Can I just walk around Buckingham Palace?

Buckingham Palace Opening Hours and Tickets Visitors have access to the Buckingham Palace State Rooms and the Palace Garden for several weeks throughout the year. But for obvious security reasons, these can only be palace guided tours.



People Also Ask

Buckingham Palace Summer Opening is now closed for 2023. Check back nearer the time for 2024 tickets.

MORE DETAILS

How much do tickets cost? Tickets to visit the Buckingham Palace State Rooms cost £19.50 for adults aged 18 to 24, £30 for adults over 24 years of age, and £16.50 for children over five years of age – children under five enter for free, but tickets must be booked in advance.

MORE DETAILS

We suggest between 2 and 2½ hours. You are advised to wear comfortable shoes, as the visitor route in summer includes a fairly long walk through the garden to the exit, along a gravel path.

MORE DETAILS

Though the Palace is generally not open to the public, during summer you can visit its State Apartments (admission charge) and see the Queen's large garden and collection of artwork. You can however see the Changing of the Guard for free at 11.30 am every morning during summer and every second morning during winter.

MORE DETAILS

Every first-time visitor to London takes photos outside Buckingham Palace. Whether it's the Changing of the Guard ceremony or just selfies outside the gates, the draw of the Palace is irresistible. But there is so much more to see inside! Luckily for us, tours of the palace are available.

MORE DETAILS

Best Things To See at Buckingham Palace
  1. The Ballroom. Photo courtesy of the Royal Collection Trust.
  2. Queen Victoria Memorial. Photo courtesy of Creative Commons. ...
  3. The Throne Room. ...
  4. The White Drawing Room. ...
  5. The Picture Gallery. ...
  6. The Grand Staircase. ...
  7. The Queen's Gallery. ...
  8. The Changing of the Guard. ...


MORE DETAILS

I walked by it many times during my stay in London. I found the best time to visit to get pictures with few people in them was either early in the morning, or after 9:00 at night. The palace is beautifully lit at night, so it's worth stopping by in the evening to view the Palace.

MORE DETAILS

Can you wear jeans to Buckingham Palace? Their guidelines state: “Smart attire for men includes the wearing of a jacket and tie, and for women a trouser or skirt suit. Those wearing jeans or trainers will not be admitted and casually dressed members of the media will be turned away. This also applies to technicians.”

MORE DETAILS

There is no formal dress code required to enter the Palace. Toilets and baby-care facilities are located in the garden, this is at the end of the route through the Palace. There are no toilet facilities at the start of the visitor route. Alternative arrangements can be made for visitors with disabilities on request.

MORE DETAILS

Changing the Guard, or Guard Mounting as it is officially called, takes place outside Buckingham Palace every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from 10.45am and lasts around 45 minutes, with the actual 'handover' takes place at 11am. Want to see the Guards with less people around?

MORE DETAILS

The nearest Tube station to the palace is St James's Park, which is served by the Circle and District lines. A walk along Petty France and Buckingham Gate – which typically takes fewer than 10 minutes – leads to the palace on Constitution Hill.

MORE DETAILS