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It's that time of year again... when Buckingham Palace throws open its doors to the public. As one of the few working palaces in the world, Buckingham Palace serves as both the office and the official London residence of His Majesty the King, as well as the administrative headquarters of the entire Royal Household.
The Summer Opening allows you to walk through the lavishly decorated State Rooms where the official functions are held, and admire the priceless paintings and treasures from the Royal Collection.
Photo: rct.ukQuadrangle, Grand Staircase & Ballroom
The self-guided tour will start inside the Quadrangle and take you through the Grand Entrance, then up the Grand Staircase to the Ball Supper Room and Ballroom (where they hold the State dinners and investitures). As you walk along you'll be learning the history of the palace on a multimedia guide.
Photo: redletterdays.co.uk
Photo: getyourguide.co.ukState Dining Room, Music Room & Picture Gallery
After a special exhibition in the Ballroom you'll move onto the State Dining Room and Blue Drawing Room, followed by the Music Room where they traditionally christen the babies, and the spectacular White Drawing Room with its famous Table of the Great Commanders, once owned by Napoleon.
Then you'll walk through the long Picture Gallery with its wall full of Canaletto's and Old Masters by Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Dyck and Vermeer. It’s like the best of the National Gallery condensed down into a single room.
Photo: virginexperiencedays.co.ukThrone Room, Marble Hall & Veranda
Then it's into the spectacular Throne Room and down the Minister's Staircase to the Marble Hall, Bow Room, and out onto the veranda which overlooks the large garden lawn (where they hold the Summer garden parties).
Photo: londondrum.com
Photo: londondrum.comOne of the most enjoyable parts of the day is having a cup of tea in the Garden Cafe on the West Terrace... how many people can say they've sipped a cup of Earl Grey tea at Buckingham Palace?
Garden Highlights Tour with an expert Warden
Photo: rct.ukUnlike the State Rooms Tour, the Garden Highlights Tour will be in the company of a human guide. Described as 'a walled oasis in the middle of London', the garden is home to more than 200 trees, 350 types of wildflowers and a three-acre lake.
You'll get to see the beautiful Rose Garden and Herbaceous Border, the Summer House, Waterloo Vase, and the tennis court where King George VI famously played with Fred Perry in the 1930s.
How to get to Buckingham Palace
| Fare zone | Cash | Oyster & Contactless | Travelcard | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single fare | Single fare | Daily cap | One day | ||||
| Peak | Off-peak | Peak | Off-peak | Anytime | Off-peak | ||
| Bus (all zones) | n/a | £1.75 | £5.25 | £6 | |||
| Train (zone 1) | £7 | £2.90 | £2.80 | £8.90 | £8.90 | £16.60(zone 1-4) | £16.60(zone 1-6) |
| Train (zone 1-2) | £7 | £3.50 | £2.90 | £8.90 | £8.90 | ||
| Train (zone 1-3) | £7 | £3.80 | £3.10 | £10.50 | £10.50 | ||
| Train (zone 1-4) | £7 | £4.60 | £3.40 | £12.80 | £12.80 | ||
| Train (zone 1-5) | £7 | £5.20 | £3.60 | £15.30 | £15.30 | £23.60(zone 1-6) | |
| Train (zone 1-6) | £7 | £5.80* | £3.80* | £16.30 | £16.30 | ||
| * Journeys between zone 1 and Heathrow are always charged at the peak rate. Prices are correct as of | |||||||
You might be interested in…
Search for more Royal events in London, or look for things to do in Westminster. Check out all the other events on Saturday 12th July, Sunday 13th July and during July 2025
