amyers531

I am visiting London next week and was planning on going to Buckingham Palace, but can only find visiting hours for July-September. Is the Palace closed to tourists during this time of year?

kenderina

Yes, it only can be visited while the Queen is not at home

janisj

It is open the same time every year -- basically Aug/Sept (sometimes last weekend in July to first weekend in Oct)

Isn't and never has been open in March.

kenderina

I haven't repeated the post..I swear it...

nytraveler

For most of the year the only parts that can be visited are the Art Gallery and the Royal Mews (horses and state coaches). The Palace itelf is open only when the Queen takes her long vacation in Scotland (most of Aug and Sept).

If you want to see the inside of a royal palace go to Windsor - parts of which are open all year.

P_M

amyers531, it seems that a lot of tourists expect to visit Buckingham, only to find it's not open for tourism most of the year. I was there last April, and a couple of people stopped me to ask how to get into the palace. I told them, "You don't, not in the month of April anyway."

For what it's worth, I know one person who went inside Buckingham and said it's not nearly as interesting as Windsor. Please take nytraveler's suggestion and make a day trip to Windsor if possible.

sunsurfsand

Dear P_M,

Buckingham Palace is absolutely wonderful. It is different to Windsor Castle, but still wonderful.
It was one of the most fabulous surprises of my trip to the UK - a memory I will treasure always.
I was lucky I was there at the right time - September.

P_M

Thanks for that info, it's amazing how people can visit the same place and have different opinions. Despite what I heard from the other person, I would still go to Buckingham if given the opportunity, just for the experience of seeing it. Unfortunately I never get to London at the right time of year.

jgg

I know the Royal Mews wasn't open last year when we were there in mid-March just checked the website and it doesn't open until March 24 (http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/de...icle&ID=31)

beaupeep

I've been to both Windsor and Buckingham and loved them both. One September I went to London with my husband when he had a business meeting and while he worked I went to BP and thought it was lovely. Then the next day I read in the papers that Prince Charles went into the public part of the palace and visited with people touring the Palace! I was so disappointed that I didn't meet him!

flanneruk

"I was so disappointed that I didn't meet him!"

Not one millionth as disappointed as you'd have been if you had.

JN

"Not one millionth as disappointed as you'd have been if you had."

That was a good one. Thanks for the early am chuckle.

smacknmo

i enjoyed your comment,flanneruk, very witty!

PalenQ

well i did meet the Prince inadvertently. well not met but stood right next to him for several minutes with only a few folks around.

Was in Edinburgh - he made some unscheduled stop outside a theatre he would be at later that night.

far from being disappointed, it's one of the highlights of my travels even though i consider him to be a bafoon - can't understand why flanner's taxes have to pay for this lout to live the life of leisure. Or for any of the rather dim-witted royals for that matter.

annhig

Hi, Amyers,

looks like you'll have to make do with windsor - shame! Hampton court is also lovely and the boat trip [one way only as it takes an age] is also fun.

If it's any consolation, buck house is a bit OTT with the gold, though it does explain a lot about the queen's family - no-one could be normal after being brought up in that place.

have a great stay,

regards, ann

kenderina

hahaha, annhig..that's why the King and the Queen of Spain didn't want to bring up their children at the Royal Palace in Madrid. Very sensible people, if you ask me

PalenQ

I don't think any British royal has raised any kids in Buckingham Palace or any other but rather shipped them off to some school for most of the year - a boot camp in Charly's case - i'm sure he missed the comfy confines of Buckingham Palace.

kenderina

I don't know which option is the worst, PalenQ

Barbara

PalenQ, flanner's taxes don't pay for Charles' upkeep. Charles' money comes from the Duchy of Cornwall.

PalenQ

I wonder if Charles pays taxes on the Duchy of Cornwall - do they pay any taxes at all?

or property taxes like others? I don't know but if he doesn't it's a subsidy from taxes.

The Queen i believe is on the dole? Or receives tax moneys to live her royal life?