Grand, gated, and instantly familiar, Buckingham Palace is the official London home of the British monarch and the beating heart of royal London. Whether the flag is flying to show the King is in residence or you’ve come for the famous Changing of the Guard, a visit to the palace gates is a must on any first trip to the city — and best of all, simply admiring it costs nothing.
The Home of the Monarchy
Buckingham Palace has been the official residence of British sovereigns since 1837, when Queen Victoria moved in. Behind its famous facade lie 775 rooms, including lavish state apartments used for official ceremonies and royal hospitality. A simple way to tell whether the monarch is home: if the Royal Standard flag is flying above the palace, the King is in residence; if the Union Jack flies instead, he is away.
The Changing of the Guard
The palace’s biggest free spectacle is the Changing of the Guard, a centuries-old ceremony of precision marching, scarlet tunics, towering bearskin hats, and live military bands. The handover of duty between the old guard and the new is pure pageantry. It doesn’t happen every day, so check the official schedule before you go, and arrive a good 45 minutes early to claim a spot near the railings or the Victoria Memorial for the best view.
Visiting the State Rooms
For part of each year, usually in the summer months when the King is away, the magnificent State Rooms open to the public. Inside you can walk through opulent halls hung with works from the Royal Collection — paintings, sculpture, and exquisite furniture. These visits are ticketed and hugely popular, so book well in advance if your trip falls within the opening season. The nearby Royal Mews and the Queen’s Gallery are worth pairing with a State Rooms visit.
The Setting and the Mall
Half the pleasure of Buckingham Palace is its setting. The grand, tree-lined avenue of The Mall sweeps up to the palace, framed by St James’s Park on one side — one of the prettiest parks in the city, with its lake, pelicans, and flowerbeds. Strolling from Trafalgar Square down The Mall to the palace gates, then looping back through the park, makes for a lovely and entirely free hour.
Tips for Your Visit
Buckingham Palace sits within easy reach of Westminster and the West End, so it slots neatly alongside Big Ben and the other central sights. The closest Underground stations are Green Park, Victoria, and St James’s Park. For the Changing of the Guard, get there early and check the schedule, as crowds gather fast. And even if the gates are as close as you get, the grandeur of the palace and the buzz of the crowd make it a quintessential London experience.
More London guides: browse the full London Travel Guides series for landmarks, museums, food, and nightlife.
