Whether or not youโre fascinated by Henry VIII or Harry and Meghan, are hoping to get a glimpse of the royals or let your youngsters dwell out their knights and princesses fantasies, youโll discover a string of royal locations in London to go to.
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From royal residences to palaces and castles, the most effective locations to find the UKโs royal historical past and traditions, royal strolling excursions of London and the one method to assure seeing a member of the royal household (kind of), youโll discover sufficient to theme a complete go to round royal London.
Better of all, in the event youโre planning to see these royal locations in London with youngsters, theyโre household pleasant too.
Buckingham Palace
The place else do you have to begin than the monarchโs personal official residence? You may get a glimpse of the outside of Buckingham Palace year-round, in addition to the possibility to go indoors for a couple of months of the 12 months.
Check out the flagpole to seek out out whether or not the monarch is staying there throughout your go to: if itโs the Royal Commonplace, which means the king is in residence, but when itโs the Union Flag, he’s residing elsewhere. Thereโs at all times extra probability of seeing the Royal Commonplace flying on a weekday slightly than a weekend.
For a peek inside, try my overview of a go to to the Buckingham Palace state rooms
The State Rooms are open from round mid July to late September (plus occasional unique excursions throughout the winter and spring), and thereโs a timed admission system while you guide with slots each quarter-hour.
This isnโt someplace to race by way of, enable a few hours to soak all of it in, in addition to the stroll by way of the palace gardens on the finish. Whereas there are bogs and child altering on the finish of the go to, thereโs nothing at first so that is one Iโd keep away from with very younger youngsters: for older ones, thereโs a multimedia information geared toward youngsters below 12, actions, crafts and trails.
Try the highlights of the Buckingham Palace State Rooms for youths from thrones to secret doorways.
Tickets value from ยฃ16.50 for youths, ยฃ33 for adults and under-fives are free, plus there are household tickets accessible. In the event you get your ticket stamped on the finish of the go to, you may return free of charge over the subsequent 12 months.
The Royal Day Out ticket provides admission to the Royal Mews and The Kingโs Gallery in addition to the State Rooms โ scroll down for extra element about these royal sights
Altering of the Guard
The Family Troops have guarded Buckingham Palace since Queen Victoria took up residence in 1837, though they’ve guarded the monarch and royal palaces for hundreds of years earlier than then. And from 10.43am, the Previous Guard palms over to the New Guard in a ceremony which takes round an hour.
The Altering of the Guard is certainly one of Londonโs hottest free sights as they march of their well-known bearskin hats whereas a full navy band performs, so get there early if you’d like a great place.
Being too near Buckingham palace isnโt at all times superb, as you donโt essentially have the most effective view by way of the gates. As an alternative, head to St Jamesโs Palace beforehand to observe them start their march.
In the event youโre visiting London with youthful youngsters and need to keep away from the crowds, you could possibly additionally get a style at Wellington Barracks on Birdcage Stroll beforehand, the place you may spot them forming up and listen to the music at round 10.15.
Or watch the Kingโs Life Guard change on Horse Guards Parade, which tends to be much less busy โ 11am every day, besides on Sundays when it takes place at 10am.
The Altering of the Guard usually takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, every day in June and July, however could also be cancelled for main occasions in addition to notably unhealthy climate โย verify itโs going forwardย earlier than you queue.
For extra concepts of free issues to do in London with youngsters, try this publish
Madame Tussauds London
If you wish to assure seeing the royal household, thereโs just one method to do it โ and thatโs heading to Madame Tussauds to see the waxworks on show inside.
Youโll spot a string of senior royals throughout your go to, together with the youthful members of the royal household and a recreation of the well-known balcony scene, plus the King.
Queen Elizabeth II holds the document of getting extra figures made than anybody else in Madame Tussaudsโ historical past, beginning with the primary determine when the then princess was simply two, with the twenty third waxwork unveiled for the Queenโs Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
Tickets value from ยฃ27 for adults, ยฃ24 for youths in the event you guide on-line, together with free choice to reschedule, plus it’s also possible to purchase on-line from Get Your Information with free cancellation.
Tower of London
One among my very own favorite locations to go to in London, the Tower of London oozes royal historical past โ for starters, you may see the crown jewels in all their glittering glory, nevertheless itโs been each royal residence and royal jail since William the Conqueror first had the White Tower constructed within the eleventh century.
Thereโs a enjoyable Time Explorers sport for youths to attempt as you discover, in addition to a fantastic guidebook, to not point out common particular actions throughout faculty holidays โ up to now weโve seen actors portraying the theft of the crown jewels and a breakout by one high-profile prisoner.
However it’s also possible to uncover extra concerning the royal menagerie, the animals stored by the nationโs monarchs, in addition to seeing the memorial to Henry VIIIโs two executed Queens (and others), plus the Traitorโs Gate that many entered by way of.
Thatโs solely the beginning, as you may wander by way of residences designed to look as they’d have finished again within the 14th century, see fits of armour galore, check out some interactive displays and naturally spot the ravens hopping round, with legend saying that in the event that they depart, Britain will fall.
Tickets value from ยฃ37 for adults, ยฃ18.50 for youths, free in the event youโre a Historic Royal Palaces member.
In the event you guide upfront, it’s also possible to see the traditional Ceremony of the Keys, because the Tower of London is locked up each night time โ try my expertise of watching the Ceremony of the Keys with youngsters
Kensington Palace
Childhood house of Queen Victoria, Kensington Palace is a slightly extra intimate royal residence than the Tower of London โ initially bought by William and Mary as a rustic retreat, it was a favorite of George II and his courtroom, however has additionally been house to Diana, Princess of Wales and Prince William and Harry.
For extra issues to do in South Kensington with youngsters, try my choose of the most effective
With altering displays, you may presently see shows from Queen Victoriaโs early years, from her troublesome relations together with her mom to her first assembly with future husband Prince Albert, in addition to tracing her path from a princess no-one thought could be Queen to her coronation.
Elsewhere within the palace you may nonetheless play Georgian playing video games, spot a throne, marvel on the grand staircase and picture the balls held right here โ plus the seedier aspect of the royal courtroom with some horrible historical past positive to entertain youngsters.
Tickets value from ยฃ24.70 for adults, ยฃ12.40 for youths, free in the event youโre a Historic Royal Palaces member.
Try my overview of a day trip at Kensington Palace with youngsters
Westminster Abbey
In addition to seeing the place the royals dwell โ or lived โ it’s also possible to go to their ultimate resting place. Over 3,300 individuals have been buried or commemorated at Westminster Abbey, together with 16 separate British monarchs (or 17, in the event you consider the bones believed to be the Princes within the Tower are these of Edward V and his brother) plus a lot of their consorts.
As you discover inside, you may see the tombs of Henry V and all of the Tudors besides Henry VIII, alongside early kings resembling Edward the Confessor, who died per week after the abbey was consecrated.
Plantagenet kings together with Henry III, who had the present abbey constructed within the thirteenth century, and his son Edward I, whereas Mary I and Elizabeth I share a tomb. The final King of England to be buried right here is George II.
Somewhat extra fortunately, the abbey has additionally seen 16 royal weddings, from Henry I in 1100 to most lately, the then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011 (now the Prince and Princess of Wales).
And each king or queen of England has been topped right here, besides two โ Edward V, who was deposed and presumed murdered earlier than his coronation, and Edward VIII who abdicated earlier than his may happen.
Prebooking tickets is advisable โ get discounted ticketsย in the event you guide by way of my hyperlink utilizing code MUMMYTRAVELS6.
The Palace of Westminster
Higher referred to as the Homes of Parliament, the Palace of Westminster was initially constructed within the eleventh century as a royal residence โ right this moment, after a number of fires together with one in 1834, nearly the one half which survives in nearly its unique type is Westminster Corridor.
And you may nonetheless go to this large corridor with its spectacular medieval hammerbeam roof, the place archaeologists discovered items of the Kingโs Excessive Desk, which might have been utilized by monarchs together with Henry V, Henry VIII and Elizabeth I.
The roof itself was commissioned by Richard II, whose emblem of the white hart seems together with statues of the kings from Edward the Confessor to Richard himself, plus shields with the royal arms. Though after this grand redecoration celebrating Richardโs regal lineage, the primary occasion which happened in Westminster Corridor was the choice to depose himโฆ
There are official excursions of Parliament, together with Westminster Corridor, or UK residents can request free tickets from their MP for debates, which incorporates passing by way of the corridor.
The Jewel Tower
The one different part of the Palace of Westminster to outlive the hearth of 1834 is the Jewel Tower, inbuilt 1365 โ much less well-known than the clock tower housing Massive Ben, itโs an interesting little piece of historical past thatโs usually neglected.
Created to accommodate Edward IIIโs treasures, it was referred to as the Kingโs Privy Wardrobe, and you may nonetheless enterprise inside to go searching right this moment, now an English heritage web site..
Thereโs a mannequin of the medieval palace of Westminster, because the kings who lived there would have recognized it, in addition to a 14th century ribbed vault with ornate ceiling carvings to discover.
It’s also possible to see areas set as they’d have been when it was utilized by clerks within the 18th century and the historical past of weights and measures.
Tickets value from ยฃ9 for adults, ยฃ4.50 for youths in the event you guide on-line upfront, or free to English Heritage members. It’s also possible to get abroad customer passes for English Heritage, superb in the event youโre planning to go to a number of websites.
Banqueting Home
As soon as the Palace of Whitehall was the royal coronary heart of London โ standing within the space the place youโll discover the road referred to as Whitehall right this moment, Henry VIII moved his courtroom right here after a hearth on the Palace of Westminster.
Initially the medieval London house of the Archbishops of York, referred to as York Place, it had belonged to Cardinal Wolsey, taken from him by the King when he fell out of favour. Renamed Whitehall, the magnificent courtroom housed a collection of Tudor and Stuart monarchs till 1698 when it too burned down.
The Banqueting Home survived: the third one to be constructed within the palace, it was designed for James I by Inigo Jones, with 9 work by Rubens later added to the ceiling in 1636, commissioned by Charles I.
13 years later, that king walked below the wonderful artworks for the ultimate time, on the way in which to his execution at a specifically constructed scaffold outdoors the Banqueting Home.
Entry is proscribed to open days and summer season opening, so itโs price checking upfront/ Tickets value from ยฃ7.50 for adults on open days, ยฃ10 for summer season opening, and itโs free for youths or in the event youโre a Historic Royal Palaces member.
Royal Mews
In the event youโve ever questioned the place the monarch retains all these fabulous gilded carriages once theyโre not transporting the royal household to weddings and ceremonies, it is advisable head to the Royal Mews.
House to historic royal carriages and to a working stables, youโll see the brown Cleveland Bays and white Windsor Gray horses, named by the royal household, in addition to the gold state coach, miniature carriages designed to be pulled by small animals together with canine, and a sleigh.
Thereโs a 45-minute multimedia tour that will help you discover, together with a household model geared toward youngsters aged 7-11, telling them every little thing from what itโs like to coach the horses to the way it feels to experience in a kind of fairytale carriages or drive a Rolls Royce.
For youthful ones, the Little Trekkers exercise path is designed for below fives to find the treasures of the Royal Mews, different exercise packs can be found to obtain, and you may climb right into a mannequin landau, impressed by whatโs considered Queen Victoriaโs favorite carriage.
The Mews is often closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, besides throughout July and August. Tickets value from ยฃ18 for adults, ยฃ9 for youths if booked upfront.
Kingโs Gallery
Thereโs at all times one thing great to see on the Kingโs Gallery, with exhibitions that includes works taken from the Royal Assortment, together with work by Previous Masters but in addition photographs, uncommon furnishings and ornamental arts.
On show in a room designed for George IV by John Nash โ created to show his personal assortment of Dutch, Flemish and Italian works โ you could possibly see artists from Vermeer, Rembrandt and van Dyck to Titian and Canaletto.
That is one place which is greatest to discover with older youngsters, in the event youโre visiting as a household, as there are not any particular actions for youngsters. There’s a multimedia information which lasts round an hour to assist guests discover.
The Kingโs Gallery is commonly closed on Tuesdays and generally on different days. Tickets value from ยฃ22 for adults, ยฃ11 for youths.
Queenโs Home, Greenwich
Greenwich has loads of royal hyperlinks โ the traditional Greenwich palace was the birthplace of Elizabeth I and Henry VIII earlier than it was demolished by Charles II. Immediately the Previous Royal Naval School, with its fabulous Painted Corridor, stands on the location of the palace, however you may nonetheless go to the Queenโs Home.
Initially commissioned by James I for his spouse, Anne of Denmark โ supposedly a present to apologise for swearing in entrance of her (after she had killed certainly one of his favorite canine throughout a hunt) โ she died earlier than it may very well be completed.
Later Charles I gave Greenwich to his spouse, and the Queenโs Home was accomplished round 1636, the primary absolutely Classical constructing in England. Whereas the queen didnโt get lengthy to get pleasure from it earlier than Charles I used to be executed and he or she went into exile, it was utilized by members of the royal household till 1805.
Immediately itโs house to a famend artwork assortment, lately exhibiting the Armada portraits exhibiting Elizabeth I, and the fabulous spiral Tulip Staircase. Itโs free to enter, though reserving free tickets is advisable.
Head into Greenwich Park as effectively, the oldest of the royal parks, and yow will discover Queen Elizabethโs Oak, an historic tree courting again to the twelfth century the place the Tudor Queen supposedly performed as a baby.
For extra issues to do in Greenwich with youngsters, try this publish
Clarence Home
Beforehand the official residence of the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall (now King Charles III and Queen Camilla), Clarence Home has been house to varied different members of the royal household over time, initially constructed nearly 200 years in the past by John Nash.
Typically open to the general public throughout August, when you may take a 45-minute guided tour of 5 rooms on the bottom flooring, itโs presently closed.
Ticket costs and any opening dates for 2026 are to be confirmed. There are not any rest room or babychanging services.
Somerset Home
As soon as the location of a Tudor Palace belonging to the Duke of Somerset, the uncle to Edward VI, Somerset Home has been the residence of the then Princess Elizabeth, who lived there earlier than changing into Queen in 1558, in addition to a number of Stuart Queen consorts โ the final one being Catherine of Braganza, spouse to Charles II.
Demolished in 1775, the Neoclassical constructing you may see right this moment has an extended historical past of the humanities โ beforehand the house of the Royal Academy of the Arts, in addition to the Royal Society, there are nonetheless exhibitions and different inventive tasks going down right here.
In summer season, youngsters can play within the fountains within the grand courtyard, which is remodeled into an ice rink for winter within the run-up to Christmas.
Admission is free, though thereโs a cost for some exhibitions and occasions.
Family Cavalry museum
In case your youngsters are fascinated by the Kingโs guards โ and as a enjoyable additional in the event youโre planning to observe the Altering of the Guard โ head into the Family Cavalry Museum simply off Horse Guards Parade.
It celebrates the historical past of the Family Cavalry, with an opportunity to peek behind the scenes at what work goes on to create the ceremonial shows, plus the possibility to decorate like a cavalryman, watch the guards and sentries change, and peek into the stables.
There are additionally usually household occasions and actions throughout faculty holidays and half-terms.
Open every day (other than closures on some dates throughout Could and June for ceremonial occasions), tickets should be prebooked, priced ยฃ8 for youngsters aged 5-16, ยฃ11 for adults. Household tickets are additionally accessible.
Go to one of many Royal parks
There are eight royal parks scattered throughout the capital, from Greenwich Park with Queen Elizabethโs Oak on one aspect to Richmond Park with King Henryโs Mound on the opposite โ the place he supposedly stood to see the sign that Anne Boleyn had been executed. Virtually definitely unfaithful, nevertheless itโs nonetheless a superb story!
However in the event youโre staying in and round central London, itโs straightforward to go to a few the opposite royal parks and uncover their very own hyperlinks to Britainโs monarchs.
In St Jamesโs Park, there have been pelicans since 1664, when the Russian ambassador offered a pair to Charles II โ preserve an eye fixed out too for the Diana Princess of Wales memorial stroll which runs by way of this and three different royal parks, in addition to passing three palaces and two mansions linked to Princess Diana.
In Hyde Park, it’s also possible to discover the Diana Memorial Fountain made with 545 items of granite, with three bridges crossing the water and taking you to the center of the fountain.
Much more excitingly for youths, in Kensington Gardens, not removed from the palace the place the Princess of Wales made her house, is the Diana Memorial Playground, centered round an enormous ship. EDIT: The playground is now closed till summer season 2026 (date tbc) for refurbishment
For some extra of the most effective playgrounds in London, try my prime picks
Take a royal strolling tour
In addition to the self-guided Diana Princess of Wales memorial stroll, there are numerous completely different royal strolling excursions to take across the capital.
Stroll London has a free self-guided strolling tour from Westminster to Kensington, sticking to footpaths by way of parkland or gardens as you go royal palaces. Permit at the least three hours (take a picnic to have within the park with youngsters, or attempt doing it in a number of sections).
The Royal London guided strolling tour โ from ยฃ15 for 2 hours โ passes three palaces, in addition to sharing different extraordinary tales of London.
In the event youโre assured biking, thereโs additionally this half-day Royal London bike tour, appropriate for all ages โ it’s also possible to get bikes with child seats.
Kew Palace
Set within the stunning Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, Kew Palace is the smallest of the royal palaces โ initially constructed as a mansion for a rich silk service provider. However George II and his Queen determined it could make an ideal house for his or her eldest daughters, which led to Georgian royalty utilizing the palace as their peaceable weekend retreat.
An escape from ceremony and the worldโs gaze, it turned someplace the royal household may chill out and luxuriate in a life as a household. Later, it was hoped this peaceable spot would assist George III get better from his psychological sickness.
By the early nineteenth century, it had begun to fall from favour, though two of George IIIโs sons married right here within the race to offer an inheritor โ together with the dad and mom of the longer term Queen Victoria.
Subsequent door are the Georgian Royal Kitchens, stored preserved as they’d have been greater than 200 years in the past, trapped in time on February 6 1789 when George III recovered from his first episode of psychological sickness.
Together with rooms the place bread was baked, fish and meat was saved, greens had been washed and a lead-lined sink within the scullery, thereโs additionally a small kitchen backyard plus the spectacular royal kitchens themselves with a large vary, grill and oven.
To go to the Historic Royal Palaces property, you want a timed entry ticket to Kew Gardens. Tickets value from ยฃ17 for adults, ยฃ2 for youths off peak dates booked on-line upfront โ it’s also possible to purchase tickets with free cancellation right here, and entry to Kew Palace is included.
Hampton Court docket Palace
Buckingham Palace is perhaps the official royal residence, however in the event youโre hoping to discover a palace, itโs onerous to beat Hampton Court docket โ a brief practice journey from Waterloo, on the sting of the Thames, Henry VIII โacquiredโ this from Cardinal Wolsey as effectively.
And itโs a improbable place to get a style of how the royal courtroom lived, from the sprawling kitchens catering to the inhabitants to a collection of rooms embellished from completely different time intervals, together with grand Tudor ceilings and Georgian residences, courtyards and thrones below canopies, in addition to the gorgeous chapel royal.
As you stroll alongside the Haunted Gallery, itโs stated that Catherine Howardโs ghost can nonetheless be heard pleading for mercy.
Exterior, thereโs as a lot to see within the gardens. House to the well-known maze, the Magic Backyard youngstersโs playground is one other favorite with youngsters plus there are common household actions throughout faculty holidays โ something from Tudor sports activities to Easter hunts.
Cease by the actual tennis courtroom as effectively to see in the event you can catch a show of Henry VIIIโs favorite sport as effectively.
Permit an entire day to discover. Ticket costs differ, from ยฃ29 for adults, ยฃ14.50 for youngsters or get a reduction in the event you guide through Tiqets utilizing my hyperlink and code MUMMYTRAVELS6
Try my overview of our most up-to-date household day trip at Hampton Court docket Palace
Eltham Palace
As soon as a fantastic medieval palace, Eltham is within the borough of Greenwich, in south east London (though realistically, enable loads of time to get there by public transport, in the event youโre not travelling by automotive).
House to Henry VIII as a prince, in addition to his sisters Margaret and Mary โ later Queen of Scotland and France respectively โ it was certainly one of solely six residences sufficiently big to accommodate and feed the whole Tudor courtroom of round 800 individuals. The medieval corridor constructed for Edward IV is over 30 metres lengthy, one of many nationโs largest together with Westminster Corridor.
A go to right this moment seems to be slightly completely different than the Tudors would keep in mind it although: purchased by the rich Courtaulds within the Thirties, the Nice Corridor was repaired however a brand new home added, designed in great Artwork Deco type, together with stunning gardens from the identical date.
Tickets value from ยฃ17 for adults, ยฃ8.50 for youths, and free for English Heritage members.
Extra royal locations close to London
Windsor Fort
The oldest and largest occupied fortress on this planet, Windsor remains to be a โworkingโ fortress โ based by William the Conqueror within the eleventh century, it has been house to 39 monarchs and was a favorite weekend retreat for Queen Elizabeth II.
For extra issues to do in Windsor with youngsters, try my prime picks
You may see every little thing from a spectacular royal dollโs home to Henry VIIIโs plus-size armour in addition to the spectacular state residences, and climb the spherical tower at Windsor Fort (so long as youโre over 1.3 metres tall).
Except youโre visiting on a Sunday, it’s also possible to go into St Georgeโs chapel, courting again to 1475. The positioning of a lot of royal weddings, together with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, it additionally homes the tombs of 10 monarchs together with Edward IV, Henry VI and VIII, Charles I, Edward VII and George V.
Thereโs additionally one other alternative to see the altering of the guard right here at sure instances. And between the royal treasures and tales of kings and queens galore whoโve spent a part of their lives at Windsor, youngsters may gown up and thereโs a youngstersโs audioguide as you discover.
Tickets value from ยฃ32 for adults, ยฃ16 for youths if booked upfront, or get a reduction in the event you guide by way of Tiqets utilizing my hyperlink and code MUMMYTRAVELS6. It’s also possible to guide a half-day tour from London, together with entry to the fortress.
Try the Treasure Map Trails of Windsor and Eton for a enjoyable method to discover the historic city and surrounding space with youngsters, recognizing a number of the quirky sights โ get 10% off utilizing code MUMMYTRAVELS
Hatfield Home
To the north of London in Hertfordshire, the royal palace of Hatfield as soon as stood on the location occupied by Hatfield Home โ the childhood house and favorite resident of Elizabeth I.
It was right here that the princess was sitting in 1558, below an oak tree within the park, when she realized that she had turn out to be queen.
A part of the unique palace, which dates again to 1497, nonetheless exists and you may go to (though as it’s usually used as a marriage venue and for occasions, and closes for a lot of the 12 months, itโs price checking upfront that it is going to be open on the day you go to).
It’s also possible to nonetheless see gadgets with hyperlinks to the Queen on the present-day home, inbuilt 1611 throughout the reign of James I โ look out for the silk stockings that are believed to have been the primary in England. James himself stayed right here, and thereโs a lifesize statue within the drawing room, itself named after the king.
James I used to be removed from the final monarch to go to although; Queen Victoria additionally frolicked at Hatfield.
Tickets value from ยฃ27 for adults, ยฃ13.50 for youths for entry to the home and grounds, ยฃ17 for adults, ยฃ8.50 for youths for gardens and park entry solely.
For extra uncommon issues to do in London with youngsters, try my choose of the most effective
PIN FOR LATER: THE BEST ROYAL PLACES IN LONDON
Disclosure: This publish incorporates affiliate hyperlinks โ any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee
Principal picture, Tower of London, Kensington Palace, Westminster Abbey, St Jamesโs Park copyright MummyTravels, Altering of the Guard courtesy Adobe Inventory, all others courtesy Depositphotos
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