We will be in London in August when Buck House is open to the public. I don't know whether a family or kids (9 & 13) would enjoy the tour inside the palace OR maybe just the Royal Stables tour? I can say that I visited Versaille and really didn't love the tour of the Chateaux, but loved the gardens. I don't really love looking at stuffy formal rooms. Right now, I'm leaning toward just doing the tour of the Stables unless people say it's not worth it. R. Steves indicates the 40 minute guided tour is worthwhile/interesting. Anyone with kids do it?
Posted by
Los Angeles, California
1986 posts
The Royal Mews (stables) tour is worth doing. You also can do it at your own pace. Queens Gallery (paintings) in teh same vicinity is interesting, but the national gallery and tate are more to my taste
Posted by
Troy, Oh, USA
2800 posts
Hi Kerry, if you don't enjoy seeing old formal rooms then you might not enjoy the tour of Buckingham Palace. The Royal Mews are great, you will be able to see the Royal carriages that was used during the Royal wedding, also some of the Queen's horses. I think you and the kids would enjoy the mews.
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
I enjoyed the tour of Buckingham Palace. Yes, it's state rooms, but these room are still used, unlike Versailles. I think if given the opportunity, I would have to go back again, just to see the Throne room and picture it with a disco ball. ; ) Pam
Posted by
Spring, Texas
635 posts
I've never seen it but it's a pricey tour and RS doesn't rate it all that high. The basic question I always ask is what would I give up seeing. I'll be in London in September but probably won't go there. I've put my wife in charge of planning a day so she may decide that's where we need to be but I doubt it.
Posted by
Troy, Oh, USA
2800 posts
No offence to RS, but he hasn't given other things high marks before but......to others it's worth it. You can't go on one persons opinion............if people enjoy seeing history, rooms that are hundreds of years old and still used by the Royal family then they would enjoy seeing it at least once. The Queen herself decided what rooms that would be open to the public.
Posted by
Newcastle, WA, USA
643 posts
My wife really wanted to tour Buckingham Palace, and I was just so-so but went along. We got the audio guide which was included with admission. I really enjoyed it, more than I thought, if anything for the numerous original paintings the royal family houses in the rooms along the tour. Just make sure to get there early in the morning before it gets hot!
Posted by
Used to be Steilacoom, now it’s Las Vegas
2270 posts
We got to do both and loved them. It's especially meaningful right now with all the wedding coverage - you can point out the balcony where they all stood - from the inside. Our tickets were timed for the same time as the changing of the guard and we could hear their little mini-concert from inside.
I didn't think the rooms were stuffy, but you do see a fair amount of the Queen's art. But, since some of the rooms/halls have been in recent photos, that does give an added connection. We really enjoyed the Mews where you can see all the royal vehicles as well as the horses (which the Queen gets to name). Because the Palace isn't open to the public on a regular basis, getting to see it is out of the ordinary. Because they sell the tickets by time, the groups are manageable. We exited through the gardens, which you usually don't get to see either.
Posted by
Used to be Steilacoom, now it’s Las Vegas
2270 posts
We got to do both and loved them. It's especially meaningful right now with all the wedding coverage - you can point out the balcony where they all stood - from the inside. Our tickets were timed for the same time as the changing of the guard and we could hear their little mini-concert from inside.
I didn't think the rooms were stuffy, but you do see a fair amount of the Queen's art. But, since some of the rooms/halls have been in recent photos, that does give an added connection. We really enjoyed the Mews where you can see all the royal vehicles as well as the horses (which the Queen gets to name). Because the Palace isn't open to the public on a regular basis, getting to see it is out of the ordinary. Because they sell the tickets by time, the groups are manageable. We exited through the gardens, which you usually don't get to see either.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23574 posts
I love it when someone who has never been on the tour can give you reasons not to go. We caught it by accident one year when in London for just five days and a birthday party for one of my more successful students. I think it is well worth it. As I remember the ticket was good for 24 hours so we caught the palace one afternoon and the rest the next morning. As much as anything I enjoyed the stables and the carriages especially when we saw the recent wedding. I am sure the kids, especially if they are boys, will like the stables. The Queen's art collection -- just that -- one big art collection. Since it is only open a few weeks a year, you should take advantage of it.