Buckingham Palace
Official London residence of the monarch, with State Rooms open each summer and the iconic Changing of the Guard
Official London residence of the monarch, with State Rooms open each summer and the iconic Changing of the Guard
Buckingham Palace has been the official London residence of the British monarch since 1837. Each summer the State Rooms open to visitors, revealing 19 lavishly decorated chambers that form the working heart of the Royal Household.
Even outside the summer season, the palace delivers one of London's great spectacles — the Changing of the Guard. Combine it with the Royal Mews and the Queen's Gallery and you can fill a full day without ever stepping inside the State Rooms themselves.
Buckingham Palace began as a townhouse built for the Duke of Buckingham in 1703. George III acquired it in 1761 as a residence for Queen Charlotte, and John Nash transformed it into a palace for George IV in the 1820s. Queen Victoria made it the official royal residence in 1837.
The East Front — the facade seen from The Mall — was added in 1850 and refaced in Portland stone in 1913. The iconic balcony has been used for royal appearances since 1851. During the Second World War the palace was bombed nine times, and the Royal Family chose to remain in London throughout the Blitz.
The 19 State Rooms open each summer follow the route taken by visiting heads of state. The sequence climbs the Grand Staircase, passes through the Green Drawing Room and Throne Room, and reaches the Picture Gallery — a 47-metre-long room hung with works by Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Dyck and Canaletto.
The Blue Drawing Room, with its 30 imitation onyx columns, leads to the Music Room where royal christenings have taken place. Visits end in the palace garden overlooking the west facade and lake. The Queen's Gallery, accessible year-round, mounts rotating exhibitions drawn from the Royal Collection's 7,000 paintings and 500,000 prints.
The Changing of the Guard takes place in the forecourt, usually at 11:00 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays (daily in summer). The ceremony lasts 45 minutes, with the Old Guard handing duties to the New Guard accompanied by a regimental band. Arrive by 10:30 for the best views near the gates or the Victoria Memorial.
The Royal Mews on Buckingham Palace Road houses carriages and cars used for state occasions. The centrepiece is the Gold State Coach, built in 1762 and used at every coronation since George IV. The Diamond Jubilee Coach, completed in 2014, incorporates fragments including wood from the Mary Rose. A Royal Day Out ticket covers the State Rooms, Gallery and Mews at a reduced price.
Changing of the Guard is free. Under 5s free for all venues. Book online for a small discount.
Summer tickets sell out weeks in advance, especially for weekends and August dates. Book online as soon as dates are released for the best availability.
Get to the Victoria Memorial or palace railings by 10:30 for a front-row view. The forecourt fills up fast, especially in summer and school holidays.
The ceremony does not run every day outside of summer. Check the official Household Division website on the morning of your visit to confirm it is taking place.
The Royal Day Out ticket covers the State Rooms, Queen's Gallery and Royal Mews at a discount. Allow a full day if you plan to visit all three.
Approach from Trafalgar Square down The Mall for the full ceremonial vista. The tree-lined avenue is traffic-free on Sundays and public holidays.
London Travel Writer · 12+ years covering UK attractions and tourism
Last reviewed: March 5, 2026
