Buckingham Palace & Windsor Castle Tour from London
Our Buckingham Palace & Windsor Castle Tour from London includes a rare visit to the state rooms at Buckingham Palace and a viewing of the royal castle at Windsor. The tour is available during the summer of 2022 on selected dates when Buckingham Palace opens its doors to the public for a rare glimpse into the world of the Royal Family. Our visit includes a special timed entrance with a multimedia tour. In 2022, the visits will also include special exhibitions celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
This tour is currently unavailable, following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II
Highlights: Buckingham Palace & Windsor Castle:
Windsor Castle tour
The morning is spent at Windsor Castle, a royal castle that is used by the Queen as her weekend residence. This is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world that has been used by the royal family for hundreds of years. On your self-guided visit, you’ll have the chance to see key parts of the castle that are open to the public. A fire in 1992 destroyed 115 rooms and the castle has since been painstakingly restored.
Highlights of Windsor Castle Tour:
- St George’s Chapel is the place where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got married in 2018. The wedding ceremony was viewed by millions of people worldwide, and you can see the exact spot where the couple tied the knot. The Chapel has seen many Royal weddings over the years and is the spiritual home of the Order of the Garter
- The Chapel is also where Prince Philip, husband of the Queen, was laid to rest in April 2021 in a moving ceremony that was viewed by millions worldwide
- The Grand Reception Room is the main ballroom of the Castle and is decorated in a French style. You’ll find French bronzes, armour, and a series of tapestries from the Gobelins factory in Paris. It also contains the Malachite Urn, presented to Queen Victoria in 1839 by Tsar Nicholas I of Russia
- The Waterloo Chamber celebrates the defeat of Napolean at the Battle of Waterloo. Large portraits on the wall celebrate those monarchs, statesman and commanders who were involved in Napolean’s defeat. It includes an enormous portrait of the Duke of Wellington, as well as a portrait of Pope Pius VII. The room also contains the largest seamless carpet in the world
- Queen Mary’s Doll House is the largest and most famous doll’s house in the world. Built in the 1920s, it’s more luxurious than most people’s homes and includes running water, electric lights, working elevators and a flushing toilet! Over 1500 artists and craftsman made miniatures for the structure, including a miniature library with real works by Rudyard Kipling, Thomas Hardy, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It even includes a wine cellar and a Rolls Royce with a working engine!
- The Crimson Drawing Room is the main room of the Semi-State Apartments and contains portraits of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, which were painted at Windsor during the Second World War. The room is one of the most expensive interior decorations ever carried out in England
Buckingham Palace Tour
The Blue Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace
The afternoon is spent at Buckingham Palace, home of the British Royal Family, where the Queen lives for most of the year. During the summer months, the Queen does not live in Buckingham Palace which is why it is open for the public. On your multimedia tour, you’ll get to see the State Apartments, which the Queen uses to entertain her guests.
Highlights of State Rooms at Buckingham Palace:
- The Throne Room is used by the Queen for court ceremonies and official entertaining. The wedding photos of Prince William and Kate Middleton were taken in this room. The throne chairs were used in the coronation of the Queen back in 1953
- The Picture Gallery contains some of the best painting in the Royal Collection. It’s used for official entertaining and is where recipients of honour wait before entering the Ballroom to receive their honours or rank. There are works by Titian, Rembrandt and Rubens displayed on the walls
- The Ballroom is the largest of the State Rooms and is used for State Banquets. Kings, US Presidents and Heads of State from around the world have all been hosted in this grand room over the years. The room features two thrones which were made for the coronation ceremony of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra in 1902
- The Grand Staircase was designed by the architect John Nash. It’s lined with red carpets and is decorated with portraits of Queen Victoria’s family
- The Palace Gardens are also included as part of the tour. The Queen hosts her garden parties in this space, with a varied and exotic mixture of plants
- Special Exhibition in 2022: The Platinum Jubilee exhibitions at both Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace celebrate the Queen’s 70-year reign. There will be official portraits on display, dazzling jewellery, and clothing worn by the Queen at her Coronation ceremony.
More info:
Tour includes:
- Special timed entrance tickets & multimedia guide for Buckingham Palace
- Entrance tickets and audioguide for Windsor Castle
- Entry to the special Platinum Jubilee exhibitions
- Transportation
Tour excludes:
- A live guide (the tour is unguided)
- Food, drink, gratuities
Further info:
- This tour departs from Victoria Coach Station, Gate 19, at 7:45am (Boarding starts at 7:30am) and will conclude with a drop-off at Buckingham Palace. Return transfer back to London departs Windsor at approximately 12:30pm.
- Amendment and cancellation must be made at least 48 hours before departure.
- St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle is closed on Sundays
- Clients that require mobility access must book directly with Buckingham Palace
- This tour operates during the summer months
