I will be in London in September and would like to tour Buckingham palace. I think I would like to take the "Royal Day Out" tour. How is this tour? Is the Queens Gallery worth seeing? Has anyone gone on the garden highlights tour, as that is another option I might be interested in. When you purchase tickets, is it for the day or for a specific time? Did you eat in the cafe? If so, how was it and how were the prices?
I'm also hoping to tour Windsor a few days later and would appreciate any helpful hints. How long does the tour take? Thanks.
Posted by
New York
1203 posts
Hi Janet: I am going on the Royal Day Out - I bought my tkt on line and have a timed ticket. Since this is three things, the Qeen's gallery, Royal Mews and the palace state rooms they say it takes most of the day. It cost me approx $50.00 - 50 USD at the time I bought the ticket. It depends on the rate of exchange when you buy it how much the ticket will be. I don't know much else as I have not gone yet, I too will be there in September.
Go on line to see what you see and do, it will help you get an understanding on the Royal Day Out. I figure I will most likely do this once so I might as well see the most I can in the one day. I wanted to do the garden part of the tour, but then I would not be able to see the Royal Mews or the Queen's Gallery ( art work).
I am interested in what others say about the Royal Day Out as I too would like more detail. But am sure it is well worth going at least once. When will you be in London?
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
I did the Windsor Castle tour in June. It was very nice but i am sure glad we gotnadvance tickets. The lines in season are very long. We got in within 10 min with our adv ticket purchase. We spent about 1.5 hrs but could have easily spent more. However we were on a schedule.
Posted by
11156 posts
We have tickets for the Buckingham Palace State Rooms and Gardens next month. The tickets are for a specific day and time. You can buy separate tickets for the Queens Gallery and the Carriage House/ Horses instead of doing it all at once in the "Royal Day Out."
We also bought advance tickets for Windsor Castle, Churchill War Rooms and St. Paul's which are for a specific day,but not time.. This is our fourth trip to London and these are the places we have not visited before.
Posted by
Atlanta, Ga, USA
2023 posts
We have toured Buckingham Palace twice and is definitely worth it. We did not buy tics in advance--a kiosk is set up to purchase them outside the palace. You go through security as you enter. We did not find the Queen's Gallery to be worth it but the Royal Mews is a must. There is a large gift shop set up as well as restrooms and a cafe. We did eat at the cafe ( not cheap but tea & scones were a perfect choice) and I would recommend it. The gift shop has many items you will not find elsewhere--it would be hard to leave without a purchase. Unfortunately it was raining both times and we did not tour gardens. We toured Windsor years ago and enjoyed it but Bham Palace was a favorite.