It’s no secret that London is widely considered to be one of the greatest cities in the world. In fact, more than 16million people visit London each year. There’s plenty of things to see in Britain’s capital, including art museums, beautiful parks, and a wide assortment of tourist attractions. And of course, one can’t forget London’s many majestic royal palaces.
The Royal Palaces in London are some of the most incredible places a person can see. When you visit one of these palaces, you’ll be going back to a time when kings and queens ruled the land. These are some of the world’s most significant works of architecture, and they contain some of the most famous works of art as well. Here are a few of the incredible palaces that London has to offer.
Banqueting House, Whitehall
The Banqueting House is the last surviving remnant of the Whitehall Palace, which was the residence of King Henry VIII. After a fire destroyed most of the palace, the Banqueting House still remained. It is considered to be an important work of architecture, as it is the first English building to be built in the neoclassical style.
Today, there is still much to see and do at this magnificent palace. You can take a walk through its grand hall, the ceiling of which contains nine paintings by Peter Paul Rubens. You can also visit the execution site of King Charles I., And there are paintings and sculptures of King James I and King Charles I to be seen.
Royal Palaces in London – The Banqueting House, Whitehall: Interior View. Photo Credit: © Grahampurse via Wikimedia Commons.
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace is a must-see when it comes to Royal Palaces in London. With 775 rooms along with the most extensive private garden in London, it is the Queen’s official London residence and a working royal palace.
Perhaps the most recognizable portion of Buckingham Palace is the famous balcony where the royal family stands to greet the crowds after significant events like the annual Trooping the Colour, the annual parade to celebrate the Queen’s birthday. You can tour the magnificent State Rooms at Buckingham Palace which are open to visitors for ten weeks each summer and on selected dates during spring and winter.
Buckingham Palace: The front façade, the East Front originally constructed by Edward Blore and completed in 1850. Photo Credit: © David Iliff via Wikimedia Commons.
Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court Palace features both Tudor and Baroque architectural styles which makes it one of the unique Royal palaces in London. It was once the home of King Henry VIII and the site where he finally had his son. Later, it was expanded by King William III in an effort to rival the Palace of Versailles in France.
A favorite thing to do when visiting Hampton Court Palace is to explore its famous hedge maze. You can also check out the Abraham Tapestries in its magnificent Grand Hall or let the kids play in its Magic Garden. There are also many famous works of art and even a historic tennis court.
Hampton Court Palace: One of the sunken gardens with William III’s Banqueting House. Photo Credit: © Cronwood via Wikimedia Commons.
Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace was initially built in the 17th century by King William III and Queen Mary II. Today Kensington Palace is famous for being the former residence of Princess Diana. It is also the current home of the Duke and duch*ess of Cambridge (Prince William and Catherine) along with the Duke and duch*ess of Sussex (Prince Harry and Meghan) and many other members of the royal family.
Along with being a place of residence for some members of the royal family, it also acts as a museum containing many royal paintings and artifacts. Thus, certain sections of Kensington Palace are open to the public throughout the year. Fans of Princess Diana will also be thrilled to see an exhibit dedicated to her fashion choices over the years. You can even take a tour of the Kensington Palace gardens while learning more about its history.
Kensington Palace with Victoria Statue. Photo Credit: © Shisha-Tom via Wikimedia Commons.
Kew Palace
Of all the Royal Palaces in London, Kew Palace is the smallest. It was initially part of a more massive structure, but much of it has been torn down over the years. What remains is a beautiful mansion full of majesty and wonder. It is also well-known for being the place of residence for King George III during his bouts with mental illness.
One of Kew Palace’s most celebrated attractions is its royal kitchens. Remarkably, these kitchens have remained relatively unchanged for the last 200 years. You can also explore the royal princesses’ bedrooms or take the kids to the Here Be Dragons exhibit. Of course, don’t forget to check out the incredible Kew Gardens while you’re there.
Kew Palace: The Dutch House, one of the few surviving parts of the Kew Palace complex. Photo Credit: © Ethan Doyle White via Wikimedia Commons.
Lambeth Palace
Lambeth Palace is the official place of residence for the Archbishop of Canterbury. It is almost 800 years old, making it one of the oldest Royal palaces in London. Its beautiful gardens are often used to host a variety of different events during the summertime.
The Lambeth Palace Library is one of its most significant claims to fame as it contains over 120,000 books and religious records, some of which date all the way back to the 12th century. It’s also known for its Tudor gatehouse which was built in the 1490’s. You’ll want to check out its Great Hall, Chapel, and Crypt while you’re there. Not to mention the beautiful St. Mary-at-Lambeth church.
Lambeth Palace London: Photographed looking east across the River Thames. Photo Credit: © Tagishsimon via Wikimedia Commons.
Palace of Westminster
The Palace of Westminster, more commonly known as the House of Parliament, is almost a thousand years old. It was the home of the kings until 1547 when it was destroyed in a fire. Since then, it has become the Parliament’s home, making it one of the most important buildings in London.
This palace is known for being the location of Big Ben, one of London’s most celebrated attractions. Tourists can also visit the Westminster Hall. This is the oldest part of the palace and has been the site of many important historical events. It is also possible to take guided tours of the palace or watch debates as they’re taking place. Nearby is also Westminster Abbey where many royal wedding, coronations and funerals have taken place.
Palace of Westminster: The meeting place of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Photo Credit: © Mike Gimelfarb via Wikimedia Commons.
St. James’ Palace
St. James’ Palace was initially built by King Henry VIII on the site of a former leper hospital and was dedicated to St. James the Lesser. It was the home for British monarchs for several centuries. Today, it is used for a variety of official functions along with being the home of several members of the royal family.
Of all the Royal Palaces in London, St. James’ Palace is considered one of the best examples of Tudor architecture. Although the building itself is not open to the public, there are many things to do in its vicinity. You can attend services at the Royal Chapel and Queen’s Chapel. You can also visit the bronze memorial to Queen Alexandra.
St James’ Palace in London. Photo Credit: © Tony Hisgett via Wikimedia Commons.
Tower of London
The Tower of London is a complex of several different buildings and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country. It was first established by William the Conqueror almost a thousand years ago. In that time, it has played many different roles and has been the site of many important historical events.
One of the Tower of London’s popular attraction is the Crown Jewels which have been on public display for several centuries. Visitors can also see the Royal Menagerie while they’re there. Or you can go to the Church of St. Peter, which is said to be haunted by the ghost of Anne Boleyn. And of course, don’t forget to see the tower’s famous prisons.
Tower of London as viewed from The Shard. Photo Credit: © Hilarmont via Wikimedia Commons.
Whitehall Palace
The Whitehall Palace served as the official residence of the English kings for many years. It used to be the largest palace in Europe with over 1500 rooms. This made it even more extensive than the Palace of Versailles. This was before it was destroyed in a fire in 1698.
The only significant part of the complex that remains is the aforementioned Banqueting Hall. Although most of the palace has been destroyed, you can still see some of its remains. In particular, it’s still possible to visit King Henry VIII’s wine cellar. The east side of the site was also redeveloped into the MOD Main Building, which houses the country’s Ministry of Defense.
Whitehall Palace: King Henry VIII’s Wine Cellar. Photo Credit: © OGL (Open Government License) via Wikimedia Commons.
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle has been occupied longer than any of the other palaces on this list. It was initially built for William the Conqueror in the 11th century. Today, Windsor Castle is well-known for being the preferred home of Queen Elizabeth II. It is used for official banquets and ceremonies almost as often as Buckingham Palace.
Windsor Castle is a major tourist attraction, and there’s plenty of things to do when you visit. In particular, you’ll want to see St. George’s Chapel, which is the burial site for many English kings. The castle also contains much of the Royal Collection of art. And of course, you can also spend quite a bit of time exploring the castle gardens.
Windsor Castle at sunset as viewed from the Long Walk in Windsor, England. Photo Credit: © David Iliff via Wikimedia Commons.
Visit one or more of these Royal Palaces in London as part of a London Highlights Tour. You’ll get a glimpse into the life of former and current monarchs that have helped to shape London becoming one of the most beloved and visited cities in the world.
