Buckingham Palace: State Rooms ★☆☆
Visiting the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace is arguably one of the two or three most famous houses on the planet, 775 rooms decorated with the finest antique furnishings, 18C and early 19C Sèvres porcelain, and priceless works of art Rembrandt, Vermeer, Rubens, Van Dyck, and Canova.
It has 77,000 square meters (830,000 square feet) of floor space—that's 19 acres—including 240 bedrooms, 78 bathrooms, 92 offices, a swimming pool, cinema, post office, and doctor's office.
Buckingham Palace was built for the Duke of Buckingham in 1703 (hence the name), bought by King George III in 1761 for his Queen Charlotte.
George IV had John Nash expand it to its current grandeur in the 1820s, and Queen Victoria made it the official London royal residence in 1837, expanding it yet again in 1847 (adding the famous balcony from which the Royals wave on major State occasions).
George V and Queen Mary added the current Portland Stone facade featured in a million visitor snapshots.
Peep the flag atop the palace. If it's the Royal Standard, the Royal Family is at home. If it's the Union Jack, the Queen's away—and, when she's away, you can tour Buckingham Palace... or at least some of the 19 State Rooms. Among the highlights:
The White Drawing Room
The White Drawing Room of gilded stuccoes and golden-upholstered furnishings contains a roll-top desk with fret marquetry originally made for a daughter of Louis XV.
The large portrait of Queen Alexandra above the fireplace was painted by François Flameng in 1908.
Look for the secret door in the corner Queen Elizabeth II uses to pop into the State Rooms from her private apartment.
The Ballroom
The 1855 Ball and Concert Room—all golded stuccoes, gold embroidered velvet, and Gobelins tapestries—is large enough to fit 84 double-decker buses.
Queen Victoria could host parties of up to 2,000 guests in here.
Throne Room
The chandeliered red-and-stucco throne room contains—surprise!—the royal thrones used for investitures and other ceremonies.
The royal settees themselves are, charmingly, little more than late 17C gilded and upholstered chairs, not overwrought thrones—though there is an imposing burgundy canopy.
The room is also familiar as the backdrop to the official portrait photographs of the newly extended Royal Family following the 2011 wedding of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (a.k.a. Prince William and Kate Middleton).
TicketsTours of Buckingham Palace that might also include State Rooms
After an early start, you'll visit Windsor Castle, where more than 900 years of royal history await. Windsor Castle, the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world, is today one of the official residences of Her Majesty The Queen. Walk through the magnificent grounds and explore the State Apartments. If you're lucky you may catch the official Changing of the Guard or soak up the splendor of St. George's Chapel. After your visit to Windsor, you'll take a drive through Runnymede, where King John signed the Magna Carta.
Next, immerse yourself in the lavishly furnished rooms from the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace! The palace hosts many official events and receptions held by the Queen, so areas are exclusively opened for limited time only during the summer so book early!
Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence of Britain's sovereigns since 1837, and today it is the Queen's official residence. Take the audio tour and learn about the royal history. Your visit is independent and will conclude here so you can explore at leisure.
Diamonds: A Jubilee Celebration
This spectacular exhibition shows the many ways in which diamonds have been used by British monarchs over the last 200 years. It includes a number of The Queen’s personal jewels - those inherited by Her Majesty or acquired during her reign. The exhibition reveals how many of these extraordinary stones have undergone a number of transformations, having been re-cut or incorporated into new settings during their fascinating history.
Please note: Buckingham Palace is only open to the public for approx. eight weeks each year. Tickets sell out fast, so book now to avoid disappointment
Meet your host in central London and make your way to Buckingham Palace, which has served as the official London residence of the British Royal Family since the 19th century. Receive your prebooked ticket from your host, and then head inside independently to explore the home of Queen Elizabeth II, a rare opportunity only available to the public for approx. eight weeks of the year.
Plug in your audio guide and marvel at the grand chandeliers, extravagant furnishings and treasures from the Royal Collection as you stroll through the State Rooms. You’ll also see the stunning Throne Room, where formal royal wedding photographs are traditionally taken. As you wander, listen to the audio commentary for more insightful information about the palace’s royal residents, history and traditions.
After your audio tour, leave the palace and join back up with your host. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the beautiful St James’s Park to a nearby hotel, where you’ll enjoy afternoon tea. As you walk, learn how the quaint tradition is thought to have been started by one of Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting.
On arrival, make for the hotel’s ornate dining room. Recline in one of the plush armchairs and be delighted as the waiting staff present you with a delectable spread of dainty finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and homemade preserves, freshly made cakes and pastries, and a selection of tea.
Your tour ends inside the hotel. With your sweet tooth soothed, bid your host a fond farewell before making your own way back to your hotel or next destination.
Buckingham Palace is only open for select dates in July, August and September each year, so book now! Tours to this top London attraction sell out fast.
Meet your guide at Waterloo Place, central London, and stroll the short distance through beautiful St James's Park to Buckingham Palace, a monument that has served as the official London residence of Britain’s sovereigns since the 19th century.
Stop at either Horse Guards Parade or directly in front of the palace (depending on the weather) to watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony from a prime viewing spot. The world-famous ceremony involves a march by the Queen’s Foot Guards, with their cherry-red tunics and bearskin hats, in time to drumbeats from a military band. Soak up the glorious pomp and pageantry, and listen to your guide to learn about the history behind the event.
After watching the ceremony, follow your guide to the entrance of Buckingham Palace, a site only open to the public for two months each year. Guides are not permitted to speak inside the palace, so listen to your guide’s insightful commentary outside so that you’re armed with all the background information.
Then, head inside with your prebooked ticket, plug in your audio guide, and explore the public rooms of the palace that Queen Elizabeth II still calls home today. Gaze in wonder at sparkling chandeliers, decadent furnishings and treasures from the Royal Collection such as exquisite Sèvres porcelain, and listen to the audio commentary for more information on the palace’s royal residents, history and traditions.
After your audio tour, leave Buckingham Palace and enjoy a leisurely stroll to your next event: afternoon tea at one of central London’s prestigious hotels. As you walk, learn about Britain’s afternoon tea tradition from your guide. Believed to have been started by one of Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting, the custom of ‘taking tea’ in the afternoon became well established with high society in the 18th century, and its popularity later spread into a tradition favored by most of the country.
Visit either Rubens at the Palace or St Ermin’s Hotel in Westminster and enjoy an afternoon tea of delights. Nibble on scones laden with thick clotted cream and jam, sip on classic English tea and bite into dainty finger sandwiches while chatting about your afternoon’s experience. Your tour ends inside the hotel, so bid your guide goodbye after finishing your tea.
Please note: if there is heavy rain on the day of your tour, the Changing of the Guard ceremony will be replaced with a visit to the Guard’s Chapel.
Experience two top London sights and one of Britain's best traditions on this full-day combo tour. Visit Westminster Abbey; get an inside look at Buckingham Palace, the Queen's official London residence; and watch the Changing of the Guard, a wonderful display of British pageantry. Then, cap your day with an indulgent afternoon tea at a luxury London hotel.
Meet your guide by the column opposite the west entrance of Westminster Abbey, one of the world’s greatest churches and the site of royal coronations for 1,000 years.
Step inside this 700-year-old monument for a guided tour highlighting its most important and fascinating features. Learn how the abbey is a significant structure in British history, welcoming kings, queens and statesmen, and playing host to state funerals and royal weddings — most recently the marriage William and Kate.
Next, follow your guide to see the Changing of the Guard. Depending on the day, you'll either watch the ceremony at Buckingham Palace or at House Guards Parade. Your guide will make sure you’re in a prime position to get the best views and regale you with details on the history and pageantry behind this beloved event. Please note: In heavy rain, the Changing of the Guard does not take place.
After a break for lunch (own expense), it’s time to visit Buckingham Palace, the residence of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, for an audio-guided tour. See the balcony where the royal family appears during major events, and hear stories of intruders and princes scaling the walls to get both inside and out. Then, separate from your guide and head inside to see the magnificent State Rooms, which are only open to the public for two short months out of the entire year.
Join back up with your guide, and then end the day with a sumptuous afternoon tea. Savor delicious scones topped with jam and clotted cream, a selection of sandwiches and cakes, and a pot of fresh tea, all served on fine china in the magnificent setting of a traditional London luxury hotel.
Meet your local guide not far from the Palace, who will welcome you and take you on a walking tour of this most royal part of London. They will provide fascinating background information about the palace and the royal family, as well as the magnificent St James's Palace, built by Henry VIII and the official residence of the Queen - send her a letter and it will arrive here! You'll also visit the beautiful St James's Park, once home to the royal zoo, the Mall, built to resemble a giant red carpet leading up to the Palace, and pass by Clarence House, also a Royal palace and home to Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall. After your relaxing walking tour you’ll have the rare chance to visit the inside of the royal residence: Buckingham Palace. The palace opens its doors to visitors for a limited time each year and it seems that just about everyone would like to get inside.
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh open the doors of Buckingham Palace to visitors just once a year for two months. This is a unique opportunity to catch a rare glimpse into the London residence of the Royals. Tickets are hard to come by but your entrance is pre-booked, which means access is guaranteed and there will be no lines to wait in. This is where Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II extends a royal welcome to visitors, boasting lavish apartments, sparkling chandeliers, and sumptuous furnishings. These rooms house some of the greatest treasures of the Royal Collection, such as exquisite pieces of Sèvres porcelain and some of the finest English and French furniture in the world. With the official Palace audio guide you’ll learn all about the palace residents, history, and traditions as well as the stories of the furnishings and ornaments. Many of these items were gifts from Heads of State spanning both the centuries and the globe.
A team of professional photographers will plan your Buckingham Palace session with you. You'll get an insider perspective on the location and amazing photos of you as we explore and enjoy the highlights around Buckingham Palace.
Teams of 1 or 2 photographers will guide you through the city and use the subway and walking where appropriate. Visit many iconic landmarks around the palace and take in the sights of the city as you are guided around and have fun getting gorgeous photographs of you and your loved ones. This customizable experience is perfect for couples, groups, friends, singles and families looking for professional styled photos in London.
These might include State Rooms
More toursTips
You could see just the State Roome in 1.5 to 2 hours or so.
However, to tour all the parts of Buckingham Palace takes a good 3–5 hours.
Prepare for airport-style security to get in (and budget an extra 30 minutes for that, just in case).
Note that the last admission is 2.5 hours before closing (so at 5:15pm in August, 4:15pm in September).
If you happen to be in London between December 11 and January 31, you might still be able to tour the State Rooms—but it will cost you a royal £75 per person.
- HOW: You must book this "Exclusive Guided Tour" in advance (preferably via the website). Each tour is limited to 30 participants.
- WHAT: The tour lasts about 2–2.5 hours and includes a few fun extras, like a glass of champagne and a commemorative guidebook.
- WHEN: It runs only on selected dates—usually Friday–Sunday, with a few midweek dates Christmas week—between December 11 and January 31. There are only a half-dozen tours per afternoon, the first one starting at 1:30pm, the last at 6pm.
- HOW MUCH: £75.
The entrance to the Buckingham Palace State Rooms is on Buckingham Gate, around to the south (left) side of the forecourt.
You can enjoy sandwiches, cakes, pastries, and other danties at shaded tables along a balustrade on the West Terrace overlooking the gardens at the Garden Café (only open in summer, when the State Rooms and Gardens are open).
This isn't exactly royal dining—the tea comes in paper cups, not fine china—but it is probably as close as you will come to having tea with the Queen.
Most year on the West Terrace, near the cafe, is a special exhibition aimed at families where kids can play, read, and have fun setting a faux royal banquet table, drawing up royal invitations, and dressing up as king, queen, or furry-hatted palace guard to clamber up on thrones and play at knighting their subjects, issuing decrees, and otherwise just kinging or queening around.
It's open in August and the first week of September, and on weekends through the rest of September.
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