Royal Palaces Guide: Buckingham, Tower & More 2026

Key Takeaways

Visit the UK's royal palaces: Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, Windsor Castle, Hampton Court. Tickets, opening times, and tips for every palace.

The United Kingdom’s royal palaces are among the most magnificent historic buildings in the world, offering visitors an unparalleled glimpse into centuries of monarchy, power, architecture, and ceremony. From the iconic Buckingham Palace and the medieval Tower of London to the Tudor splendour of Hampton Court and the romantic grandeur of Windsor Castle, Britain’s royal residences tell the story of a nation through their halls, gardens, and collections. This guide covers the essential royal palaces every international visitor should experience, with practical information on tickets, opening times, and the best way to visit each one.

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is the official London residence and administrative headquarters of the British monarch. The palace has 775 rooms, including 19 State Rooms that are open to visitors during the Summer Opening (typically late July to September). The Changing of the Guard ceremony on the palace forecourt is one of London’s most popular free attractions.

royal palaces buckingham hampton - scenic view for tourists visiting the UK

Detail	Information
Location	Westminster, London SW1A 1AA
Summer Opening	Late July – September (approx.)
Admission	~£30 adults, £17 children (5–17)
Duration	2–2.5 hours
Nearest Tube	Victoria, Green Park, Hyde Park Corner
Changing of the Guard	11:00 (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun — check schedule)

The State Rooms are opulently decorated with treasures from the Royal Collection, including paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, and Canaletto. The tour also includes the Throne Room, the Picture Gallery, and access to the palace gardens. Book tickets in advance through the Royal Collection Trust website, as slots sell out quickly during the summer season.

Tower of London

The Tower of London is one of the world’s most famous and well-preserved medieval fortresses, with a history spanning nearly 1,000 years. Built by William the Conqueror in 1066, it has served as a royal palace, prison, armoury, treasury, and zoo. Today, it houses the Crown Jewels — the most valuable collection of jewels in the world.

royal palaces buckingham hampton - travel scene showing popular destination

Detail	Information
Location	Tower Hill, London EC3N 4AB
Opening	Year-round (closed 24–26 Dec, 1 Jan)
Admission	~£33 adults, £16 children (5–15)
Duration	3–4 hours
Nearest Tube	Tower Hill
Must-see	Crown Jewels, White Tower, Yeoman Warder tours

Join a free Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) tour for entertaining and informative stories about the Tower’s history. The tours depart every 30 minutes from the main entrance and last approximately 60 minutes. Visit the Crown Jewels early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the longest queues. For help getting there, see our London Underground guide.

Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, and the King’s preferred weekend residence. Founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, the castle has been continuously occupied for over 900 years. The State Apartments, St George’s Chapel, and the magnificent grounds make it an essential day trip from London. For a complete itinerary, see our Windsor Castle day trip guide.

royal palaces buckingham hampton - helpful visual guide for visitors

Detail	Information
Location	Windsor, Berkshire SL4 1NJ
Opening	Year-round (reduced hours during state events)
Admission	~£30 adults, £17 children (5–17)
Duration	2.5–3.5 hours
Getting there	30–55 min by train from London Paddington or Waterloo
Must-see	State Apartments, St George’s Chapel, Changing of the Guard

Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace is the most magnificent Tudor palace in England, originally built for Cardinal Wolsey before being taken over by Henry VIII. The palace uniquely combines Tudor and Baroque architecture, with Henry VIII’s Great Hall, William III’s Baroque apartments, and 60 acres of gardens including the world-famous maze. See our detailed Hampton Court Palace guide.

royal palaces buckingham hampton - UK landmark and attraction

Detail	Information
Location	East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9AU
Opening	Year-round
Admission	~£29 adults, £14.50 children (5–15)
Duration	3–5 hours (including gardens)
Getting there	35 min by train from London Waterloo
Must-see	Henry VIII’s Kitchens, The Maze, Great Hall, Baroque Apartments

Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace has been a royal residence since 1689 and is currently home to several members of the Royal Family, including the Prince and Princess of Wales. The palace’s public areas include stunning State Rooms and fascinating exhibitions about royal life, set within the beautiful Kensington Gardens in central London.

royal palaces buckingham hampton - tourist experience in Britain

Detail	Information
Location	Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX
Opening	Year-round
Admission	~£21 adults, £10.50 children (5–15)
Duration	1.5–2.5 hours
Nearest Tube	High Street Kensington, Queensway
Must-see	King’s State Apartments, Queen’s State Apartments, exhibitions

Palace of Holyroodhouse (Edinburgh)

The Palace of Holyroodhouse at the end of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile is the King’s official residence in Scotland. The palace has deep connections to Scottish history, most notably Mary, Queen of Scots, who lived here in the 16th century. The ruins of the medieval Holyrood Abbey adjacent to the palace add atmospheric beauty to the site.

Detail	Information
Location	Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DX
Opening	Year-round (closed during Royal visits)
Admission	~£19.50 adults, £11 children (5–17)
Duration	1.5–2 hours
Must-see	Mary Queen of Scots’ Chambers, Great Gallery, Abbey ruins

Money-Saving Tips for Royal Palaces

Royal Collection Trust Pass: If visiting multiple Royal Collection Trust properties (Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Holyroodhouse), ask about combination tickets or annual passes for significant savings
Historic Royal Palaces Membership: An annual membership covers unlimited entry to the Tower of London, Hampton Court, Kensington Palace, Kew Palace, Banqueting House, and Hillsborough Castle. At approximately £65 per year, it pays for itself after just two visits
Gift Aid: If you are a UK taxpayer (unlikely for tourists), Gift Aid admission converts your ticket into an annual pass at most Royal Collection properties
Book online: Most palaces offer a small discount for booking tickets online in advance versus buying at the door
Free alternatives: The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle is completely free. The grounds of Kensington Gardens are free to enter year-round
London Pass: The London Pass includes entry to the Tower of London, Kensington Palace, and Hampton Court, which can offer savings if you plan to visit multiple attractions during your London trip

Best Order to Visit Royal Palaces

If you plan to visit multiple palaces during your UK trip, here is a suggested order that balances logistics and variety:

Day 1 (London): Tower of London (morning) → Buckingham Palace exterior and Changing of the Guard (afternoon, or Summer Opening tour if available)
Day 2 (London): Kensington Palace (morning) → Hampton Court Palace (afternoon, 35 min by train)
Day 3 (Day trip): Windsor Castle (full day trip from London, 30–55 min by train)
If visiting Edinburgh: Palace of Holyroodhouse → Edinburgh Castle (same day, both on the Royal Mile)

Ceremonial Events at Royal Palaces

Throughout the year, royal palaces host spectacular ceremonial events that are open to the public:

Changing of the Guard: Buckingham Palace (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun) and Windsor Castle (Tue, Thu, Sat) — free to watch
Trooping the Colour: The King’s official birthday parade in June, with a spectacular military ceremony on Horse Guards Parade
Ceremony of the Keys: The 700-year-old locking-up ceremony at the Tower of London, held every evening at 9:53pm. Free tickets must be applied for in advance through the Historic Royal Palaces website
State Opening of Parliament: The King’s procession from Buckingham Palace to the Houses of Parliament, typically in November

UK ETA for Palace Visitors

International visitors to the UK’s royal palaces need a valid Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling. The UK ETA costs £10, is valid for two years, and allows multiple entries across the entire United Kingdom. This means a single ETA covers visits to palaces in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Apply online at gov.uk or through the UK ETA app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you go inside Buckingham Palace?

Yes, but only during the Summer Opening period, typically from late July to September. During this time, visitors can tour the 19 State Rooms, the Picture Gallery, and the palace gardens. Outside this period, you can still see the palace exterior, watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony, and visit the Royal Mews and Queen’s Gallery, which are open year-round.

Which royal palace is best to visit in London?

The Tower of London is generally considered the best all-round royal palace experience in London, combining nearly 1,000 years of history, the Crown Jewels, Yeoman Warder tours, and a dramatic riverside setting. However, if you are specifically interested in Tudor history, Hampton Court Palace is unrivalled, and for royal ceremony, Buckingham Palace during the Summer Opening is extraordinary.

How much do royal palace tickets cost?

Prices vary by palace. The Tower of London costs approximately £33 for adults, Windsor Castle £30, Buckingham Palace (Summer Opening) £30, Hampton Court Palace £29, and Kensington Palace £21. Children’s tickets are roughly half price. Online booking usually offers a small discount, and combination passes or memberships provide significant savings for visiting multiple palaces.

Do you need to book royal palace tickets in advance?

Advance booking is strongly recommended for all major palaces, especially during summer and school holidays. Buckingham Palace Summer Opening tickets frequently sell out weeks in advance. The Tower of London accepts walk-up visitors but pre-booked timed entry avoids queuing. Windsor Castle can have long queues during peak periods, so timed entry tickets are advisable.

Is the Changing of the Guard free to watch?

Yes, the Changing of the Guard ceremony is completely free and open to the public. At Buckingham Palace, the best viewing spots are along the palace railings and the Victoria Memorial. Arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled 11:00am start time to secure a good position. The ceremony lasts approximately 45 minutes and takes place on selected days — check the official schedule before visiting.