Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace Review

Neither as imposing as Buckingham Palace nor as charming as Hampton Court, Kensington Palace is something of a Royal Family commune, with various close relatives of the Queen occupying large apartments in the private part of the palace. Bought in 1689 by Queen Mary and King William III, it was converted into a palace by Sir Christopher Wren and Nicholas Hawksmoor, and Royals have been in residence ever since. Its most famous resident, Princess Diana, lived here with her sons after her divorce, and this is where Prince William now lives with his wife, Catherine.

The State Apartments, however, are open to the public, and galleries showcase four exhibitions that delve into palace history: Queen Victoria (with the theme "love, duty, and loss"); William and Mary and Queen Anne ("the private life of the Queen"); George II ("the curious world of the court"); and princesses Diana and Margaret ("it's not easy being a princess"). There's also a new café as well as a restored garden.

Highlights

In addition, the palace is home to the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection, a collection of 10,000 items that include royal raiments ranging from the elaborate (an 18th-century mantua—a dazzling court dress with a 6-foot-wide skirt) to the downright odd (King George III's socks). Also look for the King's Staircase, with its panoramic trompe l'oeil painting, and the King's Gallery, with royal artworks in a jewelbox setting of rich red damask walls, intricate gilding, and a beautiful painted ceiling. Outside, the grounds are almost as lovely as the palace itself.

Tips

If you also plan to visit the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Banqueting House, or Kew Palace, become a member of Historic Royal Palaces. It costs £43 per person, or £83 for a family, and gives you free entry to all five sites for a year. Picnicking is allowed on the benches in the palace grounds. (You can also picnic anywhere in the adjoining Kensington Gardens.) There's a delightful café in the Orangery, near the Sunken Garden. Built for Queen Anne, it's a great place for formal afternoon tea, although it gets busy during peak hours.