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How long to see Buckingham Palace?

I've booked tickets to go to Buckingham Palace at 11am on one of the days we're in London. I'd also like to book an afternoon tea about a 10 minute walk from there and I'm wondering how much time we'll actually need in and around the palace. Our tickets only include the State Rooms and whatever exhibition is there at the time. Thanks in advance!

Posted by
13809 posts

There is a nice audio guide that goes along with the tour. I would say it usually takes me 2-3 hours to do this tour. I do stop and look at lots of things along the way so I may go slower than others. Check to make sure you know where you will exit the grounds as it is far away from where you enter!

In looking at googlemaps, I think this is where you come out - between Chapel and Chester Streets onto Buckingham Palace Rd.

https://goo.gl/maps/Y1RMwvRUtAB2

Posted by
235 posts

We were there three weeks ago. We spent two hours inside the joint. On display are some of the gifts that Liz has collected from countries all over the world. Do you like gift shops? Wifey does, which added about 30 minutes.

Pam is right, the exit is nowhere near the entrance, but it was a really nice, beautiful walk, looking at the landscapes. Once we exited, the police were conducting random security checks on vehicles, so there was a detour that only cost us maybe five minutes. I would suggest adding some time to get to your tea, just in case.

Posted by
4761 posts

Please, if you are going to refer to Her Majesty, call her by her proper name.

Posted by
23178 posts

Ignore him. For some it is part of the new emerging Am culture where being disrespectful to everything is cool.

Posted by
5239 posts

We spent two hours inside the joint.

cringe

Posted by
7731 posts

Please, if you are going to refer to Her Majesty, call her by her proper name

give us all a break

Posted by
11056 posts

We spent a little over an hour and didn't rush through it at all. The audioguides are excellent and the staff quite helpful.. Royal Gifts from other heads of state are on display and there is a special exhibit on Princess Diana on the 20th anniversary of her death. Princes William and Harry selected the items to be displayed.
Then we took the walking tour of the Gardens which was nice as it is a special private park in the city center.
You enter the Palace a little down the road from the Queen's Gallery and Roual Mews and you exit out to Grovenor St, not far from each other, around the corner.

Posted by
278 posts

Also going to the palace for a tour. We have to pick up tickets there, bought on line but will still need to get them at will call. Is this area well marked? Appropriate dress? planning on a nicer blazer and dressy jeans.

Posted by
7731 posts

Or, you could learn some manners.

the sense of entitlement Don't go there... this not the forum

Posted by
32519 posts

I don't understand what is meant by sense of entitlement Can you clarify please?

Posted by
8572 posts

Why the attitude people?

Why no respect for a 91 year woman who has been the Queen of England for 65 years which I suspect is much longer than you've each existed?

Posted by
13809 posts

Ttmom12, if you are doing the tour of the palace just your regular tourist dress is fine. No need to dress up. I generally have on jeans ( non-ripped), a tee shirt and athletic shoes.

If you are going to tea after you might dress nicer depending on where you are going.

Yes, it is also pretty well marked. If you are standing at the front gates, the entry is down the street to the left side. There are staff members standing along there at the entrance to point you in the right direction.

Posted by
278 posts

Pam, thanks for the update. I don't actually own a dress. But lots of nice clothing to pick from. Not planning on going to a Tea, just catching a bite on the fly.

Posted by
13809 posts

Sorry, I worded that awkwardly. No, you don't need to wear anything but your normal tourist attire. No dresses, no blazers needed. Just regular clothes. Jeans are fine. Athletic shoes are fine. Sandals are fine.

Posted by
11056 posts

If you are picking up your tickets at Will Call, you will be in the same line as people who are buying ickets. Allow extra time due to this more complicated way of doing WillCall!

Posted by
3580 posts

If it's your first visit you may need 1-2 hours. I dressed the same as I always dress, which is casual-tourist dress. Allow some time to enjoy the grounds and get back to the city streets after touring the castle.