RELATED LINKS
Rome Toolkit 
Paris Toolkit Kensington Palace, London
Kensington Palace's history
Kensington Palace has a rich royal history. It can boast of being the birth place of Queen Victoria and the official London residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, not to mention being the home of a host of Georgian monarchs who have all left their mark on this impressive Palace.
You can explore their vast state apartments which contain an array of beautiful paintings and sculptures.
Kensington Palace is located at the western end of Kensington Gardens which extends seamlessly from Hyde Park, London's largest royal park.
In recent times the late Princess Diana is often associated with Kensington Palace, and around Kensington Palace there are reminders of her life from the official memorial to her, a children's playground, she even has a local cafe that she used to frequent with her children dedicated to her memory.
Why not make it an extra special London day out and combine your Kensington Palace tickets with a delicious Classic Fish and Chips meal from the famous Poppie's restaurant?
KENSINGTON PALACE TICKETS
Visit the former home of Queen Victoria and Princess Diana, official London home of HRH William and HRH Kate
• Admission to Kensington Palace and Gardens • King's and Queen's State Apartments • Paintings from the Royal Collection • Sunken garden • The King’s Drawing Room, the Cupola Room and Queen Caroline’s Closet • Changing exhibitions
KENSINGTON PALACE AND FISH & CHIPS MEAL
Visit the former home of Queen Victoria and Princess Diana, official London home of HRH William and HRH Kate
• Admission to Kensington Palace and Gardens • King's and Queen's State Apartments • Paintings from the Royal Collection • Fish & Chips Meal from Poppie's Restaurant
Kensington Palace - what will I see?
Once inside, you explore the extravagant rooms and spaces that have figured in many royal dramas through the ages. Wander through the King’s and Queen’s State Apartments, where you’ll see rare works from the Royal Collection.
The Queen's apartments were where Mary, and later royal consorts, lived. This is where they had their bedroom, took their meals, entertained their friends and distinguished guests, and relaxed.
The King’s apartments looks at more formal aspects of royal life where the monarch received courtiers, ministers and foreign ambassadors.
There are further exhibitions including “Fashion Rules” a nostalgic look back at recent fashion through Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Margaret and Diana, Princess of Wales and another that looks in depth at Queen Victoria's life. Additional outfits went on display for the first time in 2018, you will get to see Diana's exquisite green silk satin gown from her 1987 official portrait and a Yuki design of the pleated royal blue evening dress from 1986 and again in 1990.
Finish your Kensington Palace tour by heading outside to walk through the exquisite and popular Kensington Palace Gardens.
In addition throughout the year Kensington Palace often host temporary exhibitions for half a year or so - look out for these on the official website.
Kensington Palace - opening times and location
We recommend allowing around 2 hours to visit.
Kensington Palace opening times
Kensington Palace is is open 7 days a week all year round, except 24 - 26 December.
Doors open at 10am and closing time is 6pm with last entry 1 hour prior. In the winter months, November to February closing time is 4pm.
Location of Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace Palace is situated within Kensington Gardens a royal park that is seamlessly joined to Hyde Park. There is lots to do and see within Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens and especially at weekends there are large events from concerts to fun runs.
Within easy walking distance is Portobello Market, the Royal Albert Hall, Harrods Department Store and the South Kensington Museums (Science Museum, National History Museum and V&A Museum).
Nearest Underground station
Queensway Underground Station (Central Line) is opposite a main entrance to Kensington Gardens. It's a 5-10 minute walk past the Princess Diana Children's Playground to the palace itself.
Hop-on, hop-off buses
All of London's hop on, hop off sightseeing buses have a stop for Kensington Palace on the south side of Kensington Gardens. Big Bus also have a stop on the north side of Kensington Gardens at Bayswater very close to Queensway Underground Station.
Worth knowing
We have a self-guided Kensington walk that visits Kensington Palace, as well as Portobello Market, South Kensington Museums and much more.
Kensington Palace tickets
Kensington Palace has a straight forward ticketing system with concessions for children and seniors, and family tickets for either 1 adult and up to 3 children or 2 adults and up to 3 children. Children under 5 go free.
Tickets purchased in advance on-line are cheaper than bought on the day at the ticket desk.
Tickets from discounters like the banner link below are sometimes cheaper than buying from the Kensington Palace official website, (link at the top of the page) - but always check both.
Entrance queues at Kensington Palace are not really an issue, just buying a standard ticket on-line in advance will skip any queue waiting to buy tickets from the ticket desk.
Group tickets
Groups of 7 people or more must print their tickets prior to arrival at their sites. Groups of 6 people or less can present their ticket to the HRP admissions team on a mobile device.
Passes and promotions
Save more on Kensington Palace tickets with a pass or promotion
KENSINGTON PALACE TICKETS
Visit the former home of Queen Victoria and Princess Diana, official London home of HRH William and HRH Kate
• Admission to Kensington Palace and Gardens • King's and Queen's State Apartments • Paintings from the Royal Collection • Sunken garden • The King’s Drawing Room, the Cupola Room and Queen Caroline’s Closet • Changing exhibitions
Kensington Palace & London's attraction passes and promotions
Railways 2 for 1 Promotion - The railways 2 for 1 entrance promotion is valid at Kensington Palace, and you need to pre-book your tickets in advance online.
The London Pass - Kensington Palace is supported by London's most popular attraction pass, (with over 80 top London attractions). Top attractions on the London Pass list include the London Zoo, Westminster Abbey, St, Paul's, View from the Shard and the Tower of London. The London Pass offers incredible savings over buying individual attraction tickets.
For full details follow the banner link below.
SAVE MONEY ON LONDON SIGHTSEEING WITH THE LONDON PASS
The more you visit, the more you save
• Access 80+ London attractions including the Tower of London, St. Paul's, Thames River Cruise, Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey, London Zoo, View from Shard, Windsor Castle, a hop-on, hop-off bus tour, and many more...
• 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 10 day passes available.
Other royal palaces in and around London
Tower of London: Founded by William the Conqueror in 1066-7 and enlarged and modified by successive sovereigns, today the Tower of London is one of the world's most famous and spectacular fortresses. In its time it has been a royal palace, a fortress, a prison, an armory, a treasury and an astronomical observatory. The Tower of London now displays the Crown Jewels.
Windsor Castle: Windsor Castle is one of three official residences of The Queen and has been home to the Sovereign for over 900 years. The Queen would call Windsor Castle her home.
The Castle is the largest inhabited castle in the world and the oldest in continuous occupation. The imposing towers and battlements of the Castle loom large from every approach to the town, creating one of the world's most spectacular skylines.
Buckingham Palace: has served as the official London residence of Britain's sovereigns since 1837. Today it is the administrative headquarters of the Crown and is the main venue for the Changing of the Guard ceremony.
Hampton Court Palace: Henry VIII's place, and also a top day out for adults and kids alike. Don't forget the fabulous maze, as well as demonstrations, talks, etc. Proper 'Living History.'
POPULAR LONDON ATTRACTIONS - ADVANCE PURCHASE AND/OR FAST TRACK TICKETS
| London Eye | Amazing panoramic flight on the world's highest observation wheel. » Fast track tickets available. |
| The Shard | Tallest building in Western Europe with viewing of London from the top. » Fast track tickets available. |
| St Paul's Cathedral | Cathedral of the Diocese of London, venue for royal weddings. » Pre-book to guarantee entry. |
| Westminster Abbey | Along with St Paul's, England's main religious building.» Pre-book to guarantee entry. |
| Tower of London | Home of the Crown Jewels and a rich thousand year history. » Fast track tickets available. |
| Madame Tussauds | See wax statues of the most famous people in the world. » Fast track tickets available. |
| London Dungeon | The creepiest attraction in town, the London Dungeon. » Fast track tickets available. |
| Hampton Court Palace | Henry VIII Medieval Palace set in vast grounds. » Pre-book to save money. |
| The London Zoo | World class zoo in the centre of London. » Flexi tickets available. |
