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 11th century, when they were only used as medieval fortresses. A tour of palaces and castles tops the list of the best things to do in London.

Don't miss the main royal residences such as Buckingham Palace or discover the origins of the monarchy at the Tower of London. Outside London there are also interesting options and the history of the Tudors is immortalised at Hampton Court. If you're curious, here's a compilation of the best guided tours of London's castles and palaces.

Buckingham Palace is the most important and the official residence of the British monarchy. If you plan to visit London in the summer you should 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 houses the royal art collection. The gardens are also impressive and ideal for a stroll.

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

At the palace entrance you can take the opportunity to watch the Changing of the Guard. This colourful ceremony lasts about 45 minutes and includes a parade with music. It takes place every day in summer and every other day the rest of the year, at approximately 10:30am. 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.

Interesting details

• Price: from 86 ¤.

• Duration: approximately three hours.

• Means of transport: guided tours usually have a fixed meeting point - don't worry, there are several bus lines that connect to the palace and the nearest underground 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 photographs.

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 occasions, usually at Easter and part of the summer, when it is closed.

Here you can see the Royal Apartments and enter St George's Chapel, which houses the tombs of various family figures. Don't miss one of the oldest stables in the world, and Queen Victoria's Dolls' House which exhibits a journey back to Victorian times.

The Changing of the Guard at this palace is lesser known and offers a spectacle with a medieval feel. It usually takes place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. To make sure you don't miss any details I suggest you consider a guided tour, which can also make transfers easier.

Details of interest

• Price: entrance to the castle starts at €36. Guided tours of the grounds start at €100.
• Duration: around two hours and up to 11 hours if combined with other points of interest.
• Transport: there are tours that take you to Windsor and other nearby locations that include transport.
• Advantages of this option: You can enjoy the castle with an audio guide or a professional guide, whichever is selected.
• Disadvantages of this option: The itinerary is often fixed, which can 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 curious about the British monarchy. You'll find luxurious rooms and the famous King's Staircase decorated by William Kent.

The corridors are lined with jewellery and dresses worn by the princess. You'll also find an oasis of relaxation in the gardens, which house the Princess Diana Memorial and the Peter Pan Statue. You can't miss the exhibition on Queen Victoria's childhood either. The best thing to do is to book an audio guide or take advantage of the fact that the castle gives daily talks without prior booking.

Interesting details

• Price: Tickets start at €32, while guided tours can be found from €80.
• Duration: around 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 take the 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 highlights of this palace are:

• The House of Commons and the House of Lords.
• Big Ben, London's famous clock tower, which used to be open to visitors but is no longer open to visitors.
• The Victoria Tower.
• Westminster Hall, one of the oldest parts recovered after the fire.

There are guided tours that allow you to learn about the context behind each part of the palace. Also, don't miss Westminster Abbey, where every British monarch since William the Conqueror has been crowned.

Interesting details

• Price: Tickets start from €29, while audio-guided tickets are available from €60.
• Opening hours: Open summer only from 9.30am to 4.30pm.
• Duration: approximately two hours.
• Means of transport: You will usually 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: this is an activity with limited opening hours, perhaps Westminster Abbey 's opening hours can be better suited to your itinerary.

Immerse yourself in the neo-Gothic architecture of Kev Palace and discover a tranquil and charming place. But don't forget that it's only open to the public from April to September. This charming palace was once the residence of George III and Queen Charlotte. Among the main attractions of this palace are the following:

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

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 include access to the palace at no extra cost. This option also offers a map and guide to the highlights.
• Duration: around one and a half to two hours.
• Means of transport: Close to Kew Gardens tube 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 must 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 the years and it has been 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 sceptres, crowns, precious stones and other objects of value to the monarchy. Tickets for 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 who guard the Tower. This way, you will become one for about 75 minutes. Other options are:

• Book a guided tour of the Tower of London- a longer tour of approximately 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 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: One to three hours, depending on the experience selected.
• Means of transport: If you plan to book a Thames cruise with free stops, you can take advantage of the fact that there are usually stops close to the tower.
• Benefits of this option: Guided experiences can include the company of a guide or Beefeater guard, complimentary snacks and queue-free 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 holds the secrets of his six wives. Inside you can see:

• The medieval hall where banquets were held.
• The Tudor-style kitchens and gardens.
• 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 are said to haunt the palace. When you buy a London Pass you can also gain access to the palace at no extra cost.

Interesting details

• Price: guided experiences are available from £184.
• Duration: at least three hours.
• Means of transport: Generally, you'll have to get there on your own and the most likely option is to take a train.
• Advantages of this option: usually includes a guide, complimentary snacks or a tea-time snack.
• Disadvantages of this option: Be careful when booking - some tours include only the guide, but not the entrance fee.

If you'd like to travel back in time to 1119, you've got to visit Leeds Castle. It's an hour away in the county of Kent and is an interesting twist on 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 Thames cruise, 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's an hour from London and is home to luxurious rooms and grounds surrounded by nature. The highlight is the Egyptian Exhibition created by the fifth Earl.

The best way to visit is with a trip to Downton Abbey from London. This way you'll also visit the village and discover the post office and other locations that became famous after the launch of the series.

Interesting details

• Price: tours are available from £205.
• Duration: around 9 hours.
• Means of transport: Transfers are usually included in a minivan.
• Advantages of this option: 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 places and was a ticket to the Victorian era. It burned down in 1936, but you can still see its ruins and other attractive areas in the Crystal Palace district such as:

• The Crystal Palace Museum, where you can get a better understanding of its history and see recovered artefacts.
• Crystal Palace Park is now an amusement park with dinosaur statues dating back to 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 personalised private tour of London and visit the ruins.
• Duration: one to two hours.
• Means of transport: the nearest train station is Crystal Palace.