Buckingham Palace is only open to tourists in the summer, so expect it to be crowded, even more so in Coronation Year. While it may be possible to book a ticket to visit the state rooms on the day, it’s best to book in advance, and if you want to visit the gardens, you must book in advance to guarantee your entry time as numbers are much more limited. A combined ticket for the state rooms and gardens costs a pretty hefty £42, but you can get the state rooms part of your ticket stamped upon exit to give you free admission for a year. For the £42, you get an audio guide to the staterooms, and this year there is a special exhibition of the Coronation robes, page boy outfits, anointing screen, thrones, jewelry etc. It’s a fantastic exhibition, but that part of the visit is particularly busy. The garden tour is escorted and is a 45 minute walk around the perimeter path of the gardens with occasional stops while the guide explains certain aspects of the grounds. I enjoyed that part of my visit as I’d always wondered what lay behind the high brick walls. A few points to note:- Turn up at the time it says on the ticket for both tours, because if you turn up too early, you will be asked to leave and return later. No photography is allowed in the palace or on the garden tour. You can take photos only in the public part of the garden after you have finished the Palace tour. There are no toilets available until you have finished the Palace tour which will take about one and a half hours. The Garden tour time will be determined by the Palace based on the time of the Palace tour ticket, so you may find you have some time to fill after you have finished the Palace tour and before the Garden tour begins. While you wait, there is a gift shop, café and two ice cream stalls in the garden, plus several benches to take a seat.

Pre booked tickets for the state room visit which included the coronation display. As many people have said on here there are no toilets until the end of the tour. You are unable to take photographs throughout the palace until you are in the garden at the end. It’s also worth noting if you do take a rucksack/backpack be expected to carry this in your hand rather than on back/shoulder. Free audio guide for you to listen to throughout. The tour took us approximately 1.5hrs this included a small queue to walk past the robes that were on display. The rooms are amazing and steeped in history. There are a number of stairs to navigate, however they do have easy access for those less mobile. As someone who loves history and also the monarchy and having visited Windsor Castle, I was glad I had booked tickets especially as it was Coronation year.

Galleries tour 7/10 Some nice paintings in here but better ones in the palace itself. Mews tour 10/10 Great place to see the royal horses and stables and royal carriages and cars Palace State rooms and gardens 10/10 Wow. Outstanding building with fantastic hallways and staircases and picture gallery. You can feel the history of the place and the decor and statues in there are amazing to see Have a sit the. Back garden and enjoy a sandwich from the cafe If you are going via the London Underground then get off at Green Park Station and walk directly across Green Park for 7 minutes. Brings you out at the palace gates Well worth a visit. You will need around 4 hours for all three tours

We had the 3 experiences ticket so got to see the Georgian exhibit, the Mews and the State Rooms. The Mews and the State Rooms were excellent. Except for the staff member who sent us the wrong way looking for the lift, everyone else was extremely helpful as I have a disability and they went out of their way to ensure I didn't miss anything. Unfortunately, whilst we were in the Georgian exhibit a member of the public with a child in a buggy allowed their child to watch videos on a tablet with the volume turned up which was distracting while trying to read the information on the walls. The state rooms are very busy which is to be expected, as was the cafe, however overall an enjoyable experience and a must do when in London.

Hard to describe the palace as it is just breathtaking in it’s beautiful decor throughout. Each room is pure wealth from the architecture to the furniture and ornaments. We loved every minute of our tour and felt the price was reasonable considering what you are able to experience. Special mention to the exhibits from Charles coronation. This is a busy tour with thousands of visitors grouping round. Guests from all corners of the world. Only open for a short period each year. This cannot be missed if your in London at the right time. Loved it.

Despite several previous visits to London since the age of four, I'd never actually thought about visiting Buckingham Palace until the sad recent loss of our beloved Queen. On my previous trip to London in July for my birthday I was unable to obtain a visit due to it being fully booked, but on this most recent trip I managed to get tickets for me and my pensioner aged Mum. The entry system was extremely organised and efficient, with separate queues for pre-booked ticket holders and those who wanted to pay on the day (this type of ticket sells out quickly, so if you know you are definitely going I recommend pre-booking) and after passing through airport style security (for obvious reasons) you begin your tour. During entry the staff noticed my Mum had a walking aid, and arranged for her to take the accessibility route, which gives you an orange lanyard to wear so staff know you require assistance. The only part you really miss on this alternative route is the 200 step Grand Staircase, so don't be put off by thinking it's unsuitable for walking aids etc, because even wheelchairs can get around. Once inside the grandeur of the palace is evident everywhere, from the huge portraits in the galleries to the magnificent chandeliers in the State Dining Room and drawing rooms. The Coronation robes worn by our new Monarch are on display in a special exhibition in the ballroom. After following the one way system around the State Rooms you exit the palace via the terrace in to the expansive gardens. Here you find the Garden Cafe, offering sandwiches, cakes and drinks, or the delightful "Afternoon Tea Box" which is priced at £27.50, but as a light snack there was enough for me and my Mum to share. Let's face it, you don't visit Buckingham Palace every day, so why not treat yourself? After refreshments the path to exit the palace leads you past the toilet facilities, which were perfectly satisfactory, and the large well stocked gift shop. The path continues through the gardens with views of the palace rear and the lake as you walk down. NO PHOTOGRAPHY IS ALLOWED inside the palace, but once you get out on to the terrace and in to the gardens photos are allowed and encouraged to be shared on the palace social media channels. I can heartily recommend a visit to Buckingham Palace, and follow in the footsteps of British royalty and the many heads of state, presidents and other royal visitors these rooms have hosted over the years

We followed along with the audio tour to learn about each room on the tour. This is a must see - but check the weather. There is no air conditioning. We visited on one of the hottest days of the year in London and the humidity had everyone constantly removing headphones to wipe away the sweat. I don't see how King Charles III can meet with anyone there under those conditions! After exiting into the rear of the palace, there is an ice cream stand, and of course a gift shop. Remember, you cannot take photos inside. Security will stop you and go through your phone/camera forcing you to delete, and clear deleted items folder.

Lots of anticipation to see the state rooms of Buckingham Palace. Some confusion waiting in line for entry. Attendants didn't do too good a job of announcing which time group (15 intervals) should be inline. No photograph allowed. Once inside, anxiety level drops. All are provided free audio equipment (in multiple languages) which is self guided at your own pace. Move thru significant rooms (like thrown room) with explanations of significance, function, and some detail of history. Also display of capes and robes worn by King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla during recent vestiges. Exit to garden where a souvenir shop and cafe await you. Had been to the Royal Mews and Queens gallery in prior visits. Some good luck and timing allowed for state room visit on this trip.

Went to the palace tour yesterday, it’s was excellent ! We had fabulous guide Mandy who was very funny and very knowledgeable. Highly recommended for people interested in the Royal Family or interested in history. Saw the coronation robes as this year’s exhibition, would go again for the next summer opening.

We did the exclusive evening tour last night and were extremely impressed away by the grandeur and luxury of the rooms we visited. The art on display is mind blowing but what made is special was Mandy, our tour guide . She was exceptional in every way: she demonstrated a remarkable ability to engage and entertain our group. Her in-depth understanding of the historical and cultural aspect of the tour’s matter was truly impressive. What sets Mandy apart from any other guides we have ever met, was the fact that she was a masterful history teller ! With a twinkle in her eye and a cracking sense of humour, she brought history to life through captivating anecdotes and narratives. It was impossible not to be swept up in her enthusiasm. Thank you Mandy for making this tour truly memorable!