Your guide to visiting Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace may not be the most famous palace in London, but that doesn’t make it any less worthwhile as a place to visit on a trip to the British capital city. Indeed, as it attracts smaller crowds than Buckingham Palace, it can often be a more relaxing experience, particularly as it is set at the edge Hyde Park and therefore a visit there can include so much more fun within the park itself, especially if you’re staying at hotels near Queensway Station.
Here’s your guide to visiting Kensington Palace:
What is Kensington Palace?
Kensington Palace has been an official residence of the British Royal Family since 1689 when joint monarchs William and Mary bought it (it was called Nottingham House at the time). It was expanded by the legendary Sir Christopher Wren (architect of St Paul’s Cathedral, no less) to make it more appropriately grand for its new owners. It remained the main residence of the Royal Family for 70 years.
Today it’s the official residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (that’s William and Kate) as well as the Dukes and Duchesses of Gloucester and Kent and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and Princess Eugenie and her husband. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle lived there until the birth of their first child in Spring 2019. Kensington Palace is also best known as the birthplace of Queen Victoria and she saved it from demolition after it fell into disrepair at the end of the 19th Century.
What can you do at Kensington Palace?
Thanks to Queen Victoria, the State Rooms at Kensington Palace were restored and opened to the public in 1899, being further restored and rejuvenated in time for Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012. You need to book onto the tour to get into the palace, but inside you can see all manner of historical royal artefacts including clothing worn by the Queen, Princess Margaret and Diana, amongst others, while there’s digital displays and audio trails to bring it all to life.
Given the notable Royals who have lived there, you can find out more about them in the rooms most associated with them, including Victoria, William and Mary, George I and others. These rooms have names like The King’s Gallery and The Privy Chamber, which should help you live out your Downton Abbey fantasies while exploring them. In Victoria’s residence you can see personal letters she sent to Prince Albert as well as some of her children’s toys and clothes.
You don’t need to book to walk around Kensington Palace Gardens (though you do need to buy a ticket) and it’s a real treat to tread in the footsteps of royalty and see famous sections like the Sunken Garden, which is where Prince Harry and Meghan announced their engagement. Instagrammers will love the Cradle Walk’s shady floral tunnel, while gardening enthusiasts will be in their element throughout.
What else do you need to know?
There’s plenty of food options available when you visit Kensington Palace, with a Pavilion restaurant offering breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea opposite the Sunken Garden, while the Palace Cafe is good for quick bites and cakes. If you stay at the Grand Royale London Hyde Park Hotel, you’ll be relieved to hear that you won’t have far to travel after your day exploring the palace.
