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Kensington Palace – Address & Directions

London Tickets Kensington Palace Address Directions

How To Get To Kensington Palace?

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

Directions

By Underground (Tube)
By Bus
By Train
By Cycle
By Car

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.

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.

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.

Cycling is a convenient way to reach the palace, though please note that cycling is only permitted on designated paths within Kensington Gardens.

Bike Docking: There are Santander Cycles docking stations located at Black Lion Gate and Palace Gate.

Parking: Private bicycle racks are available near the palace entrance for those using their own bikes.

Driving to Kensington Palace is not recommended as there is no public parking on-site and the palace is located within the London Congestion Charge zone.

If you must drive, the nearest commercial car park is the Q-Park Queensway located on Bayswater Road.

From there, it is approximately a 10-minute walk through the gardens to reach the palace. Limited on-street "pay and display" parking may be found on some surrounding streets, but availability is restricted and time limits are strictly enforced.

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.

FAQs about Getting to Kensington Palace

Which Underground station is closest to the palace?

High Street Kensington and Queensway are the nearest stations, both located approximately a 10 to 12-minute walk from the entrance. Notting Hill Gate is also a viable option but requires a slightly longer 15-minute walk through the gardens.

Can I take a bus directly to the palace gates?

While buses cannot enter the royal park, several routes stop on the surrounding main roads. Routes 9, 49, 52, 70, and 452 stop at Kensington High Street, which is a 5 to 6-minute walk from the palace.

How far is the walk from London Paddington station?

The walk from Paddington Station takes approximately 20 minutes through the residential streets of Bayswater. Alternatively, you can take a short Tube journey to High Street Kensington to reduce the walking distance.

Is there a car park at Kensington Palace?

There is no public parking available on-site, and driving is not recommended due to the palace's location within the Congestion Charge zone. The nearest commercial parking facility is the Q-Park Queensway on Bayswater Road.

Where can I park my bicycle if I cycle to the venue?

Dedicated bicycle racks are available near the palace entrance for visitors using their own bikes. For those using Santander Cycles, docking stations are located at the Black Lion Gate and Palace Gate entrances to the gardens.

How much extra time should I allow for walking through the park?

You should allow at least 15 minutes to walk from the park gates to the palace entrance. This ensures you arrive at the security check within your designated timed entry window.

Is there accessible parking for Blue Badge holders?

Limited accessible parking is available on-site for Blue Badge holders but must be booked at least seven days in advance. You can arrange this by contacting the palace control room with your vehicle and badge details.

Are the paths through Kensington Gardens suitable for strollers?

The pathways leading to the palace are broad, paved, and level, making them fully suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. Most routes from the nearby Tube stations involve smooth surfaces throughout the park.