We are traveling in July and are trying to figure out if it is worth doing both Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. Of course, we definitely will visit outside Buckingham regardless. Since we are visiting in July, we can get tickets to go inside Buckingham Palace. If we only do one of the royal homes, which should we do? Or should we do both? While we do have plenty of time to do a trip to Windsor, we have other places for potential day trips too, so just trying to weigh our options.
Posted by
Orinda, California, United States
308 posts
The Buckingham Palace tour is fabulous as it also includes the garden & mews. I have been on both tours but really enjoyed Buckingham Palace better.
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6713 posts
I've done both, and it would be hard to choose. Both are magnificent interiors, Buckingham Palace with the room where the monarch meets with the prime minister (as in "The Crown," "The Queen," and whatever else), Windsor with a huge dining hall with amazing portraits of historic figures. Windsor has Queen Mary's dollhouse (not my interest but may appeal) and the great St. George's Chapel where the last few centuries' monarchs are buried. Buckingham has the garden, including a tour.
It comes down to how interested you are in the British monarchy, its history, antique furniture, and all those trappings. If a lot, go to both. If not so much, pick the one most convenient. That's probably Buckingham, leaving you time for day trips other than Windsor. I saw them on different trips so didn't have to choose.
Posted by
New England
701 posts
Like Dick, I visited both, on separate trips. If you feel that one would be enough, I’d say do the Buckingham Palace tour. There are so many interesting day trips from London. To name a few: Bletchley Park, Hampton Court Palace, Kew Gardens, Winchester, Oxford, Cambridge, St Albans, even York if you take the fast train. Plus “in-town” day trips like Greenwich, Wimbledon, or Hampstead.
Enjoy your visit.
Posted by
Downingtown, USA
2456 posts
Have been to both and what a hard choice. As stated for location Buckingham is in London whereas you are going outside the city to Windsor. You could probably take an early train to Windsor tour the castle first thing in the morning have lunch in the town and be back in London by afternoon giving you time to see St. Paul's or something else. If you only can do one I personally think it would be Buckingham Palace just my opinion.
Posted by
Singapore
590 posts
I haven't been on the Buckingham Palace tour, but I have been in the state rooms for one of the palace garden parties. I was actually unimpressed - the gardens are beautiful, but the state rooms not so much. Buckingham Palace is very significant from a state point of view, but much less historic - it's basically an 18th and 19th century building.
Windsor Castle on the other hand is genuinely amazing, very historic. And I love Queen Mary's dollshouse ans St George's Chapel.
It is hard to pick with so many good daytrips from London,.and it's true Buckingham Palace is convenient, but if I did have to choose, its would be Windsor Castle.
Posted by
OP
7 posts
Thanks everyone! We booked Buckingham Palace tickets, as they were already starting to sell out for the days that we are visiting London. We might still consider Windsor as a day trip, depending on how our itinerary starts to look. We also have many other day trips we want to do, so Windsor might have to be for another visit some day.