Buckingham Palace Tour

The combined Staterooms and Gardens ticket is timed so that you exit the Palace in time to meet up with your garden tour. At the exit from the Palace, there is a marquee tent with light lunch available (soup, salad, sandwiches, dessert, drinks). I’ve eaten there a few times, after the Garden tour. There are no picnic areas in the grounds and I’ve never seen anyone try to carry food into the palace.

I think most people do the Mews after the Staterooms and garden, but you didn’t say. The Mews entry is completely separate from the Staterooms and Gardens entrance. Depending on timing you could also have lunch after exiting the Palace and gardens, before going to the Mews. Or vice versa.

I cannot see that you will be there for hours (or are you with a tour group? )
Ive done the State Rooms + Gardens tour, there is airport style security at the start and once inside BP there is a bag check available, only small day sacks permitted, the tour is self guided audio, its one way direction only, but at your own pace, 1.5 - 2 hours is ample, no WC inside.

As mentioned there is a pop-up marquee cafe on the rear terrace, I wasn't particularly impressed, pricey, pre packed with plastic utensils, I didn't notice anybody with their own food and I wouldn't want to stay there long in any case.

As mentioned the Gardens tour is time linked to the State Rooms tour, we were escorted and kept together by two guides, there was also an electric passenger trolley incase anybody cannot make the walk, approx 40mins.

The completely separate Mews off Buckingham Palace rd is where vehicles and carriages are kept, probably the shortest tour of the day.

Thank you Barbara.
We just received an email reminder for our "Royal Day Out." Our admission times begin with The Queen's Gallery and then 2:30 hours later (allowing time to visit the Gallery and the Mews) is the admission to The State Rooms.
The email did have a map showing the location of the snack/lunch pavilion and indicated it was at the end of the State Rooms. Do you think it will be accessible to us after we visit The Queen's Gallery or the Mews?

When is your first admission time? And not sure when you’re starting the Staterooms tour, which takes easily 2 hours. Since you aren’t doing the actual garden tour itself, definitely stop in the marquee for at least a drink to soak in the “backyard” a bit. It’s not accessible til you leave the Staterooms. Also the gift shop in the garden is quite nice.

Ah, you caught me. I misspoke originally, we don't have the garden tour, we have the Royal Day: timed entry to the Gallery and State Rooms as well as untimed entry to the Mews and Gardens. I don't have the exact times in front of me. Our entry to the Gallery is 10ish with entry to the State Rooms two and a half hours later, so 1230-1300. Not our option, it seems to be the way things are done.
If I understand the helpful responses correctly we should have adequate time to grab a bite to eat and also tour the WC. I guess the Mews and Gardens are at our leisure between our timed admissions or after the entirety of the day.
As I review the schedule, it seems it will consume most of the day. Any suggestions for other things to do in the vicinity?

We spent maybe 2:00 to 2.25 hours for Staterooms and Gardens. The gardens are mainly a path through trees with some wildflowers and a small rose garden. Nice but not too impressive. The Palace , however, is so wonderful, rooms you have seen in newspapers and on TV during the past years.

Perhaps there will be time for a lightning visit to the British Museum or the War Rooms in the late afternoon. As I try to plan things I realize that the are not enough hours in the day and opening hours make the day even more limited.

If you are still trying to fit in a fast lunch between the Queen’s Gallery and the Staterooms, head down Buckingham Palace Road a few blocks. There is a Prêt a Manger and a Waitrose market where you can pick up sandwiches, salads, yogurt, drinks. Plus a few other eateries right nearby. You’re smart to leave the Mews til after the Staterooms.

The Queens Gallery is hosting the special Leonardo exhibition for the 500th anniversary. Depending on your interest in the drawings it may take more or less time.

It's always good to have options. Thanks for adding more choices.