Buckingham Palace London

Buckingham Palace, London

Buckingham Palace (see below) has been the official London residence of Britain’s monarchs since 1837.

Originally called Buckingham House, the main building was a large townhouse built for the Duke of Buckingham in 1705, hence the name.

Looking up The Mall towards the Palace for a state visit

History

King George III acquired the property in 1761 as a private residence for Queen Charlotte. The house was enlarged by architects by architects John Nash and Edward Blore. They constructed three wings around the central courtyard.

Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms including 19 State Rooms.

The Palace is also the location for great Royal ceremonies and State Visits by foreign dignitaries.

The palace also has a priceless art collection that forms part of the Royal Collection, but it is neither an art gallery nor a museum.

It is a home first and foremost for the monarchs of Britain in the capital, London.

Buckingham Palace, London

Visitors to Buckingham Palace may also spot the Queen’s Horse Guards (see below), who protect the monarch and his or her residence.

Queen’s Horse Guards

Nearby

Buckingham Palace is located on Buckingham Palace Road in Westminster, London. Visitors to the palace may also want to view nearby Admiralty Arch or venture further and see the Tower of London.

Access – Getting There

Buckingham Palace
13 Buckingham Palace Road
Westminster, London
SW1W 0
Tel: 020 7766 7300

The State Rooms are open to the public for 10 weeks each summer and on selected dates during winter and spring. The Royal Mews with its collection of royal carriages is also open to the public.

The nearest tube stations to the palace are Hyde Park Corner on the Piccadilly Line, St James’s Park on the Circle and District Lines, and Victoria Station on the Victoria, Circle and District Lines.

Buckingham Palace Map

Written in 2011 by John Westby