Buckingham Palace state rooms tour:
Royalty, palaces and the heart of London
Destination
London, UK
Duration
3 hours
Tour size
Max 15
Language
English
Overview
Walk the parks, palaces, and ceremonial routes that made London the seat of the British monarchy. This Buckingham Palace tour takes you inside the State Rooms where kings and queens still receive the world.
- •Walk through the gilded State Rooms at Buckingham Palace, where coronation banquets are still held and heads of state are still received
- •Trace 300 years of royal residence from St. James's Palace, home of Henry VIII, to Clarence House, home of the current King
- •Stroll The Mall, where coronations, royal weddings, and victory parades have processed since 1911
- •Stand in St. James's Park and meet its resident pelicans, a gift to the Crown that dates back to 1664
- •Hear which windows the royals wave from and which balcony held the most famous kiss in British history
What's included
- Pre-reserved Buckingham Palace tickets for the State Rooms
- Local English-speaking expert guide
- Guided royal London walking tour
You will visit
- Buckingham Palace State Rooms
- The Mall
- St. James's Park
- Clarence House (exterior)
- St. James's Palace (exterior)
- Green Park
- Wellington Barracks (pass-by)
Get a taste of Buckingham Palace state rooms tour
What to expect
St. James's Palace and Clarence House: where the monarchy still lives
Your Buckingham Palace tour begins at two royal residences that sit quietly beside the Palace. Clarence House was King Charles's London home for more than fifty years. Neighboring St. James's Palace has housed royals since Henry VIII built it in the 1530s, and your guide will trace the line from Tudor monarchs to the present day, all within a few hundred yards of Buckingham Palace's gates.
The Mall and St. James's Park: the ceremonial heart of royal London
The Mall stretches from the palaces to Buckingham Palace's gates, tree-lined and wide enough for a coronation procession. St. James's Park, London's oldest Royal Park, sits just off the route. Its pelicans have been in residence since a Russian ambassador presented them to the Crown in 1664.
"People head straight for Buckingham Palace. I like starting here — it's quieter, and you can actually picture the royals coming and going."
Sue,
WalksDevour guide
"Two thrones on a raised platform under a ceiling that goes on forever. People always speak in whispers, even though nobody tells them to."
Angie,
WalksDevour guide
Recent reviews & recommendations
Frequently asked questions
Our guides love answering your questions. Here are some things they’d like you to know before you arrive.
Seize every moment in London
Best of London tour: Tower, Thames, and the royal walk to Westminster
Complete Westminster Abbey tour: Coronations, guard changes, and the stories between
London in a day: Essential landmarks of London
