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Kensington Palace – Plan Your Visit

London Tickets Kensington Palace Plan Your Visit

Plan Your Visit to Kensington Palace

Preparing for your visit to Kensington Palace will help you fully appreciate one of London’s most storied royal residences and historic landmarks. Below you will find essential information to make your experience informative and enjoyable as you explore the lives of past and present royalty.

Kensington Palace – Ticket Information

Ticket Purchase Options: Tickets are available for purchase online prior to your visit or at the palace ticket office. Buying tickets online is strongly advisable to guarantee entry on your preferred date and to avoid the long queues that frequently form during peak visiting hours.

Ticket types: This site offers an admission ticket granting access to all available areas of the Kensington Palace and the Palace Gardens.

Kensington Palace – 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.

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.

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.

Kensington Palace - Nearby Attractions

Kensington Gardens: Directly surrounding the palace, these 265 acres of royal parkland feature the Serpentine Gallery, the Round Pond, and the Victorian-era Italian Gardens. The park is also home to the famous Peter Pan Statue and the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground.

The Royal Albert Hall: Located a 10-minute walk south of the palace, this iconic Victorian concert hall is one of the UK’s most premier performance venues. Even if you are not attending a show, the hall offers guided architectural tours that detail its history and royal connections.

The Albert Memorial: Situated in Kensington Gardens directly opposite the Royal Albert Hall, this ornate Gothic Revival monument was commissioned by Queen Victoria in memory of her husband, Prince Albert. It stands as one of London's most intricate and grandest outdoor sculptures.

South Kensington Museum District: Approximately 15 minutes away on foot, this area houses three of the world’s leading museums: the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, and the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum. Entry to the permanent collections of all three institutions is free of charge.

Hyde Park: Flowing seamlessly from Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park offers further recreational space including the Serpentine Lido for open-water swimming and the Diana Memorial Fountain. It is an ideal spot for boating, cycling, or visiting the historical Speakers' Corner.

The Design Museum: Located on Kensington High Street, this museum is dedicated to contemporary design in every form, from fashion and graphics to architecture and industrial design. It is housed in a landmark 1960s building with a spectacular hyperbolic paraboloid roof.

Holland Park and the Kyoto Garden: A short walk west brings you to Holland Park, which contains the serene Kyoto Garden, a traditional Japanese oasis gifted by the city of Kyoto. The park is known for its resident peacocks and the ruins of the historic Holland House.

Notting Hill and Portobello Road Market: To the north of the palace lies the vibrant neighborhood of Notting Hill, famous for its pastel-colored houses and the world-renowned Portobello Road Market. The market is most active on Saturdays, offering a vast array of antiques, vintage fashion, and street food.

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 Visiting Kensington Palace

Is the palace open every day of the week?

Kensington Palace is closed to the public every Monday and Tuesday. It operates on a Wednesday through Sunday schedule throughout the year.

What are the seasonal opening hours for the palace?

During the summer months, the palace is open from 10:00 to 18:00, while winter hours are reduced to 10 AM to 4 PM. Last admission is always one hour before the building closes.

Can I buy tickets upon arrival at the palace?

While there is a ticket office on-site, booking online in advance is strongly advisable to avoid long queues. Time slots often sell out during busy periods, and pre-booking guarantees your entry.

How do I get to the palace from the nearest Tube station?

High Street Kensington and Queensway are the closest stations, both roughly a 10 to 12-minute walk away. You should follow the signs through Kensington Gardens to reach the palace entrance.

Is there a place to leave my luggage during the tour?

There are no cloakroom or storage facilities available at Kensington Palace. For security reasons, large suitcases and heavy bags are strictly prohibited inside the building.

What is the best time of day to visit to avoid crowds?

Mid-week mornings right at opening or late afternoon sessions after 2:30 PM generally see fewer visitors. Weekends and school holidays are the busiest times for the palace.

Are the gardens accessible without a palace admission ticket?

Yes, Kensington Gardens is a public royal park and can be enjoyed for free without a ticket. This includes access to the Sunken Garden and the exterior of the palace.

Can I visit the palace if I use a wheelchair?

Kensington Palace is fully accessible with lifts serving all public floors and level access throughout. Manual wheelchairs are also available to borrow at the entrance on a first-come, first-served basis.

What should I do if I miss my timed entry slot?

The palace uses a timed entry system to manage visitor flow, so you should aim to arrive within your selected window. Staff will do their best to accommodate late arrivals, but entry is subject to current capacity.

Are there dining options available on-site?

Visitors can dine at The Orangery for a formal afternoon tea or the Palace Café for casual snacks and drinks. Neither venue requires a palace admission ticket to enter.

Can children visit the palace alone?

All children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times during their visit. This ensures safety and the preservation of the historic interiors.

Is photography permitted inside the State Apartments?

Photography for personal, non-commercial use is allowed in most areas of the palace. However, flash photography and the use of tripods or selfie sticks are prohibited.

Are assistance dogs allowed inside the building?

Trained assistance dogs are welcome throughout the palace and the surrounding gardens. Water bowls can be provided by staff upon request.

What happens to the profits from the souvenir shop?

All profits from the Palace Shop are directed to Historic Royal Palaces. This independent charity uses the funds for the ongoing conservation and upkeep of the site.