Buckingham Palace tours

When you think of Buckingham Palace, the official London residence of the British monarch since 1837 and a symbol of the UK’s royal tradition. Also known as the Queen’s London home, it’s not just a building—it’s a working palace with over 775 rooms, daily ceremonial life, and history that shaped modern Britain. But most people don’t realize that visiting Buckingham Palace isn’t just about seeing fancy rooms. It’s about understanding how monarchy still lives in the middle of a bustling modern city.

Buckingham Palace tours are tied closely to other key London landmarks like the Houses of Parliament, the seat of the UK government and home to Big Ben. Also known as Westminster Palace, it’s just a short walk away, and many guided tours combine both sites to show how power, ceremony, and democracy coexist in London. Then there’s Trafalgar Square, the public space where history, protest, and art collide. Also known as Nelson’s Column grounds, it’s where crowds gather for royal events, and many tour routes begin or end here before heading toward the Palace. These aren’t random stops—they’re part of a larger cultural loop that defines London’s identity.

What do you actually see on a Buckingham Palace tour? During summer, when the royal family is away, you can walk through the State Rooms, admire the Royal Collection’s art, and even see the changing of the guard up close. But the real value isn’t in the gold leaf or the chandeliers—it’s in the stories. Like how the Palace survived WWII bombings, or how the Queen hosted world leaders in rooms where kings once dined. These tours aren’t just about looking—they’re about listening.

And here’s the thing: most people skip the deeper context. They take photos of the balcony and move on. But if you’ve been on a guided tour of St. Paul’s Cathedral or walked the hidden alleys of Covent Garden, you know London rewards curiosity. The same applies here. A good guide will tell you about the palace’s underground tunnels, the secret garden used by the royal family, or how the Queen’s staff still hand-wash the silver every week. These aren’t facts from a brochure—they’re details that make the place real.

That’s why the posts below focus on the real experiences—not just the tourist traps. You’ll find guides on how to book tickets without overpaying, when to catch the guard change for the best view, and which nearby spots locals love after a tour. Some posts connect Buckingham Palace to broader London history, like how the monarchy’s role changed after the Blitz, or how modern royal events still follow centuries-old rules. Others show you how to turn a palace visit into a full-day experience—pairing it with a walk through Hyde Park, a drink at a rooftop bar with a view of the Tower, or a quiet moment at the National Gallery.

You don’t need to be a history buff to enjoy this. You just need to want to know what’s behind the gates. And what you’ll find in these posts isn’t a checklist. It’s a way to see Buckingham Palace not as a postcard, but as a living piece of London—still breathing, still changing, still worth seeing.