Royal London: Five Palaces Worth Seeing

London wears its royal history in stone. You can walk between centuries of monarchy in an afternoon, from the working heart of the modern monarchy to a Tudor pleasure palace on the Thames. Here are five royal residences worth building a day around.

Buckingham Palace

The most famous address in Britain, and the monarch’s official London residence. In late summer the magnificent State Rooms open to visitors, their walls hung with works from the Royal Collection. Time your visit around the Changing of the Guard for the full spectacle of bearskins and brass.

The Tower of London

Nearly a thousand years old and never dull. Part fortress, part palace, part prison, the Tower is also home to the Crown Jewels — the working regalia of the monarchy, dazzling behind glass. The Yeoman Warders’ tours are worth every minute for the storytelling alone.

Kensington Palace

Tucked into Kensington Gardens, this is the most intimate of the great palaces and one of the most personal — the childhood home of Queen Victoria and a residence closely associated with the modern royal family. Its gardens and the elegant King’s State Apartments reward an unhurried wander.

Hampton Court Palace

Henry VIII’s riverside pleasure palace, where Tudor grandeur meets Baroque splendour. Lose yourself in the famous maze, stand in the vast Great Hall, and imagine the court at full, ruinous extravagance.

Kew Palace

The smallest and quietest royal palace, set within Kew Gardens — a red-brick retreat once beloved of King George III. It is a lovely, gentle counterpoint to the grandeur elsewhere, and easily paired with a day among the glasshouses.

Plan before you go

Opening seasons, ticket prices and pre-booking requirements vary by palace and time of year — and some, like the Buckingham Palace State Rooms, open only for a limited summer season.

Always check the official websites for current opening times, prices and booking before planning your visit.