Kensington Palace Tour: Worth It?

Kensington Palace offers a more intimate royal experience than the grander Buckingham or Windsor. You wander through the King's and Queen's State Apartments with their elaborate painted ceilings and period furniture, then move into exhibitions about Queen Victoria's childhood and Princess Diana's life and fashion. The palace feels lived-in rather than stuffy, and the surrounding Kensington Gardens give you space to decompress afterward. Expect to spend 1.5 to 2 hours inside. The audio guide is decent but the occasional living history actors can feel a bit forced.

Best time to visit is May through September when the gardens look their finest and you can comfortably walk around outside. Avoid peak summer weekends if possible. Expect to pay around £25-£35 for a standard ticket, or £45-£60 if you bundle it with a guided walking tour that includes the Changing of the Guard. The guided option is worth it only if you're new to London history; otherwise the self-guided route works fine.

Tip: Skip the overpriced cafe and bring a sandwich for the gardens instead. Focus your time on the Victoria exhibition and Diana's dresses – they're the strongest parts. If you're short on time, the State Apartments can be skimmed in 30 minutes without missing much.