Kensington Palace

The basics

While the royal living quarters are off-limits, a large portion of the palace, designed in part by Christopher Wren, is open to the public. Highlights of Kensington Palace include the 16th-century King's Staircase, painted by William Kent; the King's Drawing Room; the Cupola Room; Queen Mary's State Apartments; and Queen Caroline's Cabinet of Curiosities, as well as the landscaped sunken garden. Artworks and artifacts from the Royal Collection are also displayed within.

Visit with a priority-access ticket to save time, or book a Royal Palaces Pass that allows entry to three other royal London attractions: Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, and Hampton Court Palace. Some tours to Buckingham Palace also stop by Kensington Palace, while others pair a palace visit with an afternoon tea experience in the gardens.

Things to know before you go

• Admission lines can be long in summer, especially for special exhibitions, so it's best to book priority-entrance Kensington Palace tickets in advance.

• The palace is home to regularly updated exhibits, including those which touch on royal fashion and more.

• Free Wi-Fi is available on-site.

• Most areas of the palace are wheelchair accessible and concession tickets are available.

• Travelers who are blind or partially sighted may request a described tour of Kensington Palace; those who are deaf or hard of hearing can take a British Sign Language tour.

How to get there

Kensington Palace is located in Kensington Gardens, at the west end of Hyde Park in central London. The nearest tube stations are Queensway and High Street Kensington, each about a 10-minute walk from the palace. Some tours provide transportation to Kensington Palace.

When to get there

Kensington Palace is open year-round from Wednesday to Sunday and special events are held throughout the year, including fashion exhibits, the open-air Luna Cinema in August, and Queen Caroline's annual garden parties. Arrive early to beat the crowds, or stop by midweek.

The history of Kensington Palace

The birthplace of Queen Victoria, Kensington Palace was originally known as Nottingham House when it was built in 1605 and has long been a home base for British royals. After suffering damages during the Blitz, Kensington Palace fell into disrepair before once again finding favor among younger and minor royals. Nowadays, it's the London base of Prince William and Kate Middleton. And those famous gardens? They were redeveloped by Queen Caroline in the 18th century with the help of royal gardener Charles Bridgeman.

Is a tour of Kensington Palace worth it?

Yes, a tour of Kensington Palace is worth it. The palace offers after-hours Crown to Couture tours, which let you explore the royal residence without the crowds and provide you with tales and trivia that you’d likely miss out on if you explored alone. They also give more detailed insight into the fashion exhibition on show until October 2023.

How long does a tour of Kensington Palace take?

A self-guided tour of Kensington Palace takes around one hour—there's plenty of signage to explain each of the rooms, which have been home to British royals for more than 300 years. The Crown and Couture tour of Kensington Palace takes 90 minutes, but you must arrive 15 minutes before your tour starts.

Is there a dress code for visiting Kensington Palace?

No, there is no dress code for Kensington Palace. Wear comfortable shoes to make walking around the palace a breeze, and bring some lightweight layers to put on if you plan on exploring Kensington Gardens. You can’t take large luggage inside the palace, and there’s nowhere to store suitcases.

What do you see on a tour of Kensington Palace?

On a self-guided tour of Kensington Palace, you’ll see the King’s and Queen’s State Apartments and the Victoria Revealed permanent exhibition. This exhibition is set in the rooms the monarch lived in as a child and explores the life and reign of Queen Victoria, who was born at the palace. You’ll also see a collection of royal fashion.

Are there restrooms at Kensington Palace?

Yes, there are restrooms at Kensington Palace for ticket holders. There are accessible toilets at Stone Hall and restrooms at the café at the palace and the Piggott Galleries. There are also baby change facilities.

What days is Kensington Palace open?

Kensington Palace is open from Wednesday through Sunday–it's closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. It's open from mid-morning until early evening, and the last entry is one hour before closing. The Sunken Garden follows the same opening hours as the palace, but the last admission is 15 minutes before closing.

Ways to explore

While the royal living quarters are off-limits, a large portion of the palace is open to the public. Highlights include the grand 18th-century King’s Staircase, painted by William Kent, and the intriguing Queen Caroline’s Cabinet of Curiosities, as well as the landscaped sunken garden. Artworks and artifacts from the Royal Collection are also displayed within.

Pass by the palace on a bike tour of the Royal Parks or combine a tour of the interior with a stroll around Kensington Gardens, home to the Victorian Gothic Albert Memorial and the Serpentine Gallery. Some tours to Buckingham Palace also stop by Kensington Palace, while others pair a palace visit with an afternoon tea in the gardens.

Accessibility

The staff at Kensington Palace can assist in creating an accessible route around the historic building. Carers can enter free of charge.

Age limits

None

What to pack

There is no luggage storage at Kensington Palace, so bring a small bag, as large luggage won’t be allowed in.

What to wear

Formal clothing is not required—simply dress comfortably.

Not allowed

Costumes, pets

Amenities

Restrooms, Wi-Fi, free audio guide, restaurant, café, gift shop

Address

Kensington Palace is in west London near Hyde Park, so it’s easy to reach from Central London. Hop-on, hop-off sightseeing buses stop near the landmark, where you’ll also find plenty of Santander bike docks.

Driving

From central London, head west on the A4 (Piccadilly), which becomes Knightsbridge and then Cromwell Road. Turn right onto Exhibition Road. Continue north on Exhibition Road until you reach Kensington Road. Then, turn left onto Kensington Road (A315). Kensington Palace will be on your right.

Public transportation

The nearest London Underground stations to Kensington Palace are Queensway on the Central Line and High Street Kensington on the Circle and District lines. Both are a 10-minute walk away.

Best times to visit

Visit Kensington Palace after lunch to combine your visit with afternoon tea at The Orangery restaurant.

Best days to visit

Weekdays from Wednesday to Friday typically see fewer crowds at Kensington Palace.

Best months to visit

From November through February, Kensington Palace closes two hours earlier at 4pm, so go in the spring or summer for a longer visit.

Special events

Kensington Palace hosts rotating exhibitions dedicated to themes such as royal dress codes and the childhood of Queen Victoria—check the website for dates.