VERDICT: WE GAVE 4 OUT OF 5 TICKETS AND HERE’S WHY!
This guide forms part of our complete UK Travel Guide, featuring scenic road trips, iconic destinations, practical travel advice and honest first-hand travel experiences from across the United Kingdom.
This article is part of our 24 Hours in London: Ultimate Guide. We visited Madame Tussauds, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and the London Eye, before scaling the iconic O2 Arena. Our trip also included Hyatt Place London Heathrow and travelling with British Airways.
All attractions HighlyRecommended with 5 Ticket rated.
Follow our experiences and practical visitor tips. Read the complete 24-hour London guide here.
Top Attractions
Our Visit to Britain’s Most Famous Palace and a Special Family Connection to Prince Philip
During our visit to London, we wanted to make sure we allocated some time for Buckingham Palace. On this occasion, we knew it would be a relatively quick visit rather than a tour of the interior. Our plan was simple: walk up to those famous gates, see the Palace for ourselves and, of course, take plenty of photographs.
We took the Tube to Green Park Station, one of the most convenient stations for Buckingham Palace, and walked through Green Park towards the Palace. It takes around 5–10 minutes, depending on your pace, and approaching through the park makes for a pleasant introduction to one of London’s most famous landmarks.
Our First Stop: The Palace Gates
As we approached Buckingham Palace, the surroundings became increasingly familiar. We had seen these gates, the forecourt and the Palace itself countless times on television. Not the first time for us but each time is special.
Naturally, we were hoping a member of the Royal Family might suddenly drive through the gates while we were there. No such luck. Things were rather quiet during our visit, but simply standing outside and seeing the Palace up close was enough to make the stop worthwhile.
We took our photographs, watched the activity around the gates and spent some time admiring the exterior.
The Home of Britain’s Monarch
Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the British monarch and perhaps the world’s most recognizable symbol of Britain’s constitutional monarchy.
The Palace became the monarch’s principal London residence in 1837, when Queen Victoria moved there following her accession to the throne. Today, Buckingham Palace remains a working royal residence rather than simply a historic building preserved for tourists. Official ceremonies, receptions and royal entertaining continue to take place within its walls, maintaining traditions stretching back generations.
Inside Buckingham Palace
The scale of Buckingham Palace is considerably greater than its exterior might suggest. The Palace contains an extraordinary 775 rooms, including bedrooms, offices, staff rooms and the magnificent State Rooms used for ceremonial and official occasions. These grand rooms contain important works from the Royal Collection, along with historic furniture, paintings and ceremonial objects associated with generations of British monarchs.
Visitors normally have opportunities to see selected areas of Buckingham Palace during designated opening periods, traditionally including the summer opening of the State Rooms. If we were planning another visit specifically to tour the interior, we would certainly book ahead and allow considerably more time.
The Changing of the Guard
Outside the Palace, one of the most famous attractions is the Changing of the Guard. The ceremony brings together military tradition, precision and music as one group of guards formally replaces another.
We’ve seen images of the ceremony countless times over the years, and it has become one of those quintessential London experiences recognized around the world.
For visitors hoping to see it, it’s worth checking the official schedule before heading to the Palace rather than assuming the ceremony takes place every day.
That Famous Balcony
Then there is the Buckingham Palace balcony.
Few balconies anywhere in the world have appeared on television quite as often. It has provided the backdrop for royal weddings, jubilees and major national celebrations, with generations of the Royal Family appearing before enormous crowds gathered below.
Standing outside the Palace, we found ourselves thinking about those images and events. The building suddenly feels very different when you’re no longer watching it through a television screen.
Remembering Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip
Buckingham Palace has also been at the centre of Britain’s moments of national mourning.
Like millions of people around the world, we watched events surrounding the deaths of Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, unfold through television coverage. Queen Elizabeth II’s death in 2022 brought enormous crowds to London, with flowers and tributes appearing at royal locations as people gathered to remember Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. Prince Philip had died the previous year, in 2021, after more than seven decades alongside the Queen.
Standing at Buckingham Palace reminded us just how closely this building is connected to the public story of the Royal Family.
Remembering Princess Diana
Another event we vividly remember was the extraordinary public reaction following the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1997 after a car crash in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel in Paris.
The scale of the grief was unprecedented. Huge numbers of flowers and bouquets were left at royal residences, including outside Buckingham Palace, although the most extraordinary concentration of floral tributes appeared outside Kensington Palace, Diana’s London home.
Images of those flowers stretching across the grounds became one of the defining pictures of the days following her death. Years later, standing outside Buckingham Palace brought back memories of watching those events unfold.
Our Personal Connection to Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace also has a much more personal connection for us.
When my husband was 17 years old, he achieved his Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and was invited to Buckingham Palace for the presentation. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award was founded by Prince Philip to encourage young people to develop skills, undertake physical activities, volunteer and complete challenging expeditions.
Receiving the Gold Award was a significant achievement. But being invited to Buckingham Palace made the occasion considerably more memorable.
His mum was particularly pleased because she was allowed to accompany him to the Palace. And really, what mother wouldn’t be? My husband remembers being allowed into the Palace Library as part of the occasion, quite an experience for a 17-year-old.
He also had the opportunity to receive recognition connected with Prince Philip, making his return to the Palace gates many years later particularly meaningful.
For us, that personal history adds another dimension whenever we visit.
A Palace That Is Still Making History
That’s perhaps what makes Buckingham Palace so interesting. This isn’t a royal residence that belongs entirely to the past. It continues to be used for state occasions, official receptions, investitures, diplomatic events and royal ceremonies.
Kings and queens have lived here, world leaders have visited, generations of families have gathered outside its gates and millions around the world have watched events taking place here.
Buckingham Palace represents living history. The ceremonies and traditions continue, even as the monarchy itself evolves.
Our Buckingham Palace Experience
Our visit on this occasion was relatively short.
There was no State Room tour and, unfortunately, no surprise appearance from a member of the Royal Family. Instead, we simply enjoyed being there.
We stood outside the famous gates, took our photographs and spent some time looking at a building we had seen on television for most of our lives.
For my husband, there was also the memory of being 17 years old and walking inside Buckingham Palace to receive recognition for his Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
Eventually, with a busy London itinerary waiting for us, we walked back through the park towards the Tube. Sometimes a travel experience doesn’t need several hours or an admission ticket to be worthwhile.
For anyone visiting London for the first time, we think standing outside the gates of Buckingham Palace deserves a place on the itinerary. And if you have more time, consider touring the State Rooms or planning your visit around the Changing of the Guard.
After all, you never know.
You might have better luck than us and actually see a royal drive through the gates.
🏰 Buckingham Palace: History & Exterior Walking Tour
đź“Ť Overview
Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the British monarch and the most recognisable symbol of the UK’s constitutional monarchy. Although much of the palace interior is only accessible seasonally, the exterior walk reveals just as much about royal power, continuity, and tradition.
🕰️ A Brief History of Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace began life in 1703 as Buckingham House, built for the Duke of Buckingham. It entered royal ownership in 1761, when George III purchased it as a private family residence for Queen Charlotte.
The palace became the official royal residence in 1837, under Queen Victoria, who oversaw major expansions. The iconic east-facing façade, the one seen on television and postcards, was completed in 1913.
Today, Buckingham Palace remains a working palace, hosting state visits, ceremonies, and official receptions under Charles III.
🚶‍♂️ Exterior Walking Tour (45–60 minutes)
🛑 Stop 1: The Victoria Memorial (10 minutes)
Begin at the Victoria Memorial, directly in front of the palace gates.
- Dedicated in 1911 to Queen Victoria
- Made of white Carrara marble
- Symbolises the height of the British Empire
From here, you get the classic frontal view of the palace, ideal for orientation and photographs.
🛑 Stop 2: The Palace Gates & Forecourt (10 minutes)
Move closer to the main gates.
- This is where the Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place
- Guards belong to regiments such as the Grenadier and Coldstream Guards
- The forecourt is used for formal arrivals of heads of state
This space represents the ceremonial face of monarchy, formal, controlled, and symbolic.
🛑 Stop 3: The East Front & Balcony (10 minutes)
Look up to the central balcony.
- Used for royal appearances since 1851
- Famous moments include VE Day (1945), jubilees, and royal weddings
- The balcony is where heirs to the throne are traditionally presented to the public
Recent appearances have included:
- King Charles III
- Camilla, Queen Consort
- Prince William, heir to the throne
- Catherine, Princess of Wales Catherine
- Prince George
- Princess Charlotte
- Prince Louis
- Princess Anne
🛑 Stop 4: The Palace Garden Wall (10 minutes)
Walk around toward the garden side of the palace (viewable from surrounding streets and Green Park edges).
- The palace gardens are the largest private gardens in London
- Used for royal garden parties attended by thousands each year
- A quieter, more private aspect of royal life
This side reminds visitors that the palace is also a home, not just a stage.
🛑 Stop 5: Green Park & Constitution Hill (10 minutes)
Finish your walk by entering Green Park or following Constitution Hill.
- This route links Buckingham Palace to ceremonial London
- Used during coronations, jubilees, and state processions
- Offers peaceful views back toward the palace
It’s the perfect contrast to the formality of the forecourt.
đź‘‘ Heirs to the Throne: Past & Present
Buckingham Palace has been home or workplace to successive monarchs and heirs:
- Edward VII: modernised royal public life
- George VI: led Britain through WWII
- Elizabeth II: longest-reigning monarch
- Charles III: current monarch
- Prince William: heir apparent
- Prince George: future heir
The palace has evolved with each generation while retaining its symbolic role.
🎯 Why the Exterior Tour Matters
You don’t need to step inside Buckingham Palace to understand it. Walking its perimeter tells a complete story:
- Power and ceremony at the front
- Privacy and family life at the back
- Parks and processional routes connecting monarchy to the public
For visitors, this walk delivers history, pageantry, and living tradition, all freely accessible and deeply London.
Explore these places in England
- England Ultimate Travel Guide
- Visit Castles: England & Wales
- St Michael’s Mount
- King Harry Ferry
- Land’s End
- Liverpool
- Bodmin Jail
- Salisbury Cathedral
Continue exploring London
Nearby London attractions
Planning Your Trip?
Before you go, don’t forget to book the essentials:
- 🏨 Hotels & unique stays
- đźš— Rental cars
- 🎟️ Top-rated tours & attractions
- 📶 eSIMs for easy connectivity
- 🛡️ Travel insurance
- 🎒 Packing Lists
- 🎒 Travel gear from The Venturio
With every trip, we offer feedback to travel companies along with honest views for you, the reader. We rate adventures on a scale of one to five tickets, judged on quality, service, memorability, and price. A perfect ‘Ticket Rating’ of a five-ticket score means the experience was flawless and we’d eagerly return. Your desire to go back is the ultimate measure of a trip’s worth. Exclusive to My Return Ticket.
Please download our FREE tour for Buckingham Palace