KENSINGTON PALACE ULTIMATE GUIDE
Open: Every day: 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Time Needed: 4 hours
Price: £24
From the outside, Kensington Palace seems like a deserted, almost eerie building, perched on the edge of Hyde Park. But inside the palace there is a treasure trove of royal rooms, items, paintings and even wardrobes that any royal enthusiast will appreciate.
Kensington Palace has been a royal residence for almost 300 years, and today it serves as the official London residence for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, along with their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
During the 17th century, the palace was surrounded by lush countryside, and was considered to be the “perfect rural retreat” for members of the royal family. King William III and Queen Mary II first moved into the palace to help treat the king’s asthma, as it was believed that the air surrounding Kensington Palace could “help cure without medicines.”
But a dark cloud has always lingered over Kensington Palace, as it is said to be haunted by several different spirits. Not only that, but those who once resided inside the palace lived a depressing, and often isolated life. Both Princess Diana and Princess Margaret were said to have been unhappy when they lived at Kensington Palace, and Queen Mary II contracted smallpox within weeks of moving in (she died shortly after at the age of 32). Furthermore, Queen Anne got pregnant 17 times when living at Kensington Palace, but none of her children survived to adulthood.
As a matter of fact, Kensington Palace was such a sad and dismal place for so many females who once lived there, one of the staircases was painted with portraits of valets, maids and babies in the hopes of “dispelling the curse” hanging over the palace.
Nevertheless, some pleasant as well as important royal events have taken place inside Kensington Palace throughout its history. Not only was Queen Victoria both born and raised there, she also met her future husband Albert inside the palace, and was even given the news of her accession at Kensington Palace in 1837 as well.
Kensington Palace Highlights
Despite its depressing history, Kensington Palace is essentially a hidden gem in Hyde Park, and thousands of tourists visit the palace each year. It's the perfect place to visit after joining a free tour of Westminster.
The ticket to Kensington Palace includes access to several halls and and permanent exhibitions:
- Victoria: A Royal Childhood - The rooms where Queen Victoria was born and raised. This exhibition includes displays of her childhood possessions and detailed information about her upbringing at the palace.
- The King's State Apartments - The opulent rooms used by George II. Access is through the King's Staircase, painted by William Kent, and famously decorated with lively characters from Georgian court life.
- The Queen's State Apartments - These rooms were once used by Queen Mary II. They include her dining room, bedroom, and the Queen's Gallery, providing a glimpse into her private life.
- The Jewel Room - This room features the jewelry designed for Queen Victoria by her husband, Prince Albert, including some of her most cherished pieces.
- The King's Gallery - Transformed by William Kent, this gallery showcases some of the finest paintings in the Royal Collection, offering insights into the art and culture of the Georgian period.
Additionally, the ticket provides access to temporary exhibitions and to the beautiful Palace Gardens, as well as the Sunken Garden, which features elegant floral displays and a statue of Diana, Princess of Wales.
Special Tips
Kensington Palace can be a hit or miss for a lot of visitors, so if you're not interested in England's royal history, or even if you have small children with you, then this attraction may not be for you.
If you plan on visiting another palace in London (or even plan on visiting Kensington Palace more than once), make sure you buy an annual membership for £55 which grants you unlimited entry into London's six royal palaces for 12 months.
If you plan on visiting Hyde Park as well as Kensington Palace, it may be a good idea to tour the palace first in case you get tired out walking around the park.
Getting There
Address: Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX, United Kingdom.
By Tube: The nearest station is High Street Kensington (a 10 to 15-minute walk away), or Queensway (a 12-minute walk away).
By Train: The nearest station is Paddington (an 18-minute walk away).
By Bus: You can reach Kensington Palace via routes 70, 94, 148 and 390 (to Bayswater Road), or 9, 10, 49, 52, 70 and 452 (to Kensington High Street).
By coach: You can be dropped-off and picked-up at the palace, but you must make a request beforehand.
Visiting Kensington Palace
Recommended visiting time for Kensington Palace is around two to three hours, depending on how much time you want to spend glancing over all the different exhibits.
The palace hosts a “History Bites” talk every day, during which a palace expert educates listeners on various different subjects related to the palace. These talks take place in the visitor areas of the palace, and there is no need to book in advance.
Visitors are also welcome to explore the palace at their own leisure, and can grab a Kensington Palace guide book for £6 during their visit to read up on its history, as well as all the different rooms they can visit.
There is a restaurant inside Kensington Palace (The Orangery) which offers breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea, and the Palace Cafe also serves sandwiches, cakes and pastries (admission inside the palace is not required).
Ticket prices and Opening hours
Kensington Palace is open every day except December 24th, 25th and 26th.
From March 1st to October 31st, the palace is open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (with last admission at 5:00 p.m.). Be aware that the palace closes at 4:00 p.m. during the winter months, and 6:00 p.m. during the summer months.
The ticket prices for visiting Kensington Palace are as follows:
- £24 for adult (18-64 years)
- £12 for children (5-17 years)
- £19 for concessions (65+ years, full-time students, and disabled visitors)
- Free for children under 5
Children under the ages of 16 must be accompanied by an adult during their visit.
There are also annual memberships available for £55 which include unlimited entry into London’s six most famous palaces for a year. There are also discount tickets available for groups of 15 people (or more) as well.
The Kensington Palace restaurant (The Orangery) is open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. every day, and the Palace Cafe is open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Are you gearing up for a visit to Kensington Palace? You might be interested in joining some of the many free tours in London departing daily.
