyme. And it’s not only nursery-rhyme cats interested in attractions associated with the royal family.

Buckingham Palace , the King’s official London residence and the administrative headquarters of the British monarchy, is one of London’s top 10 attractions according to Visit London . Visitors can watch the Changing of the Guard, tour the State Rooms, visit the Royal Mews, see changing art exhibitions, or simply enjoy views of Buckingham Palace and the Queen Victoria Monument from adjoining Green Park .

Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence of British sovereigns since 1837 when Queen Victoria made it her home. But the property’s Royal Family history goes back to 1761 when George III bought Buckingham House for his wife Queen Charlotte.

Where Is Buckingham Palace?

Buckingham Palace sits at the intersection of The Mall, Constitution Hill, and Spur Road off Birdcage Walk in the City of Westminster in central London. The Palace is surrounded by gardens and green space on three sides. St. James’s Park sits on the east side and Green Park on the north side. Royal gardens run behind the Palace to the west. A number of London tourist attractions, including Westminster Abbey, the Churchill War Rooms, and Trafalgar Square, lie within a one-mile radius of the palace.

The Wellington Arch , a large stone archway flanked with Corinthian columns and topped with the largest bronze sculpture in Europe, sits at the western end of Constitution Hill at Hyde Park Corner. Originally built as the outer entrance to Buckingham Palace, the arch was moved to its current location in the 1880s. You can purchase tickets to get inside the arch, where rooms over five stories house historical exhibitions and balconies offer views of Buckingham Palace’s back gardens and London’s Royal Parks.

s4svisuals / Shutterstock

How To Get To Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace’s central location is easily reached by the Underground, by train, and by coach/bus.

How To Get To Buckingham Palace By Subway

London’s subway system, known as the London Underground or by its nickname, the Tube, is fast and efficient. The nearest Underground stops to Buckingham Palace are Victoria, Green Park, St. James’s Park, and Hyde Park Corner.

It’s roughly an 11-minute walk to Buckingham Palace from Victoria Station, an 8-minute walk from Green Park Station or St. James’s Park Station, and a 12-minute walk from Hyde Park Corner Station.

How To Get To Buckingham Palace By Train

The National Rail System is a passenger train network connecting London with the rest of the country. You might use this system to get to Buckingham Palace if you are coming from outside of the Greater London area serviced by the Underground. London Victoria and Charing Cross Station are the nearest train stations to Buckingham Palace.

How To Get To Buckingham Palace By Coach Or Bus

Bus numbers 11, 211, C1 and C10 stop on Buckingham Palace Road. Victoria Coach Station is a 10-minute walk from the Palace. Use Transport for London’s Plan a Journey page to determine which bus to take from your starting location.

Buckingham Palace is also a stop on some hop-on, hop-off tourist buses.

Ink Drop / Shutterstock

When Is The Best Time To Visit Buckingham Palace?

If you want to get inside Buckingham Palace, summer is the best time to visit. Although the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace are open to visitors for a few selected dates in winter and spring, the primary touring time is in summer.

Summer also offers the best weather for viewing the Changing of the Guard . Of course, summer is the busiest tourist season and you will be jostling amongst a crowd for the best views. Bundle up or pack a poncho, and you can see the Changing of the Guard throughout the year.

The Royal Mews is open February through November. Guided tours are offered between April and October. The Royal Mews is responsible for all the road travel arrangements for the King and the Royal Family. Inside you’ll find historic carriages, a stable of horses, and livery worn by the King’s horsemen. Note that the Royal Mews are part of a working royal palace and closures sometimes happen at short notice.

The Queen’s Gallery is a public art gallery that features changing exhibitions from the Royal Collection featuring old master paintings, rare furniture, decorative arts, and photographic images. The Queen’s Gallery is open year-round.

cowardlion / Shutterstock

When Is The Changing Of The Guard?

The Changing of the Guard is a ceremony in which the King’s Guards, clad in scarlet uniforms and bearskin caps, hand off responsibility for protecting Buckingham Palace. The guards are Foot Guards, or highly trained infantry soldiers.

The ceremony, which is free to watch, takes place on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace. Formation of the guards in preparation for the ceremony begins around 10:30 a.m. when the Buckingham Palace Old Guard lines up for inspection, the St. James Old Guard begins its march down The Mall, and the New Guard forms on the parade square at Wellington Barracks. Guards and bands start arriving at Buckingham Palace at 10:45 a.m. The actual handover, when the New Guard enters the forecourt via the North Gate and receives the Palace Keys, occurs at 11 a.m. sharp. This is followed by marches of the Old and New Guards. The ceremony takes approximately 45 minutes. Musical accompaniment is provided by a regimental band or corps of drums.

The Changing of the Guard is popular. It is recommended you arrive before 10:15 a.m. to get a good viewing spot. The Buckingham Palace railings are a good spot with visibility of the entire forecourt ceremony, but you need to arrive very early to situate yourself here.

The elevated position of the steps of the Victoria Monument also provides a reasonable view. Spur Road on the left facing Buckingham Palace is a good place to see the New Guard and Band marching up Birdcage Walk. Remember to “make way for the King’s Guard!” and not stand in the way of the Foot Guards.

Although the Changing of the Guard occurs several times a week, it is not scheduled everyday. Check the Changing of the Guard schedule before you plan your visit.

Royal Collection Trust

How To Tour The Inside of Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms, including 240 Royal, guest, and staff bedrooms, 92 offices, 78 bathrooms, and 19 State rooms. The State Rooms inside Buckingham Palace are open to visitors for 10 weeks each summer and on selected dates during winter and spring. The King’s private living spaces are not open to the public.

The State Rooms are the public rooms in the palace where the King and members of the Royal Family receive and entertain guests on ceremonial and official occasions. Rooms you will tour after entering via the opulent, red-carpeted Grand Staircase include the White Drawing Room, the Throne Room, the Ballroom, and the Picture Gallery.

Each year the Royal Collection Trust , the organization that manages public openings of the official residences of His Majesty the King, curates a special exhibit for the summer opening at Buckingham Palace. In 2019, Queen Victoria’s Palace held an exhibition to honor the 200th anniversary of Queen Victoria’s birth, telling the story of how the young queen transformed Buckingham Palace from a private house into a working royal residence.

You need to purchase tickets for the State Rooms tour in advance. Tickets can be booked online. Arrive at least 10 minutes before your entry time. You will go through airport-style security. Complimentary multimedia guides are provided. Photographs are not allowed. Wear comfortable shoes as there is a fair bit of walking involved. The Royal Collection Trust recommends you allow up to 2 hours and 30 minutes for your State Rooms tour. One of the available ticketing options allows you to add a 45-minute guided tour of Buckingham Palace Gardens to your State Rooms visit.

Can I See The King At Buckingham Palace?

The nursery-rhyme cat may have had a look at the queen, but you are unlikely to see the now King when you visit Buckingham Palace. State Room tours are scheduled when the King is not in residence. When the King is at home at Buckingham Palace, you’ll see his flag, the Royal Standard, flying from the flagpole on top of the palace.

If your visit to London coincides with a Royal Wedding or a special event of national significance, you may be able to get a glimpse of the King on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, where he and Royal Family members gather to wave to crowds below.

Your best bet for getting a look at the King may actually be away from Buckingham Palace at one of the functions he attends. The Royal Diary on the Royal Family website contains a list of engagements to be attended by His Royal Majesty and other Royal Family members.

Two annual events offer opportunities to see the King. For the State Opening of Parliament in May, the King travels from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster in a State coach escorted by the Household Cavalry.

Headed to the UK? Here’s why Oxford is well worth visiting on your next trip to England .

Photo Credit: HiStockPhoto / Shutterstock

Photo Credit: Pajor Pawel / Shutterstock

Donna Janke is a writer based in Canada out of Winnipeg, Manitoba. She shares her travel discoveries on her blog, Destinations Detours and Dreams , using a combination of narrative, photography, and personal reflection, all with an eye for detail. Her interest in travel started as a child when books transported her around the world, and grew as she explored the world in person. Her life as a travel writer began after she retired from a professional career in IT. Donna loves discovering the unique character of places, near and far, and writing to inspire others in their travels. Her travel stories have been published in several outlets, and tend to focus on culture, history, nature, art, architecture, and food.

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• HM Treasury

Sovereign Grant Act 2011: guidance

Updated 8 August 2023

© Crown copyright 2023

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: [email protected] .

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sovereign-grant-act-2011-guidance/sovereign-grant-act-2011-guidance

1. Sovereign Grant

The Sovereign Grant Act 2011 came into effect on 1 April 2012. It sets the single grant supporting the Monarch’s official business, enabling The King to discharge his duties as Head of State. It meets the central staff costs and running expenses of His Majesty’s official household – including official receptions, investitures and garden parties. It also covers maintenance of the Royal Palaces in England and the cost of travel to carry out royal engagements such as opening buildings and other royal visits.

In exchange for this public support, The King surrenders the revenue from The Crown Estate to the government. Over the last ten years, the revenue paid to the Exchequer is £3 billion and is used for public spending.

The Sovereign Grant for 2022-23 is £86.3 million, the same as in 2021-22. While the net revenue surplus for The Crown Estate fell in 2020-21 due to the impact of Covid, the Sovereign Grant Act 2011 includes a mechanism to keep the Grant at the same level as the previous year in such circumstances. Where the Grant would reduce, the previous year’s amount should be paid.

No member of the Royal Family receives an allowance from the government.

Visit the official website of the British Monarchy

2. Determination of the Sovereign Grant

Normally the size of Sovereign Grant for a given year is equal to a prescribed proportion (initially 15% and since 2017/18 25%) of The Crown Estate’s profit for the financial year two years prior to the year in question. This means that the Grant can be set firmly at the beginning of each financial year, Under the requirements of the Sovereign Grant Act 2011, in the event of a reduction in The Crown Estate’s profits in the reference year as in 2020- 21, the Sovereign Grant is set at the same level as the previous year.

The Royal Trustees (the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Keeper of the Privy Purse) prepare a formal report recommending the amount of the Sovereign Grant for the next financial year based on the formula described above. This report has to be published as soon as practicable after the Sovereign Grant and The Crown Estate Accounts for that year have been published.

If the whole of the Sovereign Grant is not spent in a given year, the surplus is paid into a Reserve Fund, controlled by the Royal Trustees. The amount that may accumulate in the Reserve Fund is limited in line with the provisions set out in the Sovereign Grant Act 2011. This gives the Royal Trustees the power to set a lower level of Sovereign Grant than the formula would otherwise generate.

3. Accountability

The Keeper of the Privy Purse as Accounting Officer for the Sovereign Grant, is accountable to HM Treasury and Parliament. The Sovereign Grant business accounts are audited by the National Audit Office (NAO) and laid before Parliament. The NAO may also undertake value for money reviews to scrutinise its use of public funds. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) may in turn investigate these further.

4. Review of the formula for Sovereign Grant

The percentage used for calculating the Sovereign Grant is reviewed periodically. The first review took place in 2016 and assessed whether the 15% proportion value was appropriate. The Royal Trustees recommended an increase in the percentage to 25% from 2017-18 to fund a ten-year reservicing works at Buckingham Palace and the Monarch’s official duties.

The second percentage review has concluded and the Royal Trustees Report published in July 2023 recommends that the percentage rate be reduced to 12%. A statutory instrument giving effect to this rate will be laid in Parliament in due course. The change of percentage will come into effect from April 2024.

For more details, please read:

• the Sovereign Grant Act 2011: Report of the Royal Trustees on the Sovereign Grant Review 2016
• Report of the Royal Trustees on the Sovereign Grant Review 2023
• the Buckingham Palace Reservicing Programme Summary

5. Duchy of Cornwall

The Duchy of Cornwall is a private landed estate created by Charter in 1337 when Edward III granted it to his son and heir, Prince Edward (the Black Prince) and all his subsequent heirs. It provides each Duke with an income from its assets.

The estate comprises primarily agricultural, commercial and residential property, in addition to which the Duchy has a portfolio of financial investments. The Duchy consists of around 52,971 hectares of land in 23 counties, mostly in the South West of England. For more details, please visit the official website for the Duchy of Cornwall .

Under the Sovereign Grant Act:

• a grant is to be paid to heirs to the throne who are not Dukes of Cornwall to put them in a similar financial position as if they were Dukes of Cornwall; this means that in future, daughters of the Monarch, as well as younger sons, could benefit
• if the heir is not the Duke of Cornwall and is over 18, the heir is to receive a grant based on Duchy revenues; the Monarch (who in these circumstances becomes the Duke) receives the Duchy revenues, and the Sovereign Grant is reduced by an equal amount (so in effect, the heir would receive the Duchy income)
• if the Duke of Cornwall is a minor, 90% of the revenues of the Duchy go to the Monarch and the Sovereign Grant is reduced accordingly

6. Royal Palaces

The Occupied Royal Palaces are held in trust for the nation by The King as Sovereign. Their maintenance and upkeep is one of the expenses met by the government in return for the surrender by the Sovereign of the hereditary revenues of the Crown (mainly the profit from The Crown Estate). The Sovereign Grant allows the Royal Household to set its own priorities and thus generate economies.

The Occupied Royal Palaces are:

• Buckingham Palace
• St James’s Palace
• the residential and office areas of Kensington Palace
• the Royal Mews and Royal Paddocks at Hampton Court
• Windsor Castle and buildings in the Home and Great Parks at Windsor

7. Royal Travel

The Sovereign Grant covers the cost of The King’s travel on official engagements and travel by members of the Royal Family representing Him. Safety, security, presentation, the need to minimise disruption for others, the effective use of time, environmental impact and cost are taken into account when deciding on the most appropriate means of travel.

Where appropriate, The King and Queen plus other Members of the Royal Family use scheduled train services for their official journeys. In addition, The King and other Members of the Royal Family representing The King may use the Royal Train for longer journeys in the UK.

The Royal Train enables members of the Royal Family to travel overnight and to work and hold meetings during lengthy journeys. It has office and communications facilities.

Journeys on the train are always organised so as not to interfere with scheduled services.

The Monarch is not legally liable to pay income tax, capital gains tax or inheritance tax because the relevant enactments do not apply to the Crown. The same is true for the income from the Duchy of Cornwall which is paid to The Prince of Wales. Since 1993, The Monarch and the Prince of Wales have voluntarily paid tax. This is set out in a  Memorandum of Understanding on Royal Taxation , updated July 2023.

The King is not liable to pay tax on the Sovereign Grant as it covers official expenditure only and, under the arrangements in the Memorandum, tax would not be due.

Other key points to note:

• the King voluntarily pays income and capital gains tax, alongside inheritance tax to the extent described in paragraphs 1.10 and 1.11 in the Memorandum. Tax is also paid on The King’s Privy Purse income (which includes income received from the Duchy of Lancaster) to the extent that it is not used for official purposes
• other members of the Royal Family are fully liable to tax in the normal way. The cost of their official duties is allowed against tax

9. The Crown Estate

The Crown Estate is the property of the Sovereign “in right of the Crown”, as set out on  the official website of The Crown Estate . Since 1760 each monarch has surrendered its revenue to the Exchequer in return for government support.

The Crown Estate is managed by an independent organisation, headed by a Board which is charged with maintaining and enhancing the value of the Estate, and any profit from the Estate is paid every year to the Treasury for the benefit of all UK taxpayers. The Treasury is effectively the principle Government stakeholder.

For more details, you can view financial information on this section of  the official website of The Crown Estate .

The profit of The Crown Estate is a reference point for the calculation of Sovereign Grant. The Crown Estate does not pay the Sovereign Grant to the Monarch directly. The Crown Estate makes payments each year to the Consolidated Fund and HM Treasury pays the Sovereign Grant to the Monarch.

10. Security costs

No breakdown of security costs is available as disclosure of such information could compromise the integrity of these arrangements and affect the security of the individuals protected. It is long established policy not to comment upon the protective security arrangements and their related costs for members of the Royal Family or their residences.

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