 | London Buckingham Palace Reviews | Tips 81 - 90 of 373 |  |
This massive, graceful building is the official residence of the queen. The redbrick palace was built as a country house for the notoriously rakish duke of Buckingham. In 1762, King George III, who needed room for his 15 children, bought it. It didn't become the official royal residence, though, until Queen Victoria took the throne; she preferred it to St. James's Palace. From George III's time, the building was continuously expanded and remodeled, faced with Portland stone, and twice bombed (during the Blitz). Located in a 40-acre garden, it's 108m (360 ft.) long and contains 600 rooms. You can tell whether the queen is at home by whether the Royal Standard is flying from the mast outside. For most of the year, you can't visit the palace without an official invitation. Since 1993, though, much of it has been open for tours during an 8-week period in August and September, when the royal family is usually vacationing outside London. Elizabeth II agreed to allow visitors to tour the State Room, the Grand Staircase, the Throne Room, and other areas designed by John Nash for George IV, as well as the Picture Gallery, which displays masterpieces by Van Dyck, Rembrandt, Rubens, and others. The admission charges help pay for repairs to Windsor Castle, damaged by fire in 1992. You have to buy a timed-entrance ticket the same day you tour the palace. Tickets go on sale at 9am, but rather than lining up at sunrise with all the other tourists--this is one of London's most popular attractions--book by phone with a credit card and give yourself a few more hours of sleep. Leave a Comment Directions: Tube: St. James's Park, Green Park, or VictoriaWebsite: www.royal.gov.uk
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Whether you think the British monarchy is outdated or not, a visit to its offical residency in the capital is well worth it, especially when the royals are out and about doing what they do best (waving) or when the Changing of Guards are taking place.
The British monarchy has been around for over 1300 years. The first monarch to be called "King of the English" was Mercian King Offa, who ruled from 757 to 796. Today, the present British monarchy are decendants of the Norman line that came over in the invasion of 1066.
Although the British monachy has not had a direct political role in government since the 1700s (with the exception of George III, who briefly reasserted aspects of royal authority in the 1760s-80s and then lost his mind), they are still key to the idea of politic Britain. Queen Elizabeth II is the Head of State of Britain and the entire British Commonwealth, is stamped on money and coins around the world, but has no political power.
Buckingham Palace has been the London residence of the monarchy since 1837, and is today the official residence of the Queen. When the Royal Flag is flying above Buckingham, it indicates that the monarch is present there. Visitors can have tours arranged of some of the palace's rooms.
The world famous Changing of the Guard largely takes place daily between April and June, and also at other times throughout the year. Contrary to popular belief, the "still guards" are not 24 hour. Leave a Comment
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Buckingham Palace has been the home of the royals since Queen Victoria occupied in in 1837. The Queen still uses the palace as a residence, offices, and for receptions. Parts of the palace are open to the public from 9:30 - 4:15 daily from early August to early October.
The highlight of a visit here is the changing of the guard at the Canada Gate. During the summer it is daily at 11:30. During the rest of the year the ceremony takes place on even numbered days.
The original building was constructed as a countryhouse in 1705 by the Duke of Buckingham, John Sheffield. King George III bought the house in 1761 for his wife and had it altered by William Chambers. In 1826, King George IV started to expand the house into a palace. Due to a lack of sufficient funding, the architect John Nash incorporated the existing house in the new palace.
In 1850 the large east wing was added. It includes a large 40 meter long ballroom. The large façade which can be seen from the Mall was built in 1913 by Aston Webb. Leave a Comment Directions: Green Park tube
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I guess most people visiting London wander past Buckingham Palace at some stage...we managed to catch the Changing of the Guards although there were too many people for us to see much... I recommend you get there very early if you want a good position for it... The Changing of the Guards usually takes place at 11:30 am daily.
When the Queen is in residence the Royal Standard is flown from the flagpole. Leave a Comment Phone: 020 78391377Directions: Tube Station: Green Park, St James's Park or Victoria
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Here is Danielle at one the entrance gates to Buckingham Palace. Like everything else connected with the palace the gates are larger than life. They are quite beautiful with all of the gold and everything. They also make an ideal spot for a Kodak moment. Leave a Comment
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It was not until 1837 that Queen Victoria made Buckingham Palace the Royal family's London residence.
I went there with a friend,we booked our tickeets from the hotel,,it costed us 22 English Pounds,to visit the inside of the
palace,,the Royal mews and to get two booklets.
We actaully went inside the vistor`s rooms,,the rooms are stunning!!!! Leave a Comment Phone: +44 (0)20 7321 2233Directions: Underground stations: Victoria or Green Park
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Much like Big Ben, Buckingham Palace is one of those must see places in London. And here I add another picture to the hundreds already on VT of Buckingham Palace.
We were in London during August 2002. This was during the celebration of the Queens anniversary. We toured the Palace really enjoyed it. However we had one small mishap. We were in one of the Queens reception rooms. While there I laid down my umbrella and left it. And as I stated in my cover page for London, we were there for one of the worst rainfalls of the year in London. So we had to buy another umbrella on the street after we left the Palace. If you go to London and take a tour of Buckingham Palace and happen to see the Queen with a small dark blue folding umbrella would you please let her know its mine. Leave a Comment
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This is a London “must see” action. The official name for the ceremony is Guard Mounting.
Open 11.30am April-July and alternate days, weather permitting, August-March, the underground station St.Jame’s Park/Victoria. Leave a Comment Directions: Green Park tube
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One of the most famous buildings in the World. 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.
Immediately in front the Palace is the Queen Victoria Memorial, unveiled in 1911 constructed in finest white marble . Topped by a gilded Victory and surrounded by four figures.
Particularly popular with visitors is the Changing of the Guard Ceremony. Held daily at 11.30 am in summer, and on alternate days in winter. Leaving their Barracks at 11.00 am sharp, the New Guard as they are known, march to the Palace. The Old Guard hands over to the New Guard during the Ceremony. Leave a Comment Directions: Green Park tube
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Ywenty years ago, I saw the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Or, more accurately, I saw the back of a lot of heads facing the Changing of the Guard. Since then, I've seen guards change in Ottawa, Seoul and Lima, each with their own unique pagentry. Given that and my ambivelence towards the monarchy, I opted to avoid Buckingham Palace during the guard-changing time and give the place a walk-by as I strode from Hyde Park to the Houses of Parliament. You can take tours of the palace, but I had other priorities in London and really didn't want to spend such a beautiful day inside. Leave a Comment Directions: Green Park tube
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