Everyone knows about the association of Buckingham Palace with the royal crown, but how much do you know about it other than that? Buckingham Palace is one of the most well-known buildings in the United Kingdom, and there is much more to it than this.
In this article, we are going to tell you everything that you need to know about Buckingham Palace, including how to plan a visit, whether it is worth the trip, and some history about the building itself. Just keep reading to find out more.
What to expect from our article
- 0.1 How old is Buckingham Palace?
- 0.2 Is Buckingham Palace open to the public?
- 0.3 When did Buckingham Palace first open to the public?
- 0.4 How much does entry to Buckingham Palace cost?
- 0.5 Can you visit Buckingham Palace for free?
- 0.6 Is Buckingham Palace tour worth it?
- 0.7 How long does a tour of Buckingham Palace take?
- 0.8 Where do you pick up Buckingham Palace tickets?
- 0.9 Where is the Buckingham Palace ticket office?
- 0.10 What is the best time of day to visit Buckingham Palace?
- 0.11 What is there to do at Buckingham Palace?
- 0.12 Does anyone live in Buckingham Palace?
- 0.13 Who is the owner of Buckingham Palace?
- 0.14 Are there tunnels under Buckingham Palace?
- 0.15 Is there a swimming pool at Buckingham Palace?
- 0.16 How do you know when the Queen is in Buckingham Palace?
- 0.17 How many rooms does the queen use in Buckingham Palace?
- 0.18 What is the difference between Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle?
- 0.19 Does the tube go under Buckingham Palace?
- 0.20 Can you take photos in Buckingham Palace?
- 0.21 Is there a chapel in Buckingham Palace?
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How old is Buckingham Palace?
Buckingham palace is more than 300 years old, and it was built between 1703 and 1705.
Is Buckingham Palace open to the public?
Throughout most of the year, Buckingham Palace is the office and London residence of the queen. However, since 1993, during the summer months, the palace has been open to the public. Visitors will be able to walk around 19 wonderful state rooms, which are used throughout the year for the purposes of official entertaining and ceremonial functions.
Each year, the Royal Collection Trust makes it their mission to create a special exhibition for their summer opening, which is usually between the months of July and October. So, if you want to be able to go inside Buckingham Palace, these are the times of the year in which you can do so.
When did Buckingham Palace first open to the public?
The first year that Buckingham Palace was opened to the public was in 1993, and it has opened to the public every year since between certain months.
How much does entry to Buckingham Palace cost?
It can become quite costly to visit Buckingham Palace, especially if you have a large family, but we will leave a list of the prices below, so you can take a look for yourself.
The Garden | State Rooms and Garden | |
Adult | £16.50 | £60.00 |
Over 60s | £15.00 | £54.00 |
Student | £15.00 | £54.00 |
Child (5-16 years) / Disabled | £9.00 | £33.00 |
Under 5s | FREE | FREE |
Family | £42.00 | £153 |
If you are planning on visiting Buckingham Palace as a group of 15 or more people, then you can expect to pay a slightly lower cost than the normal admission prices. If you are booking a family ticket, you should know that this covers the admission of two adults and up to three children.
The state rooms are only open for public access on selected dates, so you will need to check these at the time of booking. The palace opens to the public at 10 am and closes at 6 pm. The last admission is at 4.15 pm.
Can you visit Buckingham Palace for free?
No, the only people that are granted free entry into Buckingham Palace are children under the age of 5. However, if you are looking for something that is free to do, you can watch the changing of the guard for free at 11.30 am every day in the summer or every other day in the winter. You can also see the palace from the outside gates if you are not interested in going inside.
Is Buckingham Palace tour worth it?
If you are interested in finding out more about Buckingham Palace, then the tour will definitely be worth it. The tour itself is extensive, self-guided, and not rushed in the slightest. You can take your time as you walk around the palace and gardens and see all of its glory for yourself.
The tour offers a wonderful insight into the Royal Family’s HQ, and you can find out lots of interesting facts and information. The experience is both informative and well-organised, which are two things that every tour should be. You can also choose to follow an audio guide that will walk you through your tour.
How long does a tour of Buckingham Palace take?
It usually takes around 2 to 2.5 hours to complete the tour at Buckingham Palace, but it could take longer if you decide to stop for food and drinks along the way.
Where do you pick up Buckingham Palace tickets?
You can book your tickets to Buckingham Palace through the Royal Collection Trust website here. You can pick up your tickets through a simple and convenient online booking system. It is really important to note that you will need to arrive at the time that is stated on your ticket, and you should arrive no more than 10 minutes prior to the stated time. To book the family ticket, you will need to select 2 adults and up to 3 children, and the discount will automatically be applied at checkout.
You should also be aware that, due to the fact that Buckingham Palace is a working royal palace, it is possible for opening times to change at short notice, so you should always check before your visit.
Where is the Buckingham Palace ticket office?
The Buckingham Palace ticket office can be found at the edge of Green Park, facing the Queen Victoria Memorial, and in sight of Buckingham Palace.
Due to the fact that around 250,000 people visit Buckingham Palace when it is opened to the public throughout the summer months, a ticket office was required in order to provide efficient and secure ticketing for visitors.
What is the best time of day to visit Buckingham Palace?
If you want to see Buckingham Palace from a distance, the best times to visit are early in the morning or late at night, as these are the times when you won’t have to fight with huge crowds of tourists.
The best time of day to take a tour of the inside of Buckingham Palace is first thing in the morning when it opens. The most popular visiting times are between the hours of 12 and 2, and this is when it will be at its busiest. So, if you want to avoid the crowds and queues where possible, then the first thing in the morning is your best bet.
What is there to do at Buckingham Palace?
The two main attractions of Buckingham Palace are the glorious gardens and 19 of the palace’s state rooms. You can explore the garden in the summertime and even enjoy a once in a lifetime opportunity to have a picnic here while enjoying the views that the palace has to offer. You can also walk around 19 magnificent state rooms, which are used throughout the year as official entertainment and function rooms.
Does anyone live in Buckingham Palace?
Yes, the Queen lives at Buckingham Palace throughout most of the year. Until more recently, she lived here with Prince Philip, who has now passed away. They spent most of their time in their private living quarters within the palace, which is made up of 775 rooms. Buckingham Palace is currently being refurbished in small sections.
Who is the owner of Buckingham Palace?
You might think that the Queen herself owns Buckingham Palace, but this is not the case. Buckingham Palace is actually occupied by the Sovereign, and it is held in trust by Crown Estates for future generations. The Queen does privately own two properties, which are Balmoral Castle and Sandringham House, which are not funded by the public.
Are there tunnels under Buckingham Palace?
Yes, there is a series of tunnels under Buckingham Palace, and these allow the Queen to move quickly throughout her home. Behind furniture in the White Drawing Room, there is a hidden tunnel that allows residents to bypass hundreds of rooms to head directly into the Queen’s private rooms.
Is there a swimming pool at Buckingham Palace?
There is a full-size swimming pool at Buckingham Palace, and it can be used by both staff and members of the royal family.
How do you know when the Queen is in Buckingham Palace?
The Royal Standard flag is only flown when the Queen is in Buckingham Palace, so this is how you know if the Queen is here or not. If the Union Jack is flying above Buckingham Palace instead of the Standard, the Queen is not there.
How many rooms does the queen use in Buckingham Palace?
Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms, which include 19 state rooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices, and 78 bathrooms. However, the Queen herself only uses six of these rooms.
What is the difference between Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle?
Buckingham Palace is the official and main royal London home for the Queen, but the Queen does also regularly spend time at Windsor Castle. Windsor Castle is an official residence of the Queen, and it is actually the largest occupied castle in the world. It was also the inspiration for the surname of the royal family.
Does the tube go under Buckingham Palace?
There is a tube station underneath Buckingham Palace that is reserved only for the Royal Family. This is so that in the event of a war, the Queen and others will be able to escape via the tube in order to leave London if needed. It is rumoured that the Royal’s tube network goes all the way up to their residences in Scotland.
Can you take photos in Buckingham Palace?
You are permitted to take photos in the gardens of the palace, but photography is not allowed inside the state rooms.
Is there a chapel in Buckingham Palace?
Yes, there is a chapel in Buckingham Palace, which was created by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1844 in what was originally designed as a conservatory by John Nash. The Queen was delighted by the results that were created, which had been supervised by the Prince. The chapel was damaged in the Second World War and was later incorporated into the Queen’s Gallery.
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