Kensington Palace is one of the most famous royal residences in the world. Located in London, it has been a royal residence since the 17th century and has been home to many members of the British royal family. It is also the birthplace and childhood home of Queen Victoria, and has become a popular tourist attraction in recent years. Here is a closer look at Kensington Palace and its history.
History of Kensington Palace Kensington Palace was originally known as Nottingham House, a mansion built in 1605 in the village of Kensington. The house was purchased by King William III and Queen Mary II in 1689, and they hired Sir Christopher Wren to expand and redesign the property. It became their official residence and was renamed Kensington Palace.
Over the years, Kensington Palace has been home to many members of the British royal family. Queen Victoria was born at the palace in 1819, and lived there until she became queen in 1837. In the 20th century, Princess Margaret, Princess Diana, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have all lived in the palace at various times.
Tourist Attractions at Kensington Palace Kensington Palace is now a popular tourist attraction and visitors can explore the many exhibits and displays throughout the palace. Here are some of the top attractions:
- The King’s State Apartments – These stunning rooms have been restored to their 18th-century glory and are open to the public. Visitors can see the magnificent state rooms, including the Cupola Room, where Queen Victoria was christened, and the King’s Gallery, which features a collection of paintings from the Royal Collection.
- The Queen’s State Apartments – These apartments were designed for Queen Mary II in the 17th century, and have been restored to their original splendor. The apartments include the Queen’s Drawing Room, the Queen’s Gallery, and the Queen’s Bedchamber.
- Victoria Revealed – This exhibit is dedicated to the life of Queen Victoria, who was born at Kensington Palace. Visitors can see a collection of her personal items, including clothing, jewelry, and letters.
- Diana: Her Fashion Story – This exhibit showcases the fashion and style of the late Princess Diana. Visitors can see some of her most iconic outfits, including the famous black “Revenge Dress.”
- The Sunken Garden – This beautiful garden was originally created in 1908 and has been restored to its former glory. Visitors can see a variety of flowers and plants, as well as a stunning centerpiece fountain.
- The Orangery – This stunning building was originally built as a greenhouse for Queen Anne in the 18th century. It now serves as a popular restaurant and tea room, where visitors can enjoy a meal or traditional English tea.
- The Palace Shop – Visitors can take home a piece of Kensington Palace by shopping at the palace’s official store. The shop offers a variety of souvenirs and gifts, including books, jewelry, and home decor.
Overall, Kensington Palace is a must-see attraction for anyone visiting London. With its rich history, stunning architecture, and fascinating exhibits, it offers a unique glimpse into the lives of the British royal family.
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FAQ's
Do I need to wear a face covering?
In line with government guidelines, we ask visitors to consider wearing a face covering in our indoor spaces, shops and crowded places unless exempt. We ask that visitors continue to maintain a respectful distance from staff and other visitors not in their group. Please continue to show courtesy and consideration for other people visiting the Palaces.
I can't download my e-tickets/My e-tickets are missing/I don't have a booking confirmation email
My e-tickets are missing We recommend searching your email inbox for hrp.org.uk. If you can't find your e-tickets, you can show your confirmation email/booking reference at the Ticket Office. I can't download my e-tickets We are sorry to hear that you have had issues downloading your tickets. If you are not able to download your e-tickets using the link in your confirmation email, please show your reference number which begins 42xxxxxxxxx to the ticket desk when you arrive and staff on site will be able to print your tickets for you. I don't have a booking confirmation email You can search your email for hrp.org.uk or you can quote your booking number or email address at the Ticket Office.
I can’t visit anymore - can I get a refund?
We operate a strict no refunds policy, however, we can amend your booking subject to availability. Please see below how we can do that. We will make an exception if the palace is closed unexpectedly.
Can I change the date or time of my booking?
We can amend unused admission tickets from the current ticketing year (March 2022- February 2023) bought directly with us for a booking amendment fee. This excludes any event tickets, such as the Ceremony of the Keys. You can visit between now and any other date we’re open until 28th February 2023 (subject to availability). When you have chosen your new date and are ready to amend your booking and pay the amendment fee, please call 0333 320 6000. Our phone lines are open Monday – Friday, 09:00-14:00. If you don’t make the change before your original visit date, please don’t worry as we will be able to see your tickets have not been used.
When will more tickets be available for future dates?
We will be releasing tickets for future dates periodically and you can keep up to date by signing up to our mailing list.
I need a carer ticket. Where to I go if I have accessibility related questions?
For questions related to carer tickets or accessibility, please click here for Hampton Court Palace, here for Hillsborough Castle & Gardens, here for Kensington Palace, or here for the Tower of London
I have a question about Superbloom at the Tower of London
For any queries relating to our Superbloom event in June 2022, including ticket enquiries, please visit our Superbloom FAQs page.
I have just purchased a new membership, and don’t yet have my membership number, how do I book my ticket?
You will need your membership number to book tickets, so if you're waiting for your new membership card to arrive and want to visit straightaway, please email members@hrp.org.uk and we'll sort it out for you.
How do I book a member timeslot/ticket?
As a member, you need to pre-book a timeslot for your visit using the Member portal. This is to ensure the safety of both visitors and staff. 1. Log in to the Member portal 2. Choose the palace you'd like to book your tickets for and follow the ticket purchase process, selecting your free member tickets from the list of ticket types. If pre-booking tickets for members only, you will skip the payment process. We inform our members and customers about new ticket releases by email. If you aren’t receiving notifications and would like to, simply sign up for our e-newsletters on the website, or if you're a member it maybe we need to update your email address or contact preferences. You can drop us a line on members@hrp.org.uk and we'll arrange this for you.
I’m unable to login with my membership number and surname, how do I book?
If you are unable to login with your membership number and surname, try a space after your surname. It is not case-specific. If you have recently purchased a membership and cannot login, your membership might not have been processed yet. Please email our team at members@hrp.org.uk and we'll try to help.
I’d like to cancel or change my free member tickets
Thank you for letting us know. You can’t amend a booking, so just book new tickets for when you would like to visit and we will delete this booking.
How do I use my Blue Peter badge?
To use your Blue Peter badge, please bring the badge, card and proof of age to show our Admissions team on arrival. As children are only able to use a Blue Peter badge when accompanied by an adult, please book the paid tickets you require in advance, selecting the palace you’d like to visit and clicking the ‘Buy tickets’ option in the top right corner. Whilst we cannot pre-book these free spaces, we will admit Blue Peter badge holders on the same timeslot as your pre-booked ticket(s) and will not ask your party to split up.
Can I get discounted entry as member of the military?
We offer a 30% discount to holders of a valid MOD90 card, the Defence Discount card, or the MOD Certificate of Eligibility at our London palaces. How much are tickets? Tower of London - MOD Adult: £21.00 / MOD Child: £10.50 / MOD Family 1: £36.70 / MOD Family 2: £57.70 Kensington Palace – MOD Adult: £14.00 / MOD Child: £7.00 / MOD Family 1: £24.50 / MOD Family 2: £38.50 Hampton Court Palace - MOD Adult: £18.30 / MOD Child: £9.10 / MOD Family 1: £31.90 / MOD Family 2: £50.10 A MOD family ticket will allow entrance for 1 military personnel, 1 additional adult and up to 3 children. A MOD family 1 ticket with allow entrance for 1 military personnel and up to 3 children without the additional adult. Unless otherwise stated, these prices are valid from March 2022 and subject to our Terms & Conditions. What do I need to do next? Discounted tickets can only be bought at the palace on the day of your visit. Simply show your proof of eligibility at the ticket office and we will be happy to offer the reduced rate.
Do you offer an NHS / Blue Light Card holder discount?
No, we are an independent charity who rely on income from visitors to preserve the palaces in our care. Following the pandemic we are facing a £100 million shortfall in our finances. We are limited to what discounts we can offer and are not offering any reduced rate tickets for NHS staff / Blue Light Card holders.
How do I visit with a National Art Fund Pass (Kensington Palace only)/Museums Association Membership/Tower Hamlets offer?
It isn’t possible to pre-book these offers via our website but they can be redeemed onsite by bringing your card , pass or voucher with you to the Ticket Desk.
I work for a company that has a corporate membership, how can I visit for free?
You will have been issued with a special voucher from your employer that allows you to visit during opening hours without pre-booking. If you would like to visit with more guests than your voucher allows, you will need to book extra tickets on hrp.org.uk. We will endeavour to admit you on the next available time slot but as we are operating with a limited capacity please note that you might have to queue. We appreciate your patience if this should happen. If this doesn’t answer your question, please contact corporatepartners@hrp.org.uk.
Will the car parks at Hampton Court Palace and Hillsborough Castle be open?
Yes, the car parks are open but cannot be pre-booked. Hampton Court Palace Limited parking is available on-site. £1.60 per hour. Pay for your parking by card or by using the Glide app. 9 disabled bays are available, free for blue badge holders. Hillsborough Castle and Gardens Free car parking is available with 27 disabled parking bays, free for blue badge holders.
Where can I purchase tickets for the Ceremony of the Keys?
Tickets for the Ceremony of the Keys are free of charge, but must be booked online. Most dates are sold out many months in advance, so please book early to avoid disappointment. Tickets are released on a rolling monthly basis.
How do I book a carer with my Ceremony of the Keys booking?
Once you have booked your tickets (for everyone in your party except the carer), reply to your booking confirmation email and to let us know that you require a carer ticket.
Can I cancel or change the date of my Ceremony of the Keys tickets?
Unfortunately, we cannot amend or cancel any tickets for this event and all bookings are non-exchangeable and non-refundable in line with our Terms & Conditions.
I have a corporate partner voucher, how do I pre-book tickets?
There is no pre-booking for corporate partners - partners should just present themselves, with their voucher and proof of ID as per the terms and conditions of the voucher, on the day they'd like to visit where they will be admitted at the next available time slot on the day (every half hour).
Will I be able to purchase anything in your shop?
Our retail shops are open. You can continue to make purchases from our online shop too.
What safety measures will be taken at your sites to ensure visitors and staff are protected?
We will continue to ensure that the safety of our visitors and staff is our priority. We have implemented a comprehensive plan to help our visitors and staff feel safe at the palaces. We will: Maintain a thorough cleaning regime, including high frequency touch points. Provide hand sanitiser dispensers as well as hand washing facilities for visitors across our sites.
Will your staff be wearing PPE?
Where appropriate – particularly where closer contact with members of the public is required – our staff will be issued with PPE, or may be working behind screens, for their protection and to protect our visitors.
