How to Enjoy a Trip to Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace is not only the official London residence of the Queen, but also the administrative headquarters of the monarchy. It is probably the most famous and easily recognizable facade of any building in the world. No trip to London would be complete without a visit to Buckingham Palace.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
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1
Buy a ticket. You can obtain tickets from many different sources, including the Internet. You can talk with your travel agent to find out the best deal that includes Buckingham Palace.
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2
Visit the State rooms. If you can plan your trip during August or September you will have the opportunity to visit the State rooms in Buckingham Palace. These rooms contain some of the greatest treasures in the world including paintings by Rembrandt and Rubens, sculpture by Canova and Chantrey, Sevres porcelain and some of the finest English and French furniture.
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3
Tour the parts of Buckingham Palace that are open to the public.
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4
See the Royal Mews. From April to October you can visit the Royal Mews and see displays of carriages and cars used for ceremonial and state occasions.
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5
Watch the changing of the guard. This takes place in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace at 11:30 every day in the summer and every other day in the winter, and lasts about 45 minutes. The new guard marches from Wellington Barracks to the Palace and the Old Guard hands over in a ceremony during which the sentries are changed and then return to the barracks. The New Guard then marches to St James's Place leaving the detachment at Buckingham Palace.
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Be among the 50,000 people who are invited to the Palace each year as a guest for a banquet, luncheon, dinner, reception or one of the Royal Garden Parties.
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Tips & Warnings
Plan your trip for August and September. This way you will get the full experience since you will be able to visit the State Rooms.
Do not miss the Changing of the Guard. It is quite an experience.
