Buckingham Palace Tour, worth it?

I toured Buckingham palace several years ago with my nieces. We all thoroughly enjoyed it and felt it was worthwhile. I'm not sure what "combo" ticket you are referring to. We also toured the royal mews which was fun. Nieces were 8 and 10 so the idea of princesses and carraiges was very appealing.

We enjoyed the tour very much - the queen has some pretty nice digs there!

I saw on their website that there are various combinations you can get tickets for. Next month I am doing the Palace/Garden tour. I tried to do the Palace tour 8 years ago, but long story short the Palace was evacuated and we couldn't go in. Our tickets were refunded. We were able to see the mews before the evacuation and we enjoyed that.

Absolutely. The comb, as I remember, include the Queens art galley and the stables that included all the royal carriages. Art galley is just another art galley, nothing unique, but the carriages were super.

I have seen the Royal Mews previously but may see them again.

Nice palace--you get to see how one of the wealthiest people on the planet lives.
Although I heard HRH prefers a couple of her other digs to Buckingham, for hanging around in.
The Mews is the stables. You get to see the coronation carriages up close. Most of the horses may, or may not, be there, depending on their vacation schedule. Yep, when you're a horse working for HRH, you have pretty generous benefits, including lots of vacation time.

I really enjoyed my tour back in the nineties. :) I only did the palace, but I suspect that I would do the mews if given a chance. I still have tea from my fine china mug that I got in the shop.

Pam

Very worth it imo. We saw the palace and the mews and enjoyed it very much. We hear so much about it, see it often on tv, and hear it referred to often, so it was very fun for us to be able to go inside.

Definitely go...it's a unique experience and very well worth it.

If the combo ticket you are considering is the Royal Day Out it includes the Palace, the Queens Gallery and the Mews. I would only do that combo if you are interested in the exhibition being presented at the Gallery. Right now it is The First Georgians. Last year when I went it was on the Tudors. I am interested in both of those historical time frames but I imagine there are those who are not.

Keith, imagine Ken meant HRH (Her Royal Highness). Suspect HRM is Her Royal Majesty. Harmless mistake in protocol.

Yes, I meant Mrs. Windsor.
You know, the woman who lives at Buckingham, Windsor, etc and owns the horses in the Mews.
That person.
In case there was any doubt.

We just took the State Room / Royal Childhood tour today and it was brilliant! Of all the historic site tours I've been on over the years it had, in my opinion, one of the most engaging and interesting audio guides, and the royal childhood display was delightful. I can't imagine that a bit older children would love it along with the prepared family audio guide.

My friend and recently toured the Palace and Gardens and we had a great time. I would recommend it especially since they only do it for a few months out of the year when the Queen is not in residence. We even went on a day that was a bit cold and rainy and still enjoyed it.

I loved it. I visited the palace twice in past years. They change the route and exhibits every year. The last time I went we exited into the "back yard" where the royals walk and ride horses. Since they were off to Scotland, there was no danger of running into them. There is a snack stand on the grounds and visitors are invited to roam around. Docents in the palace are happy to answer questions. I have been to the mews; there were no horses then but did see the coronation carriage. Suit yourself about buying the combo ticket. There is plenty of art to see free in London, so the queen's gallery may not be too impressive.

Thanks for all of the replies !! I will be there next week !

What day are you going? We will be there on the 21st.

I will be there the 25th, what dates will you be in the UK? I'm there from the 23rd to the 30th, traveling to Portsmouth and Ipswich with a stop in London for the Raiders game and Newmarket for the horse races.

Check with the Buckingham Palace website. The final day to visit is toward the end of September. It varies from year to year. The staff needs time to get the place back together before the royals return from Scotland in October. I expect to visit Buck House Sept 25. You and your backpack go through security before entry to the palace.

I just visited the Buckingham Palace website. They say there are only a few tickets remaining for the final week of September. The tours end Sept. 28, Sunday. I bought a ticket for Sept. 25, at 11:15, am on the website. I will print a voucher to take with me.

Organized tours may have access to the Palace not shown on the Palace website. If you go on your own you just buy a ticket for a specific time and show up a few minutes early. You may take a chance just showing up, as I did a couple of years ago. But if you can commit to a specific date and time, I recommend you go ahead and buy a ticket.

Swan, small world as my ticket is for the same day and time.....must be a Norcal thing.

I toured the Palace just two weeks ago - thought it was definitely worthwhile - the gardens are really nice as well.

Yeah, I saw one of The Vacationing Horses once at a Paris café, nursing a pastis. (He had his neck moneybelt hanging out for all to see; looked like a danged idiot...).