Buckingham Palace
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Since Queen Victoria's accession (1837) Buckingham Palace has been the London residence of the royal family. Originally built in 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham, it was purchased by George III in 1762. In 1825 George IV commissioned John Nash, his court architect, to alter and enlarge the palace; the east wing was added in 1846; and in 1913, when George V was king, the east front was given its present neo-classical aspect by Sir Aston Webb. When the sovereign is in residence the royal standard flies over the palace night and day. Guard is mounted by units of the Guards Division in full uniform. On great occasions the sovereign appears, with members of the royal family, on the central balcony.Visitors can purchase tickets for guided tours of the State Rooms for a limited period during the year.
Buckingham Palace Map
Important Information:
Address:
Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1A 1AA, England
Opening hours:
Jul 29 to Sep 29: 9:45am-6pm
Entrance fee in GBP:
Family £39.75, Adult £15.50, Senior over 60 £14.00, Child 17 & under £8.75, Child 4 & under FREE
Useful tips: Ticket office, located in Green Park, opens at 9 am and closes when the last ticket has been sold.
Photography prohibited.
Transit: Underground: St James's Park, Victoria, Hyde Park Corner; Bus: 11, 16, 24, 25, 36, 38, 52, 73, 135.
Buckingham Palace Highlights
Queen's Gallery
The Queen's Gallery occupies part of Buckingham Palace and houses varying exhibitions of items from the extensive royal art collections.
Royal Mews
In the Royal Mews visitors can see an array of state coaches and carriages used by British monarchs, some of them still in use on state occasions. Here, too, the horses which draw them are stabled (though the horses are not always there). The finest items in the collection are the Golden State Coach designed for George III and still used at coronations; the Australian State Coach, a gift from the people of Australia in 1988, in which the monarch drives to the state opening of Parliament; and the Glass Coach, acquired by George V in 1910, which is used principally for royal weddings. The harness of the Golden State Coach is claimed to be the finest in the world.A number of Rolls Royce limousines (particularly the Phantom VI), Bentleys and Jaguars are also on display.
Changing of the Guard
A visit to Buckingham Palace should be timed to take in the colorful ceremony of changing the Queen's Guard. A little earlier a troop of the Queen's Life Guard rides from Hyde Park Barracks past Buckingham Palace to change the guard at Horse Guards.
State Apartments
For eight weeks in the summer of 1993 the Buckingham Palace State Apartments were opened to the public for the first time, the proceeds being devoted to the restoration of the parts of Windsor Castle which were severely damaged or destroyed by the fire in 1992. Following the success of the venture it is expected that it will be repeated in future years.
St James's Park
St James's Park, London's most attractive park, is a masterpiece of landscape architecture by John Nash, aimed at achieving the unspoiled natural effect of an English park, like those to be found in the counties of Kent, Hampshire or Sussex. Originally a marshy area of meadowland, it was drained in the reign of Henry VIII and made into a deer park. The French landscape gardener Le Nôtre laid it out as a pleasure ground for Charles II. In 1829 Nash gave the park its present aspect, forming a lake with islands which provide nesting places for many species of waterfowl. The birds to be seen here include pelicans. From the bridge over the lake there are fine views of Buckingham Palace to the west and the buildings lining Whitehall to the east.
Green Park
Green Park once formed part of the gardens of Buckingham Palace.It was a favorite retreat of Charles II.
Victoria Monument
In front of Buckingham Palace is the memorial to Queen Victoria designed by Sir Aston Webb, with sculpture by Sir Thomas Brock. It portrays Queen Victoria surrounded by allegorical figures: Victory, Endurance, Courage, Truth, Justice, Science, Art and Agriculture.
Guards Museum
This museum presents the history of the Foot Guards' regiments.The Guards Museum displays uniforms, weapons and memorabilia from over 300 years.The largest Toy Soldier Central is found at this attraction.
More Buckingham Palace Pictures
National Portrait Gallery
Westminster Abbey
St Paul's Cathedral
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Trafalgar SquareMore England Resources
- Buckingham Palace tours by Viator
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