visit buckingham palace gardens

We tour the Buckingham Palace gardens and discover its secrets

We tour the expansive gardens found at Buckingham Palace, from the secret beehives to the impressive rosebeds

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The British Royal Family is famous for its love of gardening, so it is unsurprising that the Buckingham Palace gardens are some of the best in the world. 

Spanning a massive 42 acres, the Palace gardens in London are some of several expansive royal residence gardens cared for by a team of elite gardeners year-round. The garden fulfils many roles year-round, both as a private garden for the Royal Family and as a venue for royal events. The most famous of these were the late Queen's Garden Parties, which saw around 24,000 guests from around the world welcomed to the gardens each summer. 

Here, we take a look around the Buckingham Palace gardens for ourselves and discover some of the secrets of this immense space in the heart of London. 

Tour the Buckingham Palace Gardens

The starting point for many of the gardens tours, the herbaceous border spans a massive 511 feet. Far from standard low-maintenance garden border ideas , the garden borders feature a large proportion of the garden's plant varieties, including many humble cottage garden plants – a favorite of Queen Elizabeth II.

Despite the garden's urban surroundings, some plants in and around the border are some of the only of their variety in England, with rare flora and fauna making the garden a unique biodiverse habitat.

The borders are backed by trees dating back to the reign of Queen Victoria, and some were planted by the Queen and Prince Albert themselves.

One of the main features of the gardens is the three-and-a-half acre lake, complete with a waterfall and private island that provides a safe haven for the large array of wildlife that lives within the walls of the garden. 

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Wildlife conservation is a cause close to the hearts of many of the Royal Family, with King Charles III fostering a close relationship with the Word Wildlife Fund and nurturing his own garden at his private home, Highgrove House . 

The Buckingham Palace gardens continue to provide aspirational wildlife garden ideas with a collection of five bee hives added to the property in 2008. 

Overlooking the lake and the rose beds, the bee hives help to produce around 160 jars of honey per year to cater for the royal kitchens. 

The rose garden ideas are by far some of the most impressive beds in the royal collection. The garden itself contains 25 beds, each with 60 rose bushes of different varieties. 

The striking beauty of the rose beds comes from the fact that no two adjacent beds are planted with roses of the same color. Flowers were often cut from these bushes to present to the late Queen in seasonal posies each Monday when she was staying at the Palace. 

Once an extensive grass meadow designed for grazing cows and sheep, the Buckingham Palace garden meadows are now rich with wildflower garden ideas , encouraging the wild growth of native flora and a natural habitat for visiting wildlife.

The meadow, found in the southwest of the gardens, is home to over 320 different types of wildflowers and grasses, making it one of the most diverse meadows in England, and features a gorgeous summer house for private escapes.

Besides the flowers, the Buckingham Palace gardens are also home to over 1,000 species of tree including 98 plane trees, 85 different species of oak, and 40 different types of Mulberry tree, making the garden the official site of the National Collection of Mulberries in 2000. 

The trees in the Palace gardens are also some of the oldest additions to the garden, with the first Buckingham Palace mulberry tree having been planted in the gardens in 1608 by James I, for example. Other special trees include the named Victoria and Albert plane trees planted by the couple during their reign.

Trees have been continuously planted by each generation of royals throughout the long history of the Royal Family.

The Buckingham Palace garden is also a shining example of sustainable garden ideas . 

With the family's growing recognition and support of sustainable practices, such as King Charles' refusal of Buckingham Palace as his home on the grounds of its impractical and unsustainable running costs, it is unsurprising that their gardens follow a similar philosophy. 

In 1991, a sustainable recycling center was established in the gardens at the Queen's request. The facility now recycles 99% of all green waste produced by London's royal gardens. 

The result of this sustainable approach means that the gardens are now also a haven for wildlife, playing host to more than 50 species of birds each year, 30 of which are permanent residents. On a smaller scale, the gardens are home to over 300 types of beetle too, hinting at the immense amount of biodiversity hosted at this single site. 

Buckingham Palace: A Royal Garden available on Amazon

Buckingham Palace: A Royal Garden  provides unique insight into the activities of the Palace's gardening team, such as mulberry harvesting and creating winter bouquets for the Palace. Practical advice is accompanied by atmospheric photography, royal anecdotes, and an engaging and authoritative narrative from leading gardening author, Claire Masset.

Can you walk through Buckingham Palace gardens?

The Buckingham Palace gardens usually open between July and October each year, allowing visitors to explore areas of the Palace and the Palace gardens and take tours around the property. Dates may vary depending on events taking place in the Palace and booking is required. 

Chiana has been at Homes & Gardens for two years, having started her journey in interior journalism as part of the graduate program. She spends most of her time producing content for the Solved section of the website, helping readers get the most out of their homes through clever decluttering, cleaning, and tidying tips – many of which she tests and reviews herself in her home in Lancaster to ensure they will consistently deliver for her readers and dabbles in the latest design trends. She also has a first-class degree in Literature from Lancaster University.

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

Eddie Saint-Jean Last Updated: January 18, 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 2023.

Palace-guided tours: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from November to May. Tours usually start at 4:00 pm on Fridays, and 11:00 am through 2:30 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

Summer tickets: July 14 – September 24, 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 around 10:40 to 11:00 am every day. 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: £90 Family guided tour: ages 5-17 is £49.50, under 5 is free

Summer Buckingham Palace tickets if purchased in advance:

Adults: £30 Young adults (18-24): £19.50 Child (5-17): £16.50 Disabled: £16.50 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.

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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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Buckingham Palace

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.

Latest News & Announcemounts

King charles iii has invited keir starmer to form the next government, trooping the colour - june 15th 2024, the 80th anniversary of the d-day landings - 06th june 2024.

Tours & Tickets - 2024

A visit to this magnificent palace offers a unique glimpse into the opulent state rooms, the exquisite Royal Collection,...

Changing The Guard

The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is a quintessential British ceremony that captivates visitors from around...

Buckingham Palace Interesting Facts

Buckingham Palace, the official London residence of the British monarch, is steeped in fascinating history and grandeur. Originally known as Buckingham House, it was built in 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham and acquired by King George III in 1761 as a private residence for Queen Charlotte. The palace underwent significant expansions under King George IV and became the official royal residence with Queen Victoria's accession in 1837. It boasts 775 rooms, including 19 state rooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices, and 78 bathrooms. The palace's façade, redesigned by Sir Aston Webb in 1913, is one of the most recognizable in the world.

Beyond its architectural splendor, Buckingham Palace is a hub of royal tradition and ceremony. The famous Changing of the Guard, a colourful display of British pageantry, takes place in front of the palace and attracts visitors from around the globe. The palace also houses the largest private garden in London, covering 39 acres and featuring a lake, a helicopter landing pad, and a tennis court. Additionally, during World War II, the palace was bombed nine times, yet the royal family remained there as a symbol of resilience. This blend of history, culture, and tradition makes Buckingham Palace a truly remarkable landmark.

The State Rooms

The State Rooms of Buckingham Palace are among the most opulent and historically significant spaces within the royal residence. Used by the British monarch for ceremonial and official entertaining, these rooms showcase the finest examples of art, furniture, and decorative arts from the Royal Collection. Each room is meticulously designed and adorned, reflecting the grandeur and elegance befitting a palace that serves as the epicenter of British monarchy and state affairs. From hosting state banquets to formal receptions, the State Rooms are where the past and present of the British monarchy seamlessly converge, offering a glimpse into the regal splendor and timeless traditions of the royal household.

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Visiting Buckingham Palace in 2024

The State Rooms are open everyday in July and August. In September they are open to the public from Thursday to Monday (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays)

11th July - 31st of August

Open Daily: 09.30 - 19.30 - Last admission: 17.15

1st - 29th of September

Open Thursday to Monday: 09.30 - 18.30 - Last admission: 16.15

Visitors Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to visit buckingham palace, when is buckingham palace open to the public, how can i purchase tickets to visit buckingham palace, what areas of buckingham palace can visitors explore, are guided tours available at buckingham palace, is photography allowed inside buckingham palace, how long does a visit to buckingham palace typically take, are there facilities for visitors with disabilities, is there a café or restaurant on site, can i see the changing of the guard during my visit, what other attractions are nearby.

Inside the gardens of Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle

Did you know that Buckingham Palace garden is home to five beehives, more than 50 types of birds and over 300 varieties of beetle?

Did you know that Buckingham Palace garden is home to five beehives, more than 50 types of bird and over 300 varieties of beetle? Learn more about the stunning gardens at the two royal residences in England and explore them through pictures.

Mark Lane is the head gardener at Buckingham Palace garden, where a sweeping lake gives way to an island and a 156m herbaceous border brings colour to the summer months.

Inside Buckingham Palace garden

Queen Charlotte established a menagerie in the garden at Buckingham Palace in 1762. It included an elephant, monkeys and one of the first zebras ever seen in England. The 36-acre grounds, as they are now, date back to the 1820s, when George IV turned Buckingham House into a palace.

Despite its urban location, the garden is home to an array of flora and fauna, including rare native plants such as the white helleborine. This native orchid was discovered growing in the garden in 2013. It had not previously been seen in London since 1900.

Since 2000, the garden has held the National Collection of Mulberries. Mulberry trees were first planted in the garden by James I in 1608. There are now 40 different types growing in it, alongside many other trees.

The island in the lake has homed five beehives since 2008. These produce around 160 jars of honey a year for the royal kitchens. Meanwhile, the Rose Garden contains 25 beds of roses, each planted with 60 rose bushes of a different variety.

A Recycling Centre was established in the garden in 1991 at the request of Queen Elizabeth II. It recycles 99% of all green waste from London’s royal gardens.

The garden is a rich biodiverse habitat, with more than 1,000 trees and 320 different wildflowers and grasses. It is also home to several botanicals used to make Buckingham Palace Gin, including lemon verbena, hawthorn berries, bay leaves and mulberry leaves.

Inside Windsor Castle garden

The East Terrace Garden at Windsor Castle opened its doors for the first time in 40 years during the summer of 2020, and opened again to visitors last July.

This garden was first designed in 1826 for George IV by the architect Sir Jeffry Wyatville. The aim was to create a view from the King’s new suite of royal apartments. It was created on the site of an old bowling green made for Charles II in the 1670s.

During the Second World War, Elizabeth II (then Princess Elizabeth) and her sister, Princess Margaret, were each assigned a small plot in which to cultivate vegetables. After the War, the planting scheme was simplified into a pattern of formal rose beds. In 1971, Prince Philip, duke of Edinburgh redesigned the flowerbeds and commissioned a new bronze lotus fountain based on his own design for the centre of garden.

Discover more about Buckingham Palace garden at rct.uk  

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Plan Your Visit to Buckingham Palace | A Complete Guide

Visiting buckingham palace in london.

Buckingham Palace is an iconic landmark in London. The official residence of the monarch of the United Kingdom (UK), the palace has a rich history going back several centuries. The palace also serves as the London residence of the Duke of York, the Earl and Countess of Wessex and their daughter. While the palace is usually closed, you can visit from July to October and tour the palace’s opulent State Rooms having ornate furnishings, paintings, and sculptures. Use this guide to plan your visit to the popular attraction.

Buckingham Palace | Visitor Information At A Glance

• What are Buckingham Palace's opening hours? Buckingham Palace opens at 9:30am and closes at 7:30pm from 11 July to 31 August 2024 and at 9:30am to 6:30pm from 1 to 29 September 2024.
• Where is Buckingham Palace located? Buckingham Palace is located within the borough of Westminster. Here is the address: London SW1A 1AA, UK.
• How many entrances does Buckingham Palace have? Buckingham Palace's North-centre gate has four gates, while the larger center gates include five entrances.
• How many visitors does Buckingham Palace see per year? Buckingham Palace sees over 50,000 visitors a year.

What are the Buckingham Palace opening hours?

Here are Buckingham Palace’s opening hours:

• 9:30am to 7:30pm from 11 July to 31 August 2024 (last entry 5:15pm)
• 9:15am to 6:30pm from 1 to 29 September 2024 (last entry 4:15pm)

Best time to visit Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is open to visitors only for a few months. You can visit the attraction between July and September and explore the State Rooms and palace gardens.

The State Rooms, with their furnishings, artwork, and decorations, introduce you to the opulent lifestyles of the Royal family. The palace gardens are also open to visitors, offering a peaceful time in the heart of London and stunning views of the palace's exterior.

However, you can see the Changing of the Guard ceremony more often. The exercise, displaying military precision and pageantry, takes place daily at 11 AM from April to July and on alternate days for the rest of the year. Ensure you book your tickets early, as they're sold out quickly.

Where is Buckingham Palace Located?

Address: London SW1A 1AA, United Kingdom

Find on Map

Buckingham Palace is located in the City of Westminster in central London, England.

Closest Landmark: Victoria Memorial (66 metres )

Getting to Buckingham Palace in London

Closest station: St James’s Park

Both the Circle and District lines are connected to St James’ Park. Victoria station, served by the District, Circle, and Victoria lines and Green Park station on the Piccadilly and Jubilee lines are also nearby.

Closest Station: London Victoria Station

Buckingham Palace is 10 minutes from London Victoria Stadium. You can get a train from your nearest station to London Victoria Stadium.

Closest Station: Green Park Station

You can take the metro, called the Underground in London, to Green Park Station and walk to Buckingham Palace. It will take six minutes to walk.

Closest Station: Wilton Street

Take buses 11, 211, C1 or C10 and get down at the Wilton Street bus stop. It is three minutes from Buckingham Palace.

You can hire a bike from Tube stations, Belgravia, Park Lane, Piccadilly, and Wellington Arch and reach Buckingham Palace.

You can drive to Buckingham Palace from Big Ben or Westminister Abbey. Both attractions are 1.2 to 1.6 km away from the Palace and will take 5-7 minutes to reach. Take the Birdcage Walk route for the quickest drive!

How To Skip the Line at Buckingham Palace?

Buckingham Palace is open only for a few months. It can get heavily crowded. Hence, it makes sense to find ways to avoid the crowd.

Skip-the-line tickets

You can get skip-the-line tickets to Buckingham Palace. It is the perfect choice to avoid long queues outside the attraction and enter quickly. You can book skip-the-line tickets months in advance and select the time and date of your visit.

Guided tours

Guided tours to Buckingham Palace offer two benefits: you can get express entry to the attraction and a guided tour of its highlights. You can book guided tours months before coming and select the timing and date of your visit.

Arrive early

Buckingham Palace opens at 9:30 AM. Fewer tourists are around in the morning. Hence, try coming early and finishing your visit before the rush kicks in.

Book Tickets to Buckingham Palace

Know before you go to buckingham palace.

Buckingham Palace has multiple entrances, each serving unique functions. Here are a few different entrances at Buckingham Palace:

• Central Gates: This entrance is located on the palace's west side and is the official entrance for guests, state visitors, and ceremonies.
• North Centre Gate: This gate, on the north side of the palace, is used for daily entrance to the palace.

• Toilets and babycare facilities: Accessible toilets and babycare facilities are available at the start and end of your tour inside Buckingham Palace.
• Assistance dogs: You can bring registered assistance dogs to the palace. You can leave the staff to take care of them.
• Multimedia guide: Multimedia guide with subtitles is available in British Sign Language (BSL). An audio-descriptive guide is available for blind or partially-sighted visitors.
• Gift shops: Buckingham Palace has several gift shops as well as a fully accessible terrace café.

• Accessible toilets are available for use.
• Assistance dogs are welcome in the palace.
• A multimedia guide with subtitles in British Sign Language is offered. Additionally, an audio guide is available for people with visual difficulties.
• The terrace cafe is accessible for disabled guests as well.
• You can borrow wheelchairs and rollators, free of charge, for the duration of your palace visit. Folding stools may also be available.
• Powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters are welcome inside the premises.
• Two lifts are installed inside the palace.
• There is a golf buggy that will transport you from the palace to the gardens.
• If you require an interpreter, you can request one 10 days before you visit the palace.

Buckingham Palace can get crowded when it opens for visitors. The rush might prevent you from properly exploring each highlight of the attraction and learning its history.

An audio guide is an excellent option as it narrates the history of the place and its many highlights. You can get a multimedia guide in English with skip-the-line and guided tour tickets. A multimedia guide with subtitles is also available in British Sign Language (BSL), while an audio-descriptive guide is also available for blind or partially-sighted visitors.

• Arrive 30 minutes before your chosen time slot because there might be a rush when you arrive. If you miss your entry time, it will be tough to include you in a later slot.
• Only bottled water is allowed inside the palace. You cannot bring any other food and drink inside with you.
• Pushchairs are not allowed inside the State Rooms.
• Pets are not allowed inside the palace.
• Before you enter Buckingham Palace, you must undergo airport-style checking, so be mindful of that and bring as little baggage with you as possible.
• Do not wear backpacks inside the palace. Large items, bags, and suitcases over 45x20x30 cm are also not allowed. You can take purses only if you hang them on your side.
• Smoking and vaping is prohibited inside the premises.
• Drones, knives, and pepper sprays will be confiscated during the entry checking.
• Photography and videography are restricted in the palace but are allowed in the gardens.

• The Queen’s Gallery: You can buy bespoke china, homeware and postcards, and glittering jewellery at The Queen’s Gallery.
• Buckingham Palace Road: Buckingham Palace Road offers the best selection of elegant, royal-inspired gifts and souvenirs.
• The Royal Mews: Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace will introduce you to coaches, carriages and horses used by The Queen and members of the Royal family.
• The Garden Shop: The Garden Shop, in the gardens of Buckingham Palace, is a place to discover wonderful Royal gifts.

• Bon Gusto - Bon Gusto is an Italian restaurant three minutes from Buckingham Palace. It is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with changing specials.
• Royal Sushi - This Sushi restaurant is three minutes from Buckingham Palace and has an incredible menu and reasonable pricing.
• Th@51 Restaurant and Bar - Th@51 Restaurant and Bar is an excellent place to dine in and enjoy waffles and South Indian dishes.
• Colosseo Restaurant - Colosseo Restaurant is four minutes from Buckingham Palace. This Italian restaurant offers amazing pasta, pizzas, seafood and weekly specials.

SEA LIFE Centre London Aquarium - SEA Life Centre London Aquarium is the UK’s largest living coral reef, with regal tangs, cardinal fish, and clownfish swimming through the 40 feet long sea life tank.

Westminster Abbey - A designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and active place of worship, Westminster Abbey is a London church used for coronations and other ceremonies of national significance. 

The Graffiti Tunnel - Leake Street Tunnel, underneath Waterloo Station, is London’s coolest street art spot. The 300-metre tunnel is London’s largest legal graffiti wall and a bastion of London’s street art scene since 2008.

The British Museum - The British Museum, founded in 1753, has a collection covering two million years of history. It has the world’s first public museum of its kind and attracts more than six million visitors yearly.

Budget: Limegrove Hotel , Chester Hotel Victoria , The 29 London (fka Airways Hotel) , The Duke Rooms London

Mid-range: hub by Premier Inn London Westminster Abbey hotel , DoubleTree by Hilton London - Victoria , Premier Inn London Victoria hotel , The Rochester by Blue Orchid Hotels , The Eaton Town House

Luxury: 45 Park Lane , Conrad London St. James , Dukes Hotel , Flemings Mayfair , Hotel 41

Visitor tips

• Book your tickets to Buckingham Palace online to avoid long queues.
• You must arrive 30 minutes before the time mentioned on your ticket.
• Wear respectable clothes and proper footwear, as the palace is the official home of British royalty.
• Inform the staff beforehand if you or your visitors need mobility aids to explore Buckingham Palace.
• Arrive early in the morning to avoid queues. Fewer visitors are around in the morning.
• Eating and drinking are prohibited within the palace. Bottled water is allowed.

Frequently Asked Questions about Visiting Buckingham Palace in London

Here are Buckingham Palace’s opening hours: 9:30am to 7:30pm from 11 July to 31 August 2024 (last entry 5:15pm), 9:30am to 6:30pm from 1 to 29 September 2024 (last entry 4:15 PM).

Buckingham Palace is open to visitors for a few months yearly. Visit the palace early in the morning to avoid long queues.

Yes. You can enter Buckingham Palace anytime during operating hours. However, ensure you arrive at least 15 minutes before the time mentioned on your ticket.

2-3 hours is enough to explore Buckingham Palace at length.

Yes. You can enter Buckingham Palace once you exit.

Kids under five can enter Buckingham Palace for free.

Yes. Group visits are allowed to Buckingham Palace.

Buckingham Palace is located in the City of Westminster in central London, England. Here is the address: London SW1A 1AA, United Kingdom. Find on Map

The tube is the best way to get to Buckingham Palace.

Central Gates and North Centre Gate are the two main entrances at Buckingham Palace.

No. There is no specific dress code to follow at Buckingham Palace. However, ensure you wear respectable clothes.

Yes. Buckingham Palace conducts several activities for children, including colouring a crown and decorating a room.

Only small purses and handbags are allowed inside the palace if you hang them by your side.

Buckingham Palace Opening Hours

Buckingham Palace Location

About Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace History

How to have a picnic at Buckingham Palace this summer

Apr 9, 2021 • 2 min read

Visitors can check out the Rose Garden Royal Collection Trust/© Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2021. Photographer John Campbell

If you've ever fancied checking out the garden at Buckingham Palace in England, or would enjoy the prospect of having a picnic in it, you can avail of the opportunity this year.

The grounds of Queen Elizabeth’s official London residence can be explored through self-guided tours for the first time. Visitors can also still take official guided tours. The current landscape of the historic 39-acre garden dates back to the 1820s when George IV turned Buckingham House into a palace. Despite its urban location, the garden is home to a remarkable array of flora and fauna, including rare native plants seldom seen in London.

The garden is a rich biodiverse habitat, with more than 1000 trees and 320 different wildflowers and grasses, and features include the Rose Garden, summer house and wildflower meadow. 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. The unique opportunity to enjoy a picnic on one of the sweeping lawns will be part of the visit.

On weekends in April and May, garden enthusiasts can enjoy the tranquillity of the garden and discover its history and highlights by joining a guided tour. Visitors will experience the garden in springtime, with its meadows carpeted with primroses and bluebells, and flowering camellia, magnolia and azalea shrubs and trees. From May to September, special guided tours of Buckingham Palace will be available, and from July, access to the garden will be included in these visits.

Buckingham Palace Garden Guided Tours will run on weekends from 17 April to 16 May 2021. Tickets are priced at £21.50 ($29.47) for adults. Buckingham Palace Spring Guided Tours will run on Fridays and weekends from 21 May to 20 June 2021 and tickets are priced at £47.50 ($65.11) for adults. The Garden at Buckingham Palace will open from 9 July to 19 September and tickets are priced at £16.50 ($22.62) for adults.

The Garden Highlights Guided Tours should be booked with the main ticket and are priced at £6.50 ($8.91) for adults. The State Rooms and Garden at Buckingham Palace will run from 10 July to 19 September 2021, and tickets are priced at £60 ($82.24) for adults. Bookings can be made on the Royal Collection Trust website here.

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For the First Time in History, the Queen’s Buckingham Palace Gardens Are Open to Visitors

Visitors to Buckingham Palace this week have the opportunity to make history, as the Queen has opened up the palace gardens to the public for the very first time. While the Queen’s London home opens every summer for public tours of the state apartments and has been doing so since 1993, the Royal Collection Trust is now offering extended guided tours of the gardens.

It will be the first time members of the public will be allowed to bring picnics into the palace (or purchase them from various food stations on site) since the Big Lunch initiative to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

The royal palaces have suffered huge financial losses in the past year because of the pandemic-induced decline in tourists and visitors, and it is hoped that opening the splendid gardens will boost the number of visitors into the palace. Ticket holders will be able to explore the 39 acres of gardens and woodland which include a man-made lake. There is also a chance to see one of the Queen’s tea rooms complete with her very own furniture and a wicker Corgi. The gardens are home to birdlife including coots, moor hens, cranes and geese as well as a vast number of insects including Italian honey bees, which provide 200 jars of honey used in royal kitchens each year.

The gardens are also home to two resplendent plane trees planted by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert at some point in the mid 1800s. A meticulous writer of journals, Victoria never made any record of planting the trees, so palace curators have not been able to ascertain which tree was planted by whom and exactly when.

The gardens are rich in history. The lawns and beds were first laid down by the Duke of Buckingham, who owned the palace before the Royal Family. Most famous for the Queen’s annual garden parties, which the palace hopes to resume next year, the verdant lawns are also used for official occasions including festivals and various royal engagements. Prince William met with members of the NHS in the palace gardens earlier this week.

While visitors won’t get to see a glimpse of the Queen, who is in residence at Windsor Castle and will shortly be heading to Balmoral for her annual summer holiday, the guided walk does allow visitors to walk past the private apartments and the palace swimming pool where Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge sometimes takes her children swimming.

The tour includes a walk around the colorful rose gardens, which include the Prince William rose planted to celebrate the future King’s birth and a bed of pink roses planted in honour of the late Queen Mother. Visitors can also take a seat in the Queen’s summer house and admire a great urn across the lawn which stands as tall as a double decker bus.

The tour follows camelia-lined walkways and there are various points of interest, including the sun dial that the Queen pointed out to David Attenborough in a 2018 TV special. There is also the Prince Albert Gate which leads to an island in the lake that forbids all visitors, in order to preserve rare grasses, plants and wildlife.

While the gardens are vast they are tended by a team of just eleven gardeners who work at Buckingham Palace and Clarence House, the Prince of Wales’ official London residence. Mark Lane, the head gardener, has been at the palace since the 1970s, and is so connected with the history of the palace gardens that one of the scuttle flies discovered in the gardens has been named Megaselia Marklanei.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 .

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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.

Buckingham Palace Gardens: How to Visit the Queen’s Garden

Until now, the only people allowed into Buckingham Palace Gardens were the Royal Family and those people lucky enough to have an invite to one of the Queen’s garden parties. But this summer, for the very first time, visitors can book tickets to visit the garden and have a picnic on the famous lawn.

So many people fancied walking round Buckingham Palace Gardens that tickets sold out within days of being released – but what’s it really like behind those high palace walls? Harry Brocklehurst  is here to tell you all…

The formal facade of Buckingham Palace is perhaps the most recognisable sight in Britain. The appearance of it rarely changes with its closed windows and curtains, gilded gates and uniformed Grenadier Guards. But the 39 acre garden that stretches behind the palace could not be more different. With its hundreds of trees and rare plants, the garden’s blooms put on an impressive show for each season.

Buckingham Palace is a residence built for formality but the gardens provide an escape for the Queen (and a jolly good walk for the corgis). On a guided tour, I was struck by just how personal the garden felt as the guide points out the Queen’s favourite bench and her summer house, complete with 1960s furniture and a wicker corgi.

For £16.50 visitors can wander around the main areas of the garden including the lawn where garden parties are held, the 3.5 acre lake that contains 2.5 million gallons of water and the 150 metre herbaceous border that is one of the longest in Britain. It is from this flower bed that the gardeners create a posy that is placed on the Queen’s desk each Monday so that she can view the garden’s progress through the seasons.

The Queen gave Pope Francis a pot of honey from these bees when she first visited him at the Vatican. The story goes that the Pope liked the honey so much that he asked his assistant to write to the Palace asking if he could have some more. Apparently his request was turned down.

These islands are rarely visited as they are mostly used as nesting areas for the many resident birds. The islands are so wild and dense in plants that eight years ago the white helleborine was discovered on the banks – these are very rare orchids that were last seen in London in 1900.

For an additional £6.50 visitors can join a guide for a tour of the more private areas of the garden. This tour is a must-see as without it you cannot see the famed rose garden (planted with 25 different rose beds), the Waterloo Vase (commissioned by Napoleon for his intended victory at Waterloo but later presented to King William IV), the Queen’s bench and the family tennis courts. The Queen’s father, King George VI, was a keen tennis player and competed at Wimbledon in the Mixed Doubles in 1926.

The gardens of Buckingham Palace act as a sort of living museum. Next to the North Terrace of the palace you’ll find two plane trees planted in 1840 to celebrate Victoria and Albert’s wedding. It’s not known who planted which one so they are both known as Victoria and Albert. Lining the lake are five willow trees dating from the 1880s. Although they are slowly dying off, the gardeners plant a new seedling for every dead tree to continue the garden’s rich diversity of plants.

Buckingham Palace is home to the largest private garden in London. It feels like an oasis in the middle of the city. You can still hear the noise of the traffic but the garden is hidden from the outside world. Our guide told us that the palace gardeners sometimes ride at the top of the number 52 bus which goes past the gardens to double check that the gardens can’t be seen from the top of a double decker. They plant fast growing trees wherever they see gaps.

Buckingham Palace is describing this summer’s opening as a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity to explore the gardens. We hope that the gardens are opened up to the public more frequently particularly given the high demand to visit them. It is still possible to book tickets to visit the gardens this summer. If you keep checking the Royal Collection website you’ll find some dates still available although it might not be possible to book onto one of the private tours.

Top Tips for Visiting

• Buckingham Palace Gardens are open to visitors this summer from 9th July to 19th September.
• Tickets for Buckingham Palace Gardens cost £16.50 for adults and £9 for children aged 5 to 16.
• Visitors are encouraged to bring picnics to have on the lawn. You can bring your own food and drink or buy something from the café in the garden. Alcohol is not permitted.
• The Garden Highlights Tour is an absolute must as it will take you round the more private parts of the garden. You need to book tickets for this before you arrive and you will not be allowed to take photos in this part of Buckingham Palace Gardens. Tickets cost £6.50 per person.

Disclosure: We were very kindly given free admission to Buckingham Palace Gardens but all opinions are honest and my own.

If you’re inspired to visit more Royal palaces and gardens take a look through some of these:

The 8 Castles in London You Need to Visit

The Royal Guide to London: Everything You Need to Know about Visiting Royal Sights in London

Is Kensington Palace Worth Visiting?

The Best Castles Near London

The Tower of London With Kids

Visiting Windsor Castle With Kids

Why We Love the Royal Mews

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It looks beautiful! The lake is especially nice. Glad you were able to look around and enjoy it.

We were really lucky, Lisa. I couldn’t believe how wild some of it felt, right in the middle of London.

What a wonderful opportunity! The photos are lovely.

Thanks Hilary. It was one of Harry’s summer highlights, that’s for sure!

Wow, so very beautiful. Very nice. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks so much for commenting, Patrick. Really glad you enjoyed the post.

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Rooms behind Buckingham Palace famous balcony open to public for first time

• Buckingham Palace
• Wednesday 10 July 2024 at 11:17pm

Royal Editor

The royal residence's east wing, which gives a glimpse of George IV's love of oriental art, will be seen by the public after almost 6,000 tickets were sold, ITV News' Chris Ship took a look

For the first time since Queen Victoria had it built, visitors will be able to tour the rooms behind the most famous façade of Buckingham Palace this week.

Internally, it is simply called the East Wing. But for most people, it is the most photographed part of the iconic building and the wing from which members of the Royal Family stand on the balcony during big national occasions.

Members of the public have never before been able to view these rooms, which are 175 years old.

The tour takes in the Centre Room, the rather uninspiring name for the ornate drawing room from which the King and Queen - and before them the late Queen Elizabeth - gather before stepping out onto one of the most famous balconies in the world.

From these windows, you get the same view past the Queen Victoria Memorial and up The Mall as monarchs have done since Victoria herself first used it in 1851 as troops set off for the Crimean War.

But don’t expect to be waving from the balcony. The glass doors will remain locked and the net curtains pulled when the 6,000 visitors are given a guided tour of the East Wing this summer.

Buckingham Palace will open to the public as usual this year, but for longer than any previous summer as the King attempts to open up more residences to the public.

Private rooms at Balmoral Castle are also being opened up to the public this year.

In addition to the usual tickets to tour the palace ballroom (most recently used for the State Banquet for the Japanese Emperor and Empress) and State Rooms, some visitors have already secured additional tickets to see the East Wing.

Groups of up to 20 people will get a guided tour of the rooms and the Principal Corridor, which has just had a five-year refurbishment as part of the decade-long overhaul of Buckingham Palace.

Every part of the East Wing was removed and rebuilt. That included decanting all 3,500 objects during the works and lifting every one of the 47,000 floorboards and putting them back in the same place (they were each labelled before being restored and replaced).

Even the hand-painted Chinese wallpaper in the Yellow Drawing Room was steamed off the walls (without tearing it). It was subject to conservation work and later rehung.

The East Wing was built between 1847 and 1849 when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert decided they needed more space for their growing family (they had nine children).

Building a fourth wing - and creating the quadrangle we know today - involved moving the arch monument in front of Buckingham Palace.

What we now know as Marble Arch, the memorial was relocated brick by brick to its current location north of Hyde Park at the end of Oxford Street.

It allowed Prince Albert to commission architect Edward Blore to redesign Buckingham Palace and incorporate a balcony for Queen Victoria to “connect” with her people on big occasions.

But it came at a cost. And parliament only released funds on the agreement that Queen Victoria sold her Brighton Pavilion seaside retreat which her uncle, George IV, had lavishly built and extended during his time as monarch and previously, the Prince Regent.

Brighton Pavilion was sold to the town of Brighton, as it then was, for £53,000 in 1850.

The contents of Brighton Pavilion, including paintings, wall hangings, fireplaces and clocks were all transferred to Buckingham Palace by horse and cart and it’s why the East Wing reflects King George’s passions for Asian art and design.

It still contains a number of towering Chinese porcelain pagodas, the ornate Kylin clock, which still sits atop the same Brighton Pavilion fireplace.

In the 240-foot corridor, which spans the entire width of the palace, there are paintings by Thomas Gainsborough and Victoria’s chosen portrait painter Franz Xaver Winterhalter.

The East Wing tours will continue through July and August, but the Royal Collection Trust which operates them, says that all tickets sold out within hours of them going on sale so anyone who missed out will have to wait until next year.

This is the Talking Royals - our weekly podcast about the royal family, with ITV News Royal Editor Chris Ship and Producer Lizzie Robinson

Japan state visit details revealed - date, royals involved and Princess Kate's absence

King charles and queen camilla will host emperor naruhito and empress masako this month.

Buckingham Palace has released new details of the Japan state visit, which will take place later this month. 

King Charles and Queen Camilla will host Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan from 25 to 27 June at Buckingham Palace, at the request of the government. 

Prince William , and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh will also accompany the King and Queen during certain engagements. 

The state visit had originally been planned for 2020 but was postponed amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

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In a new statement, the Palace announced: "Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress of Japan will pay a State Visit to the United Kingdom as guests of His Majesty The King from Tuesday 25th to Thursday 27th June 2024. 

"Their Majesties The King and Queen will host the State Visit at Buckingham Palace." 

It has been confirmed that the Emperor and Empress of Japan will arrive at Stansted Airport on 22 June, three days prior to the state visit. 

Their Majesties will be greeted by His Excellency Mr Hajime Hayashi, Ambassador of Japan. The Viscount Brookeborough KG, Lord-in-Waiting, will greet Their Majesties on behalf of the King. 

Before the state visit begins, the Emperor will undertake a private schedule of engagements, including visits to Japan House and the Thames Barrier. 

On the first day of the official visit, the Prince of Wales - who has been taking care of Princess Kate and their three children amid the Princess' cancer treatment - will greet the Emperor and Empress of Japan, at their hotel. 

Prince William, 41, will travel with the couple to the Horse Guards Parade, where Their Majesties will receive a Ceremonial Welcome. 

The King and Queen will formally welcome the Emperor and Empress at the Royal Pavilion on Horse Guards Parade. Presentations will be made, the Guard of Honour will give a Royal Salute and the Japanese National Anthem will be played. 

The Emperor, accompanied by King Charles, will inspect the Guard of Honour, formed of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards with the Band of the Welsh Guards. Afterwards, the Emperor and Empress will join the King and Queen, and Prince William, in a carriage procession along The Mall to Buckingham Palace, where they will be met by a second Guard of Honour formed of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards. 

Following lunch at Buckingham Palace, the royals will view a special exhibition in the Picture Gallery of items from the Royal Collection relating to Japan before they visit Westminster Abbey, where the Emperor will lay a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior. 

In the evening, King Charles, accompanied by Queen Camilla and other members of the royal family, will give a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace. 

What else is on the itinerary?

Other visits on the itinerary include The Francis Crick Institute, the UK’s flagship biomedical research centre, the Young V&A and the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew. There will also be a banquet at the Guildhall given by the Lord Mayor and City of London Corporation. 

Aside from London, the Emperor will travel to Windsor to privately visit St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, to lay a wreath on the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II. On their final day in the UK, the Emperor and Empress will also visit Oxford for a private programme of engagements including a visit to the colleges where Their Majesties studied. 

Who is Emperor Naruhito?

Born on 23 February 1960, Emperor Naruhito is the current Emperor of Japan and the oldest child of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko. He became heir apparent to the Chrysanthemum Throne when he was 29 following the death of his grandfather, Emperor Shōwa. 

At the age of four, Naruhito was enrolled in an elite Japanese school, graduating in 1982 with a degree in history; the ruler credited his fascination with the subject to his discovery of an ancient roadway on palace grounds during his youth. He later studied at Oxford and went on to meet many members of European royal families. During a party for Spain's Infanta Elena in 1986, he met Masako Owada. 

Meet Empress Masako

Born as Masako Owada on 9 December 1963, Masako became the Empress of Japan due to her marriage to Emperor Naruhito, who ascended the throne in 2019. Masako was born to a senior diplomat and former president of the International Court of Justice and was mostly raised in Moscow and New York City. 

After her education, Masako started working at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, being one of only 28 of 800 applicants to pass the entrance exams. At a party for Spain's Infanta Elena in November 1986, she met Prince Naruhito before their marriage in 1993. Masako sadly suffered a miscarriage in 1999, before giving birth to daughter Aiko in 2001.

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10 Must See Gardens in Europe

By Jennifer Dombrowski 15 Comments

It’s #FriFotos again on Twitter. What is #FriFotos all about? Each Friday a popular themed photo sharing hashtag called #FriFotos takes over the Twitterverse. It’s really fun to participate in and you don’t need to be a blogger to take part. This week’s theme is gardens, so just tweet your best garden photos and be sure to include the hashtag #FriFotos. You can even tag us and we’ll retweet your photos. And if you are on Twitter, are you following us ? We were recently named as a one of Twitter’s 40 Most Influential Bloggers ! But back to gardens. We’ve admired our fair share, as recently as last week in Russia. In no particular order, here are 10 must see gardens in Europe that are definitely worth a visit:

‘The Sun’ at Peterhof

1. Peterhof, St. Petersburg, Russia

Freshly back from Russia, St. Petersburg is top of my mind. The gardens filled with golden fountains at Peterhof are simply stunning. And the fountains are each creative and unique like the “Sun”, which a disk radiating water jets from its edges appears to make and image of the rays of the sun.

Alexandrovsky Gardens

2. Alexandrovsky Gardens, Moscow, Russia

Moscow is famous for being one of the greenest capital cities in the world with over 100 parks and gardens within the city limits. One of my favorites were the Alexandrovsky Gardens that stretch the length of the walls of the Kremlin . The gardens were one of the first public parks in Moscow and with colorful flower beds, beautiful fountains and sculptures, and impressive Kremlin views, it’s a favorite place for strolling for tourists and Muscovites alike.

Augustus Gardens Capri

3. Augustus Gardens, Capri, Italy

Close to the center of Capri, the Augustus Gardens offer day trippers easy viewing for the famed Faraglioni rocks that thrust out of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The flora of Capri form ornate picture frames for Capri’s breathtaking panoramas and you can even take the scents home with you in a perfume from Carthusia handmade by Carthusian monks from the Certosa of San Giacomo (Carthusian Monastery).

View of Florence from Boboli Gardens

4. Boboli Gardens, Florence, Italy

The Boboli hill offers spectacular views over Florence and labyrinthine avenues of cypress trees lead to bubbling fountains and grottoes. The Boboli Gardens are a peaceful escape just steps away from the hustle and bustle of the Ponte Vecchio.

Borghese Gardens

5. Borghese Gardens, Rome, Italy

The Borghese Gardens are Rome’s version of Central Park and stretch for 226 ares from Piazza del Poppolo to the top of Via Veneto. Once a private vineyard only for the most privileged, today the Borghese Gardens are a tranquil escape from vespas zipping by and crowds descending on Rome’s landmarks.

Gardens of Versailles after a winter snow

6. Gardens of Versailles, Versailles, France

In addition to the meticulous manicured lawns, parterres of flowers, and sculptures, are the fountains, which are located throughout the Gardens of Versailles . Dating from the time of Louis XIV and still using much of the same network of hydraulics that were used during the Ancien Régime, the fountains contribute to making the Gardens of Versailles unique. Look for the hot potato carts and purchase a cheap lunch of a heaping chili topped potato to enjoy the beautiful views in one of our favorite must see gardens in Europe.

Geneva Flower Clock

7. Jardin Anglais, Geneva, Switzerland

The Jardin Anglais is located below the Vieille Ville (Geneva’s Old Town) and was created in 1854 on the ancient harbor. The park not only contains the famous flower clock, but also a carved Sequoia stump, a large bronze fountain from 1862, and a Giant Sequoia tree.

Chinese Pavilion at the Chateau de Laeken Gardens

8. Chateau de Laeken Gardens, Brussels, Belgium

A trip to the royal residences in the suburbs of Brussels is worth the trek, and easy using the hop on hop off bus . O n the northern corner of the royal park two monuments, totally unusual and unexpected in Belgium, are fun to visit. The Japanese Tower and the Chinese Pavilion practically transport you to the Far East, just as King Leopold II intended.

Ludwigsburg Gardens

9. Schloss Ludwigsburg, Ludwigsburg, Germany

From the end of August to the beginning of November each year, the gardens of Schloss Ludwigsburg are home to the World’s Largest Pumpkin Festival . More than 400,000 pumpkins fill the gardens in impressive sculptures. Fall is a beautiful time to go with the leaves in shades of orange and gold.

Enjoying the Queen’s Garden at Buckingham Palace

10. Buckingham Palace Gardens, London, England

The London residence of the Queen of England opens to visitors in August and September each year. I may never be invited to the Queen’s Garden Party, but I can pretend with a cappuccino capped with a royal crown and a mini chocolate biscuit cake just like was served at Wills and Kate’s wedding at the cafe while looking out over the Queen’s Garden.

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About Jennifer Dombrowski

Jennifer Dombrowski is an independent travel publisher and an American expat who has lived in Bordeaux, France since 2016. She previously lived in Northern Italy in a small village near Venice for seven years where she fell in love with wine and wine tourism. She is an award-winning travel writer. She is also a travel correspondent on Traveling on the American Forces Radio Network. Luxe Adventure Traveler was named one of the top travel blogs to watch by the Huffington Post and TripAdvisor, and has been featured by top publications such as National Geographic, CNN, Buzzfeed, and Business Insider. Jennifer's photography has also been featured on publications such as USA Today and Travel + Leisure and on the Travel Channel.

Travel Scamming says

September 13, 2013 at 5:02 PM

Beautiful!! I love visiting gardens when I travel….

September 13, 2013 at 9:37 PM

My favorite garden is Retiro in Madrid, I also loved Turia in Valencia (a former river which dried out became a park with lots of activity opportunities) and as a German I have to pick something German ;): Sansoucci Park in Potsdam!

Jennifer Dombrowski says

September 14, 2013 at 12:33 PM

Sounds like more great selections of gardens to check out! We definitely need to spend more time in Germany for sure.

T.W. Anderson @ Marginal Boundaries says

September 15, 2013 at 11:31 PM

I was surprised Buckingham made it on the list. I can see Versailles, and Augustus…but that one was a surprise to me. Maybe I just wasn’t as amazed as I should have been when I saw them in person in ’99. Because I just didn’t feel the awe. Rest of these on the list are absolutely amazing, though!

September 18, 2013 at 7:19 PM

It’s the little-girl-dreaming-of-being-a-princess in me that made me pick the Buckingham Palace gardens.

Makis Giokas says

September 16, 2013 at 4:01 AM

I am very glad I clicked this! Your blog is amazing and those gardens seem magical! I enjoyed reading this very much!

September 18, 2013 at 7:17 PM

Thanks for stopping by, Mark! Come back again soon!

September 16, 2013 at 1:05 PM

This is quite an interesting selection of gardens – and to think that I was in Paris late March this year and they were just in the process of arranging the gardens… 🙁

I bet Paris’ gardens in full bloom are just absolutely gorgeous! I’ve only ever been there in the winter.

September 18, 2013 at 9:37 PM

bummer only been to four of those…my absolute favorite though is Tivoli just outside of Rome, the gardens are just incredible

September 27, 2013 at 2:41 PM

Now you’ll have a few to add to your upcoming European travels!

Jennifer says

September 27, 2013 at 12:42 PM

We didn't realize how many we visit until we gathered them up!

Adam P. says

October 23, 2013 at 10:59 AM

Those Italian gardens are beyond words! Especially the one in Capri. From my own travel experience I would add also Alhambra gardens in Spain and Jardin Japonais, or Japanese garden, in Monaco. The Japanese garden was designed at the request of Prince Ranier who wanted to fulfill a desire Grace Kelly expressed during her life-time this way. It´s amazingly serene and rather small, but all the more beautiful for that.

October 24, 2013 at 3:25 AM

We missed the Japanese Garden when we were in Monaco. Sounds beautiful!

Maurizio Fiorentini says

June 7, 2018 at 9:38 PM

I saw few of those gardens, i prefer visit museums when i am in a big city, bit i feel the Need to recommend, when in south Italy, to stop for a couple of hour at the garden of Villa cimbrone in the Little town of RAVELLO, in the Amalfitan Coast.

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You can now pay $95 to peer out over the UK's most famous royal balcony — but you still can't stand on it

• Buckingham Palace's East Wing is opening to the public for the first time.
• The East Wing, refurbished over many years, includes the famous royal balcony and Centre Room.
• Visitors can see over 3,500 objects, but won't be able to go on the balcony itself.

At seemingly every major state event in the UK, key figures from the British royal family line up on a balcony at Buckingham Palace to wave to the public.

It's where then-Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana shared their first public post-wedding kiss, and where — years later — the "fab four" waved to crowds before Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's rift with his family emerged.

But until now this part of the building has never been open to the public.

Starting from July 11, and running until September 29, visitors to the palace will be able to pay around $95 for a guided tour of Buckingham Palace's East Wing, which has just emerged from a lengthy refurbishment.

Tickets sold out within hours of being announced in April, Sky News reported . The palace is considering whether to repeat it next year.

The East Wing covers the building's main facade and includes the Centre Room, which offers a glimpse out onto the balcony.

Built in 1847, it was commissioned by Queen Victoria to accommodate her growing family, closing off what had been a horseshoe-shaped courtyard.

The balcony itself was the idea of Prince Albert, the queen's consort, in order to "connect with the people," Caroline de Guitaut, a palace surveyor, told The Guardian .

But you won't be able to give a royal wave from it yourself, according to the BBC .

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This may be due to safety reasons, it suggested — the balcony barrier is below waist height.

The space is also surprisingly cramped, the outlet reported.

Even King Charles seems to have worried about toppling over at his coronation, The Mirror reported in 2023 , citing a lip-reader who said he had spoken about not standing too close to the edge.

But even Harry and Meghan can't make appearances there now after the late Queen decided that it was for working royals only.

You might not be able to access the ultimate selfie location, but you can still see a great deal.

Those touring the East Wing can take in more than 3,500 objects, with the Centre Room's crowning feature a giant, lotus-shaped glass chandelier that has hung over the heads of many royals.

Many objects on view are Chinese-themed, reflecting King George IV's love of the country's art and design.

These include recently restored hand-painted wallpaper dating to the 18th century in the room where Queen Elizabeth II sat for many of her portraits, per The Guardian.

The refurbishment of the East Wing cost $475 million, leading to questions in the UK parliament when it was first announced in 2016.

It was ultimately paid for through a massive uptick in the Sovereign Grant, the money that working royals are given to fulfill their public duties.

Watch: How much does the British royal family cost?

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European leaders discuss migration and Ukraine at a UK summit as concern grows about direction of US

July 18, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.

by JILL LAWLESS / Associated Press

WOODSTOCK, England (AP) — Leaders from across Europe expressed support for Ukraine and concern about the direction of the United States on Thursday at a security-focused summit clouded by worries about whether the U.S. will remain a reliable ally if Donald Trump wins a second presidency.

Newly elected U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed around 45 heads of government to a grandiose English country mansion to discuss migration, energy security and the threat from Russia as he seeks to restore relations between the U.K. and its European Union neighbors four years after their acrimonious divorce.

The venue for the European Political Community meeting, Blenheim Palace, was the birthplace of Britain's World War II Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Starmer said the leaders were gathering “as a new storm gathers over our continent.”

"Our first task here today is to confirm our steadfast support for Ukraine, to unite once again behind those values that we cherish and to say we will face down aggression on this continent together,” Starmer said, adding that the threat from Russia “reaches right across Europe.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was a key guest at the meeting, aimed at shoring up Europe’s support for his country’s defense and discussing ways to defend democracy. The U.K. accuses Moscow of seeking to undermine European democracies with cyberattacks, disinformation and sabotage.

Others making the trip to Blenheim Palace, a Baroque country mansion 60 miles (100 kilometers) northwest of London, included German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stayed away as she fought to secure a second term from lawmakers in the European Parliament, which she received as the summit was underway.

A brainchild of Macron, the EPC was established in 2022 as a forum for countries both inside and outside the 27-nation EU after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine shattered Europe’s sense of security. Previous summits have been held in the Czech capital, Prague; Chisinau, Moldova; and Granada, Spain.

Starmer’s center-left government aims to rebuild ties with the EU strained by years of ill-tempered wrangling over Brexit divorce terms. A key priority is a new U.K.-EU security pact that Starmer hopes to strike soon.

“We are confident that a new chapter will be opened with the U.K.,” European Council President Charles Michel said as he arrived.

Starmer said that the U.K. plans to take a more active role on the world stage, especially when it comes to Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s invasion and to people-smuggling gangs organizing irregular migration.

He told fellow leaders that under his government, the U.K. would be “a friend and a partner, ready to work with you — not part of the European Union, but very much part of Europe."

He said that under him, “we will never withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights” — something the previous Conservative U.K. government had flirted with, to the alarm of the U.K.'s European allies.

The U.K. plans to work more closely with the European police agency Europol against people smuggling, part of measures to beef up border security following Starmer’s decision to scrap the Conservatives’ contentious and unrealized plan to send migrants arriving in the U.K. by boat on a one-way trip to Rwanda.

Starmer urged European nations to cooperate against “the vile trade of people smuggling."

“Let’s be frank -- ‘challenge’ is the wrong word,” he said. “It is now, I think, a crisis. We must combine our resources, share intelligence, share tactics, shut down the smuggling routes and smash the gangs.”

Starmer will hold a dinner for Macron on Thursday evening, where the two men will discuss what more can be done to stop thousands of migrants each year making hazardous journeys across the English Channel from France.

When Britain agreed earlier this year to hold the one-day summit, Conservative leader Rishi Sunak was prime minister. His defeat in a July 4 election meant that it was Starmer who welcomed leaders to Blenheim Palace — a key getting-to-know-you moment for the new leader.

Delegates were being treated to full British hospitality — including strawberries with cream and a reception hosted by King Charles III — and to mingle informally in a “leaders' lounge” and the palace's ornate gardens.

Many thoughts strayed to the U.S., where the weekend assassination attempt on Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, underscored how febrile and polarized politics has become before the Nov. 5 election.

Trump’s skepticism about NATO has long worried U.S. allies. Trump’s choice of Sen. JD Vance, an opponent of U.S. military aid to Ukraine, as vice presidential running mate has heightened concerns.

Politicians and officials at the summit stressed the need for Europe to show it was taking steps to protect its own security.

“European countries must stand on their own legs more than ever,” Netherlands Prime Minister Dick Schoof said.

That sentiment was echoed by several other leaders, but not by Hungary's pro-Russia Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who has riled other EU nations with a series of rogue meetings with foreign leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, about Ukraine.

Orbán said a Trump victory would be “the best news for everybody, because he's a man of the people.”

Zelenskyy appeared to refer to Orbán when he urged European nations to remain united.

“If someone wants to make some trips to the capital of war to talk and perhaps promise something against our common interests, or to the expense of Ukraine or other countries, then why should we consider such a person?” Zelenskyy said. "The EU and NATO can also address all their issues without this one individual.”

Sylvain Plazy contributed to this story from Brussels.

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Tunisia to partake in MIMS Automobility Moscow trade fair, August 19-22

17/07/2024 16:46, TUNIS/Tunisia

Tunis, July 17 (TAP) - Tunisia will partake in the MIMS Automobility Moscow international fair, to be held on August 19-22 in Moscow.

Tunisia's participation will be organised by the Export Promotion Centre (French: CEPEX) with the aim to promote Tunisian products in the automotive components, spare parts and vehicle maintenance products field on foreign markets.

Some 54,749 visitors and 1,585 companies are expected to attend this international trade fair for automotive production, aftermarket and service industry.