London Palaces: Book Tickets Now

Royal residences you can walk through, with the gardens to match.

Eltham Palace and Gardens

From £18.53

Hampton Court Palace, Gardens & Maze Tickets

From £32.40

Kensington Palace: Entry Ticket

From £14.04

London's royal story runs through its palaces, from Henry VIII's Hampton Court to Queen Victoria's childhood home at Kensington Palace. Eltham Palace adds Art Deco glamour inside a medieval hall, and The King's Gallery at Buckingham Palace shows pieces from the Royal Collection.

Browse the palaces here and book your tickets online to save your date and time.

Which London Palaces Should I Visit?

Royal Palaces to Visit in London

London has a palace for every taste. Kensington Palace sits in the middle of the city, Hampton Court Palace stretches along the Thames in the south-west, and Eltham Palace in the south-east is part Art Deco home, part medieval hall.

The King's Gallery at Buckingham Palace is smaller, but it gives you a look at the Royal Collection without leaving central London.

Hampton Court Palace and Kensington Palace

Hampton Court Palace was a Tudor showpiece under Henry VIII, and its great hall and enormous kitchens still show what court life looked like. William III and Mary II later added a baroque wing, and the gardens now include one of the most famous hedge mazes in England.

Kensington Palace is quieter and more intimate, with State Apartments, exhibitions and strong links to Queen Victoria, who was born there, and to Diana, Princess of Wales.

Eltham Palace and The King's Gallery

Eltham Palace is two buildings in one: a medieval great hall where the young Henry VIII once lived, and a 1930s Art Deco house built by Stephen and Virginia Courtauld. The interiors are rich with period detail, and the gardens are worth the time.

The King's Gallery, at Buckingham Palace, takes a different approach, with changing exhibitions of paintings, furniture and treasures from the Royal Collection.

Booking Palace Tickets in London

Booking palace tickets online in advance lets you pick the date and time that suit your plans. It's especially useful for Hampton Court Palace in summer and school holidays, and for Kensington Palace at weekends.

Hampton Court and Eltham are both outside central London, so a booked slot also helps you plan the journey and the rest of your day.

Good to Know Before Visiting Palaces in London

Book your date and time online in advance, as popular palaces can sell out on busy days.

Hampton Court Palace is in south-west London beside the Thames, and a train from Waterloo to Hampton Court station is the easiest way to get there.

Allow a half day at Hampton Court Palace, especially if you want to see the gardens and the maze.

Eltham Palace is in south-east London and is reached by train from central London, so allow extra travel time.

Kensington Palace sits inside Kensington Gardens, so it pairs well with a walk through the park.

The King's Gallery shows changing exhibitions, so what you see depends on when you visit.

Expect a security check at some palaces, so travel light and leave large bags behind.

Palace gardens are part of the visit, so comfortable shoes and weather-ready clothing are a good idea.

London Palaces - Gallery

London's Top 5 Picks

Kensington Palace

A royal residence in Kensington Gardens, once home to Queen Victoria and Princess Diana, with State Apartments and changing exhibitions on royal life.

Stonehenge

A prehistoric stone circle on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, built over 4,500 years ago and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The View from The Shard

Observation floors near the top of Western Europe's tallest building, with panoramic views of London from 244 metres up.

Tower of London

A 900-year-old riverside fortress that has served as a royal palace, prison and armoury, and today houses the Crown Jewels.

London Transport Museum

A Covent Garden museum tracing the history of London's buses, trams, Tube and railways, with historic vehicles and interactive displays.

FAQs about London Palaces

What is the closest railway station to Hampton Court Palace?

Hampton Court railway station is located just a five-minute walk from the palace entrance, across the bridge over the River Thames. Direct trains run regularly to this station from London Waterloo, making the journey from central London approximately forty minutes.

Is the famous hedge maze at Hampton Court Palace open all year?

The maze is accessible to visitors throughout the year alongside the main palace grounds, closing only from December 24 to 26. However, it may close temporarily at short notice during severe winter weather conditions such as heavy snow or ice.

Can visitors explore all parts of Kensington Palace?

Visitors have access to the public State Apartments, including the historic King's and Queen's State Apartments, which showcase grand Georgian and Victorian interiors. The private residential wings of the palace remain completely closed to the public as they are still active homes for members of the royal family.

Where exactly is the King’s Gallery located?

The gallery is situated within the Buckingham Palace complex in central London, positioned on the south side near Victoria Station. It has its own dedicated public entrance on Buckingham Palace Road, separate from the main gates of the palace itself.

What kind of artwork is displayed at the King’s Gallery?

The venue does not have a permanent display, but instead hosts a rotating schedule of temporary exhibitions featuring masterpieces from the Royal Collection. Visitors can view a changing selection of rare paintings, sculpture, delicate tapestries, and historic decorative arts.

Is photography allowed inside the King’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace?

Photography for personal, non-commercial use is fully permitted inside the exhibition spaces, provided you do not use a flash or bulky tripods. Visitors are asked to switch mobile phones to silent and step out into the foyer if they need to make or answer voice calls.

How do you get to Eltham Palace using public transport?

The palace is located in south-east London and is a short walk from both Eltham and Mottingham railway stations. Both stations offer direct train connections from central London hubs including London Charing Cross and London Victoria.

What makes the design of Eltham Palace so unique?

The property features a rare architectural contrast, directly connecting a grand fifteenth-century medieval Great Hall with a sleek 1930s Art Deco mansion. The interiors transition immediately from the timber-roofed hall of the Tudor monarchy into a highly stylized, circular modernist entrance space.

Are these royal palaces fully accessible for wheelchair users?

Hampton Court Palace, the King's Gallery, and Eltham Palace offer extensive step-free access to most of their primary ground-floor rooms and historic gardens via ramps and passenger lifts. At Kensington Palace, while the main public apartments are accessible via a lift, some historic split-level spaces may present mobility challenges.

Is there a dress code for visiting active royal properties like the King's Gallery?

There is no formal dress code required for visitors, though smart-casual clothing and comfortable footwear are recommended for walking through the galleries. Because you must pass through airport-style security screening upon arrival, it is best to avoid carrying large bags or unnecessary metal items.