Hello all. I'd like to thank everyone who has responded to my questions regarding my upcoming London itinerary. All your responses have been so helpful in helping me plan my November London trip. I am currently purchasing tickets to my desired sights and have another question I would like advice on. Has anyone done the Royal Mews and Queen's Gallery exhibition in the same day? There will be an exhibition on Russian art and history when I am visiting. Something that interests me very much. I know this can depend on the individual but how long might one allow for the Royal Mews and how long has one spent in the Queen's Gallery? I would appreciate all responses. I am wondering if I should plan them on the same day or different days. Thanks so much. I look forwarding to hearing from you.
Erica
I was curious, so I Googled the Queen's Gallery. Wikipedia says about 450 "works" are typically on display at any time. That sounds fairly large to me; at even 30 seconds per item, it would be nearly 4 hours. (But if you're like me, certain types of art don't interest you and you pretty much walk right past them.) The QG website says the multimedia guide takes about an hour, so it must only cover some of the items on display. Perhaps that information will help you estimate the time you'll want to spend there.
I haven't been to the Queen's Gallery or the Royal Mews myself.
Hi Erica, the Queen’s Gallery is my favorite art gallery in London. I always use the headset which is free upon entry and take advantage of the free talks offered in the galleries. Like you, I am very much looking forward to the Romanov exhibition. I usually spend around 2.5 hours in the gallery. I never rush through and also have time to browse in the gift shop. It is completely do-able to visit the gallery and the mews on the same day with time to spare. Perhaps I will see you there in November! I do hope you enjoy your trip.
I can't speak to the Queen's Gallery, but my daughter and I did the Royal Mews on our last visit to London in August and it was a relatively brief (and worthwhile) walkabout. Definitely no more than an hour needed to really take in the fabulous carriages, etc. (We didn't do a guided tour or any of the family-oriented activities.)
I agree with Andrea, it usually take 2.5 or so hours for their exhibitions. I’ve been to several and the narration is probably about the same length of time for all of them. There are pictures/items that are not in the narration that you will want to see. Every exhibit I’ve seen there has been a first class presentation.
In general I try to do the timed entry for 1st thing in the morning (although I’ve always gone in September), then head somewhere for lunch, then come back to pick up the Royal Mews. You might be able to view more horses than I’ve seen because in September they are still on vacation at Hampton Court.
I did Royal Mews part audio guide part guided tour, and I found that I enjoyed the guided tour. But, if you’re tight on time, you can always just read and walk around.
Queen’s Gallery—when I was there it was a Georgian exhibit. I live in Virginia where we eat, breathe, and sleep Georgian, so I found myself skimming through quickly. I really can’t comment on time needed for the gallery. Really depends on if the exhibit interests you. While both the Mews and gallery are nice, I’ve seen them and do not feel the need to go back.
I would think about the guided tour at the Mews. You may get more out of the experience. Have a good trip!
Looks like they are very close to each other, looks like a really good idea to do them both in the same day.
I went to the Queen's Gallery before touring the Palace, and it seemed fairly small to me, but perhaps that's because it's in a few different rooms. Sounds like a great day out, I didn't easily find places to eat lunch around there, we wandered into a place that looked like a pub but turned out to be ungodly expensive, off the bus route through Mayfair (we ordered soup :) so you may want to bring some snack with you if you are going to both sights all day :) Perhaps there was something that I missed, though.
I will have to get to the Royal Mews next time, it looks like fun!
-Alison
If you’re into Russian history, you might also enjoy the current exhibition The Last Tsar at the Science Museum. It’s free, but you do have to book a timed ticket in advance on the website. I was there yesterday and spent a good hour.
And yes, very easy to do the Mews and the QG on the same day. In fact, when the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace are open in the summer, the ticket office sells a combined ticket to all 3 that’s intended to be done in a day.
For eating options near the Palace/Mews/Gallery, go to Cardinal Place near Buckingham Palace Road and Victoria Street. There’s loads of places in there.
I have visited both. Yes, you can easily do Royal Mews and Queen's Gallery exhibition in the same day. I'd suggest doing the Queen's Gallery in the morning, then take a walk around the Mall or Green Park for some fresh air. And, if the timing is appropriate, have lunch, and then go to the Royal Mews. The Queen's Gallery is a lovely size. Time spent depends on the exhibit and your interest, but it won't usually take 1/2 a day. I love that gallery because of the size as, as much as I love art (art history major), I feel 2 hours in one stretch is a limit to fully appreciate what I am seeing before a break is important. YMMV