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Kensington
Palace Web Site |
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Kensington
Palace in London is a working Royal residence. Of great historical
importance, Kensington Palace was the favourite residence of successive
sovereigns until 1760. It was also the birthplace and childhood
home of Queen Victoria.
Today Kensington Palace accommodates the offices and private apartments
of a number of members of the Royal Family.
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In
1689 William III bought the Jacobean mansion originally known as Nottingham
House from his Secretary of State, the Earl of Nottingham, and commissioned
Christopher Wren to extend and improve the house. This
included the construction of Royal Apartments for the King and Queen,
a council chamber, the Chapel Royal and the Great Stairs.
Queen
Victoria was born and brought up in the Palace and news of her accession
in 1837 was brought to her there by the Lord Chamberlain and the Archbishop
of Canterbury. It had been expected that Victoria would reign from
either Kensington or St James's Palace but almost immediately she
moved to Buckingham Palace and never again stayed at Kensington.
Historic
parts of Kensington Palace are open to the public. Kensington Palace
is also home to the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection, with items
of Royal, ceremonial and court dress dating from the 18th century
to the present day.
The 18th-century
Orangery is a stunning location for breakfast, morning coffee, a light
lunch or afternoon tea. It offers one of the finest tea selections
in London with over ten different flavours to enjoy, as well as a
range of premium wines and champagnes.
Admission to the palace is not required to visit the Orangery.
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Admission
Charges
(From
March 2008) |
Adult
£12.30 , Child £6.15 (under 5 Free)
Family Ticket £34 - 2 Adults + 3 Children
A multi-language sound guide, available in English, French, German,
Spanish, Italian and Japanese, and a scripted version in Russian,
leads you through the State Apartments and our audio-visual exhibition,
Diana: a Princess remembered. The sound guide is included in the ticket
price.
Avoid queuing: Kensington
Palace tickets.
Opening
Times :
10:00
to 18:00 (17:00 November to February)
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Getting
to Kensington Palace:
Kensington
Palace is situated in Kensington Gardens, at the west end of Hyde
Park. There are several Underground stations within about 10 minutes
walk. The best option is Queensway, where you can walk through parkland
to the Palace away from the streets. |
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| Self
Guided Kensington Walk Including Kensington Palace |
Join
us on our step by step self guided walking tour of London's Kensington
district.
We start with a walk in the park, Kensington Gardens visiting Kensington
Palace then on past the Albert Hall to South Kensington Museums before
ending in Knightsbridge for Harrods and Harvey Nichols Department
Stores.
Simple to follow instructions and street map and best of all its FREE!
Kensington
Walk Details |
Kensington
Palace |
 | Magic
of London Tour - 8 hours |
First
a private tour of The Tower of London by your very own Yeoman Warder
before it opens to the public. A river cruise follows. After lunch
touring begins with a visit to Westminster Abbey and concludes with
Kensington Palace washed down with champagne, tea, scones and clotted
cream.
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