Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace is the monarch's official London residence and administrative headquarters, with 775 rooms, though only a fraction (the State Rooms) open to visitors during the limited summer season while the King is away at Balmoral. The Changing of the Guard, held in the forecourt on a set schedule, is the most commonly seen part of a Buckingham Palace visit for most tourists, since the interior opening window is short and requires advance planning.
When open, the State Rooms tour covers lavishly furnished spaces used for state occasions, along with a rotating display from the Royal Collection, one of the world's great art collections. The Royal Mews, housing royal carriages and horses, and the Queen's Gallery, with changing exhibitions from the Royal Collection, are both open on a more regular year-round schedule and worth considering as alternatives if the State Rooms' summer window doesn't align with your visit.
Check the Royal Collection Trust's website for exact summer opening dates and book tickets in advance, as visits are timed and can sell out.
Buckingham Palace FAQs
Yes, but only during a limited summer opening (roughly mid-July to late September) plus a few other dates through the year; the rest of the year the State Rooms are closed to the public.
Typically 11am on scheduled days (often alternate days, more frequent in summer), though the exact schedule varies seasonally and should be checked in advance.
Yes, State Room tickets are timed and should be booked in advance through the Royal Collection Trust, as they can sell out, especially in peak summer.
775 rooms in total, though visitors on the State Rooms tour see only a portion of these.
The palace's working stables, housing royal carriages (including the Gold State Coach) and horses, open to visitors on a more regular schedule than the State Rooms.
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