Clarence House

The basics

A Grade I-listed architectural marvel on the National Heritage List for England, Clarence House is one of the last remaining aristocratic townhouses in the city. Sandwiched between St. James’s Park and Green Park and just minutes from Buckingham Palace, it’s a quintessential stop on any tour of London’s royal landmarks. While you can’t currently go inside, highlights of Clarence House include a pretty garden, grand ground-floor rooms such as the Lancaster Room and Morning Room, and artworks and treasures from the Royal Collection.

Things to know before you go

• Photography is prohibited on the grounds and inside Clarence House, and phones must be turned off.

• Any visitors to Clarence House undergo a strict security screening before entering.

• There are no restroom facilities at Clarence House for public use, but there are toilets in St. James’s Park.

• Eating and drinking are strictly prohibited at Clarence House.

• When Clarence House is open to the public, all visits are Warden-led guided tours.

• Clarence House is fully accessible to wheelchair users.

How to get there

Clarence House is at 8 Cleveland Row in London, right in the heart of the city. If you’re taking public transit, the nearest stations are Green Park (served by the Jubilee, Piccadilly, and Victoria lines) and St. James’s Park (served by the Circle and District lines). The landmark is also 15 minutes on foot from Victoria Station, one of London’s main transit hubs.

When to get there

St. James’s Palace has historically opened to the public in August, though recently it has had more restricted visiting policies—it’s currently closed to visitors. Even if you don’t have access to its interior, it’s worth admiring the royal landmark from the outside—aim for a good weather day, so you can soak up the ambiance.

London’s top palaces

London is a city that’s fit to bursting with royal residences—Buckingham Palace is only the start. In addition to Clarence House, it’s worth admiring highlights like Kensington Palace (home to Prince William and Princess Kate), St. James’s Palace (the most senior royal palace in London, just around the corner from Clarence House), and Hampton Court Palace (once the residence of King Henry VIII).

Ways to explore

Sandwiched between St. James’s Park and Green Park and just minutes from Buckingham Palace, Clarence House is a popular stop on royal–themed London tours. Many walking tours also pause outside Buckingham Palace and may include the Changing of the Guard ceremony, while private taxi tours offer a quicker way to take in multiple landmarks. When open to visitors, Clarence House allows you to discover the gardens as well as select ground-floor rooms such as the Lancaster Room and Morning Room, with arrangements just as they were in Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s time.

Accessibility

Clarence House is wheelchair-accessible with manual wheelchairs available to borrow.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Contactless payment method, small bag

What to wear

There’s no formal dress code, but as it’s a royal residence, it’s best to avoid overly revealing clothing.

Not allowed

Smoking, littering, disruptive behavior, eating and drinking

Amenities

Benches at the entrance, manual wheelchairs, induction loops

Address

Clarence House is located at Cleveland Row, in the heart of London, close to St. James’s Palace. Most travelers tend to opt for public transport—with the nearest station being Green Park. Others stroll past the house on guided walking tours.

Driving

While you can drive to Clarence House, navigating traffic in central London and finding parking nearby is difficult and can be expensive. It’s much easier to use public transport, take a black cab, or use a rideshare service.

Public transportation

Clarence House is located around a 5-minute walk from Green Park (Jubilee, Piccadilly, and Victoria lines). Also nearby, there’s St. James’s Park (Circle and District lines), and Victoria Station is a 15-minute walk away.

Best times to visit

Clarence House has very limited opening times—typically only for a few weeks in summer. Consider morning visits if available.

Best days to visit

Weekdays are generally quieter than weekends, especially if you can get a slot midweek, such as a Tuesday or Wednesday.

Best months to visit

August is typically the main month for public visits, if Clarence House is open to the public that year.

Special events

There aren’t special events or festivals at the palace, but nearby St. James’s Palace sometimes has concerts, lectures, and exhibitions.