State Rooms and Palace Gardens opening – visitor’s guide
The fabulous residence of His Majesty The King is for many a must-visit destination on any visit to London. However the Palace is not open all year round – to come face-to-face with fabulous works by Rembrandt, Rubens and Canaletto as well as the 19 exquisitely furnished State Rooms, you need to book tickets for the summer tours, available from the end of July to late September.
Included in your ticket is access to Buckingham Palace Gardens, described as ‘a walled oasis in the middle of London’.
You also have the opportunity to extend your day with a visit to the Royal Mews (open March – October).
The King’s Gallery is open year round and offers the chance to see a changing exhibition of items from the Royal Collection.
If a tour of the Palace isn’t your thing but you’re keen to see the Changing of the Guard, we’ve got more information about that further down the page.
For a really alternative traditional English experience, why not combine Buckingham Palace tickets with a 1950s classic Routemaster bus and river cruise?
Want even more Royal days out in London?
Visit our major royal palaces & castles in and around London page for more information.
Buckingham Palace opening times 2025
Guided Tours during winter and Spring
The palace is open on selected dates for small guided tours from November 2024 to May 2025.
East Wing Exclusive Guided Tours run from January to May 2025.
Summer opening
Buckingham Palace is open during the summer months. This year the dates are 10 July – 28 September 2025.
The Palace welcomes visitors every day of the week in July and August. However, in September, it is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Entry works on a timed admission system, which is the time you select when purchasing your ticket. You should arrive no earlier than 10 minutes before the entry time on your ticket.
Alternative Buckingham Palace options rest of the year
The King’s Gallery is a permanent space dedicated to changing exhibitions of items from the Royal Collection and is open year round.
The fantastic spectacle that is the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is another choice if you are in London outside the summer months.
The Royal Mews (the working stables for the royalty) is open for a longer period than the palace itself – from March to November.
Buckingham Palace – what will I see?
Buckingham Palace is a fully working royal palace, housing not only The King, but serving as the administrative headquarters of the Royal Household. It should be stressed that despite its undoubted treasures, access is very limited.
State Rooms
The 19 Palace State Rooms are beautifully decorated with exquisite pieces of French and English antique furniture. They showcase some of the most remarkable treasures from the Royal Collection, featuring artworks by Rubens, Canaletto, and Rembrandt, as well as sculptures by Canova and porcelain from Sèvres.
Buckingham Palace Gardens
The gardens at Buckingham Palace are truly magnificent. With 30 species of birds and more than 350 varieties of wildflowers, and over 1000 trees, there’s so much to explore and appreciate. As visitors conclude their tour, they stroll along the southern edge of the garden, enjoying the picturesque views of the renowned lake and the palace’s west front.
Audio guides
Your ticket comes with an audio guide offered in English as well as several other languages.
How to get to Buckingham Palace
Location of the palace
Buckingham Palace is situated within the Royal Parks of St James and Green Park. Westminster and Trafalgar Square are a pleasant walk across St James Park and its delightful lake. Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Mansion House, Churchill’s War Rooms, Trafalgar Square, 10 Downing Street and the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery are all within 10 minutes’ walk.
Nearest underground station
Victoria Underground & Railway Station (Circle, District and Victoria Lines) is 5-10 minutes’ walk passing the Royal Mews. A much more pleasant walk is from Westminster across St James Park, about 10-15 minutes from Westminster Abbey.
Furthermore, you can reach Buckingham Palace by walking from either Hyde Park Corner or Green Park Underground Stations (both on the Piccadilly Line) in just 5 to 10 minutes.
Hop-on, hop-off buses and Thames river services
All of London’s hop on, hop off sightseeing buses stop at Buckingham Palace. However, immediately after the Changing of the Guard you are best advised to walk to Victoria or Trafalgar Square as waiting times to board a bus with seats available will be long.
Worth knowing…
There are various changing of the guard ceremonies beyond the one at Buckingham Palace.
The ceremony at Horse Guards is quite popular but tends to attract fewer visitors. Moreover, if you take a trip to Windsor Castle, you can witness the changing of the guard up close, offering a more intimate experience compared to Buckingham Palace.
Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace
The Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace serves as the operational stables for the royal family. Visitors can explore exhibits featuring carriages and vehicles utilized for ceremonial and state events. A standard visit typically takes about one hour.
State vehicles are housed and maintained at the Royal Mews. They include the carriages used for royal and formal occasions, such as State Visits, weddings and the State Opening of Parliament.
Carriages from the Royal Mews are also used on roughly 50 occasions each year to convey newly appointed High Commissioners and Ambassadors from their official residence to Buckingham Palace.
Situated at the southern tip of the Buckingham Palace grounds, halfway along Buckingham Palace Road. This location links Victoria Station to the main entrance of Buckingham Palace.
The Royal Mews is open from March to October.
The King’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace (previously the Queen’s Gallery)
The King’s Gallery was opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in May 2002, as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations. It hosts a programme of changing exhibitions from the Royal Collection. You will see a wide-ranging collection of art and treasures held in trust by Monarchy for the Nation.
A typical visit will last about 90 minutes and admission includes an audio tour device.
The King’s Gallery is along Buckingham Palace Road that connects Victoria Station and the front gates of Buckingham Palace between the Royal Mews and the palace.
The King’s Gallery is open to the public throughout the year.
Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace
What most people come to Buckingham Palace for, is the Changing of the Guard staged by the front entrance from 10.45am (actual handover at 11am). Daily during peak summer months (May to July) then every other day at other times.
Known as Changing the Guard or Guard Mounting, the process involves a new guard exchanging duty with the old guard. The soldiers are drawn from one of the five regiments of Foot Guards in the British Army: the Scots Guards, the Irish Guards, the Welsh Guards, the Grenadier Guards and the Coldstream Guards.
The handover is accompanied by a Guards band. The music played ranges from traditional military marches to songs from the shows and even familiar pop songs.
If the Monarch is in residence, there are four sentries at the front of the building, if away there are two.
To be honest many people are disappointed by this, the crowds also make it difficult to get decent photographs. There is no ‘performance’ if it rains. You may find it more enjoyable to go over the other side of St James Park to Whitehall where another Changing of the Guard takes place.
Changing of the Guards – Horse Guards
Changing of the Guard at Horse Guards takes place daily at 11am (10am on Sundays) and lasts about half an hour here. Here there are less crowds and no palace railings in your way of good photographs. You are also much, much closer to the Guards themselves and photo opportunities are far superior.
Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace tours – and Changing of the Guard
There are two different tours visiting Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle – one includes entry to both, the other to Windsor Castle only. Buckingham Palace is open for two months only during the summer from July to September. If you are not in London during this time, or do not wish to visit inside Buckingham Palace, The Royal London and Royal Windsor tour might be just the tour for you.
Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle Tour
Tour available during summer months July – September only:
Experience two of Britain’s finest Royal residences on this fantastic full-day tour to Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. Get a rare glimpse inside the King of England’s official residence at Buckingham Palace before heading to the largest, continuously occupied castle in Europe and ancestral home of the monarchy at Windsor Castle.
Windsor Castle & Buckingham Palace & Windsor Castle Tour – available end July – end September
- Windsor Castle Entry
- Buckingham Palace Entry
- Professional guide
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with free Wi-Fi
- London in Your Pocket app access
Royal London and Royal Windsor Tour
The Royal London & Windsor tour is available from April – December, and includes the Changing of the Guard outside Buckingham Palace (on selected days).
Get ready for a scenic drive around London with your knowledgeable tour guide, who will share fascinating tales and insights about the city’s rich history.
As you journey through Westminster, you’ll have the chance to admire some of London’s most famous landmarks, such as Westminster Abbey and the renowned Elizabeth Tower, commonly referred to as ‘Big Ben,’ along with many other attractions.
In the afternoon you’ll visit the historic town of Windsor, set in a glorious riverside location famous for its links to the British crown. Wander through the cobbled streets and browse the quaint tea rooms and shopping arcades.
Day tour visiting Royal London attractions and Windsor Castle
- Royal London Tour
- Changing of the Guard – (subject to day of the week)
- Entrance to Windsor Castle
- Royal Windsor Tour