Buckingham Palace

A townhouse turned palace

The core of the palace is Buckingham House, a townhouse built in 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham. Queen Victoria was the first monarch to live here, from 1837, and the East Front facing the Mall was redesigned in 1913 as a backdrop to the Victoria Memorial. The palace has 19 State Rooms and a 39-acre garden, the largest private garden in London.

Visiting inside

The State Rooms have opened to the public each summer since 1993. The route takes in the Grand Staircase, the Throne Room, the Picture Gallery and the Blue and Green Drawing Rooms, and finishes with a walk through the palace garden. A free multimedia guide is included in several languages. Outside summer, exclusive guided tours run on selected dates. Tickets are sold by Royal Collection Trust, a charity, and must be booked in advance.

Outside the gates

Changing the Guard takes place in the forecourt, daily from April to July and on alternate days the rest of the year. Arrive early for a spot by the railings or the Victoria Memorial. St James's Park and Green Park sit either side, and Westminster Abbey is a short walk away.

Highlights

• 775 rooms, including 19 State Rooms
• State Rooms open each summer since 1993
• Changing the Guard in the forecourt
• 39-acre garden, the largest private garden in London

Good to know

• Book tickets in advance through Royal Collection Trust; summer tickets are released the previous November.
• The standard route is not step-free; book step-free access in advance with the Specialist Sales team.
• The State Rooms can get very hot in summer.

Frequently asked questions