Buckingham Palace., London

Seeing Buckingham Palace (outside only) doesn't cost anything, and if you arrive at the right time (11.30 a.m.) you can also watch the Changing of the Guard.

The state rooms inside are only open to visitors in August and September, and is quite expensive. It's probably best to book a timed ticket in advance if you really want to go inside. On the whole, though, unless you are a real royal family fan or art history buff it may not be worth it. If you just want to go inside a royal palace, consider making the trip to Windsor Castle instead (also expensive to go in, but there is more to see).

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Start your day by Buying a Travelcard 1-4 this should take u around london the whole day and unlimited travel on the Tube, Train, Bus, DLR, Trams. If you are travelling before 9.30 morning then get a Travelcard 1-4 / travel card 1-3 before it costs £5.90 / £8.00 as of now. u will b better off checking www.tfl.gov.uk

What a way 2 start your london journey, Pay respects to our Queen. Start ur journey at Green Park Station. Walk down the St. James park, and you can get access to war cabinet, downing street, westminister chappel, parliament, londoneye well your journey has just about started.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckingham_Palace
http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/page555.asp

If you really want to spend 15 quid on seeing a few rooms at Buckingham Place during August and September, then be my guest. This money-raising venture (don't be fooled by any of the PR) is now well established. It helps to at least pay for a few odd-jobs around the place.

There is now talk of erecting a couple of grandstands inside the front courtyard and chargeing 10 pounds to watch the changing of the guard. This time-honoured event (described in another tip somewhere) is usually watched by tourists peering through the palace railings. If they do charge, how are they going to stop the freeloaders ? electify the fence ?

This idea has been criticised in some quarters as turning Buck Pal into a theme park. I'm all for it myself. It's the only way as a staunch republican that I will go there. A good rollercoaster in the back garden would be good (perhaps called 'Killer Queen' ?) and a log flume (well, little royal 'Britannia'boats) in the lake. Tacky ?, well as if that as ever bothered the Windsors before.

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Everyone who goes to London must see and mention the most famous places, even if they have been done already by others. I have been to London often before joining Vt, but on my last visit I decided to capture some of the places I had visited in the past.
I think winter is a good time to see some of the places that become too crowded with tourists in summer, though there will be others like myself visiting them.
Buckingham Palace as the main royal residence in London has always attracted people, and especially when they are changing guard . I was not fortunate to be there at that time, but saw some gusrds in their winter attire.
In front of Buckingham Palace is the Victoria Monument, all white and gold.

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Buckingham Palace, is one of several estates used by the British Royal family (, is one of the major tourist attractions in London. It originally was a country house built for the Duke of Buckingham. The royal family uses, but does not own, Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, St James's Palace, Hampton Court, Windsor Castle and other residences. They are owned by the state and cared for by the National Trust. Balmoral and Sandringham are the queen's personal property.

In 1825 George IV commissioned John Nash to remodel the existing house into a palace where he could then hold Court and conduct official business. Due to a lack of sufficient funding, the existing house was incorporated in the new palace. Interesting George IV never lived in the palace. In 1850 the large east wing was added, including a large 40 meter long ballroom. In 1913 the East Facade was remodeled to what you see today. In 1837 only three weeks after her Accession Queen Victoria took up residence, and Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence of Britain's sovereigns since 1837. Since her time a flag is hoisted each time the monarch is in the castle. Today the Palace contains 600 rooms and resides on a 40-acre garden.
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Buckingham Palace is open to the public for two months each summer, August and September, with 18 rooms to view, including the Throne Room and State Room. There is always high demand for tickets. You can avoid the long lines for Palace tours by purchasing tickets before you go through Global Tickets, 234 W. 44th St., Suite 1000, New York, NY 10034 (tel. 800/223-6108). You'll have to pick the exact date on which you'd like to go. Visitors with disabilities can reserve tickets directly through the palace by calling tel. 020/7930-5526.

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Ive been in to see Buckingham Palace twice when its been kindly opened to the public each summer - July to September - and its in the top of my list of favourite castles and palaces. This is the Queens home when shes not at home at Windsor Castle or at Sandringham or Balmoral homes - or wherever else travelling about!
But this place is one of her homes - her Royal Standard flag flies above the palace when she is at home - and in my opinion is beautifully and tastefully decorated - also opulent but tasteful - and as with the Windsor Castle has an excellent art collection which is also well worth seeing.

Each year there is also included a special exhibition with the theme being a significant event or milestone eg a few years back an exhibition on the Queen Mother for her 100th birthday, this years exhibition was in relation to the Queens 60th wedding anniversary.

The exit from the palace is out the back with an opportunity to see some of the Queens 'backyard' - her large lawn (garden tea party spot!) and some of the gardens and then you pretty much end up at the Royal Mews and Palace gift shop to give you the opportunity to spend some more money to commemorate your visit! The range of souvenirs is rather good though with good quality and interesting items for sale - but a bit on the expensive side - things like pens, calendars and teatowels are pretty much standard prices though.

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Awsome place but make sure you're there at the right time cause it opens when the Queen goes away to Scotland near the end of the summer and I do suggest booking your vist cause oh boy the last thing you want to do is wait and wait for no reason and get nothing at all, that almost happend to us but luckily Dennis surprised me and told me when we were waiting that he had booked a time, oh I was so happy I just wanted to kiss Dennis right there but then I was like well what if the ladies see this, can't do anything to make the ladies get the wrong idea here!! There is awsome info on the website about the Palace, it's a sure go if you got the time and are in the city in the right time period.

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One of the "must-see" activities when visiting London. The route to the palace, called the Mall gives you a sense of anticipation as you approach the palace. Since 1993 the state apartments at the palace have been open to the public. You can also watch the famous "Changing of the Guard", for free. (Notice boards advise of the times of guard changes)