Kensington Palace
Explore and get insights into this 300-year-old historical landmark, Kensington Palace. Browse through our collection of Kensington Palace attractions and visit them at a discounted price.
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Visitor's guide
Must-see highlights & key info
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Explore State Rooms, discover Queen Victoria's childhood home, and wander through enchanting gardens with these tickets for Kensington Palace.
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From the lavish lifestyle of kings and queens to the intimate stories of royal life, Kensington Palace offers a journey through the history of royal abodes.
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Discover a Regency Christmas at the Victoria's Childhood Christmas exhibition where you'll see how Princess Victoria spent the holiday season.
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Fancy a change of pace? Skip entering and exploring the palace and treat yourself to a spot of afternoon tea at The Orangery instead.
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Did you know? King William III bought Kensington Palace because he suffered from asthma and the air was cleaner there than in London.
More details
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Explore State Rooms, discover Queen Victoria's childhood home, and wander through enchanting gardens with these tickets for Kensington Palace.
-
From the lavish lifestyle of kings and queens to the intimate stories of royal life, Kensington Palace offers a journey through the history of royal abodes.
-
Discover a Regency Christmas at the Victoria's Childhood Christmas exhibition where you'll see how Princess Victoria spent the holiday season.
-
Fancy a change of pace? Skip entering and exploring the palace and treat yourself to a spot of afternoon tea at The Orangery instead.
-
Did you know? King William III bought Kensington Palace because he suffered from asthma and the air was cleaner there than in London.
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Enjoy a hassle-free sightseeing experience in London with exclusive access to 90+ attractions scattered across the city.
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The London Pass® makes visiting top attractions like the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Kensington Palace and more super easy, saving you up to 55%.
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Level up your experience with the London Pass Plus and access 4 additional sights like Madame Tussauds and the London Eye, for the ultimate London experience.
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Pick from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 10-day London passes depending on your itinerary and enjoy 1 year validity from the date of purchase.
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Just scan your London pass at the first attraction, and it's activated and you can then redeem your credits over the number of calendar days purchased.
More details
-
Enjoy a hassle-free sightseeing experience in London with exclusive access to 90+ attractions scattered across the city.
-
The London Pass® makes visiting top attractions like the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Kensington Palace and more super easy, saving you up to 55%.
-
Level up your experience with the London Pass Plus and access 4 additional sights like Madame Tussauds and the London Eye, for the ultimate London experience.
-
Pick from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 10-day London passes depending on your itinerary and enjoy 1 year validity from the date of purchase.
-
Just scan your London pass at the first attraction, and it's activated and you can then redeem your credits over the number of calendar days purchased.
10% off
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Experience afternoon tea in the grounds of Kensington Palace, following in the footsteps of generations of British royalty.
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The tea service features four traditional sandwiches including smoked salmon with cream cheese and egg mayonnaise with fresh cress.
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Walk through historic Kensington Gardens to view Prince Albert's Victorian gardens and the newly installed Princess Diana statue in the Sunken Garden.
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Your host shares stories about royal tea traditions while you dine overlooking the same gardens used by the current royal family.
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Fun fact: The Sunken Garden, where you'll see Diana's statue, features 4,000 flowers planted each spring, including the Princess's favorite white roses.
More details
-
Experience afternoon tea in the grounds of Kensington Palace, following in the footsteps of generations of British royalty.
-
The tea service features four traditional sandwiches including smoked salmon with cream cheese and egg mayonnaise with fresh cress.
-
Walk through historic Kensington Gardens to view Prince Albert's Victorian gardens and the newly installed Princess Diana statue in the Sunken Garden.
-
Your host shares stories about royal tea traditions while you dine overlooking the same gardens used by the current royal family.
-
Fun fact: The Sunken Garden, where you'll see Diana's statue, features 4,000 flowers planted each spring, including the Princess's favorite white roses.
-
Get ready for an amazing London adventure with the London Explorer Pass which covers 90+ attractions, tours, and experiences with maximum savings.
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Unlock up to 50% savings on admission tickets for iconic attractions such as The Tower of London, Up At The O2, and Tower Bridge.
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Explore the best of London including Kew Gardens, Westminster Abbey, and other prime attractions.
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Enjoy the flexibility of picking from different passes offering entry to 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 attractions in London, with a validity of 30 days from first use.
More details
-
Get ready for an amazing London adventure with the London Explorer Pass which covers 90+ attractions, tours, and experiences with maximum savings.
-
Unlock up to 50% savings on admission tickets for iconic attractions such as The Tower of London, Up At The O2, and Tower Bridge.
-
Explore the best of London including Kew Gardens, Westminster Abbey, and other prime attractions.
-
Enjoy the flexibility of picking from different passes offering entry to 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 attractions in London, with a validity of 30 days from first use.
Pro tips to help you make a pick
Similar things to do in London
About Kensington Palace
Dating back to the 17th century, Kensington Palace has been a royal residence, accommodating both royal and civilian occupants. It is currently home to the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and their families. The Kensington Palace is managed by the Historic Royal Palaces foundation and has been open to the public since 1899. Notable highlights of the palace include King's and Queen's Apartments, King's Staircase and Queens Gallery.
In the 18th century, Kensington Palace was the hub of the Georgian Royal Court, and had a strict dress code. Women wore wide skirts and had elaborate hairstyles with feathers, while men donned wigs, embroidered suits, and silk stockings.
Queen Anne, who resided at Kensington Palace, experienced significant personal tragedy, enduring 18 pregnancies with only five children born alive, and just one son surviving infancy.
Kensington Palace was Princess Diana’s home after her marriage to Prince Charles and during their separation. It was where she raised her sons, William and Harry, and where she conducted her famous interview with Martin Bashir. Visitors can view some of Diana’s iconic dresses in the "Dress Codes" exhibition, which explores the history and significance of royal fashion.
Kensington Palace supported both World Wars, offering space for clerical staff during WWI and being fortified with anti-aircraft defenses during WWII. However, it suffered damage from an incendiary bomb in 1940, impacting the State and Queen's Apartments.
Among Kensington Palace’s secrets are surprising discoveries like a book of drawings by Leonardo da Vinci found in 1770, and a collection of paintings by Hans Holbein. Rumors of hauntings persist, with sightings of specters like Peter the Wild Boy and Queen Sophia.
Why visit Kensington Palace?
Highlights
King's Gallery
The King's Gallery at Kensington Palace is a grand state apartment, originally transformed for George I in 1725 by William Kent. It features red damask, oak joinery, and ceiling canvases depicting scenes from the life of Ulysses. Built for William III, it served as a meeting place for military planning and intimate moments. It was where William III played with his nephew, the Duke of Gloucester, and where he eventually passed away from pneumonia
King's Staircase
The King's Staircase at Kensington Palace features vivid paintings by William Kent, depicting George I's court in the 18th century. Guards in red uniforms stand among the figures, including Kent himself and his partner, actress Elizabeth Butler. The paintings also include lesser-known figures like Ulric, a Polish page, and Peter, a young boy, living alone in German woods.
Sunken Garden
The Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace was originally designed in 1908, modeled after the Pond Garden at Hampton Court Palace. It features terraced lawns, paving, ornamental flower beds, and a central pond. In 2017, the garden was replanted with white flowers in tribute to Princess Diana, inspired by her dresses and photographs by Mario Testino. Today, visitors can enjoy its peaceful ambiance.
Plan your visit
Main Entrance
Located on Kensington Palace Gardens in Kensington, west of central London, the main entrance leads you directly into the palace grounds. The closest underground station is High Street Kensington, which is about a 10-minute walk away. Typically, the waiting time to enter can vary depending on the day and season, ranging from 15 minutes during quieter periods to over an hour during peak times.
- Last admission is at 5pm in the summer (1 March – 31 October) and at 3pm in the winter (1 November – 28 February).
- Christmas closures: Kensington Palace is closed from 24 to 26 December.
- The Sunken Garden is open from Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm, with last entry at 5:45pm.
Kensington Palace has a souvenir shop to purchase merchandise.
Toilets, including disabled toilets are available at Kensington Palace.
Baby nursing rooms are available at Kensington Palace.
Cafés are available at Kensington Palace.
Free wi-fi is available at Kensington Palace.
First aid is available at Kensington Palace.
Service animals are permitted at Kensington Palace.
Wheelchairs are available to use free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis.
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