Buckingham Palace

Queen Victoria was the first monarch to live in Buckingham Palace and it has been the official royal residence since 1837. Her Majesty regularly entertains guests at this 600 bedroom palace with its 40 acre garden. Buckingham Palace is the weekday home of the Queen and her husband Prince Philip as well as their son Prince Andrew and his family. When the Queen is in residence, the Royal Standard flag flies from the flag pole above the palace.

The Houses of Parliament is where the House of Commons and House of Lords debate and pass laws in Britain. There is a grand ceremony every November when the Queen travels in a royal coach to open the sessions in parliament.

Every summer, the public is allowed access to the grand state rooms and a large part of the gardens. Highlights include paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens and Canaletto and the Ball Supper Room.

However, no matter what time of year you visit, children will enjoy watching the Changing of the Guard which takes place outside the front of the palace every morning at around 11am.

Address:

Buckingham Palace Road, Victoria SW1A 1AA

Telephone:

020 7766 7300

Admission:

Adults: £15, Children under 17: £8.50, Children under 5: Free

Opening Times:

Daily 9.45am to 6pm from July to September

Nearest Tube:

Victoria

Where to Eat:

ASK

What's nearby:

National Gallery and Trafalgar Square

Have you been here?

Tell us what you think of this place!