Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace has been the Queen's official residence since 1837 (when Queen Victoria decided St James's Palace, just down the road, was too small and unimpressive). Nowadays Buckingham Palace is where the Queen holds her most important parties, gives out her annual awards, and meets and greets important people from other countries.

Most of the year Buckingham Palace is closed to the public. However during the summer months, when the Queen heads on holiday to Balmoral Castle in Scotland, part of the palace is open to the public. You can wander through 19 lavishly furnished state rooms including the Throne Room and Queen Victoria's Picture Gallery (which includes works by Rembrandt, Canaletto and Vermeer). You may also go out into part of the gardens (the largest private gardens in London).

The rest of the year, you can only gaze through the gates at the imposing facade and the balcony from which Charles and Diana waved when they married all those years ago and William and Kate famously shared two kisses. This front, or eastern entrance, is also where The Changing of the Guard happens, when the Foot Guards of the Household Regiment, who guard the royal family, change shifts.

Practical Info

Buckingham Palace is easy to find, located right in the heart of London. The nearest stations are St James Park, Green Park and Victoria. To visit the state rooms it's important to book tickets ahead of time. The Queen's Gallery and Royal Mews are open to the public throughout the year and you can see changing exhibitions from the royal art collection and the Queen's carriages and horses. But again, it's important to check the exact dates of opening.