Description
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.
Attractions within Buckingham Palace

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.

Guards Museum

This museum presents the history of the Foot Guards' regiments.

The Guards Museum presents the history of the Foot Guards. Displays of uniforms, weapons and memorabilia from over 300 years.

The
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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
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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
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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
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Address
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace Road
London SW1A 1AA
United Kingdom
Hours
August 1 to September 30
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Open9:309:309:309:309:309:309:30
Closed16:3016:3016:3016:3016:3016:3016:30
Cost
Adult11.00
Child5.50
All values are in local currency.
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.
Attractions Near Buckingham Palace, London