Buckingham Palace: London’s Crown Jewel of Architecture

Ask anyone in London to picture a royal residence and Buckingham Palace is what pops straight to mind. Tucked between The Mall and Green Park, it’s easy to forget just how central the Palace is until you’re walking past the busy souvenir stalls on Buckingham Gate, dodging double-decker buses and school groups.

Locals know all too well the rush around Victoria Station during the Changing of the Guard, but most people haven’t looked twice at the details right there on the Palace façade—like the ornate balcony where the Royal Family waves to London during big national moments. Trust me, once you notice the subtle shifts between John Nash’s original Regency design and the later Edwardian upgrades, you’ll start spotting quirks only locals talk about.

If you grew up in London, maybe you remember school trips that did the quick circuit of the Palace exterior before lunch at St. James’s Park. Tourists swarm here year-round, but for those living in the capital, Buckingham Palace is as much a fixture as Big Ben or the rush at Oxford Circus. That said, the Palace isn’t just for out-of-towners—you’d be surprised how many Londoners haven’t actually explored inside when summer tours open up. The trick is knowing how (and when) to get tickets, plus what shortcuts to take to dodge the crowds. There’s plenty more to the Palace than the Changing of the Guard and an Insta selfie on the Victoria Memorial.

• First Impressions: Buckingham Palace on the London Landscape
• From Townhouse to Icon: A Brief History
• Architectural Highlights Everyone Misses
• Inside the Palace: What’s Open to Londoners
• Royal Traditions and Everyday Surprises
• How to See the Best of the Palace Area

First Impressions: Buckingham Palace on the London Landscape

The first time you get up close to Buckingham Palace, it’s bigger than you imagined. Right in the heart of London, the Palace sits at the end of The Mall—a massive, straight road lined with British flags during important events. Locals often use Green Park or St. James’s Park as a shortcut to skip the traffic and get a better view from the Queen Victoria Memorial out front.

The Palace is flanked by some of the city’s busiest areas: Victoria to the south, Hyde Park to the west, and Westminster to the east. If you’re cycling in from Westminster or trudging over from Piccadilly, the Palace pops into view suddenly, its Portland stone bright against the backdrop of well-kept gardens. You’ll spot police in their iconic caps, tourists clustering at the gates, and joggers squeezing past on their way to the parks.

Here’s something most residents don’t realise: the Buckingham Palace estate actually covers about 39 acres, including the private gardens. The front façade, facing The Mall, was only completed in 1913 after George V ordered a major update. That balcony you always see on TV? It wasn’t part of the original design. And if you’re trying to figure out London’s layout, it helps to know that the Palace is exactly 0.6 miles from Trafalgar Square—a ten-minute walk if you’re quick on your feet.

More than 15 million people walk through the area every year. Big events like Trooping the Colour fill the space out front. If you ever fancy a quiet moment, early mornings in winter are best, when you can hear the drill practice echo from inside the gates.

If you’re planning a trip, skip the main gates at peak times and try the side entrance off Constitution Hill. Look out for the TRH Plant Centre just outside the Palace, which is one of London’s favourite spots for rare plants—great for grabbing a unique gift after you’re done gaping at the Palace.

From Townhouse to Icon: A Brief History

Buckingham Palace didn’t start out looking anything like a royal showpiece. It started as a pretty ordinary townhouse called Buckingham House, built in 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham. Back then, the area was way less flashy—think marshland and mulberry trees instead of crowds and TikTokers. King George III snapped up the property in 1761 so his wife, Queen Charlotte, could live there. That’s how it first got the tag, "The Queen’s House."

Things changed big time in the 1820s when George IV called in architect John Nash, who got ambitious with plans. Nash knocked bits down, stuck on new wings, and dreamt up the grand façade facing The Mall, setting the first look of what people expect today.

It wasn’t all drama-free—Nash overspent massively, which actually got him fired. Edward Blore took over and finished the job, with the east front (the side tourists see) finally done by 1850. Queen Victoria was the first monarch to properly call Buckingham Palace her ‘official’ home in 1837, turning it from a private spot to the nerve centre of royal London.

A few details have kept shifting. The iconic balcony only showed up in 1851; before then, no famous ‘royal wave’ photos! The familiar Portland stone exterior wasn’t added until after World War I, making the Palace look brighter than in those old, soot-covered photos. Through wars, street parties, and more than a few Royal Family dramas, the Palace has become part of daily life in the city—locals pass it on their commutes, and London’s big celebrations always seem to come back here.

Architectural Highlights Everyone Misses

Most folks in London walk past Buckingham Palace thinking it’s just a giant, fancy house. But there’s more going on with its architecture if you pause for a closer look. The front we all recognize—the bit facing The Mall—only got its now-classic stone makeover in 1913. It was redesigned by Sir Aston Webb, the same architect behind the Victoria Memorial in front of the gates. The actual core of the Palace hides behind that façade and goes back to the 1700s when George III snapped up what was just a townhouse. You can still spot the original smaller windows behind the big, white Portland stone walls.

The balcony has its own story too. It wasn’t part of the first design and got tacked on in 1851 for Queen Victoria. Now, it's the “money shot” for TV cameras during Trooping the Colour. What most people don’t realise is just above the balcony—there’s a hidden flagpole socket for the Royal Standard. If you visit, check to see which flag’s up: Royal Standard means the King’s home, and the Union Jack means he’s out.

Another thing most people miss: the Palace’s garden is actually the largest private garden in all of London. That’s bigger than most city parks people visit after work. There's an artificial lake back there—dug out by hand in the 1820s and still lined with some of the original stones. The garden is only open during the summer tours, but you can peek through the gates along Constitution Hill for a tiny glimpse.

If you’re staring at the Palace from Spur Road, look out for the ornate ironwork on the gates. They didn’t just slap gold crowns on for decoration. All those details have hidden royal symbols, like the lion for England and the unicorn for Scotland. Kids love spotting these, so it’s a good idea to make it a game if you’ve got family tagging along. The walls themselves are also full of oddities—small “bee boles” tucked in the brick designed as nooks for skeps (traditional bee houses), a nod to sustainable gardening from way before it was trendy.

• Spot the balcony—added for Queen Victoria and always linked to major Royal sightings.
• The stone façade: the current “face” of Buckingham Palace is just over 100 years old.
• Hidden royal symbols in the front gates—keep an eye out for the lion and unicorn.
• Bigger-than-you-think gardens, including a man-made lake, usually hidden from public view.
• Flagpole codes on top—Royal Standard or Union Jack will tell you if the King’s in.

Next time you stroll past, slow down and scan for these features—you’ll get why Londoners joke that the Palace has more layers than a Gregg’s sausage roll.

Inside the Palace: What’s Open to Londoners

So, how much of Buckingham Palace is actually open to the public—especially if you live right here in London? Not as much as you’d hope, but what’s open is definitely worth seeing. Every summer, usually from mid-July to late September, the Palace flings open the gates for its State Rooms tours. These aren’t just any old rooms. We’re talking gold-trim ceilings, masterpieces by Rembrandt and Canaletto, and the spot where the Queen met prime ministers and visiting presidents. If you’re quick, you can grab tickets from the Royal Collection Trust website, but they go faster than Glastonbury passes.

Check out this quick snapshot of Buckingham Palace access (last updated May 2024):

The Buckingham Palace State Room tour is self-guided. You’ll get an audio device (do ask for the kids’ version if you've got children—Julian still talks about the special Royal pets section). Snagging a weekday slot usually means a quieter crowd, especially before noon. No photos allowed inside, so if you want a memory, grab a postcard at the Palace gift shop just by the exit.

Don’t sleep on the Royal Mews, either. The famous Gold State Coach—seen at coronations—lives right here, and if you time it with a special event, you might catch the horses out for a practice trot. The Queen’s Gallery hosts changing art exhibitions from the royal collection; it's less crowded and you’ll sometimes find locals there on their lunch break.

• Book early; London schools often book field trips fast, especially in July.
• The State Rooms have step-free access, but tell staff ahead if you need extra help—there are lots of grand staircases.
• Food and drink are a no-go inside, but the Garden Café (open during summer tours) has proper tea and decent scones.

For Londoners, Resident Passes mean you can revisit for free within 12 months—worth it if you like showing mates around or want to catch a new exhibition at the Queen’s Gallery. And for families, look out for special kids’ activity trails during school holidays.

Royal Traditions and Everyday Surprises

If you think Buckingham Palace is just about stiff formalities, you’re missing half the story. Yes, this is where you see centuries-old rituals, like the Changing of the Guard, play out right in the heart of London. This daily spectacle (usually at 11:00 am, but always check the calendar—rain can call it off) draws crowds for good reason: it’s packed full of military bands marching in step, bearskin hats, and the kind of pageantry you won’t see anywhere else in the city.

Ever wondered if the Royal Family actually lives here? The answer is yes, but not all the time. The King uses Buckingham Palace mainly for official business, state banquets, and those balcony appearances that splash across the telly during Trooping the Colour or Jubilees. On big occasions, up to 50,000 invited guests cross those famous gates each year.

• The Palace has its own post office, police station, doctor’s surgery, and even a swimming pool. Staff need their own places, since about 400 people actually work inside.
• Every summer, over 500,000 people tour the State Rooms—something even many locals overlook. Booking online is easiest, and you’ll want to do it early.
• Don’t miss the Household Cavalry passing through—these are the folks in gleaming breastplates and the iconic plumed helmets. They keep the tradition going daily.

Here’s a quick look at some traditions and stats that might surprise you:

Here’s something people rarely mention: sometimes you’ll spot the royal standard flag flying, meaning the King’s at home. And if you’re local, you probably know about those sticky points for traffic on The Mall during state visits. Still, there’s something special about catching a glimpse of real living tradition on your morning run past St. James’s Park or grabbing a sandwich from Pret on Victoria Street and seeing the pomp in full swing. Buckingham Palace might look buttoned up, but life inside rolls on, mixing official grandness with actual day-to-day surprises.

How to See the Best of the Palace Area

To really get the most out of your Buckingham Palace visit, you’ve got to plan a bit. The streets around the Palace can get hectic, especially on weekends or during the mid-morning rush when the Changing of the Guard pulls in the crowds and every phone is out for that essential snap. But there are quieter ways to see London’s royal centre without feeling packed in with a tourist army.

Start your route at Green Park tube station. Exit onto the park side and take a stroll through the wide, leafy avenues—this is where locals cut through to the Palace. Grab a coffee at one of the park kiosks (the one near Ritz London is a favourite). Green Park isn’t just a shortcut, it gives a much better view of the Palace as the path opens right up to that iconic façade.

If you want to dodge the main gates crowd, head towards Constitution Hill. You’ll get a less crowded view from Wellington Arch and can loop down towards the Palace. This walk gives you a good angle for photos without five rows of selfie sticks in the way. Trust me, if you’re with kids like my son Julian, it’s less stressful and you can actually spot local runners and cyclists going about their day.

Public access to the State Rooms (open between July and September) is worth booking ahead—tickets through the Royal Collection Trust website often sell out, especially after British school holidays begin. Once inside, highlights people talk about long after their visit include the Throne Room and the Ballroom. The guides stationed inside are from London and usually happy to chat about the quirky facts that never make it into the official booklets.

• Arrive early or much later in the day to miss peak tour group times.
• The Victoria Memorial is not just good for wide shots—it’s a local meeting spot before heading into St James’s Park for a picnic or a quick lunch.
• For families, St James’s Park playground is five minutes away; for anyone into art, the Queen’s Gallery (just down Buckingham Palace Road) changes exhibitions a few times a year.
• Don’t bother driving—parking is near impossible and buses like the 11 or 211 stop close by. Victoria Station is about a 10-minute walk.

For first-timers or even if you’ve lived in the city for years, walking the Mall down to Trafalgar Square after your Palace visit gives you that classic London feel. You’ll pass Admiralty Arch and end up right at the doorstep of the National Gallery. It beats being stuck in a packed coach tour, plus you set your own pace and see why Buckingham Palace is such a big deal in everyday London life.