10 Best Tours of Palaces and Castles in London

The palaces are part of the history of the British capital. In fact, the foundations of the first date back to the eleventh century, when they were only used as medieval fortresses. A tour of its palaces and castles tops the best things to do in London.

You can not miss the main royal residences such as Buckingham Palace or discover the origins of the monarchy in the Tower of London. Outside London there are also interesting options and the history of the Tudors is immortalized at Hampton Court. If you are curious, here is a compilation with the best guided options to visit the castles and palaces of London.

Buckingham Palace is the most important and is the official residence of the British monarchy. If you plan to visit London in summer you have to take advantage of the fact that it is usually open. The rest of the year it is the home and workplace of the royal family, which limits access to the public.

During a visit you can explore its charms and discover the royal lifestyle. Be prepared to see the Throne Room where coronations and other ceremonies take place. You can also stop by the Music Room reserved for banquets, or the area that holds the royal art collection. Its gardens are also impressive and ideal for strolling.

You can explore the royal coach house which is open all year round and enjoy the royal carriage displays. Or get a close-up view of the Windsor Grey and Cleveland Bay horses.

At the palace entrance you can take the opportunity to watch the changing of the guard. This colorful ceremony lasts approximately 45 minutes and includes a parade with music. It takes place every day in the summer and every other day the rest of the year, at approximately 10:30 am. Given the rich history of this palace it is advisable to do the experience with an audio guide who can introduce you to the history and evolution of the palace.

Details of interest

• Price: from 86 €.

• Duration: approximately three hours.

• Means of transport: guided tours usually have a meeting point, but don't worry, there are several bus lines that connect with the palace and the nearest metro station is Green Park.

• Advantages of this option: you will be able to access exclusive areas that are only available a few days a year.

• Disadvantages of this option: you are not allowed to take pictures.

Another must is to buy tickets to Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world with over 900 years of history. It is the other royal residence of the British family and differs from Buckingham because it is open almost all year round. It is used by the family only on special dates, usually at Easter and part of the summer, when it remains closed.

Here you can see the Royal Apartments and enter the Chapel of St. George, where are the tombs of different personalities of the family. You cannot miss one of the oldest stables in the world, nor the Queen Victoria's Doll's House that exhibits a trip to the Victorian era.

The Changing of the Guard at this palace is lesser known and offers a spectacle with a medieval feel. It is usually held on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. In order not to miss any detail I suggest you consider a guided tour, which can also facilitate transfers.

Details of interest

• Price: the entrance to the castle starts at 36 €. You will find guided tours of its facilities from 100 €.
• Duration: about two hours and up to 11 hours if combined with other points of interest.
• Transportation: there are tours that take you to Windsor and other nearby locations that include transportation.
• Advantages of this option: you can enjoy the castle with an audio guide or with a professional guide, as selected.
• Disadvantages of this option: the itinerary is usually fixed, which may limit the time spent in each area.

You can't miss the palace where Queen Victoria grew up and Princess Diana lived for years. Buying tickets to Kensington Palace is a must for those who are curious about the British monarchy. You will find luxurious rooms and the famous King's Staircase decorated by William Kent.

In its corridors there are jewels and dresses used by the princess. In addition, you will find an oasis of relaxation in its gardens that house the Princess Diana Memorial and the Peter Pan Statue. Nor can you miss the exhibition of the childhood of Queen Victoria. It is best to book an audio guide or take advantage of the fact that the castle gives daily talks without prior reservation.

Details of interest

• Price: tickets start at 32 €, while guided tours can be found from 80 €.
• Duration: about two to three hours.
• Means of transport: depending on the operator, guided tours may include transfers. If you go on your own it is advisable to do it by metro or bus, as there is no parking.

Every Saturday in summer you can visit the Palace of Westminster. It is an imposing building that was rebuilt after a fire in 1834. At one point in history it was the residence of the royal family, but today it is used as the seat of the British Parliament.

Among the outstanding attractions of this palace are:

• The House of Commons and the House of Lords.
• Big Ben, the famous clock tower of London, which previously could be visited inside but is no longer possible.
• The Victoria Tower.
• Westminster Hall, one of the oldest parts recovered after the fire.

There are guided tours that allow you to know the context behind each part of the palace. In addition, you can not miss seeing Westminster Abbey, where all British monarchs have been crowned since William the Conqueror.

Details of interest

• Price: tickets start at 29 €, while tickets with audio guide are available from 60 €.
• Hours: open only in summer from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.
• Duration: approximately two hours.
• Means of transport: generally you will have to get there on your own.
• Advantages of this option: guides can provide historical and political context about the palace and how it works.
• Disadvantages of this option: it is an activity with limited opening hours, perhaps Westminster Abbey 's opening hours can better suit your itinerary.

Immerse yourself in the neo-Gothic architecture of Kev Palace and discover a tranquil and charming place. Not before considering that it is only open to the public from April to September. This charming palace was one of the residences of George III and Queen Charlotte. Among the main attractions of this palace are:

• The historic halls that hold centuries of history of the monarchy.
• Queen Mary's Dolls' House.
• The Kew Explorer tourist train that offers a tour of the gardens with commentary on board, usually paid in addition to the entrance.

It is the smallest royal residence in the UK, quite the opposite of its gardens which house the largest botanical collection in the world. The best tours of London's gardens allow you to explore them in detail.

Details of interest

• Price: you can buy tickets for Kev's gardens, which start from 27 € and includes access to the palace at no extra cost. This option also offers a map and guide to the highlights.
• Duration: about one and a half to two hours.
• Means of transport: it is close to Kew Gardens subway station.
• Advantages of this option: these experiences usually include a map and guide.
• Disadvantages of this option: if you want to take the tourist train, you will probably have to pay an extra fee to access the attraction.

During your visit you have to learn all about the Tower of London, the oldest uninhabited castle in the city. Built by the first royal family during the Norman dynasty, its function has changed over time and it was a prison, a castle, a mint, a zoo and now houses the Crown Jewels.

Although the family no longer lives here, it still retains its essence and you can see scepters, crowns, precious stones and other objects of value to the monarchy. Tickets to the Tower of London also give you access to the Chapel of St. Peter ad Vincula, where Anne Boleyn was detained.

I recommend booking tickets to the Tower of London with a tour along with a Beefeater guard, who are the ceremonial guards that guard the tower. This way, you will become one for about 75 minutes. Other options are:

• Booking a guided tour of the Tower of London: a more extensive tour of about three hours.
• Book a private guided tour of the Tower: you can immerse yourself in a tour with an art specialist and go up to the viewing platform overlooking the Thames.
• Book a children's guided tour of the Tower: an educational activity for the whole family.

Interesting details

• Price: there are different pricing options for the Tower of London. You can buy tickets for the tower from 42 €. There are also guided tours with an authentic Beefeater from 82 €.
• Duration: from one to three hours, depending on the selected experience.
• Means of transport: if you plan to book a cruise on the Thames with free stops you can take advantage of the fact that it usually has stops near the tower.
• Advantages of this option: guided experiences may include the company of a guide or a Beefeater guard, complimentary snacks and skip-the-line access.

Tudor history is a British landmark not to be missed, and Hampton Court is the best palace to discover it. It belonged to King Henry VII and houses the secrets of his six wives. Inside you can appreciate:

• The medieval hall where banquets were held.
• The kitchens and gardens in Tudor style.
• The Labyrinth.
• The Royal Chapel.

Far from a fairy tale, this period was full of scandals and betrayals. For your part, you can enjoy tea time with an expert guide, who will be happy to tell you stories about Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn, whose ghosts supposedly roam the palace. By purchasing a London Pass you can also gain access to the palace at no extra cost.

Details of interest

• Price: there are guided experiences starting at 184 €.
• Duration: at least three hours.
• Means of transport: generally, you will have to arrive on your own and the most feasible is to take a train.
• Advantages of this option: it usually includes a guide, complimentary snacks or a tea-time snack.
• Disadvantages of this option: you must be careful when booking, some tours include only the guide, but not the entrance fee.

If you would like to travel back in time to the year 1119, you have to visit Leeds Castle. It is located about an hour away in the county of Kent and is an interesting twist to your palace tour. It was built on an impressive island and is notable for its rose gardens and the Yew Tree Maze. It also houses another important collection of crown jewels, which complements that of the Tower of London.

The best Leeds Castle tours also allow you to enjoy other nearby tourist attractions, such as Canterbury, Dover and Greenwich.

Details of interest

• Price: from £136.
• Duration: approximately one to three hours, or up to 11 hours if combined with other experiences.
• Means of transport: when booking a tour from London, transfers may be included.
• Advantages of this option: usually includes a cruise on the Thames, guide and a tour of nearby locations.
• Disadvantages of this option: it is outside London.

Discover the sets of the famous Downton Abbey series and immerse yourself in a Victorian mansion belonging to the Earls of Carnarvon. It is an hour from London and houses luxurious rooms and grounds surrounded by nature. The highlight is the Egyptian Exhibition created by the fifth Earl.

The best way to visit it is with an excursion to Downton Abbey from London. This way you will also visit the village and discover the post office and other locations that became famous after the release of the series.

Details of interest

• Price: there are tours from 205 €.
• Duration: about 9 hours.
• Means of transport: usually includes transfers in a minivan.
• Advantages of this option: the excursions usually include a guide, transfers and a tour of the village.
• Disadvantages of this option: can only be visited on certain dates, which may clash with your itinerary.

The Crystal Palace is one of London' s secret spots and was a ticket to the Victorian era. It burned down in 1936, but you can see its ruins and other attractive areas in the Crystal Palace neighborhood such as:

• The Crystal Palace Museum, where you can better understand its history and see recovered artifacts.
• The Crystal Palace Park which is currently an amusement park with dinosaur statues dating from the Victorian period.

It is advisable to tour this area with an expert guide, especially if you go to the ruins.

Details of interest

• Price: admission is free and guided tours are offered on the first Sunday of every month at no fixed cost. You can also book a personalized private tour of London and go to the ruins.
• Duration: one to two hours.
• Means of transport: the nearest train station is Crystal Palace.