Buckingham Palace
The most famous palace in the world is also one of its few remaining working royal palaces. Headquarters and home of the British monarch during the working week, the palace has hosted many of the nation’s most important events and visitors, from presidents to royalty to Olympians.
From the 20th July to 29th September, the public can tour the impressive State Rooms, including the White Drawing Room, the Throne Room, and the Ballroom, site of the grandest State Banquets. This year there’s also a special exhibition to mark the 200th anniversary of Queen Victoria’s birth, showcasing how the young queen lived and worked in the palace, transforming it from a private residence into the centre of royal life.
Palace of Westminster
From the centre of royal life to the centre of political life: the Palace of Westminster has been home to the Houses of Parliament since the mid-19th century, and has been the site of a royal palace for a thousand years or so before that. The current Victorian building, complete with its famous clock tower, was built to replace the old palace destroyed by fire, though keeping the Gothic medieval look many prominent Victorians so loved.
You can take a tour through the fascinating building during Parliament’s summer recess, as well as on weekends, exploring the grand royal route through to the House of Lords, and the famous green benches of the House of Commons. The interior is a mesmerising Gothic fantasy conjured up by Augustus Pugin, reflecting Charles Barry’s exterior architecture.
Kew Palace
The botanical gardens at Kew are much more famous than the palace, but this charmingly modest royal home is just as worthwhile a visit as its surroundings. This red-brick palace was originally built in 1631 for a wealthy Flemish merchant, giving its original nickname of the Dutch House. Later it was where George III received lessons as a child, and where he spent his summers as king. Sadly, it was also where he lived through much of his most difficult struggles with mental illness.
Today you can see the intimate and fascinating 18th century interior of Kew Palace, and experience something of the royals and other who lived there. The Royal Botanic Gardens in the grounds of the palace are also an essential part of any visit, from the famous hot houses to the Great Pagoda.
Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court is an idiosyncratic mix of architectural styles from completely different eras, but this is part of what makes it so uniquely fascinating. Most famous as the home of Henry VIII, the Tudor part of the palace greets visitors with its iconic red brick gateway, and includes the vast and splendid Great Hall. It was here that Henry would have paraded with his new wife Anne Boleyn, and her coat of arms as well as the letters H and A can be seen carved into the magnificent ceiling.
Facing the elegant gardens is the later Stuart addition to the palace, built during the reign of William and Mary to reflect the tastes of the 17th century. Famed architect Sir Christopher Wren was employed to create a grand new vision for the palace, which would have involved levelling the Tudor portions completely. Thankfully for posterity, a lack of funds meant much of the old palace was saved and incorporated alongside the new Baroque extensions.
Kensington Palace
The birthplace and childhood home of Queen Victoria, and the home of many other royals before and since, Kensington palace is still very much a royal residence. Today it’s home to several members of the royal family, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Famously, it was also home to Princess Diana, and one of the palace’s most compelling exhibitions features many iconic pieces from her famously stylish wardrobe.
The palace also offers a look at the lavish rooms of the King’s State Apartments, some of the grandest Georgian rooms to be found anywhere in London, many of them designed by one of the style icons of the age, William Kent. There are also new exhibitions to celebrate Queen Victoria’s birth and childhood at Kensington, with fascinating and touching sentimental objects such as Victoria’s scrapbook, seen by the public for the first time.
