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Buckingham PalaceBuckingham Palace

London Attractions - Buckingham Palace - Summer Opening - Tickets

2008 Summer Opening - 31 July to 29 September

Buckingham Palace serves as both the office and London residence of Her Majesty the Queen. It is one of the few working royal palaces remaining in the world today.

In August and September, when the palace is not being used in it's official capacity, visitors can enjoy the State Rooms, which form the heart of the working palace - nineteen rooms, lavishly furnished with the finest treasures from the Royal Collection, including paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Poussin and Canaletto and some of the finest English and French furniture.

For the first time ever, visitors will be able to experience the spectacle of the Palace's Ballroom set up for a State Banquet. For centuries magnificent banquets have been an integral part of royal ceremonial and the traditional way to mark significant events.

Visitors end their tour with a walk along the south side of the Palace garden, which splendid views of the west front of the Palace and the famous lake.

Review: Buckingham Palace

Only open for two months each year ... don't miss out!

I was fortunate enough to visit Buckingham Palace in 2007 and it's wonderful. The Palace is open to the public for two months during the summer and is extremely busy. Thre are long queues outside, but I purchased a ticket online and they had a separate entrance for advance ticket holders. Nevertheless, there is a short waiting period before proceeding through security and into the State Apartments.

We were issued with an "audio guide" and each room has a number that can be entered into the guide for more information. You follow a fixed route through the State Rooms, but there is no rush and you can stop and admire each room and listen to the commentary on the audio guide. Each year there is something different - this year they have the Ballroom set up for a State Banquet, while last year there was a special display of Her Majesty's dresses as well as a protrait of the Queen by Rolf Harris.

After completing the tour through the State Apartments, you exit out into the back gardens. There is a small shop where you can pick up a few souvenirs, before proceeding through the gardens and out through the back gate.

Considering the limted opening period and number of people queueing up, I thought that the admission price was more than reasonable and left with a positive feeling about the whole experience.

Directions & Opening Hours

Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace Road
London SW1A
Closest Underground: Victoria (Victoria & District/Circle Lines)

Open Daily from 31 July to 29 September 2008
Opening Hours: 9.45am to 6.00pm
Last Admission: 3.45pm

Location Map

Please note - tickets purchased online are not refundable.