Buckingham Palace, the official London residence of the UK monarch, represents centuries of British heritage while offering visitors a glimpse into the royal lifestyle through its magnificent State Rooms and gardens. We share comprehensive insights for planning your visit, from ticket options and tour experiences to practical tips and fascinating palace facts.
• Palace has 750 rooms, including 78 bathrooms, its own post office, and a cinema
• Built in 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham, became a royal residence in 1761
• Royal Standard flag indicates the monarch is in residence; Union Jack means they're away
• State Rooms open July-September with standard, small group, and exclusive tour options
• Essential to book tickets months in advance as tours sell out quickly
• Exclusive small group tours are available at other times throughout the year
• New for 2025: opportunity to enter through the iconic front gates
• Highlights include the State Rooms, Throne Room, Picture Gallery, and Grand Staircase
• Gardens open in summer, featuring 39 acres with a lake, rose garden, and tennis court
• Green Park tube station is closest at a 6-minute walk
• Photography is not permitted inside the palace, but is allowed in the gardens
• Convert your ticket to a one-year pass by signing it and getting it stamped
• Nearby attractions include Changing of the Guard, St. James's Park, and Westminster Abbey
If you're planning a visit to Buckingham Palace or have questions, leave us a voice message via the SpeakPipe link in our show notes.
📝 Show Notes - Episode 150
🎧 Listen to next
- Episode #146 - Guide to visiting Westminster Abbey
- Episode #142 - Guide to visiting the Tower of London
- Episode #138 - Explore London with Discover Real London black cab tours
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
In episode 150 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast, we
explore Buckingham Palace,covering ticket options, tour
experiences and essential tipsto help you plan your visit to
London's most iconic royalresidence.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Welcome to the UK Travel Planning Podcast.
Your host is the founder of theUK Travel Planning website,
tracy Collins.
In this podcast, tracy sharesdestination guides, travel tips
and itinerary ideas, as well asinterviews with a variety of
guests who share their knowledgeand experience of UK travel to
help you plan your perfect UKvacation.
(00:35):
Join us as we explore the UKfrom cosmopolitan cities to
quaint villages, from historiccastles to beautiful islands,
and from the picturesquecountryside to seaside towns.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
Hello and welcome to another episode of the UK Travel
Planning Podcast.
I'm Doug and today I'm turningthe tables and interviewing
Tracy about a truly royalexperience visiting Buckingham
Palace.
So you visited the world-famouspalace on a small group tour
two years ago and I'veresearched and written a guide
(01:13):
for the London travel planningwebsite, so it seemed a perfect
topic to share with ourlisteners.
Are you ready to share yourpalace knowledge?
Speaker 1 (01:20):
I am, I am, I'm actually quite excited to talk
about basically one of the mostfamous palaces in the world and
such an iconic site in London.
Yes, and I was very, very luckya couple of years ago to do a
small group tour in April, whichI will talk a little bit more
about later in this episode.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
So let's start with the basics what is Buckingham
Palace and what makes it sospecial, and can you share a few
fun facts as well?
Speaker 1 (01:49):
I can do right.
So Buckingham Palace is theofficial London residence of the
UK monarch, which, of course,at the moment is Charles III.
Yeah so, but it just isn't justthe UK monarch's residence.
It's a symbol of Britishheritage and a few things people
might not know about it is thatit was built in 1703 for the
(02:11):
Duke of Buckingham and it becamea royal residence in 1761.
So the first monarch toactually live there officially
was Queen Victoria when shemoved in in 1837.
Now today it has over 750 rooms.
Can you imagine that?
Wow, there's no way we're ableto see all of those and we're
not allowed to see all thoseanyway.
(02:32):
But it apparently has 78bathrooms.
Just imagine cleaning all ofthat, and it's even got its own
post office and postcode and acinema and lots of other
fantastic rooms in there.
Really, it's amazing.
Interestingly, the Royal Familydoesn't actually own it Really.
No, they don't own it.
Yeah, it's held in trust by theCrown Estate which is, as far
(02:55):
as I understand it, basically itmanages it and it pays any
profits into the Treasury forthe benefit of the nation.
So I guess that kind of meansthat we all own it.
I guess so anyway, which bit doI own?
I don't know, I'm not sure.
Probably one of the bathrooms,okay, so, um, one tip, if you
are visiting buckingham palaceand we actually get asked about
(03:18):
this quite a lot is to check outthe flag flying on top of the
roof of booking palace itselfokay as this will tell you if
the king is home or not.
So the royal standard if you seethe royal standard, it means
means that they're in, he's in,and if you see the union jack,
it means that they're not rightnow, and often people get this
(03:39):
mixed up.
But you see the union jack and,assuming that the king's at
home is not, it's a royalstandard that will tell you that
he's at home.
Now I'm I'm not going todescribe what they look like,
but what I will do is that I'llput a picture of both of those
the union jack, just in case youdon't know what it looks like,
and the royal standard, whichprobably most people don't know
what it looks like, that listenthis podcast.
In fact, I didn't know until afew years ago what it actually
looked like.
Speaker 3 (03:59):
Oh, that's really helpful so.
Speaker 1 (04:01):
I'll put that in the show notes so you can check that
out if you're not sure.
Speaker 3 (04:04):
Okay, and it's not open all year, is it, don't
think?
Speaker 1 (04:08):
No, it isn't, it isn't.
Speaker 3 (04:09):
So when can people visit and what kinds of tickets
are available?
Speaker 1 (04:13):
Okay, so this is what my research has.
Rooms are open from July toSeptember every year, but I'm
going to say at this point it isessential to book tickets in
advance.
So if you leave it until Julyor August or September and turn
up in London trying to get aticket to get into Buckingham
Palace, probably no chance.
Now there's a standard entranceticket which will get you into
(04:34):
the state rooms and the gardens.
It's self-guided, with a freeaudio guide.
There are also some exclusivesmall group tours, like the
State Rooms and GardenHighlights Tour and the East
Wing and State Rooms Tour.
For something longer, the RoyalDay Out Tour is four and a half
hours and includes the King'sGallery, the Royal Muse, I would
recommend and the State Rooms.
(04:54):
Now, during other months of theyear, the Palace opens on
selected dates for small guidedtours and that's how I managed
to visit in April 2023.
So I subscribed by the RoyalCollection Trust to their emails
and I will put a link to thatwebsite in the show notes and
they sent me an email alertingme that there was going to be
small group tours available.
(05:15):
So I will say it's not cheap.
I think it cost me over £90,but I booked it and actually I
absolutely loved it.
The guide that we had wasamazing.
I think there was probably onlymaybe 14 or 15 of us on the
tour and it was just.
It was the first time I'd everbeen inside Buckingham Palace
and I loved it.
(05:35):
I would also would say I didthe Royal Muse the day after
that and actually our guidewho'd taken us around Buckingham
Palace she recognised myhandbag.
Actually she recognised my bagbecause she'd admired it on the
tour and she was like oh, Iremember you from the tour In
fact it probably wasn't the dayafter, it was probably about 10
days after actually because Idid the Royal Muse separately
and so lovely, Really reallyinteresting, and it was so good
(05:58):
having a guide because she knewso much.
She works for Buckingham Palaceand she's one of their guides,
so she knew a lot about it.
So I would just say that thatwas really really good and I
thoroughly enjoyed it.
But there are some thingshappening.
Speaker 3 (06:11):
I was going to say I remember you talking about and
raving about those tours you hadthere.
Yeah, and particularly somebodyremembered your handbag as well
.
Yeah, no, it was funny, so Iremember you saying there's
something new also for 2025.
Speaker 1 (06:22):
Yeah, I know and this is so exciting and I really
want to visit.
I mean, we are going to be inthe UK in September, but I
haven't booked tickets yetbecause we're still planning
what we're going to do.
But if I do get the chance, I'dlove to, because now, if you
actually enter through theiconic front gates and walk
across the forecourt, just likethe royal family mansion, so you
can wave, but I'm not sure theywalk across it or they get kind
(06:45):
of taken in rolls royce acrossit to be honest, but anyway, you
can you can walk across or gothrough.
Can you imagine going throughthose gates and in, and then
walking across the forecourt andinto buckingham?
Speaker 3 (06:55):
where so many have traveled.
I mean, it's I know I thinkit's really exciting and
something that I really want todo.
Definitely so.
Once you're inside, what aresome of the highlights people
can expect to see?
Speaker 1 (07:05):
Right.
Well, it's really interestingbecause for me, I just, I don't
know it took my breath away insome ways, because a lot of it
were things that I hadrecognised, obviously because
most of my well, all of my life,queen.
Elizabeth was my queen, so Ikind of recognised so much of
those of the rooms and so muchthat I saw during the tour.
(07:25):
So you'll see the state roomand that's really the star
attraction and it's used forofficial events and it's full of
art and you know ornatefurnishings, really beautiful,
and you will recognise it.
You'll see the throne room, youknow, with King Charles and
Queen Camilla's coronationchairs.
Now what I'll say to you, whenI went in 2023, it was great
(07:46):
because it was literally abouttwo weeks before the actual
coronation, two or three weeksbefore the coronation, and they
actually had a room set up likea replica inside of Westminster
Abbey, like a stage, andapparently at that point, king
and queen to be um, they werepracticing the ceremony for the
(08:06):
coronation so we got to see thatit was absolutely fantastic.
Um, yeah, so, so I loved thatyou'll also get to see the white
drawing room and the picturegallery and you'll see
masterpieces like that.
I think these are actuallyowned by the royal family.
Um rembrandt t-shirt.
There's just paintings likesome world's, like priceless
paintings.
(08:26):
You know, lining the thispicture gallery.
Um, you'll see the grandstaircase, which really is a
showstopper.
Um, and in summer that I didn'tdo it, because I obviously
visit naples and there'ssomething I really want to do um
, in summer, you get to visitthe palace garden, with 39 acres
of landscape garden.
It's got a lake rose garden andeven a tennis court, and this,
(08:48):
honestly, is something that Ireally want to do.
And if you have visitedBuckingham Palace and you're
going, or you're going this year, and you're going to see the
gardens, let me know, because Ireally want to know what they're
like.
I've heard they're beautiful.
Speaker 3 (08:58):
That's wonderful.
You're making me want to go.
Now let's talk logistics whenshould people go and how do they
get there?
Speaker 1 (09:04):
Right now the Palace is open daily in July and August
, but it closes on Tuesdays andWednesdays in September.
So the hours do vary slightly.
But it opens at 9.30am and thelast admission is either 4.30 or
5.30, depending on the month.
So you'll have to check.
You'll know when you book yourtour and your ticket.
Getting there is easy.
The nearest tube is Green Park,which is around about a six
(09:28):
minute walk away.
There are other nearby stations, including Victoria, St
Joseph's Park and Hyde ParkCorner.
You can also catch buses orcoach to Victoria Coach Station
or even take an Uber boat toWestminster Pier, and then it's
about a 20 minute walk away toget to Buckingham Palace that
way.
So it's not hard to get to.
Speaker 3 (09:44):
No, it's not.
You can come in from eachdirection as well.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
I'm also just going to throw in there as well if you
actually go on the London Eyeand I know it's such a
controversial thing don't do theLondon Eye, do the London Eye.
I said, if you want to do theLondon Eye, do it.
Personally I like it.
You get a view of BuckinghamPalace on a all the way from the
London Eye, which I think isreally cool.
Speaker 3 (10:04):
Oh, that's a useful little tip.
Yeah, so any key tips forlisteners to help them make the
most of their visit?
Speaker 1 (10:10):
Right, definitely, I'm going to say this three
times Book in advance, book inadvance, book in advance.
Speaker 2 (10:15):
So book in advance then, possibly.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
Yeah, absolutely Now.
Today we are recording thisepisode, it's the 26th of March,
right, and some tours arealready, unfortunately sold out
on the royal collection trustwebsite.
So you know it it's crazy, butthey are already already already
booked up.
So, yeah, just make sure thatyou, if you want to do it, that
(10:38):
you check there are a couple oftours still available.
So I would I would get thatdone so arrive on time, because
entry is timed and late comerswon't be admitted so that's
particularly important as well,isn't it?
Speaker 3 (10:48):
Yes so know how you're going to get there.
Speaker 1 (10:49):
Yes, and it's important that you do arrive on
time, yeah make sure that youplan from wherever you are
before, whatever you're doing.
In fact, I'll just plan yourday around that, if that's what
you're going to be doing, andthat's what I've done.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
So visit a second um, because you, if you're late,
you're not going to get in.
So don't underestimate the sizeof london.
If you're coming in fromoutside london, you know we'll
take a bit of time to get thereyeah, yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
Uh, expect security checks.
They're not just going to letyou walk in with everything.
So you know it's like theairport you can't take any large
bags in.
So, either, leave left luggageat victoria station.
If you've got suitcases, wehave an article about where you
can leave luggage in London, sothat's your best bet.
So if you've got large bagswith you, don't and you know
something?
I've seen this in places.
I remember going to theColosseum in Rome a few years
(11:33):
ago and seeing people trying totake suitcases in the Colosseum.
Seriously, guys, don't try andtake suitcases into Buckingham
Palace.
They won't let you in.
One thing that reallydisappointed me but I can
understand this is that you'renot allowed to take any photos
or videos inside BuckinghamPalace.
I understand why, but it's likeyou really want to, but you're
not allowed to.
(11:54):
You can take photos in thegardens.
Apparently, wear comfortableshoes, because you're going to
be doing a lot of walking and alot of going up and down stairs
as well, from what I remember aswell, going up and down the
staircase and stuff.
So make sure that you've gotcomfortable shoes on.
I always say that all the timeanyway.
Yeah, now a bonus tip if youbook your ticket directly from
(12:14):
the official palace website, youcan convert it into a one-year
pass for a free return visit.
Just make sure that you sign it, print your name on your ticket
before you leave and make sureto get the member of staff to
stamp and validate it.
I did do that when I was theirneighbor, but never got a chance
to go back again in that yet.
But also, you can do I'm alsogoing to throw that and you can
do this at windsor castle aswell um, if so, just need to put
(12:35):
your name on it, sign it andthen make sure that they stamp
it so it's validated, so you canreturn in 12 months oh, that's
really interesting.
Speaker 3 (12:41):
Thank you for what else is nearby the visitors
might want to add to their day.
Speaker 1 (12:45):
Right.
So obvious things to do arechanging of the guard, so that's
a must.
It usually takes place Monday,wednesday, friday and Sunday at
11 am.
Again, we've got a guide to thechanging of the guard on the
website, so we'll put a linkinto that.
There's also St James's Parkand Green Park and their lovely
first little picnic.
They are I think St James's Parkpersonally is my favourite one.
And then, of course, you've gotWestminster Abbey, big Ben,
(13:06):
trafalgar Square, the NationalGallery, churchill War Rooms
they're all within a 15 to20-minute walk.
So that's what I'm saying Ifyou're planning a visit, if
you're going to spend some timeat Buckingham Palace, I would
plan your day around it.
So again and we say this allthe time actually that when
you're planning your itineraryfor London, rather than bobbing
across London all the time,stick to what's in that area.
(13:29):
So, depending on what day,obviously start with your
booking for Buckingham Palace,because that's going to be your
main thing, and then plan therest of the day around it.
I think that's the best bet andlook at what else you can go
and see, but don't overpack youritinerary.
Speaker 3 (13:43):
Oh no, don't underestimate that.
Walking yeah, absolutely yeah,that's really good.
So what would be your one tipfor someone visiting buckingham
palace for the first time?
Speaker 1 (13:53):
I've kind of said it a few times already, but the
main thing really is to book asearly as possible and especially
if you want one of the specialtours, and plan your day around
your time slot.
Like I've said, wearcomfortable shoes and take time
to enjoy the gardens and let meknow what it's like.
Um, you know, book and palaceis a magical place to experience
british history and royaltradition.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
So, you know, enjoy it yeah, definitely, that's
brilliant advice, so thank youfor sharing all that.
I know this will help so manylisteners plan their visit no,
thanks.
Speaker 1 (14:23):
It was always really good to do specific episodes of
the podcast about visitingcertain destinations around the
uk and in london.
So we also have uh guides tovisiting the child london and
westminster abbey as well, andprevious podcasts, so do take
and listen to those if you'replanning to visit any of those
kind of iconic must visit placesin london.
And also also I'm gonna say Iwas just gonna say so.
Speaker 3 (14:46):
Tell them what it's like to be on the other side of
the line.
Speaker 1 (14:48):
I was just about to say it's actually really nice
for me to be interviewed ratherthan be.
I mean actually saying that Ilove interviewing people.
I just prefer talking tosomebody else rather than doing
a solo episode just like talking.
Speaker 3 (14:59):
Well, yeah, I do like talking, yeah, yeah okay, so
that's it for this episode ofthe UK travel planning podcast.
Don't forget to subscribe,leave a review and check the
show notes for helpful links.
So any questions, just leave usa voice message via the
SpeakPipe link in the show notes.
Speaker 1 (15:16):
Brilliant.
Well, I guess that just leavesus to say until next week happy
UK travel planning.
Thank you for tuning in to thisweek's episode of the UK Travel
Planning Podcast.
As always, show notes can befound at uktravelplanningcom.
If you've enjoyed the show, whynot leave us feedback via text
or a review on your favouritepodcast app?
(15:36):
We love to hear from you andyou never know.
You may receive a shout out ina future episode, but, as always
, that just leaves me to sayuntil next week.
Happy UK travel planning.
In episode 150 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast, we
explore Buckingham Palace,covering ticket options, tour
experiences and essential tipsto help you plan your visit to
London's most iconic royalresidence.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Welcome to the UK Travel Planning Podcast.
Your host is the founder of theUK Travel Planning website,
tracy Collins.
In this podcast, tracy sharesdestination guides, travel tips
and itinerary ideas, as well asinterviews with a variety of
guests who share their knowledgeand experience of UK travel to
help you plan your perfect UKvacation.
(00:35):
Join us as we explore the UKfrom cosmopolitan cities to
quaint villages, from historiccastles to beautiful islands,
and from the picturesquecountryside to seaside towns.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
Hello and welcome to another episode of the UK Travel
Planning Podcast.
I'm Doug and today I'm turningthe tables and interviewing
Tracy about a truly royalexperience visiting Buckingham
Palace.
So you visited the world-famouspalace on a small group tour
two years ago and I'veresearched and written a guide
(01:13):
for the London travel planningwebsite, so it seemed a perfect
topic to share with ourlisteners.
Are you ready to share yourpalace knowledge?
Speaker 1 (01:20):
I am, I am, I'm actually quite excited to talk
about basically one of the mostfamous palaces in the world and
such an iconic site in London.
Yes, and I was very, very luckya couple of years ago to do a
small group tour in April, whichI will talk a little bit more
about later in this episode.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
So let's start with the basics what is Buckingham
Palace and what makes it sospecial, and can you share a few
fun facts as well?
Speaker 1 (01:49):
I can do right.
So Buckingham Palace is theofficial London residence of the
UK monarch, which, of course,at the moment is Charles III.
Yeah so, but it just isn't justthe UK monarch's residence.
It's a symbol of Britishheritage and a few things people
might not know about it is thatit was built in 1703 for the
(02:11):
Duke of Buckingham and it becamea royal residence in 1761.
So the first monarch toactually live there officially
was Queen Victoria when shemoved in in 1837.
Now today it has over 750 rooms.
Can you imagine that?
Wow, there's no way we're ableto see all of those and we're
not allowed to see all thoseanyway.
(02:32):
But it apparently has 78bathrooms.
Just imagine cleaning all ofthat, and it's even got its own
post office and postcode and acinema and lots of other
fantastic rooms in there.
Really, it's amazing.
Interestingly, the Royal Familydoesn't actually own it Really.
No, they don't own it.
Yeah, it's held in trust by theCrown Estate which is, as far
(02:55):
as I understand it, basically itmanages it and it pays any
profits into the Treasury forthe benefit of the nation.
So I guess that kind of meansthat we all own it.
I guess so anyway, which bit doI own?
I don't know, I'm not sure.
Probably one of the bathrooms,okay, so, um, one tip, if you
are visiting buckingham palaceand we actually get asked about
(03:18):
this quite a lot is to check outthe flag flying on top of the
roof of booking palace itselfokay as this will tell you if
the king is home or not.
So the royal standard if you seethe royal standard, it means
means that they're in, he's in,and if you see the union jack,
it means that they're not rightnow, and often people get this
(03:39):
mixed up.
But you see the union jack and,assuming that the king's at
home is not, it's a royalstandard that will tell you that
he's at home.
Now I'm I'm not going todescribe what they look like,
but what I will do is that I'llput a picture of both of those
the union jack, just in case youdon't know what it looks like,
and the royal standard, whichprobably most people don't know
what it looks like, that listenthis podcast.
In fact, I didn't know until afew years ago what it actually
looked like.
Speaker 3 (03:59):
Oh, that's really helpful so.
Speaker 1 (04:01):
I'll put that in the show notes so you can check that
out if you're not sure.
Speaker 3 (04:04):
Okay, and it's not open all year, is it, don't
think?
Speaker 1 (04:08):
No, it isn't, it isn't.
Speaker 3 (04:09):
So when can people visit and what kinds of tickets
are available?
Speaker 1 (04:13):
Okay, so this is what my research has.
Rooms are open from July toSeptember every year, but I'm
going to say at this point it isessential to book tickets in
advance.
So if you leave it until Julyor August or September and turn
up in London trying to get aticket to get into Buckingham
Palace, probably no chance.
Now there's a standard entranceticket which will get you into
(04:34):
the state rooms and the gardens.
It's self-guided, with a freeaudio guide.
There are also some exclusivesmall group tours, like the
State Rooms and GardenHighlights Tour and the East
Wing and State Rooms Tour.
For something longer, the RoyalDay Out Tour is four and a half
hours and includes the King'sGallery, the Royal Muse, I would
recommend and the State Rooms.
(04:54):
Now, during other months of theyear, the Palace opens on
selected dates for small guidedtours and that's how I managed
to visit in April 2023.
So I subscribed by the RoyalCollection Trust to their emails
and I will put a link to thatwebsite in the show notes and
they sent me an email alertingme that there was going to be
small group tours available.
(05:15):
So I will say it's not cheap.
I think it cost me over £90,but I booked it and actually I
absolutely loved it.
The guide that we had wasamazing.
I think there was probably onlymaybe 14 or 15 of us on the
tour and it was just.
It was the first time I'd everbeen inside Buckingham Palace
and I loved it.
(05:35):
I would also would say I didthe Royal Muse the day after
that and actually our guidewho'd taken us around Buckingham
Palace she recognised myhandbag.
Actually she recognised my bagbecause she'd admired it on the
tour and she was like oh, Iremember you from the tour In
fact it probably wasn't the dayafter, it was probably about 10
days after actually because Idid the Royal Muse separately
and so lovely, Really reallyinteresting, and it was so good
(05:58):
having a guide because she knewso much.
She works for Buckingham Palaceand she's one of their guides,
so she knew a lot about it.
So I would just say that thatwas really really good and I
thoroughly enjoyed it.
But there are some thingshappening.
Speaker 3 (06:11):
I was going to say I remember you talking about and
raving about those tours you hadthere.
Yeah, and particularly somebodyremembered your handbag as well
.
Yeah, no, it was funny, so Iremember you saying there's
something new also for 2025.
Speaker 1 (06:22):
Yeah, I know and this is so exciting and I really
want to visit.
I mean, we are going to be inthe UK in September, but I
haven't booked tickets yetbecause we're still planning
what we're going to do.
But if I do get the chance, I'dlove to, because now, if you
actually enter through theiconic front gates and walk
across the forecourt, just likethe royal family mansion, so you
can wave, but I'm not sure theywalk across it or they get kind
(06:45):
of taken in rolls royce acrossit to be honest, but anyway, you
can you can walk across or gothrough.
Can you imagine going throughthose gates and in, and then
walking across the forecourt andinto buckingham?
Speaker 3 (06:55):
where so many have traveled.
I mean, it's I know I thinkit's really exciting and
something that I really want todo.
Definitely so.
Once you're inside, what aresome of the highlights people
can expect to see?
Speaker 1 (07:05):
Right.
Well, it's really interestingbecause for me, I just, I don't
know it took my breath away insome ways, because a lot of it
were things that I hadrecognised, obviously because
most of my well, all of my life,queen.
Elizabeth was my queen, so Ikind of recognised so much of
those of the rooms and so muchthat I saw during the tour.
(07:25):
So you'll see the state roomand that's really the star
attraction and it's used forofficial events and it's full of
art and you know ornatefurnishings, really beautiful,
and you will recognise it.
You'll see the throne room, youknow, with King Charles and
Queen Camilla's coronationchairs.
Now what I'll say to you, whenI went in 2023, it was great
(07:46):
because it was literally abouttwo weeks before the actual
coronation, two or three weeksbefore the coronation, and they
actually had a room set up likea replica inside of Westminster
Abbey, like a stage, andapparently at that point, king
and queen to be um, they werepracticing the ceremony for the
(08:06):
coronation so we got to see thatit was absolutely fantastic.
Um, yeah, so, so I loved thatyou'll also get to see the white
drawing room and the picturegallery and you'll see
masterpieces like that.
I think these are actuallyowned by the royal family.
Um rembrandt t-shirt.
There's just paintings likesome world's, like priceless
paintings.
(08:26):
You know, lining the thispicture gallery.
Um, you'll see the grandstaircase, which really is a
showstopper.
Um, and in summer that I didn'tdo it, because I obviously
visit naples and there'ssomething I really want to do um
, in summer, you get to visitthe palace garden, with 39 acres
of landscape garden.
It's got a lake rose garden andeven a tennis court, and this,
(08:48):
honestly, is something that Ireally want to do.
And if you have visitedBuckingham Palace and you're
going, or you're going this year, and you're going to see the
gardens, let me know, because Ireally want to know what they're
like.
I've heard they're beautiful.
Speaker 3 (08:58):
That's wonderful.
You're making me want to go.
Now let's talk logistics whenshould people go and how do they
get there?
Speaker 1 (09:04):
Right now the Palace is open daily in July and August
, but it closes on Tuesdays andWednesdays in September.
So the hours do vary slightly.
But it opens at 9.30am and thelast admission is either 4.30 or
5.30, depending on the month.
So you'll have to check.
You'll know when you book yourtour and your ticket.
Getting there is easy.
The nearest tube is Green Park,which is around about a six
(09:28):
minute walk away.
There are other nearby stations, including Victoria, St
Joseph's Park and Hyde ParkCorner.
You can also catch buses orcoach to Victoria Coach Station
or even take an Uber boat toWestminster Pier, and then it's
about a 20 minute walk away toget to Buckingham Palace that
way.
So it's not hard to get to.
Speaker 3 (09:44):
No, it's not.
You can come in from eachdirection as well.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
I'm also just going to throw in there as well if you
actually go on the London Eyeand I know it's such a
controversial thing don't do theLondon Eye, do the London Eye.
I said, if you want to do theLondon Eye, do it.
Personally I like it.
You get a view of BuckinghamPalace on a all the way from the
London Eye, which I think isreally cool.
Speaker 3 (10:04):
Oh, that's a useful little tip.
Yeah, so any key tips forlisteners to help them make the
most of their visit?
Speaker 1 (10:10):
Right, definitely, I'm going to say this three
times Book in advance, book inadvance, book in advance.
Speaker 2 (10:15):
So book in advance then, possibly.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
Yeah, absolutely Now.
Today we are recording thisepisode, it's the 26th of March,
right, and some tours arealready, unfortunately sold out
on the royal collection trustwebsite.
So you know it it's crazy, butthey are already already already
booked up.
So, yeah, just make sure thatyou, if you want to do it, that
(10:38):
you check there are a couple oftours still available.
So I would I would get thatdone so arrive on time, because
entry is timed and late comerswon't be admitted so that's
particularly important as well,isn't it?
Speaker 3 (10:48):
Yes so know how you're going to get there.
Speaker 1 (10:49):
Yes, and it's important that you do arrive on
time, yeah make sure that youplan from wherever you are
before, whatever you're doing.
In fact, I'll just plan yourday around that, if that's what
you're going to be doing, andthat's what I've done.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
So visit a second um, because you, if you're late,
you're not going to get in.
So don't underestimate the sizeof london.
If you're coming in fromoutside london, you know we'll
take a bit of time to get thereyeah, yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
Uh, expect security checks.
They're not just going to letyou walk in with everything.
So you know it's like theairport you can't take any large
bags in.
So, either, leave left luggageat victoria station.
If you've got suitcases, wehave an article about where you
can leave luggage in London, sothat's your best bet.
So if you've got large bagswith you, don't and you know
something?
I've seen this in places.
I remember going to theColosseum in Rome a few years
(11:33):
ago and seeing people trying totake suitcases in the Colosseum.
Seriously, guys, don't try andtake suitcases into Buckingham
Palace.
They won't let you in.
One thing that reallydisappointed me but I can
understand this is that you'renot allowed to take any photos
or videos inside BuckinghamPalace.
I understand why, but it's likeyou really want to, but you're
not allowed to.
(11:54):
You can take photos in thegardens.
Apparently, wear comfortableshoes, because you're going to
be doing a lot of walking and alot of going up and down stairs
as well, from what I remember aswell, going up and down the
staircase and stuff.
So make sure that you've gotcomfortable shoes on.
I always say that all the timeanyway.
Yeah, now a bonus tip if youbook your ticket directly from
(12:14):
the official palace website, youcan convert it into a one-year
pass for a free return visit.
Just make sure that you sign it, print your name on your ticket
before you leave and make sureto get the member of staff to
stamp and validate it.
I did do that when I was theirneighbor, but never got a chance
to go back again in that yet.
But also, you can do I'm alsogoing to throw that and you can
do this at windsor castle aswell um, if so, just need to put
(12:35):
your name on it, sign it andthen make sure that they stamp
it so it's validated, so you canreturn in 12 months oh, that's
really interesting.
Speaker 3 (12:41):
Thank you for what else is nearby the visitors
might want to add to their day.
Speaker 1 (12:45):
Right.
So obvious things to do arechanging of the guard, so that's
a must.
It usually takes place Monday,wednesday, friday and Sunday at
11 am.
Again, we've got a guide to thechanging of the guard on the
website, so we'll put a linkinto that.
There's also St James's Parkand Green Park and their lovely
first little picnic.
They are I think St James's Parkpersonally is my favourite one.
And then, of course, you've gotWestminster Abbey, big Ben,
(13:06):
trafalgar Square, the NationalGallery, churchill War Rooms
they're all within a 15 to20-minute walk.
So that's what I'm saying Ifyou're planning a visit, if
you're going to spend some timeat Buckingham Palace, I would
plan your day around it.
So again and we say this allthe time actually that when
you're planning your itineraryfor London, rather than bobbing
across London all the time,stick to what's in that area.
(13:29):
So, depending on what day,obviously start with your
booking for Buckingham Palace,because that's going to be your
main thing, and then plan therest of the day around it.
I think that's the best bet andlook at what else you can go
and see, but don't overpack youritinerary.
Speaker 3 (13:43):
Oh no, don't underestimate that.
Walking yeah, absolutely yeah,that's really good.
So what would be your one tipfor someone visiting buckingham
palace for the first time?
Speaker 1 (13:53):
I've kind of said it a few times already, but the
main thing really is to book asearly as possible and especially
if you want one of the specialtours, and plan your day around
your time slot.
Like I've said, wearcomfortable shoes and take time
to enjoy the gardens and let meknow what it's like.
Um, you know, book and palaceis a magical place to experience
british history and royaltradition.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
So, you know, enjoy it yeah, definitely, that's
brilliant advice, so thank youfor sharing all that.
I know this will help so manylisteners plan their visit no,
thanks.
Speaker 1 (14:23):
It was always really good to do specific episodes of
the podcast about visitingcertain destinations around the
uk and in london.
So we also have uh guides tovisiting the child london and
westminster abbey as well, andprevious podcasts, so do take
and listen to those if you'replanning to visit any of those
kind of iconic must visit placesin london.
And also also I'm gonna say Iwas just gonna say so.
Speaker 3 (14:46):
Tell them what it's like to be on the other side of
the line.
Speaker 1 (14:48):
I was just about to say it's actually really nice
for me to be interviewed ratherthan be.
I mean actually saying that Ilove interviewing people.
I just prefer talking tosomebody else rather than doing
a solo episode just like talking.
Speaker 3 (14:59):
Well, yeah, I do like talking, yeah, yeah okay, so
that's it for this episode ofthe UK travel planning podcast.
Don't forget to subscribe,leave a review and check the
show notes for helpful links.
So any questions, just leave usa voice message via the
SpeakPipe link in the show notes.
Speaker 1 (15:16):
Brilliant.
Well, I guess that just leavesus to say until next week happy
UK travel planning.
Thank you for tuning in to thisweek's episode of the UK Travel
Planning Podcast.
As always, show notes can befound at uktravelplanningcom.
If you've enjoyed the show, whynot leave us feedback via text
or a review on your favouritepodcast app?
(15:36):
We love to hear from you andyou never know.
You may receive a shout out ina future episode, but, as always
, that just leaves me to sayuntil next week.
Happy UK travel planning.
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