London Tickets Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace, London: Tickets and Info

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Kensington Palace: Admission Ticket

Highlights

Discover the historic home of the Prince and Princess of Wales and their family.

Wander through the grand State Rooms and marvel at stunning royal art and interiors.

Visit the beautifully decorated King’s State Apartments, King’s Gallery, Cupola Room, and Drawing Room.

Stroll in the serene Palace Gardens, including shaded paths and the famous Sunken Garden.

Experience over 300 years of royal history in a majestic London setting.

Good to Know Before Visiting Kensington Palace

You must book your tickets in advance online to guarantee entry, as time slots often sell out during peak periods.

The palace is closed to the public every Monday and Tuesday, so plan your itinerary for a Wednesday through Sunday visit.

Since the palace is located in the middle of Kensington Gardens, you should allow at least 15 minutes to walk from the nearest park gates to the entrance.

There are no cloakroom or luggage storage facilities on-site, and large suitcases or heavy bags are strictly prohibited inside the building.

Security bag checks are mandatory for all visitors upon arrival, which may lead to short queues during busy hours.

While the King’s State Apartments are open, be aware that the Queen’s State Apartments are closed for conservation as of June 15, 2026.

Photography for personal use is encouraged throughout the palace, but the use of flash, tripods, and selfie sticks is not permitted.

Visitors should wear comfortable walking shoes as the tour involves navigating various levels and walking across the palace grounds.

Re-entry to the palace is not allowed once you have scanned your ticket and exited the main building.

All children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times during their visit.

Essential Visitor Info

Timings
Address & Directions
Facilities
Accessibility

Kensington Palace operates on a seasonal schedule throughout the year. Please note that the palace is closed to the public on Mondays and Tuesdays.

General Opening Hours

The palace is open Wednesday through Sunday. Opening times are dictated by the season to ensure visitors have the best experience during daylight hours.

Summer (March 1 - October 31): The palace is open from 10 AM to 6 PM, with the last admission permitted at 5 PM.

Winter (November 1 - February 28): The palace is open from 10 AM to 4 PM, with the last admission permitted at 3 PM.

Recommended Duration

Most visitors spend between 2 and 3 hours exploring the State Apartments, the current exhibitions, and the Sunken Garden.

This allows sufficient time to view the collections and read the interpretive displays without rushing.

Optimal Visiting Times

For a quieter experience, it is recommended to visit on a Wednesday or Thursday.

Mid-week mornings immediately at opening or late afternoon sessions after 2:30 PM generally see fewer crowds than weekends and school holiday periods.

Kensington Palace is located within Kensington Gardens, just west of Hyde Park in Central London. Because the palace is situated inside a Royal Park, visitors should allow extra time to walk from the park gates to the palace entrance.

Address:
Kensington Palace
Kensington Gardens
London W8 4PX

Traveling by Underground (Tube)

Several Underground stations are within walking distance of the palace. The best route depends on which line you are using:

High Street Kensington (Circle and District Lines): This is the most common arrival point. After exiting the station, walk east along Kensington High Street, enter the gardens at the King’s Arms Gate, and follow the signs north to the palace entrance. The walk takes approximately 10 to 12 minutes.

Queensway (Central Line): Exit the station and cross Bayswater Road into Kensington Gardens via the Black Lion Gate. From here, a direct walk south past the Round Pond will bring you to the palace in roughly 10 minutes.

Notting Hill Gate (Central, District, and Circle Lines): From this station, walk southeast into the gardens and follow the paths toward the palace. This route takes approximately 15 minutes.

Traveling by Bus

Bus travel offers some of the closest drop-off points to the palace gates.

From the South (Kensington High Street): Routes 9, 49, 52, 70, and 452 stop at the "Kensington Palace" stop. From here, it is a 5-minute walk through the park to the entrance.

From the North (Bayswater Road): Routes 70, 94, and 148 stop at "Queensway Station." The walk from this side of the park takes approximately 10 minutes.

Traveling by Train

London Paddington is the nearest mainline railway station. It is served by Great Western Railway, the Elizabeth Line, and the Heathrow Express.

From Paddington, you can reach the palace by walking for approximately 20 minutes through the residential streets of Bayswater and into the park. Alternatively, you can take the District or Circle line from Paddington to High Street Kensington or Bayswater stations to shorten the walk.

Visitors to Kensington Palace have access to a range of essential amenities designed for comfort and convenience.

Standard facilities include public toilets and baby-changing stations, which are located in the palace courtyard and are accessible without a ticket.

A cloakroom is not available on-site; however, small bags are permitted inside the palace.

For those exploring the surrounding grounds, the palace is situated within Kensington Gardens, offering wide paved pathways and seating areas.

Security personnel and visitor hosts are stationed throughout the site to provide assistance or directions.

Please note that while Wi-Fi is available in certain indoor areas, signal strength may vary within the historic stone structures.

Kensington Palace is a historic building, but it is fully accessible to visitors with disabilities.

All public areas of the palace, including the State Apartments and temporary exhibition spaces, can be reached via lifts. Level access is provided at the main entrance, and the paths leading from the Kensington Gardens gates are broad and tarmac-surfaced, making them suitable for manual and electric wheelchairs.

Manual wheelchairs are available to borrow free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis from the palace entrance. For visitors who are blind or have low vision, tactile models of the palace and large-print guides are available at the information desk. Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the palace and the gardens, and water bowls can be provided upon request.

For D/deaf or hard-of-hearing visitors, British Sign Language (BSL) digital tours are often available for specific exhibitions. Induction loops are fitted at the ticket office, retail counters, and other key transaction points. If you require a quiet space during your visit to manage sensory processing needs, the palace staff can identify less crowded areas, although mid-week afternoons are generally the quietest times for those sensitive to noise and crowds.

About Kensington Palace

Originally a modest Jacobean mansion known as Nottingham House, Kensington Palace was transformed by King William III and Queen Mary II into a grand royal retreat. For over 300 years, it has served as a primary residence for members of the Royal Family, including the current Prince and Princess of Wales. The palace is architecturally significant for its contributions from Sir Christopher Wren and William Kent, whose work remains visible in the ornate State Apartments and the iconic King’s Gallery.

Today, the palace operates as both a working royal residence and a world-class museum managed by the charity Historic Royal Palaces. Visitors can traverse the same corridors once occupied by young Queen Victoria and view a vast array of artifacts from the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection. Beyond the internal galleries, the palace is famed for its relationship with its grounds, featuring the tranquil Sunken Garden and the elegant 18th-century Orangery, both of which remain central to the Kensington experience in 2026.

Area: 265 acres (inclusive of Kensington Gardens)

Number of Rooms: 547

Construction Started: 1605

Designated Landmark: Grade I Listed Building

Why Visit Kensington Palace?

Discover the Birthplace of Queen Victoria

Kensington Palace was the childhood home of Queen Victoria and the site where she first learned of her accession to the throne. Visitors can walk through the exact rooms where she was born and raised, exploring a permanent exhibition that uses personal objects to detail her early life and the "Kensington System" that governed her upbringing.

Explore the Grandeur of the King’s State Apartments

These magnificent rooms were designed for the entertaining of courtiers and foreign dignitaries during the 18th century. The sequence of rooms features the King’s Staircase, a masterpiece of architectural trompe l'oeil painting, and the King’s Gallery, which remains hung with significant works from the Royal Collection as it was during the reign of King George II.

Experience the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection

The palace serves as the home for an extensive collection of historic and contemporary royal attire, showcasing the evolution of court fashion over centuries. From the intricate gowns of the Georgian era to the iconic mid-century designs worn by Princess Margaret and Diana, Princess of Wales, the displays offer a rare look at the craftsmanship behind royal public appearances.

Walk Through the Historic Sunken Garden

Originally planted in 1908, the Sunken Garden is a tranquil space known for its rotating seasonal floral displays and classical layout. It gained further international significance in 2021 as the site of the statue commissioned to honor the life and legacy of Diana, Princess of Wales, making it a point of reflection for many visitors.

Engage with Diverse Royal Histories

Kensington Palace consistently hosts world-class temporary exhibitions that highlight the lesser-known stories of its residents. Current programming, such as the exhibition on Princess Sophia Duleep Singh, ensures that the palace narrative includes a broader look at the global and social impacts of the British Monarchy through the lives of those who lived within its walls.

Kensington Palace - Additional Info

Dining
Souvenir Store

Dining at Kensington Palace is centered around The Orangery and the Palace Café.

The Orangery, originally built for Queen Anne in 1704, provides a formal setting for lunch or a traditional afternoon tea. It features elegant 18th-century architecture and views across the palace lawns, making it a popular choice for visitors seeking a full dining experience.

For a more casual option, the Palace Café serves a selection of prepared sandwiches, salads, and cakes, alongside a variety of hot and cold beverages.

Both venues are located near the palace entrance and do not require a palace admission ticket to enter. Indoor and outdoor seating is available at the café, allowing visitors to enjoy the park surroundings in suitable weather.

The Palace Shop, located on the ground floor, offers a curated selection of items inspired by the palace's royal residents and historic architecture.

The inventory includes bespoke jewelry based on the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection, exclusive homeware, and a variety of books detailing the history of the British Monarchy.

In addition to high-end collectibles, the store stocks a range of smaller mementos such as stationery, children's toys, and traditional English food gifts.

All profits from the shop contribute to Historic Royal Palaces, the independent charity responsible for the conservation and upkeep of the site, ensuring the palace remains preserved for future generations.

Interesting Facts about Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace was originally a two-story Jacobean mansion known as Nottingham House before it was purchased by William III and Mary II in 1689.

The monarch Christopher Wren, the architect of St. Paul’s Cathedral, was commissioned to expand and transform the house into a royal palace.

Queen Victoria was born in the palace on May 24, 1819, and she spent her entire childhood there under the strict supervision of the "Kensington System."

The King's Gallery served as a place for King George I to exercise and also houses some of the finest paintings from the Royal Collection.

The King’s Staircase features a massive "trompe l'oeil" mural by William Kent that depicts the colorful members of King George I’s court.

Kensington Palace was the favorite residence of joint monarchs William and Mary because the air was cleaner there than in Whitehall, which helped the King's asthma.

The Sunken Garden was modeled after the Pond Garden at Hampton Court Palace and was a favorite spot of Diana, Princess of Wales.

A permanent bronze statue of Diana, Princess of Wales, was unveiled in the Sunken Garden in 2021 to commemorate what would have been her 60th birthday.

The palace is currently the official London residence of the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children.

The Jewel Room contains a significant collection of emerald and diamond jewelry designed by Prince Albert for Queen Victoria.

Queen Victoria first met her future husband, Prince Albert, at Kensington Palace when they were both just 17 years old.

The Orangery was built in 1704 for Queen Anne to protect her citrus trees from the winter frost, though it was also used as a "summer supper house."

Peter the Wild Boy, a famous 18th-century feral child found in a German forest, lived at the palace as a "human curiosity" in the court of George I.

The palace roof was significantly damaged by incendiary bombs during the London Blitz in 1940 but was meticulously restored after the war.

Kensington Palace was the site where a young Queen Victoria held her first Privy Council meeting at the age of 18, just hours after becoming Queen.

Kensington Palace - Highlights in Pictures

FAQs about Kensington Palace

Who currently lives at Kensington Palace?

The palace serves as the official London residence for the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children. It also provides homes and offices for several other members of the Royal Family.

What is the historical significance of the Sunken Garden?

Originally planted in 1908, the garden was a favorite of Diana, Princess of Wales, and now hosts a permanent bronze statue dedicated to her legacy. It is modeled after the classical Pond Garden at Hampton Court Palace.

Which famous British monarch was born at Kensington Palace?

Queen Victoria was born here on May 24, 1819, and she lived at the palace under the "Kensington System" until her accession to the throne at age 18. Her childhood rooms are now a permanent exhibition.

What can visitors see in the King’s State Apartments?

Visitors can view the grand King's Staircase featuring William Kent’s "trompe l'oeil" mural and the King's Gallery, which displays masterpieces from the Royal Collection. These rooms were used for high-level court entertaining in the 18th century.

Who designed the architecture of Kensington Palace?

The original Jacobean mansion was expanded by Sir Christopher Wren, the architect of St. Paul's Cathedral, and later embellished with interiors by William Kent. It evolved from a private house into a grand royal retreat over several centuries.

What is the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection?

This is an extensive archive of historic and contemporary royal attire housed at the palace, ranging from 18th-century court gowns to iconic mid-century designs. Rotating displays offer a rare look at the craftsmanship behind official royal public appearances.

Can I see the Queen’s State Apartments in 2026?

The Queen’s State Apartments are scheduled to close for essential conservation and re-presentation starting June 15, 2026. However, the King's State Apartments and other galleries remain open to the public.

Are tickets for Kensington Palace available at the gate?

While a ticket office is available on-site, it is strongly recommended to book online in advance as timed entry slots frequently sell out. Advance booking guarantees your preferred arrival time and helps avoid long queues.

How much time should I set aside for a visit?

Most visitors spend approximately 2 to 3 hours to fully explore the State Apartments, current exhibitions, and the Sunken Garden. This allows for a leisurely pace through the interpretive displays.

Is there a place to store luggage or large bags at the palace?

There are no cloakroom or luggage storage facilities available on-site, and large suitcases are strictly prohibited inside the building. Only small bags that pass security checks are permitted.

What is the best way to reach the palace using public transport?

The most convenient Underground stations are High Street Kensington and Queensway, both about a 10 to 12-minute walk away. Several bus routes also stop on Kensington High Street, just a short walk from the park entrance.

Is Kensington Palace accessible for wheelchair users?

The palace is fully accessible, with lifts serving all public floors and level access at the main entrance. Manual wheelchairs are also available to borrow free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis.

Can I eat at the palace without a museum ticket?

Yes, both The Orangery and the Palace Café are located near the entrance and do not require a palace admission ticket for entry. They offer both formal afternoon tea and casual refreshments.

Is photography allowed inside the State Apartments?

Non-commercial photography for personal use is encouraged in most areas of the palace. However, the use of flash, tripods, and selfie sticks is strictly prohibited to protect the historic interiors.