Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
▲
State Rooms at Buckingham Palace
This lavish home has been Britain's royal residence since 1837, when the newly ascended
Queen Victoria moved in. When today's Queen is at home, the royal standard flies (a red,
yellow, and blue flag); otherwise, the Union Jack flaps in the wind. The Queen opens her
palace to the public—but only in August and September, when she's out of town.
Cost and Hours:
£
19.75 for lavish State Rooms and throne room, includes audi-
oguide; Aug-Sept only, daily 9:30-18:30, until 19:00 in Aug, last admission 16:45 in Aug,
15:45 in Sept; limited to 8,000 visitors a day by timed entry; come early to the palace's
Visitor Entrance (opens 9:15), or book ahead in person, by phone, or online (
£
2.50 extra);
Tube: Victoria, tel. 020/7766-7300.
Changing of the Guard Timeline
When
What
Where
10:30
Tourists begin to gather (arrive now for a spot
front and center by the fence)
Fence outside the palace
11:00
Victoria Monument gets crowded
Middle of traffic circle in front
of palace
11:00-11:15 “New Guard” gathers for inspection
Wellington Barracks
11:00
(10:00 Sun)
Changing of the Horse Guard
Horse Guards Parade (opposite
end of St. James's Park)
11:15-11:30 Tired St. James's Palace guards and Horse
Guard both head for the palace
Down the Mall
11:15-11:30 Fresh replacement troops head from Welling-
ton Barracks to Buckingham Palace
Down Spur Road
11:30-11:45 All guards gradually converge
Around Victoria Monument in
front of the palace
11:45-12:00 The Changing of the Guard ceremony
Inside fenced courtyard of
Buckingham Palace
12:00-12:10 Tired guards head for Wellington Barracks
Up the Mall
12:00-12:10 Fresh guards head for St. James's Palace
Up Spur Road
12:15
Smaller changing of the guard ceremony
In front of St. James's Palace
