Buckingham Palace is the royal residence and administrative headquarters of the British monarch, located in the City of Westminster in London. The site has been in royal hands since the 16th century, and the building you see today grew from a 1703 townhouse into a sprawling palace of 775 rooms.
Why it is worth the trip
The East Front is the palace's public face, with the balcony where the royal family traditionally appears to greet crowds during national celebrations and after Trooping the Colour. Inside, the state rooms show layers of design, from early 19th-century scagliola in blue and pink lapis to a Belle Époque cream and gold scheme and Chinese regency reception rooms furnished from the Royal Pavilion at Brighton. The King's Gallery displays works from the Royal Collection on the site of a chapel destroyed in the Second World War. Beyond the walls lies the largest private garden in London, and the whole place carries the weight of a site used for both celebration and mourning.
The best time to go
The state rooms open to the public during the summer months and on selected days in winter and spring, so plan around those seasonal openings if you want to go inside. Whatever the season, arrive early in the day, as the crowds build as the morning goes on.
How long to allow
Allow at least half a day if you are touring the state rooms or the King's Gallery, and a shorter stop if you are only viewing the East Front and the Changing of the Guard.
Getting there
The palace sits in the heart of Westminster, within walking distance of St James's Park and Horse Guards Parade. Walking through St James's Park makes a pleasant approach.
What to book ahead
Reserve state room and King's Gallery tickets in advance for the seasonal opening periods, as demand is high and entry is limited to those windows.
Nearby
St James's Park offers gardens for a stroll between the palace and Horse Guards Parade, and the Palace of Westminster, with the Elizabeth Tower and the Houses of Parliament, is nearby.