Buckingham Palace
The King's official London residence, whose State Rooms open to visitors in summer and which offers guided tours of the East Wing in winter.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The site of Buckingham Palace was first built on in the early seventeenth century. The core of the present building was a townhouse put up in 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham, and King George III bought it in 1761 as a family home known as the Queen's House.
In the 1820s George IV commissioned the architect John Nash to turn the house into a palace. Queen Victoria was the first monarch to live there, from 1837, and during her reign the East Wing was added, creating the front that is now seen from The Mall.
The palace is still a working royal residence, used for state ceremonies, receptions and banquets. The State Rooms, which are its main reception rooms, first opened to paying visitors in 1993 to help fund repairs to Windsor Castle, and have opened each summer since.
Outside the summer season the palace opens only on selected dates for small guided tours, and the changing of the guard takes place in front of the building on set days.
Highlights
- Grand Staircase and Throne Room
- Picture Gallery with works from the Royal Collection
- Blue Drawing Room and Green Drawing Room
- Palace garden (summer opening)
- Changing the Guard ceremony in front of the palace
Permanent exhibition
- State Rooms – The main reception rooms of the palace, used for ceremonies and state occasions, including the Grand Staircase, Throne Room and Picture Gallery. Open in summer.
- Founded
- 1703
- Operated by
- Royal Collection Trust
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £33 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £16.50Visitors with a disability (child price), no proof required |
| Children & teens | £16.50free up to age 4 · Ages 5–17; children under 5 are free. |
| Seniors | –No separate senior rate listed. |
| Visitors with disabilities | £16.50companion free · Access companion ticket is free. |
| Groups (15+ people) | –Group discount for bookings of 15 or more people. |
| Summer opening, young person (18–24), advance | £21.50 |
| East Wing Exclusive Guided Tour (October–May, selected dates) | £100Per person; small guided group of about 90 minutes. |
| Summer opening, adult, on the day | £37 |
Summer prices for advance booking are shown (adult £33, on the day £37; child £16.50 or £18.50 on the day). A summer ticket includes a multimedia guide in nine languages. Tickets can be converted into a 1-Year Pass for unlimited re-admission. £1 tickets are offered to people on Universal Credit and other named benefits.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description
The standard visitor route is not step-free. A step-free access route must be booked in advance with the Specialist Sales team (+44 303 123 7324). Manual wheelchairs and rollators can be borrowed free of charge if pre-booked, and mobility scooters that fit the lifts are welcome. Accessible parking may be arranged if booked at least three full working days ahead. The multimedia guide is available in British Sign Language with subtitles, and an audio-descriptive guide is available. Folding stools can be borrowed on the day.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Stroller-friendly: not available
Children aged 5–17 pay a reduced price and under-5s are free. The museum publishes top palace highlights for children and families, and runs school workshops in summer. Pushchairs cannot be taken inside and must be left at the entrance.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Victoria station · 10-min walk
Nearest Underground stations are Victoria, Green Park, St James's Park and Hyde Park Corner, each about 10 minutes' walk. London Victoria rail station is 10 minutes' walk and London Charing Cross 20 minutes. Buses 11, 211, C1 and C10 stop on Buckingham Palace Road.
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
There is no general visitor parking. Accessible parking can be arranged for disabled visitors using the step-free route, if pre-booked at least three full working days ahead.
- Accessible parking
East Wing tour visitors enter through the North Centre Gate at the front of the palace. On Changing the Guard days (Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 11:00; Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 15:00) roads nearby close and crowds gather, so arriving from the direction of Victoria station is recommended. Coaches can collect passengers on Grosvenor Place; there is no coach parking nearby.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
A terrace café and garden shop are available during summer opening. Eating and drinking inside the palace is not allowed, except bottled water. Pushchairs must be checked in and cannot be taken into the palace.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | No photography is allowed inside the palace. |
| Good to know | Pre-booking is essential for guided tours. Visitors pass an airport-style security check on arrival. Guiding by outside guides is not allowed; a free multimedia tour is included in the summer ticket. Garden highlights tours can be added during summer opening. |
