Should You Tour a Royal Palace in London?

Expect a fairly formal, crowd-managed visit through 18-19 ornate state rooms packed with gilt furniture, portraits, chandeliers, and ceremonial objects. The interior feels grand but impersonal – more like a museum than a lived-in home. You'll spend about 90-120 minutes inside on a set route with an audio guide. Outside, the Changing of the Guard adds pageantry if the schedule aligns, though it can be packed and you might only see helmets bobbing behind rows of tourists. The whole experience is efficient but not intimate.

Best time is late July to September when the palace interiors are open to the public. Avoid peak summer weekends if possible; shoulder weeks in early September are noticeably calmer. Expect to pay around £30-£65 per person depending on whether you do just the palace, add the Royal Mews or a guided walking tour that includes the Changing of the Guard. Book timed tickets well ahead.

Pick the standard state rooms audio tour if you're short on time or money. Skip the expensive add-on royal carriage collection unless you're genuinely into carriages – it's the least interesting part. Wear comfortable shoes; there's a fair bit of standing and slow shuffling through rooms.