BUCKINGHAM PALACE

Buckingham Palace was built in 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham and has been the official residence of the British royals since 1837. Today, however, it is considered one of the most prestigious tourist destinations in the United Kingdom. A tour of Buckingham Palace delivers nothing but grandeur and exhilaration, from leisurely observation to the Changing of the Guards.

One of the most iconic Royal buildings in the United Kingdom, Buckingham Palace is the royal residential hub of the Queen of England. Notably, it crowns itself as one of the very few working Royal Palaces existing across the world and it is one of the best places to visit in England. On the occasion of both national and royal celebrations, the Queen of England gives her public appearance through the Palace’s central gallery. If you're planning a trip to Europe, make sure to include a visit to Buckingham Palace in your itinerary to witness its grandeur and possibly catch a glimpse of royal ceremonies. 

Buckingham Palace features around 775 rooms which are inclusive of the 19 staterooms and 78 modernized bathrooms. The lavishly decorated staterooms here are reserved for the monarchs to receive their rewards. There are sparkling candelabras, sumptuous carpets, fine furniture, marble columns, damask wallpaper to embrace the overall beauty of the Palace.

The Royal Palace homes to the Throne Room which forms a central attraction for all the visitors coming from different parts of the world. This is the place where the royals plan their ceremonial receptions – the one like the Queen’s Jubilee.

The Garden of Buckingham Palace spans across an area of 39 acres with 350+ wildflower types and 200 trees. Apart from this, there is a 3-acre vast lake located within the Gardens. Tennis courts, herbaceous border, summer house, Rose Garden, and the Waterloo Vase are the principal attractions of this Garden of Buckingham Palace.

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Highlights

• The Grand Hall of the monument takes you to the epic Grand Staircase, which is the first thing to see during the tour. It leads to the State Rooms, lit by a beautiful dome in the ceiling.
• The Marble Hall's "Mars and Venus" sculpture depicts the legendary battle between the Roman God of War and the Roman Goddess of Love.
• Enter the Palace's Throne Room, which served as a ballroom during Queen Victoria's reign and is currently featured as a setting for royal wedding portraits.
• Explore the Picture Gallery, which houses some of the most exquisite portraits of the Royal Family and was originally built to display King George VI's extensive art collection.
• Enter the Ballroom, which is the Palace's largest and most opulent room. The Italian Renaissance design of the ballroom, where the Queen hosts over 170 guests and leaders of state will captivate you.
• To explore the palace, you get a free audio guide from Prince Charles himself, which is available in 10 different languages; English, French, German, Spanish, Mandarin, Brazilian, Portuguese, Japanese, and Russian.

How To Reach

Buckingham Palace is located at a distance of 0.6 miles from the London City Centre. You can either opt for The Mall Road route; as it will just take 4 minutes for you to reach your final destination. Else, you can move via A4 and the Mall Road to cover your distance within 7 minutes. While the former is a faster route, the latter seems to be crowded.

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Other Essential Information

History of Buckingham Palace

Here are some quick historical insights into the Buckingham Palace evolutionary phase

1. The construction of the Buckingham Palace started back in the year 1703 and was then labelled as Buckingham House.

2. The Buckingham House witnessed a transformation in the 1820s under the supervision of King George IV. 

3. The first British monarch to officially adopt Buckingham Palace as her residential quarters was Queen Victoria. 

4. The year 1883 saw the installation of the electricity supply within the ballroom. 

5. In the year 1851, Queen Victoria gave her first appearance through the Royal balcony. 

6. On the 22nd of May 1914, the Suffragettes marched on the Buckingham Palace.

7. In the year 1937, the first Buckingham Palace Guide Company came into establishment. 

8. In the year 1940, the Royal Palace came across a tough time when there was a bombing attack launched on the Buckingham Palace which destroyed its chapel.

9. 08th May 1945 marked an important day for the VE celebrations at Buckingham Palace.

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Places to Eat in Buckingham Palace

1. Caffe Nero: Caffe Nero is a home away from your home where you can relax the way you want. So, grab your favourite spot and a good book to read and enjoy a cup of freshly brewed coffee.

Distance from the Buckingham Palace – 0 km

2. The Garden Café: This is a great place to club your tea with scones and smoked salmon rolls. If you are craving for some light stuff, it is good to enjoy your coffee and pastry treat with your friends.

Distance from the Buckingham Palace – 0.1 km

3. The Rubens at the Palace: This is the best place to try the European and British style food. Fluffy scones with jam and clotted cream are their primary servings.

Distance from the Buckingham Palace – 0.4 km

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Places to Stay Near Buckingham Palace

Here are some popular stay places located close to the Buckingham Palace –

1. 41: 1 is a luxurious hotel located behind Buckingham Palace and opposite the Royal Mews. There are striking rooms with a generous free snack supply, 5-star service, and an executive lounge. 

Distance from the Buckingham Palace – 0.4 km

Price – 27,405 INR per night

2. Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences: The suites at the Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences are all with 5AA red stars. All the stylish suites here are well-equipped with the kitchen, separate living areas and all the essential amenities.

Distance from the Buckingham Palace – 0.5 km

Price – 39,262 INR per night

3. The Goring: The Goring features elegant rooms supplemented with gourmet cuisines, free Wi-Fi service, many rooms overlooking the large hotel garden, and access to the fitness club.

Distance from the Buckingham Palace – 0.5 km

Price – 31,017 INR per night

4. The Nadler Victoria: Each room at the Nadler Victoria is equipped with a modern bathroom, a small kitchenette, a desk, and a laptop safe.

Distance from the Buckingham Palace – 0.3 km

Price – 9,515 INR per night

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Tips To Visit Buckingham Palace

Here are some essential tips to take into consideration while planning your visit to Buckingham Palace

1. If you are on tour to London and Buckingham Palace is a part of your itinerary, it is advisable to reserve one whole day for exploring it.

2. There are audio guides everywhere to direct you thoroughly through different stop points within the Palace.

3. There is a gift shop within the Buckingham Palace premises where you collect some London souvenirs.

4. Mark your presence for the changing of the guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

5. Hampton Court Palace features a maze and an adventure playground. So, if you have youngsters accompanying you, this is the place meant for your visit.

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