Buckingham Palace - Facts - Opening times, nearest tube / London Underground.

Buckingham Palace

The palace has been a rallying point for British people at times of national rejoicing, crisis or grief. To mark The Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002, over one million people crowded into the area in front of Buckingham Palace and down the Mall.
The palace is partly on the site of the Mulberry Gardens, where James I., encouraged the rearing of silkworms in England in the 17th. century.

Nearest Tube / London Underground Station to Buckingham Palace: Victoria or Green Park

Changing the Guard

The impressive ceremony of Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace takes place every morning (weather permitting) at 11:30 in summer but only on alternate days in winter.
This colourful ceremony, consists of the Old Guard going off duty and handing over to the New Guard, - which marches from Wellington Barracks - and takes place on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace.

A Change of Guard also takes place at nearby St. James's Palace.

Buckingham Palace finally became the official royal palace of the British monarch on the accession of Queen Victoria in 1837
More than 50,000 people visit the Palace each year as The Queen's guests at banquets, lunches, dinners, receptions and garden parties but the state rooms, used for official and state entertaining, are also open to the public each year. The summer opening in 2011 at Buckingham Palace is from the Monday 1st August - Sunday 25th September 2011.
The Buckingham Palace exhibition will feature the Royal Faberge Collection. E-mail bookinginfo@royalcollection.org.uk

Fast Facts - Buckingham Palace

At 36.6m long, the Ballroom is the largest room in the Palace - State banquets take place here.
Buckingham Palace has a pool, staff cafeteria, cinema and doctor's surgery.
When The Queen is in residence at Buckingham Palace, the Royal Standard flies. When the Sovereign is not present, the Union Flag is raised instead.
The first recorded Royal balcony appearance took place in 1851.
The Buckingham Palace Garden is the largest private garden in London.

Admiralty Arch
This famous landmark is the ceremonial archway which provides road and pedestrian access between The Mall and Buckingham Palace, which extends to the southwest, and Trafalgar Square to the northeast. The central arch is only ever opened for State occasions.
It was designed by Sir Aston Webb in 1910 and was commissioned by King Edward V11 in memory of his mother Queen Victoria.
Nearest Tube / London Underground Station to Admiralty Arch: Charring Cross .

Horse Guards
Horse Guards is the official entrance to Buckingham Palace. Changing of the Guard at Horse Guards takes place Monday to Saturday morning at 11:00, and 10:00 on a Sunday.

The ceremony lasts about half an hour but there a smaller ceremonies throughout the day with the mounted sentries changing every hour.

Nearest Tube / London Underground Station to Horse Guards Parade: Westminster, Charing Cross

Royal Mews - Buckingham Palace Road SW1
A visit to the stables and coach houses, provides a unique opportunity to see how horses, carriages and coaches combine to produce the pomp and pageantry that are such an essential part of Royal State Occasions.
Highlight: the Gold State Coach with its panels painted by Cipriani. Dating from 1762; it has been used for every coronation since 1820. A must-see for all lovers of horses and Royal pomp and pageantry.
Nearest Tube / London Underground Station to the Royal Mews: St. James's Park, Victoria.

The Mall
The Mall leads from Admiralty Arch at its eastern end to Buckingham Palace and the Victoria Memorial at its western end.
During State visits to the United Kingdom, the Monarch and the visiting Head of State are escorted in a State carriage up the Mall, which is decorated with the Union Flag and the flags of the visiting Head of State's country.
Nearest Tube / London Underground Station to The Mall: (Western end near to Buckingham Palace): Victoria or Green Park (Eastern end near to Trafalgar Square): Charing Cross