kensington palace tour map

Inside Kensington Palace, The Complete Guide

Kensington Palace is a historic treasure trove steeped in over 300 years of royal history. Nestled amidst the lush Kensington Gardens, the palace has witnessed countless tales of love, power, and intrigue.

The Stuart monarchs, King William III and Queen Mary II, acquired the country estate in the late 17th century and transformed it into a palace. Since then, Kensington Palace has played a pivotal role in the lives of British monarchs and nobility.

On a visit, you can step back in time and explore the regal halls, opulent apartments, and enchanting gardens where young royals like Queen Victoria, Princess Diana, and William and Kate lived.

In fact, the palace is a bit of a shrine to Diana, since her death in 1997.

You will see “history hotspots” around the palace where events that shaped the nation took place.

The palace is also home to a fairly good collection of royal portraits. Not the quality you’ll find at the National Portrait Gallery, but still solid nonetheless.

In this Kensington Palace guide, I tell you everything to see at the palace and give you must know tips for visiting.

>>> Click here to pre-book a timed entry ticket

Guide To Kensington Palace: What To See

Here are the highlights you’ll see on a visit. As you explore, you’ll follow a well-marked museum path with clear arrows guiding your way.

The royal apartments are those of the Stuart monarchs, William III and Mary II, Queen Mary II, Queen Anne, and King George I. They were the first British royal dynasty to call Kensington home.

You won’t see the private apartments of the modern royals. Those are strictly off limits.

King’s Staircase & Mural

The King’s Staircase was designed by William Kent. It’s marble and wrought iron.

George I also commissioned him to paint the the tromp l’oeil staircase murals in 1726. The imaginary architecture framing the painting was inspired by palaces in Rome . Every person depicted in the mural was once a visitor to the palace.

King’s State Apartments

The staircase leads you up to the first circuit of rooms, the King’s State Apartments.

You’ll pass through the Presence Camber, the Privy Chamber, the Cupola Room, the Throne Room, and the King’s Drawing Room. They all have interesting ceilings.

The Throne Room was where the monarchs and courtiers were immediately greeted by the throne and canopy of state, symbols of the monarchy. Even if the king were absent, visitors would still be expected to bow to the throne.

The Presence Chamber has a Pompeiian style fresco of Apollo in his chariot, inspired by villas like the House of Augustus in Rome.

The Privy Chamber has a magnificent ceiling painted by William Kent in 1723. It depicts the Roman gods of Mars and Minerva surrounded by allegories of the arts and sciences.

Kent was also responsible for the ceiling in the Cupola Room. The strange object you see in the center of the room is an oversize music box that played music by Handel.

The King’s Drawing Room caused a famous royal argument. In 1735, while King George was away, Queen Caroline replaced the Italian paintings with artworks by Anthony Van Dyke.

This infuriated the king! He insisted they be re-installed. Even the “Fat Venus” painting by Giorgio Vasari that Caroline hated.

King’s Gallery

The King’s Gallery was built for William II in 1700. But it was redecorated in 1725 by Kent.

It’s now done up in red damask and red curtains. Seven large ceiling frescos show scenes from the life of Ulysses.

There are paintings by the 16th and 17th century Italian artists, including Veronese, Bassano, and Tintoretto.

Queen’s State Apartments

In the Queen’s apartments, the museum lifts the curtain on the lives of Mary II, Queen Anne, and the House of Stuart family.

As was the fashion of the day, the rooms are deliberately plainer and more intimate than those of the king.

You will stroll through the Queen’s Gallery, the Queen’s Closet, the Queen’s Dining Room, and the Queen’s Bedroom.

The Queen’s Gallery has portraits of William and Mary. This was a social room, where the queen’s ladies in waiting would gather.

If the queen needed an escape, she withdrew to the Queen’s Closet. It’s a wood paneled room hung with blue silk damask and filled with lacquer furniture. It displays Mary’s porcelain collection and was once filled with pillows for her pugs.

The Jewel Room displays jewelry that Prince Albert commissioned for Queen Victoria.

There is a magnificent diamond and emerald tiara, emerald necklace, earrings and a broach. You can see the exquisite craftsmanship of 19th century goldsmiths and Prince Albert’s unique design tastes.

There are also two diamond tiaras, the Kokoshnik tiara and Fife tiara. They belonged to her granddaughter, Princess Louise.

Victoria often chose to wear a tiara instead of a crown to avoid an overt display of superiority over her husband.

Victoria: Royal Childhood Exhibit

Queen Victoria was born at Kensington Palace on May 24, 1819. On that day, she was 5th in line for the throne.

Her parents traveled to England from Germany so that their baby could be born in England. She arrived safely, with her mum saying she was “a pretty little Princess, plump as a partridge.”

This exhibit follows the young princess’ journey from her birth to the bitter feuds that plagued her adolescence to her formative years as one of Britina’s most significant monarchs.

As a young girl, Victoria loved dressing up, writing stories, and making costumes for her dolls. She loved going to the opera and ballet.

During that time, the palace was governed by a strict set of rules known as the “Kensington System,” devised by the Victoria’s mother and her advisor, Sir John Conroy.

This system aimed to control and isolate the young princess and restrict her contact with the outside world. Not surprisingly, this lead to conflicts within the royal family and Victoria’s rebellion.

At age 18, Victoria became queen and moved into Buckingham Palace. Her coronation took place at Westminster Abbey .

At age 20, Victoria married Prince Albert. It was a love match that produced 9 children.

Palace Gardens

Much care and expense has been lavished on the palace gardens, which changed depending on the royal in residence and the current fashion.

In 2012, the gardens were again transformed, reconnecting the building with its landscape setting.

One thing that remains is Queen Anne’s magnificent Orangery. It’s a Baroque style brick building designed by the architect Sir John Vanbrugh.

It was originally used to house and protect citrus trees and other tender plants during the winter months.

The Sunken Garden is one of the pretties parts of the garden. It was a favorite haunt of Princess Diana. And a bronze statue of Diana was unveiled in 2021, on what would have been her 60th birthday.

Prince Harry and Meghan posed for their engagement photos in the Sunken Garden in 2017.

The best part is that you don’t need a ticket to visit the gardens.

Who Lived At Kensington Palace?

So who lived at Kensington Palace and what were some of the famous goings on?

In its 300 year history, the palace was a venue for personal rivalry and intrigue. The palace even bills itself as the original fashion catwalk.

The first couple to make Kensington a royal palace were William and Mary, who reigned from 1689 to 1702. Mary wasn’t pleased with the match, but they became a loving couple.

In the late 17th century, Queen Anne, the younger sister of Mary, lived there.

Her close relationship with her confidant and rumored lover, Sarah Churchill, the Duchess of Marlborough, was the subject of much court gossip.

In 1710, they had a rousing fight in the Queen’s Closet and fell out forever. The Churchills were ostracized from the royal court.

In the 18th century, Kensington Palace was the residence of King George II and Queen Caroline. Their tumultuous marriage was marked by numerous extramarital affairs and scandals, some of which played out within the palace walls.

The king didn’t even get along with his son, who would become George III (the king who lost the colonies).

In May 1818, the future Queen Victoria was born in the palace.

On June 20, 1837, she was awoken early in the morning and told she was the new sovereign. As I mentioned above, she relished her independence and banished her mother to the other end of the palace.

Princess Margaret, the sister of Elizabeth II, lived at Kensington Palace with Lord Snowden, a fashionable photographer.

They led a vibrant social life and hosted glamorous parties for a time. But they eventually divorced over extramarital divorces, which caused “open warfare” at the palace.

In 1982, then Prince Charles and Princess Diana moved in to Apartments 8 and 9. Diana transformed from a shy young woman into a stylish princess and hands on mother. Prince William and Harry grew up in the palace.

After the couple separated, Diana continued to live in Apartment 9. In her palace sitting room, the “people’s princess” gave her famous candid interview to Marin Bashir, in which she smashed taboos about what a royal could say in public.

Upon Diana’s death, thousands of flowers and bouquets were left at the palace. It’s one of the most iconic images of the palace.

In 2013, Prince William and Kate Middleton, then known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, moved in to Apartment 1A for a few years. They converted Diana’s Apartment 9 into administrative offices.

Today, the palace is still a haunt for young royals.

Practical Guide & Tips For Kensington Palace

Address : Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX. The entrance is near the Queen Victoria statue, which is currently under restoration. The palace is a stop on the hop on hop off bus tour .

Hours : From March 1 to October 31, open Wednesday through Sunday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. In winter, open Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Admission :

25.40 euros adults, 20.30 euros seniors and students, and 12.70 euros for children under 15.

Click here to pre-book a timed entry ticket. There will be two entry lines corresponding to the time on your ticket. So be sure to get in the correct line.

The palace is also included in the  London Pass . You may want to book a royal Kensington walking tour .

There are leather bound guides for each room, describing its contents and the paintings. You can take still photos. But you can’t use flash or take videos. No selfie sticks or tripods either.

If you are expecting to see the royal dress collection, it’s actually housed at Windsor Castle . Princess Diana’s dresses have been on display in the past. There is currently a temporary exhibit of her wedding dress, with its famous 25 foot train, in the Orangery.

Special Exhibitions :

The palace puts on special exhibitions. They seem to be geared toward fashion. When I’ve visited, I’ve seen an exhibit on Princess Dianas’s dresses and another on Crown to Couture. Unfortunately, the last exhibit obscured some of the historical paintings.

Afternoon Tea :

If you can’t resist an elegant tea, Kensington Palace offers them in the pavilion. You’ll definitely need to book a spot in advance anytime between 10:00 am and 4:30 pm.

>>> Click here to book a garden tour with high tea

I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to Kensington Palace. You may enjoy these other London travel guides and resources:

• 3 Day Itinerary for London
• 5 Day Itinerary for London
• Hidden Gems in London
• Tourist Traps To Avoid in London
• Best Museums in London
• Day Trips from London
• Harry Potter Places in London
• Guide to the Tower of London
• Guide to the Churchill War Rooms
• Guide To the National Gallery of Art

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Last Updated on November 27, 2023 by Leslie Livingston

Visiting Kensington Palace – Tickets, Tours & FAQs

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: April 5, 2023

• Everything you need to know to plan and book your visit to Kensington Palace

Visiting Kensington Palace – Tickets & Tours

Kensington palace facts and figures, kensington gardens, when is the best time to visit kensington palace, what to see at kensington palace, what other uk attractions are located near kensington palace, tips for planning your visit to kensington palace, visit these other london attractions and landmarks – tickets, tours & faqs.

Nearest Tube station – High Street Kensington (Circle and District lines) or Queensway (Central line)

How long to set aside for your visit?

It will take about two hours or more to explore the palace and its glorious gardens.

Tickets 

• Kensington Palace ticket

Good to know – Kensington Palace entry is included with The London Pass and the Go City  London Explorer Pass  

Combi tours 

Do note that some tours may not include entry to Kensington Palace, but only the gardens

• Kensington Palace gardens tour with Royal afternoon tea
• Three London Palaces walking tour plus Royal high tea

• Westminster walking tour with visit to Kensington Palace
• Evening London bike tour including Kensington Palace
• Private London walking tour with Kensington Palace

Visiting Kensington Palace

• Princess Diana lived at Kensington Palace. Princes William and Harry also spent some of their early years here. After their mother’s sudden death in 1997, the grounds outside the grand building were carpeted in floral tributes from members of the public. 
• Queen Victoria grew up at Kensington Palace. She also first met Prince Albert there. The V&A (Victoria and Albert) Museum in nearby South Kensington is named after the lovestruck Royal couple. Victoria lived there until she became Queen. 
• The so-called Kensington System was a stringent and detailed set of rules laid out by Victoria, Duchess of Kent and the mother of Queen Victoria. The system was meant to increase the young royal’s dependency on her mother, but in fact made her more strong-willed and independent than ever. 
• The late Princess Margaret, the sister of Queen Elizabeth II and the Countess of Snowdon, was one of the true socialites of Kensington Palace. She held lots of parties there during the 1960s, which were attended by the likes of the Beatles, actor Peter Sellers, ballet dancers Margot Fonteyn and ​​Rudolph Nureyev, actresses Britt Ekland and Elizabeth Taylor and even comedian Spike Milligan.
• King William III first bought Kensington Palace for health reasons. His fragile disposition reacted badly to the fog, dampness and smoke of central London, so he bought the building, which was then located in a village outside the capital. Ironically he died of pneumonia at the palace. It was formerly known simply as Nottingham House. 
• A book of drawings by Leonardo da Vinci was discovered at the palace in 1770. This was over 180 years after the Mona Lisa artist died. Drawings by Henry VIII’s court painter were also discovered during the 1700s – two centuries later. 
• The palace was used for practical purposes during both World Wars. In World War I, it was used for clerical reasons and the staff concerned had to adhere to rationing. When World War II was going on, Kensington Palace Gardens were used for military defence, but were also hit by a bomb which damaged parts of the palace, including the State Apartments. 
• Did you know that one of the Peter Pan books was set in Kensington Gardens? Author J. M. Barrie penned Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens as he lived locally. Various parts of the gardens feature in the fictional tale about the boy who never wanted to grow up. The Peter Pan statue in the gardens dates from 1912, only a few years after the book’s publication. 
• Despite her unhappy childhood spent at the palace, Queen Victoria saved the iconic palace during the final years of her life. Due to neglect, there was talk of the palace being razed to the ground in around 1897, but the Queen managed to turn its fortunes around. By 1899, the restored State Rooms at the palace were open to the public. 
• You can hire parts of the palace for a Royal (style) wedding or another event. Spaces such as the King’s Drawing Room, the Cupola, the Queen’s Gallery, the Privy Chamber and the King’s Gallery can be rented out.  

Kensington Palace Opening Times

Kensington Palace is open between Wednesday and Sunday, apart from planned closures such as exhibition preparation, restoration work or Royal events like the coronation of King Charles III. 

The palace opens between 10 am and 6 pm, with the last entry an hour earlier. It’s closed to the public on Mondays and Tuesdays. 

The gardens are open to the public from 6 am daily. Closing times vary throughout the year. They range between 4.15 pm during most of December to 9.45 pm between early June and mid-July. 

The times reflect the hours of darkness in London. This is why they are seasonal. The UK’s shortest day is in mid to late December, and the longest in mid to late June. Entry to the gardens alone is free. 

Check opening times for the dates of your visit here . 

• Kensington Palace is open from Wednesday to Sunday and is closed on Monday and Tuesday. 
• If you can, visit on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday rather than on Saturday or Sunday. This is because weekends are busier. 
• The summer season is also a busy time for the palace. The UK school holidays run from mid-July to the start of September, so you can expect the palace to be busy during this period.
• For a more peaceful experience, get there before the palace opens for the day. Alternatively, visit in the afternoon, around two hours before closing time. 
• If you want to visit Kensington Palace Gardens only, or separately, you can do this between 6 am and nightfall. Closing times for the gardens vary according to the season and sunset times, though they are always open to pedestrians at 6 am. Entry to the gardens is free. 

There is plenty to see at Kensington Palace, plus you also have the gardens to explore. Inside, the King’s State Apartments, the Queen’s State Apartments, the King’s Staircase, the Jewel Room and the King’s Gallery are among the main attractions. 

Kensington Palace also hosts a regular programme of events. At the time of writing, for example, events included a Crown to Couture exhibition about historic and contemporary costumes. Victoria: A Royal Childhood also told the tale of the famous Queen’s formative years. 

Kensington Gardens is also a major attraction in its own right. Some of the highlights of this outside space include the Sunken Garden, the wildflower meadow in spring and summer, the shady Cradle Walk (aka Nanny Walk) and the Formal Gardens. 

• The Serpentine Galleries (in Kensington Gardens)
• The V&A (Victoria and Albert) Museum
• The Natural History Museum
• The Science Museum
• The Design Museum
• The Leighton House Museum
• The Royal Albert Hall
• Kensington High Street
• The Churchill Arms 
• Holland Park
• Knightsbridge – Harrods!
• Notting Hill

• If you can, buy tickets for Kensington Palace in advance. This means you can avoid queueing up to get in. It’s often busy here, especially in summer and at weekends. 
• The palace is closed for two days each week, on Mondays and Tuesdays. Part or all of it can also close for restoration work, the setting up of exhibitions and Royal events. 
• Though you’ll have to pay to tour the palace, entry to the gardens is free. They open daily at 6 am and close at around sunset. You can see the palace from the outside here. 
• Book an afternoon tea at the palace if you have time. It’s a splendid setting for such a quintessential British tradition. You can book this alongside your ticket via the links given at the top of this guide. 
• You can experience afternoon tea at the Kensington Palace Pavilion but if you prefer you can also find plenty of places to pick up food and drinks or eat at on Kensington High Street. 
• Do allow time for the gardens. They’re one of the highlights of the palace experience. They are free to enter, though, so returning on another day may be an option you could consider. 
• If you’re a fan of the late Princess Diana – the first wife of King Charles III – then don’t miss the Sunken Garden. This is said to have been one of her favourite spots of all. 
• It’s worth thinking about which London museums you want to visit before planning your day at the palace. Several prominent museums – including the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum and the V&A are also in the Kensington area. This can save on travel time and costs. Entry is free to all three, though it’s worth checking whether online booking is required.
• Take the tube to the palace. High Street Kensington is a good one to go for, as it’s on both the Circle and District lines. You can also find lots of shops, cafes and so on right by the station. If you have access to the Central line, though, Queensway could be more convenient. 
• Try to plan your visit for a sunny day, if possible. This is tricky in a country with an often-wet climate, but exploring Kensington Gardens is far more pleasant when the sun is shining!
• The Tower of London
• Westminster Abbey
• The London Eye
• Windsor Castle
• Hampton Court Palace
• St Paul’s Cathedral

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Kensington Palace, London

Kensington palace's history.

Kensington Palace has a rich royal history. It can boast of being the birth place of Queen Victoria and the official London residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, not to mention being the home of a host of Georgian monarchs who have all left their mark on this impressive Palace.

You can explore their vast state apartments which contain an array of beautiful paintings and sculptures.

Kensington Palace is located at the western end of Kensington Gardens which extends seamlessly from Hyde Park, London's largest royal park.

In recent times the late Princess Diana is often associated with Kensington Palace, and around Kensington Palace there are reminders of her life from the official memorial to her, a children's playground, she even has a local cafe that she used to frequent with her children dedicated to her memory.

Why not make it an extra special London day out and combine your Kensington Palace tickets with Fish and Chips meal from Poppie's Restaurant ?

BOOK TICKETS   What you'll see   Opening times & location   About Kensington Palace tickets   Kensington Palace with attraction pass/2FOR1   Other royal palaces in London  

KENSINGTON PALACE TICKETS

Visit the former home of Queen Victoria and Princess Diana, official London home of HRH William and HRH Kate

• Admission to Kensington Palace and Gardens • King's and Queen's State Apartments • Paintings from the Royal Collection • Sunken garden • The King’s Drawing Room, the Cupola Room and Queen Caroline’s Closet • Changing exhibitions

KENSINGTON PALACE AND FISH & CHIPS MEAL

Kensington Palace tickets & Fish & Chips meal

• Admission to Kensington Palace and Gardens • King's and Queen's State Apartments • Paintings from the Royal Collection • Fish & Chips Meal from Poppie's Restaurant

Kensington Palace - what will I see?

Once inside, you explore the extravagant rooms and spaces that have figured in many royal dramas through the ages. Wander through the King’s and Queen’s State Apartments, where you’ll see rare works from the Royal Collection.

The Queen's apartments were where Mary, and later royal consorts, lived. This is where they had their bedroom, took their meals, entertained their friends and distinguished guests, and relaxed.

The King’s apartments looks at more formal aspects of royal life where the monarch received courtiers, ministers and foreign ambassadors.

At the Jewel Room you can see an incredible suite of jewellery, including specially commissioned gems for Queen Victoria, such as her beautiful tiara.

Kensington Palace Gardens

Finish your Kensington Palace tour by heading outside to walk through the exquisite and popular Kensington Palace Gardens. Here you can visit the Sunken Garden, where you can see the statue of Diana, Princess of Wales, commissioned by her sons and unveiled in 2021, for what would have been her 60th birthday. (Specific opening times apply.)

Kensington Palace official website

Kensington Palace - opening times and location

We recommend allowing around 2 hours to visit.

Kensington Palace opening times

Kensington Palace is is open 7 days a week all year round, except 24 - 26 December.

Doors open at 10am and closing time is 6pm with last entry 1 hour prior. In the winter months, November to February closing time is 4pm.

Location of Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace Palace is situated within Kensington Gardens a royal park that is seamlessly joined to Hyde Park. There is lots to do and see within Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens and especially at weekends there are large events from concerts to fun runs.

Within easy walking distance is Portobello Market, the Royal Albert Hall, Harrods Department Store and the South Kensington Museums (Science Museum, National History Museum and V&A Museum).

Nearest Underground station

Queensway Underground Station (Central Line) is opposite a main entrance to Kensington Gardens. It's a 5-10 minute walk past the Princess Diana Children's Playground to the palace itself.

Hop-on, hop-off buses

All of London's hop on, hop off sightseeing buses have a stop for Kensington Palace on the south side of Kensington Gardens. Big Bus also have a stop on the north side of Kensington Gardens at Bayswater very close to Queensway Underground Station.

Worth knowing

We have a self-guided Kensington walk that visits Kensington Palace, as well as Portobello Market, South Kensington Museums and much more.

Kensington Palace tickets

Tickets are priced for adults age 18 - 64 years . Concessions are available for children, full-time students, seniors and people with a disability.

Tickets must be booked in advance to guarantee entry and avoid disappointment. Visitor numbers are limited and many dates and timeslots are sold out in advance.

Third party sellers

Tickets from third party sellers (banner link below) typically match the price of tickets from the Kensington Palace official website, (link above).

Queues at Kensington Palace

Entrance queues at Kensington Palace are not really an issue, as the pre-booking system which requires you to book in advance runs smoothly.

Group ticket savings for 15 or more people

Groups of 15 people or more can save on ticket prices . Online group tickets are valid only for the date selected and cannot be refunded or exchanged.

Passes and promotions

London Pass holders must pre-book tickets in advance through the London Pass website.

Save more on Kensington Palace tickets with a pass or promotion

Combo Ticket: Kew Gardens and Kensington Palace

Enjoy a double dose of Royal pleasure. Combine entry tickets to both Kew Gardens and Kensington Palace, two of England's most important heritage sites.

Your package includes a special digital guide for an entrancing exploration of London.

KEW GARDENS AND KENSINGTON PALACE TICKETS

Kew Gardens + Kensington Palace entry tickets

• Entry tickets to Kew Gardens • Entry tickets to Kensington Palace Entry tickets • Save on booking together

Kensington Palace & London's attraction passes and 2 FOR 1

2 for 1 promotion.

Railways 2 for 1 Promotion  - The railways 2 for 1 entrance promotion is valid at Kensington Palace, and you need to pre-book your tickets in advance online.

London passes

The London Pass - Kensington Palace is supported by London's most popular attraction pass, (with over 80 top London attractions). Top attractions on the London Pass list include the London Zoo , Westminster Abbey , St, Paul's , View from the Shard and the Tower of London . The London Pass offers incredible savings over buying individual attraction tickets.

Go City London Explorer Pass - this pass is similar to the London Pass only instead of allowing entry for a set number of days, it gives entry for up to 60 days, and you purchase by the number of attractions you wish to visit.

To purchase either of these passes follow the banner links below.

LONDON PASS BY GO CITY

The more you visit, the more you save

• Access 80+ London attractions including the Tower of London, London Zoo, Thames River Cruise, Tower Bridge, St. Paul's, Westminster Abbey, The View from Shard, Windsor Castle, a hop-on, hop-off bus tour, and many more... • 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 10 day passes available.

GO CITY LONDON PASSES

Save up to 50% on top London attractions

• Choose from two passes: All-Inclusive (unlimited) and Explorer (over 60 days) • Attractions and tours including: Up at The O2, Tower of London, Big Bus hop on, London Zoo, View from the Shard, City Cruises, Westminster Abbey, St Paul's and more...

Other royal palaces in and around London

Tower of London Founded by William the Conqueror in 1066-7 and enlarged and modified by successive sovereigns, today the Tower of London is one of the world's most famous and spectacular fortresses. In its time it has been a royal palace, a fortress, a prison, an armory, a treasury and an astronomical observatory. The Tower of London now displays the Crown Jewels.

Windsor Castle Windsor Castle is one of three official residences of The Queen and has been home to the Sovereign for over 900 years. The Queen would call Windsor Castle her home.

The Castle is the largest inhabited castle in the world and the oldest in continuous occupation. The imposing towers and battlements of the Castle loom large from every approach to the town, creating one of the world's most spectacular skylines.

Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence of Britain's sovereigns since 1837. Today it is the administrative headquarters of the Crown and is the main venue for the Changing of the Guard ceremony.

Hampton Court Palace Henry VIII's place, and also a top day out for adults and kids alike. Don't forget the fabulous maze, as well as demonstrations, talks, etc. Proper 'Living History.'

Kew Palace (with Kew Gardens) Open from March - September, Kew Palace, once the home of George III and Queen Charlotte, requires a valid ticket for Kew Gardens to enter. See the Great Pagoda (which can be climbed with a separate ticket), Queen Charlotte's Cottage and the Palace itself with Royal Kitchens.

Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Kensington Palace, Kew Palace and Windsor Castle - all included with London Pass

The London Pass can save you £££'s on walk-up entry prices for over 80 of London's top attractions.

Included in the pass are the Tower of London , Kensington Palace , Windsor Castle , Kew Palace & Gardens , The King's Gallery , and Hampton Court Palace . In addition other top attractions such as London Zoo , Westminster Abbey , St. Paul's and View from the Shard are included.

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Kensington Palace

The palace is the official residence of the Prince and Princess of Wales. Other residents include Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, Duke and Duchess of Kent and Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

Areas of Kensington Palace are open to the public. Visitors can walk through the King's State Apartments, the Queen's State Apartments and the Gardens. There are also exhibitions plus a shop and The Orangery cafe.

To book tickets to Kensington Palace and for more information, visit the Historic Royal Palaces website .

History of Kensington Palace

King William and Queen Mary asked Christopher Wren, the architect of St Paul's Cathedral, to turn Nottingham House into a palace. His extension is largely what you see today.

The clerk of works, Nicholas Hawksmoor, was told to do the job quickly and cheaply so that's why Kensington Palace was built with bricks, rather than stone.

It was completed in six months and William and Mary moved in on Christmas Eve 1689. Over the next few years, the couple added a gallery, the Queen's Apartments and a new entrance. They opened the gardens to the public on Sundays when they went to Richmond.

Mary didn't have long to enjoy her new palace because she died from smallpox in 1694. In 1702, William fell off his horse, broke his collar bone and died a few days later.

Queen Victoria was born at Kensington Palace and lived here until 1837. Diana Princess of Wales had an apartment at the palace from 1981-1997.

The Ultimate Guide to visiting Kensington Palace

Kensington palace ultimate guide.

From the outside, Kensington Palace seems like a deserted, almost eerie building, perched on the edge of Hyde Park. But inside the palace there is a treasure trove of royal rooms, items, paintings and even wardrobes that any royal enthusiast will appreciate.

Kensington Palace has been a royal residence for almost 300 years, and today it serves as the official London residence for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, along with their two children Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

During the 17th century, the palace was surrounded by lush countryside, and was considered to be the “perfect rural retreat” for members of the royal family. King William III and Queen Mary II first moved into the palace to help treat the king’s asthma, as it was believed that the air surrounding Kensington Palace could “help cure without medicines.”

But a dark cloud has always lingered over Kensington Palace, as it is said to be haunted by several different spirits. Not only that, but those who once resided inside the palace lived a depressing, and often isolated life. Both Princess Diana and Princess Margaret were said to have been unhappy when they lived at Kensington Palace, and Queen Mary II contracted smallpox within weeks of moving in; (she died shortly after at the age of 32). Furthermore, Queen Anne got pregnant 17 times when living at Kensington Palace, but none of her children survived to adulthood.

As a matter of fact, Kensington Palace was such a sad and dismal place for so many females who once lived there, one of the staircases was painted with portraits of valets, maids and babies in the hopes of “dispelling the curse” hanging over the palace.

Nevertheless, some pleasant as well as important royal events have taken place inside Kensington Palace throughout its history. Not only was Queen Victoria both born and raised there, she also met her future husband Albert inside the palace, and was even given the news of her accession at Kensington Palace in 1837 as well.

Kensington Palace Highlights

Despite its depressing history, Kensington Palace is essentially a hidden gem in Hyde Park, and thousands of tourists visit the palace each year.

If you choose to take a tour of Kensington Palace, there are four different “routes” which are included in your admission ticket. These routes include “Victoria Revealed” (an exhibition on the life of Queen Victoria), the King’s State Apartments (which educate visitors on the Hanoverian court), The Queen’s State Apartments (which focuses on the palace’s many royal residences like William and Mary, and George I), and “Fashion Rules” (an exhibition on the wardrobes of Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Margaret and Princess Diana).

In recent years the Kensington Palace State Rooms underwent a massive renovation, and as a result, the majority of the rooms inside the palace look as if they’ve changed very little since the 17th century. Some of the many highlights inside the palace include The King’s Staircase, The King’s Gallery (the largest of the state apartments inside Kensington Palace), and The Privy Chamber (where Queen Caroline used to entertain guests).

Make sure you spend some extra time in Queen Victoria’s residence so you can read personal letters between her and Prince Albert, and even see her childrens’ toys and clothes. Also, be sure to check out the Kensington Palace gardens, which are famous in their own right.

Special Tips

Getting There

Visiting kensington palace.

Recommended visiting time for Kensington Palace is around two to three hours, depending on how much time you want to spend glancing over all the different exhibits.

The palace hosts a “History Bites” talk every day, during which a palace “expert” educates listeners on various different subjects related to the palace. These talks take place in the visitor areas of the palace, and there is no need to book in advance.

Visitors are also welcome to explore the palace at their own leisure, and can grab a Kensington Palace guide book for £5 during their visit to read up on its history, as well as all the different rooms they can visit.

There is a restaurant inside Kensington Palace (The Orangery) which offers breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea, and the Palace Cafe also serves sandwiches, cakes and pastries; (admission inside the palace is not required).

Ticket prices and Opening Hours

Kensington Palace is open every day except December 24th, 25th and 26th.

From March 1st to October 31st, the palace is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (with last admission at 5 p.m.). Be aware that the palace closes at 4 p.m. during the winter months, and 5 p.m. during the summer months.

From March 1st to October 31st tickets cost:

• £16.90 online or £18 at the gate (for adults)
• £13.20 online or £14.30 at the gate (for seniors and students)

From November 1st to February 28th tickets cost:

• £15.40 online or £16.50 at the gate (for adults)
• £12.60 online or £13.70 at the gate (for seniors and students)

Children under the ages of 16 can get in for free, but must be accompanied by an adult during their visit.

There are also annual memberships available for £48 which include unlimited entry into London’s six most famous palaces for a year. There are also discount tickets available for groups of 15 people (or more) as well.

The Kensington Palace restaurant (The Orangery) is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day, and the Palace Cafe is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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London , London Travel Tips & Inspiration · August 14, 2023

Your Ultimate Guide + Tips For Visiting Kensington Palace in 2024 (from a local)

Table of Contents

Looking to visit Kensington Palace? Here’s my top Kensington Palace tips including everything you need to know about visiting the royal abode — from a local Londoner and London travel blogger (in other words, you’re in good hands) enjoy!

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Perched on the edge of Hyde Park, Kensington Palace is London’s 2nd most royal residence (right behind Buckingham Palace) and the home to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge — Prince William and Cate Middleton, at least before they moved to Windsor .

Its history spans back over 300 years as everything from a home to Queen Victoria and Princess Diana to more current affairs such as the announcement grounds for Prince Harry and Meghan’s engagement.

Visiting Kensington Palace and feeling like you’ve stepped into royal life is an experience like no one, but you’ll want to be prepared.

In this post I’ll be sharing a quick history of Kensington Palace , how to get to Kensington Palace , the best Kensington Palace tickets, passes and tours , Kensington Palace opening times and the best time to go to Kensington Palace , what to do and see in Kensington Palace , how much time to spend at Kensington Palace and the best practical tips for visiting Kensington Palace along with a Kensington Palace map to help you navigate your day with ease — enjoy!

Your Ultimate Guide + Tips For Visiting Kensington Palace (from a local)

A Quick History: Kensington Palace

Before its royal days Kensington was a beautiful mansion home to Sir Daniel Finch, the Secretary of State at the time.

When William III and Mary II assumed the monarch in 1689, they found their Whitehall Palace abode near the Thames to be too agitating to their son’s asthmatic conditions. This started a hunt for a new home and the eventual purchase of Kensington Palace for £20,000 from Daniel Finch.

Since then it has served as a royal residence for ‘minor royals’ for nearly 300 years, with the most notable residents including:

• The childhood home of Queen Victoria and where she met Prince Albert
• The home of William III and Mary II
• The home of Queen Anne and Anne’s son William
• The previous home of Princess Diana and Prince Charles
• The home of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (Prince William and Cate Middleton) and their children Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte up until their Windsor move in 2022
• The announcement place of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s engagement (Prince Harry and Megan Markle)

Other royal residents also call Kensington Palace home (easy to do with 547 rooms) including The Duke and Duchess of Kent, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

P.S – As you can imagine, the royals like their privacy — so don’t expect to see them popping about during your visit!

Is Kensington Palace Worth Visiting?

Before you decide to spend your day roaming Kensington Palace you may be wondering ‘is Kensington Palace worth visiting?’.

Personally speaking, yes. If you’re interested in British history, royalty, or even just exploring London, it’s worth visiting. Especially if you already have the Go City Explorer Pass or The London Pass — Kensington Palace is included on both!

Pro-tip: Although I highly suggest seeing inside the palace, if you would like to experience Kensington Palace for free, you can still visit Kensington Gardens or enjoy views of the palace from outside while you’re exploring Hyde Park

Getting to Kensington Palace

Getting to Kensington Palace is relatively easy as there are lots of transport links. Before you go, I highly suggest downloading Citymapper to help plan your journey.

By Underground: The closest tube station to Kensington Palace is High Street Kensington station which is 10-minute walk from Kensington Palace on the District & Circle Lines and a 10-minute walk from Queensway station on the Circle Line. It’s also about a 20-25 minute walk from both Notting Hill station and Paddington station.

By Bus: Bus 9,49,52,70 and 452 will drop you off on Kensington High Street, about a 10-minute walk from the palace. Bus 94, 148, and 274 will drop you off on Bayswater Road, about a 10-15 minute walk from Kensington Palace.

By River Cruise: If you’re already in the middle of sightseeing pre-Kensington Palace, you can take an Uber Boat from Central London to Battersea Power Station Pier station to do some river sightseeing along the way. Once you get off, go to Stop CJ and take bus 452 towards Ladbroke Grove, it’s 15-minute bus ride to Kensington Palace.

By Train: The closest train station to Kensington Palace is Paddington Station — which serves the Paddington Heathrow Express, TFL Rail Heathrow and the National Rail , followed by a 20-25 minute walk to the palace.

Walking: If you’re exploring Central/West London neighbourhoods such as Knightsbridge , South Kensington, Kensington , Notting Hill , Chelsea, Paddington or Holland Park you’ll most likely be under an hour’s walk from Kensington Palace. This is a great way to see more London sites before your visit, so be sure to check Citymapper to see if you can simply walk over!

Already in Hyde Park?: Kensington Palace sits right on the edge of Hyde Park so if you’re already in the park itself — you’re in luck! Keep in mind Hyde Park is massive ( here’s a map ) so depending where you are in the park it could take up to a 45-minute walk within the park to get to Kensington Palace itself.

P.S – If you’re driving, there’s no parking at Kensington Palace currently so they will need to drop you off at Kensington High Street.

Do I Need Tickets to Visit Kensington Palace?

Although you can visit the Kensington Gardens and surrounding Hyde Park for free, you need a ticket to go tour inside Kensington Palace (and really have the full experience).

You can get the tickets at the door or in advance, but tickets tend to be cheaper if you book online.

Best Kensington Palace Tours :

Kensington Palace Sightseeing Entrance Ticket – The Kensington Palace Sightseeing Entrance Ticket will give you general access to explore Kensington Palace including Victoria: A Royal Child display, The Jewel Room, The King’s State Apartments, Staircase and Gallery, The Queen’s State Apartments and any current exhibitions taking place in the palace (and Kensington Gardens, open to the public). Click to book .

Kensington Palace Gardens Tour with Royal High Tea – The Kensington Palace Gardens Tour with Royal High Tea will give you access to all of above — with the benefit of a private guide and a deeper dive into the history of the palace and the royal family, including a royal high tea of sandwiches, cakes, scones and tea and coffee. Click to book.

Westminster Walking Tour and Kensington Palace Visit – The Westminster Walking Tour and Kensington Palace Visit will combine a royal stroll along London’s top 30 attractions, ending with a visit to Kensington Palace. Click to book.

The London Pass – The London Pass gives you access to over 80+ attractions (including Kensington Palace) over a set amount of consecutive days. This will give you the equivalent of a general entry ticket to Kensington Palace when you visit.

Go City Explorer Pass – The Go City Explorer Pass gives you access to 70+ attractions (including Kensington Palace), based on the amount of attractions you’d like to visit across London. This also will give you the equivalent of a general entry ticket to Kensington Palace when you visit.

P.S – Check out the difference between The London Pass and the Go City Explorer Pass to choose which one’s right for you!

Kensington Palace Opening Hours & The Best Time To Go To Kensington Palace

Summer hours in Kensington Palace (from March 2nd – October 30th) are Wednesday to Sunday 10:00 – 6:00pm with last admission at 5pm .

Winter hours in Kensington Palace (from October 31st to March 1st) are Wednesday to Sunday 10:00 – 4:00pm with last admission at 3pm .

The Sunken Garden, which includes the statue of Princess Diana is only open during opening hours in both the Summer and Winter period.

You may also be wondering, ‘when is the best time to go to Kensington Palace?’.

Between October to February crowds are reasonable at most hours , so although getting there early would be best, you won’t have too many long queues either way.

But if you’re visiting in summer, it’s a whole other story.

Between the hoard of school groups, eager tourists, royal enthusiasts and summer park goers, Kensington Palace is sure to be crowded. To avoid the queues I suggest going 20-minutes before opening time on a weekday or close to an hour before closing during a weekday .

Read More: The Best Things to do in Kensington, London

Kensington palace highlights: what to do in kensington palace, the king’s state apartments & the king’s staircase:.

The King’s Gallery & The King’s Staircase are a great way to feel like you’ve stepped into Georgian times.

This is where the King would host events and the court in his time and is an instant way to get the royal experience at Kensington Palace.

The Queen’s State Apartment:

After William II and Mary II came to the thrown, they bought Kensington Palace to be their ‘home away from home’.

Thus the Queen’s State Apartment was where Mary II would rest, relax, and of course, entertain.

P.S – My favourites here are The Queen’s Staircase and The Queen’s Gallery

Victoria: A Royal Childhood:

Before she came Queen Victoria, she was Princess Victoria — born and raised in Kensington Palace.

Fair warning, Victoria’s childhood wasn’t exactly pleasant, but the exhibition but does an excellent walk through into what life was really like being raised as a royal during that time.

The Jewel Room:

The Jewel Room features treasured gems from both Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, from dazzling tiaras to earrings and brooches.

All encapsulating the 19th century craftsmanship of the time.

Life Through a Royal Lens:

Life Through a Royal Lens is a rare chance to see an unpolished version of the royals in their most intimate moments.

From never-before-seen pictures of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip to family photo albums, it’s all here.

Visit the Sunken Garden:

The Sunken Garden was one of Princess Diana’s favourite parts of Kensington Palace, now serving as an ode to her memory.

Although you can’t go directly to her statue (commissioned by Prince Harry and Prince William to honour her service), I suggest getting as close as you can and taking in all the peace and serenity of the area.

Have Afternoon Tea at The Kensington Palace Pavilion and Tea Room:

One thing I regret not doing while at Kensington Palace was indulging in their delicious Afternoon Tea.

Taking place in the Kensington Palace Pavilion and Tea Room it’s the perfect way to end a day of royal exploring, with the backdrop of Kensington Palace of course.

Pro-tip: Use the latest Kensington Palace map from the Historic Royal Palaces to navigate your visit!

How Much Time To Spend at Kensington Palace?

To experience all of the main displays and exhibitions at Kensington Palace as well as Kensington Gardens, I suggest spending a minimum of 1½ to 3 hours.

This will give you time to see to The King’s State Apartment, Gallery & Staircase, The Queen’s State Apartment, Victoria: A Royal Childhood, Life Through a Royal Lens, The Jewel Room, exhibitions, visit Sunken Gardens and have an Afternoon Tea.

You’ll also be surrounded by the rest of Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, so if you wanted to pop into the shops on Kensington High Street and have a picnic after/before or after your visit — you could easily spend the day here!

Practical Tips Fireround: Kensington Palace

Bathrooms at Kensington Palace:

There are 3 bathrooms on-site at the Stone Hall, the café or the Pigott Galleries at Life Through A Royal Lens.

Photography at Kensington Palace:

You can take photos inside Kensington Palace, without flash, but videography is not permitted (even on your phone!). There are also a few items that can’t be photographed in the palace due to loan arrangements.

Food & Drink at Kensington Palace:

If all that Kensington Palace exploring has left you hungry (or thirsty) you can visit either The Café or The Pavilion. The Café is best for a quick hot drink or refreshment, sandwiches, cakes and ice cream.

But if you’re looking for more The Pavilion offers a full Breakfast, Lunch and Afternoon Tea menu.

Wifi at Kensington Palace:

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout Kensington Palace.

Accessibility at Kensington Palace:

If you need to bring a carer to Kensington Palace, you’re entitled to a free carer ticket which you can redeem at the visitor check-in. Describer and BSL interpretation tours are also available for the King’s State Apartments and Victoria: A Royal Childhood, but they must be booked in advance. Find more information .

Things to do Near Kensington Palace:

If you’re near Kensington Palace — definitely take the opportunity to explore the rest of Hyde Park, Kensington & South Kensington, and Harrods in Knightsbridge. You can also do my Knightsbridge to Kensington High Street Walk which ends at Kensington Palace.

Happy Londoning,

Read More on Kensington:

• The Best Things to do in Kensington, London
• Where to Brunch in Kensington: 10 Best Breakfast Spots
• A Royal Stay: 5 Stunning Hotels in Kensington, London
• Hotel Review: A Stay at the Resident Kensington
• The Best Kensington Hostels in London (from a Londoner)
• Knightsbridge to Kensington High Street Walk: London Walk Series (Episode #3)

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Visiting Kensington Palace, London – Prices, Tours And More

From the grandeur of the King’s State Rooms, to learning all about Queen Victoria’s time on the throne, and seeing Princess Diana’s stunning dresses, it’s time to visit Kensington Palace in London.

It’s funny, when you live somewhere you often don’t get around to ticking off the big tourist attractions. I was 28 when I finally visited the Tower Of London and I’ve still not toured Buckingham Palace or climbed up to the top of Tower Bridge.

Last month I finally had the opportunity to visit Kensington Palace – the home of so many present day royals, and of course plenty of kings and queens from days gone by. It’s where William and Mary held huge parties, the place where Queen Victoria was born, and the place where Charles and Diana brought up their children, William and Harry.

I booked my Kensington Palace tickets in advance with GetYourGuide (just £16 per person) and spent a few hours exploring both the palace and the gardens. Sadly your ticket won’t gain you entry to William or Harry’s pads (!) but it’s fascinating to see inside the staterooms. In fact, the week I visited was the week of the royal wedding, but Nottingham Cottage (Harry and Meghan’s home) was well out of view!

With over 300 years of royal history to digest, I decided to start my visit at the newest addition – the exhibition of Princess Diana’s dresses. Diana: Her Fashion Story showcases some of her most famous outfits. I really enjoyed reading about the occasions she wore each outfit for and seeing photos of her looking so effortlessly glamorous. She was such a style icon. There was so much detail on the gowns, from beautiful beading to elaborate sequins, and of course many of the outfits showcased fashion styles that were long forgotten!

*Please note, the exhibitions at Kensington Palace change throughout the year! When I visited this one was on, but there may be something different when you visit!*

Some of the original sketches were on the wall, and there were quotes around the exhibition recounting people’s memories of Diana.

I particularly loved the Zandra Rhodes dress which she wore on a trip to Japan. The colour? That was picked to complement the Japanese cherry blossom. Isn’t it pretty? There really was something so special about seeing her dresses in her former home… in fact it gave me chills just thinking about it!

Climbing The King’s Grand Staircase was quite a moment! The walls and ceiling are completely covered in detailed paintings and panelling. It was incredible to think of the work involved.

Upstairs are the King’s and Queen’s State Apartments, which have a mix of different styles of rooms – all very grand! The Cupola Room was my favourite, with an 18 th century musical clock in the centre and impressive panelling adorning the walls. George I threw many celebrations in that room, and you could just imagine the space being filled with music and dancing.

It was also fun to see some historic board games. Who knew that the royals from history enjoyed a board game or two? The rules for ‘Games Of Court’ were very amusing, including ‘You negotiate a treaty with Spain. Move forward,’ and ‘John Gay writes a poem about you. Move forward.’

Meanwhile, the outfits were pretty intriguing too. The court dresses (mantuas) of the time featured humorously wide skirts, but they were flat at the front and back. Rather impractical, they were a display of wealth and status. Yep, the bigger and more elaborately-decorated your skirt, the richer you were.

The Victoria Revealed exhibition charted Queen Victoria’s life, from birth, to historic moments including becoming Queen, celebrating her jubilees and finally her death. I didn’t know a huge amount about Victoria, but I found it fascinating walking up the stairs to the Red Saloon where she held her first privy council as queen at the age of 18. I’m double her age and can only imagine how daunting that must have been, especially when the news of her father’s death was so fresh.

She didn’t live in Kensington Palace once she was Queen, choosing instead to move to Buckingham Palace, but the exhibition is inspired by her own journals and has plenty of personal items on display. There’s a chance to really understand all the different sides to her too – after all she was more than Queen, she was also a mother (to 9 children!) and devoted wife to Albert too.

She and Albert loved music, art, and literature and there are plenty of items to peruse in the exhibition. Some of her crowns, broaches and tiaras are also on show, one of which was designed by Albert. It really was a wonderful romance by the sounds of it! When he died at the age of 41, Queen Victoria was inconsolable and spent the rest of her reign wearing black, and rarely appearing in public.

After exploring the palace, it was time to venture out to Kensington Palace Gardens. You can walk around the edge of the beautiful Sunken Gardens, along a tree-covered path. This was one of Diana’s favourite places, and she often spent mornings chatting to the gardeners. I could see why she loved it so much.

The gardens were a lovely place to round off my tour of Kensington Palace… oh no wait, there’s one last place to visit. The gift shop! I couldn’t help but look. They had everything from royal wedding tea, to HRH tea towels and jewellery fit for a queen (well one on a budget!)

I hope you enjoy visiting Kensington Palace! You can find out more about visiting and book your tickets here .

If you’re looking for more fun activities in London, don’t miss my guides to quirky things to do in London , unusual hotels in London and some of my favourite unique restaurants in London !

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Chloe Gunning

With a passion for food, fun and adventure, Chloe is the content creator behind one of the UK's top travel blogs Wanderlust Chloe. From volcano boarding in Nicaragua, to sailing around Sicily and eating her way around Japan, her travels have taken her to some of the coolest spots on the planet. Named Travel Influencer of the Year in 2022, Chloe regularly works with a number of tourism boards, producing inspirational travel content across multiple platforms. Find out more about Chloe here.

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My complete guide to Kensington Gardens and Palace in London

With formal gardens, water features and 265 acres of parkland, Kensington Gardens must be one of the most beautiful of the London parks. While open to the public, it somehow has an intimate feel. This is likely due to its association as the ‘back garden’ of Kensington Palace, home to many members of the Royal Family.

I took a walk to discover all the things to do in Kensington Gardens, as well as visiting Kensington Palace. Read everything below in my guide on what to see and do during your visit to London.

This article may contain affiliate links that provide commission on purchases you make at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Table of Contents

About Kensington Gardens

Kensington Gardens connects seamlessly with Hyde Park, the two forming one green space. The only division being The Serpentine and West Carriage Drive that runs through the park.

King William and Queen Mary first purchased and extended the mansion of Kensington Palace in the late 17th century. They required a residence that would be healthier than Whitehall Palace.

Subsequent monarchs laid out the gardens. Queen Charlotte created the artificial lake of The Serpentine by damming the river running through the park.

Royal Connections in Kensington Palace and Gardens

The Kensington Palace apartments are home to so many royals that it’s something of an upmarket housing estate. It offers privacy and security without all the costs associated with buying a substantial London residence.

If you are wondering who lives at Kensington Palace, it was home to Princess Margaret and Princess Diana who lived there from 1981 – 1997. The Duke and Duchess of Kent currently have their home there. You could also stay in a home fit for royalty by booking one of London’s top luxury vacation rentals .

William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have a large apartment within the palace. Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex originally lived in Nottingham Cottage. The younger generation of royals have recently been joined by Princess Eugenie who moved in with husband Jack Brooksbank after their marriage.

Read more about Kensington Palace – The Story of Kensington Palace by Tracy Borman

Queen Victoria’s first home

Kensington Palace is where Queen Victoria grew up. Sheltered from the public eye, she shared a bedroom with her mother until the age of 18 when she became queen.

You can visit the symbol of love between Queen Victoria and her consort Prince Albert in the romantic Italian gardens. that Albert commissioned as a gift for his wife. Also view the Albert Memorial that Queen Victoria erected to commemorate him when he died, aged only 42 years old.

You may also enjoy: A perfect day in Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens

Princess Diana loved the sunken gardens next to Kensington Palace. Twenty years after her death in 2017, the garden was planted with white flowers in her memory.

There are more lasting reminders too in the Princess Diana Memorial Playground. The pirate ship and the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain is a magnet for families. You can follow the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk around London, taking in four royal parks as well as the palaces and homes that are associated with her.

Things to do in Kensington Gardens

There’s so much to see in Kensington Gardens that you could spend a whole day there. Visiting Kensington Palace could take a couple of hours on its own.

As we take a walk around some of the main attractions, I recommend starting from Kensington Palace.It’s an easy walk from Kensington High Street tube, passing the smart embassies on Kensington Palace Gardens. We’ll come back to look around Kensington Palace later, but for now let’s discover some of the things to do in Kensington Gardens itself.

The Kensington Palace Sunken Garden

I love the beautiful sunken gardens beside Kensington Palace. They were laid out in 1908 and are enclosed by a shady walkway of rose covered arches and hedges. You can’t walk inside the gardens, which are planted with flowering borders, but can look in to admire the still water of the formal pond and the fountains playing.

The Kensington Palace garden is like a jewel box that you can look into from all four sides. Peer through the pretty wrought iron gates, to admire the plantings that change through the seasons.

In 2017 the whole garden was planted in a white colour scheme to commemorate 20 years since the death of Princess Diana. Now the colour schemes vary with the time of year.

If you’d love to see more gardens in London, check out this Secret Gardens of London full day tour

Meet the ducks at the Round Pond in Kensington Gardens

Next our walk takes us to the Round Pond. From the slightly raised position of the sunken garden pathways you’ll get a great view. The Round Pond was created by Queen Charlotte, who developed Kensington Gardens from 1728 to include many of the water features.

This shallow pond is a great place to see the geese, ducks and swans who are only too happy to be fed. Although this is a favourite place to see the wildfowl, it’s actually not recommended to feed them. Bread or cakes are not part of their normal diet, although they will greedily eat whatever you throw at them.

You may also enjoy: 10 free things to do in the City of London

The Albert Memorial in Kensington Gardens

Our walk continues to the south side of the park, bordering Kensington and Knightsbridge. Here we’ll find the impressive Albert Memorial, with its ornate spire looking almost like a church. Inside the monument sits the golden figure of Prince Albert who died aged only 42, leaving Queen Victoria grief stricken and in mourning for the rest of her life.

You may also enjoy: Things to do near Marble Arch in London

The monument was unveiled following his death in 1872. It feels as if Victoria was telling the world that this was the man who should have been king, all clothed in gold. At each corner of the monument are marble figures representing the far corners of the British Empire in Europe, Asia, Africa and America.

Other parts of the decoration reflect Albert’s interest in manufacturing and engineering as well as his enthusiasm for the arts. If you’d like to also visit the Albert Hall which is opposite the Albert Memorial, check out this one hour guided tour of the Royal Albert Hall .

You can also take a tour to learn more about the monument on the first Sunday of each month, March – December at 2 pm cost £9.

The Serpentine Gallery and Serpentine Sackler Gallery

From the Albert memorial, we can walk up West Carriage Drive, to the Serpentine Gallery . The Gallery hosts contemporary art exhibitions and is completely free (although donations appreciated).

If I’m in the park I always like to pop in and see what’s on. It’s generally thought provoking and interesting, even if not always the pretty-pretty art that you find in the classic London art galleries.

You may also enjoy: 15 fun things to do around Paddington Station

Last time I passed through there was the an exhibition by Pierre Huyghe of flickering LED images, that represent the brain activity of a human, with subtle reconstruction of the building. The sand and dust on the floor and the live flies buzzing around are all part of the art installation, although the website states that “utmost care of the flies” has been taken!

This is definitely art in its most conceptual and best taken without overthinking. Let the images wash over you to leave an impression on your mind as you pass through.

On the other side of the Serpentine Bridge is the Serpentine Sackler Gallery, which strictly speaking is in Hyde Park. It also offers a free gallery space for contemporary art, with a striking glass restaurant called Chucs designed by Zaha Hadid.

You may also enjoy: Top things to do in Covent Garden

The Princess Diana Memorial Fountain

Also in Hyde Park if we are being precise is the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain. It would be shame to miss this on our walk, so let’s cross over West Carriage Drive to take a look. Created from Cornish Granite, the circular water course creates an unbroken flow of shallow water, that was designed to reflect Diana’s life.

Sometimes flowing calmly, in other places bubbling and rippling, the water flows in a circle and is a popular place to sit on the edge and reflect. Although you can dabble your feet in the water, walking through the water is not encouraged, although no-one minds the children having a paddle. Close to the Diana Memorial Fountain is the Lido Cafe and Bar where you can sit on a fine day on their outdoor terrace, with a view of the Serpentine.

If you’d like to cycle through Kensington Gardens and other parts of London, check out this London Royal Parks & Palaces 3.5 hour bike tour

Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens

Although we could head into Hyde Park where there’s lots more to explore, let’s turn north. We’ll follow the edge of the Long Water which is another part of the park that’s a habitat for ducks and geese.

The path will bring us to the well known statue of Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens, from the classic children’s story tale by J M Barrie of the boy who never grew up. The statue includes other characters from the story around its base, as well as squirrels, rabbits, mice and fairies.

It was J M Barrie himself who was a resident of Kensington and commissioned the statue. Barrie had it installed in one night on 1st May 1912 as a surprise for the children in the park. The Peter Pan is one of the Talking Statues projects. You can swipe your phone on a plaque and get a call back from Peter Pan himself to hear his story.

Read more about Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens by JM Barrie

A little further along the path, you may see people feeding the green parakeets that have become established in the park. They give an exotic air to the landscape, as there are lots of them in the trees in this part of the park.

On the other side of the Long Water you can also see The Arch, a sculpture by Henry Moore. Made of Italian Travertine stone, it sits at the end of the vista that looks right across the park towards Kensington Palace.

Hotels near Kensington Gardens

While visiting Kensington Gardens, a great place to stay is Park Grand London Lancaster Gate . It’s just a 10 minute walk from the Lancaster Gate park entrance and the Italian Gardens. The hotel is also close to Lancaster Gate tube station with easy access to all the major sights of London.

This 5 star hotel is in an elegant London townhouse, with 64 bedrooms and contemporary style. You’ll find all the amenities you’d expect such as complimentary WiFi, safe and tea/ coffee making facilities in your room.

To find out more and book your stay: Park Grand London Lancaster Gate Website | Facebook | contact: [email protected]

The Italian Gardens in Kensington Gardens

At the end of the Long Water, bordering Hyde Park are the beautiful Italian Gardens. Prince Albert had the Gardens created in 1860 as a gift to his wife Queen Victoria.

The gardens are inspired by the romantic Renaissance classical style that was fashionable at the time. They feature marble urns, formal pools, fountains and geometric flower beds.

The pavilion at one end of the gardens is a pleasant place to sit. It’s actually disguised the pump room, where a steam engine was used to operate the fountains.

On the northern edge of the gardens, there’s the Italian Garden Cafe. It’s glass fronted inside space and outdoor terrace is a good place to sit and admire the gardens. Look out for the white Rolls Royce ice cream van by the Italian Gardens, where you can treat yourself to an ice cream cone.

Diana Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens

If you follow the path along the northern border of Kensington Gardens, or perhaps through the wild and natural areas of trees and grassland, you’ll reach the western edge of the park and the Diana Memorial Playground, by the Queensway Gate.

This is popular playground in Kensington Gardens, including a wooden pirate ship and play sculptures. Set in a protected enclosure of trees and shrubs, it was opened in 2000 in memory of Princess Diana who always loved children.

You won’t be able to enter the playground unless you are accompanied by children (except between 9.30 and 10 am). The playground is very popular, so at the busiest times queues may form as the numbers allowed in are regulated.

Beside the playground there’s the Broad Walk Cafe with the clock tower bearing the inscription Time Flies. N ext to it the Elfin Oak, an ancient oak trunk that is made into a charming sculpture. Figures of elves climb over it, which comedian Spike Milligan paid to have restored.

The Orangery in Kensington Gardens

Walking back towards Kensington Palace, we’ll pass the Orangery, which is currently closed for renovation. It was built in 1704 as a place to entertain for Queen Mary and her younger sister Anne.

At that time, having a glass house to keep ornamental orange and other fruit trees through the winter, was a fashionable and luxurious display of wealth and position.

The Orangery was previously open as an elegant tea rooms. While it’s being restored you can have afternoon tea in Kensington Gardens at The Kensington Palace Pavilion which has been erected close to the sunken gardens.

You may also enjoy: A perfect day in Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens London

Visiting Kensington Palace

Having explored Kensington Gardens, you’ll want to visit Kensington Palace. The Palace has strong connections with Queen Victoria and Princess Diana reflected in its exhibitions. There are many beautiful rooms and apartments in the palace, but the highlights that I most enjoyed were;

The King’s Staircase

This beautiful painted staircase is one of the first things that you see when entering Kensington Palace and was painted by William Kent to depict the court of King George I. The elegant and well dressed nobility mix with the King’s guards and his servants, as well as characters from the court. Look up and you may spot the artist himself on the ceiling holding his artist’s palate.

The King’s Gallery

This long gallery was designed to show the king’s art collection and the striking red silk damask is just as it looked when it was renovated for King George I in 1725.

Diana: Her fashion story Exhibition

The collection of Diana dresses at Kensington Palace show her changing taste and style through her public life. In the early years of her marriage, the style is romantic and flowing, with cream and pink dresses that are embellished with frills and lace.

Later Diana’s fashion style became more confident and she required elegant gowns for public appearances. We see stronger colours, clean lines and embellishment in the evening dresses she wore for public and state occasions.

After Charles and Diana divorced, there were many public appearances for the charities Diana supported, but she was more free in her choice of dresses. The body conscious dresses with narrow straps send a clear message; “I’m a confident woman making my own decisions” .

Victoria Revealed Exhibition

Queen Victoria was born in Kensington Palace and grew up there carefully sheltered from the world by her mother, the Duchess of Kent and her adviser Sir John Conroy. You can see the table in palace’s Red Saloon at which she first received her first Privy Council on becoming queen at the age of 18 after the death of her uncle King William IV. 

The exhibition shows intimate objects from her daily life, some of her clothes, the romantic portrait of her by Winterhalter that she gave to Prince Albert and her stunning tiaras and jewels.

Although you can visit Kensington Palace and buy tickets on the day, it is cheaper to book online. Also at busy times it is advisable to book in advance to be sure of your chosen time slot for entry.

The exhibition, Diana: her fashion story is especially popular and entry to this is included in the main palace ticket. Tickets are £19.50 for Adults. Kensington Palace opening hours are normally 10 am – 6 pm with last entry at 5 pm.

There is a security search to enter the palace which may also cause queues, even if you have already pre-booked your ticket. There is a cafe and gift shop at Kensington Palace which is accessible even if you are not visiting the palace.

More info: Kensington Palace Website | You can also pre-book your Kensington Palace Sightseeing tickets here .

You may also enjoy 20 things to do in Aberdeen on a weekend break Review: Warner Leisure Hotels Cricket St Thomas – leisure breaks for the 50+ traveller

Map of Kensington Gardens

There are excellent maps of Kensington Gardens available on the official website including the map below.

Click here for a downloadable pdf map of Kensington Gardens

Getting to Kensington Gardens

More information to plan your visit

Information about Kensington Gardens and Kensington Palace on the Royal Parks Website.

Hotels near Kensington Gardens – check out the Park Grand London Lancaster Gate Hotel

Need a guide book for London? We recommend the DK Eyewitness Top 10 London Pocket Travel Guide

Hotels in London – check all the prices and options

Need a guidebook for London? We recommend the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide London or if you only have a short time the DK Eyewitness Top 10 London

This article is brought to you in partnership* with the Park Grand London Lancaster Gate. 

* More info on my policies page

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com

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Friday 29th of March 2019

I have always wanted to visit Kensington Gardens. Everything looks so magical. Thank you for this excellent guide.

Disabled Ramps

Tuesday 30th of October 2018

We are so blessed in the UK to have such spectacular places to visit. The gardens are a must, and what's more they are wheelchair friendly

Many thanks for an excellent post. I am not always a huge fan of Victorian taste, but Albert Memorial was (and still is) impressive. In 1872 the queen was at her saddest, so a memorial that highlighted the late husband's significant contributions was most apt. Yes he really was interested in manufacturing, engineering and the arts in a hands-on way, and made major contributions.

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Lady’s Guide to a Lovely Kensington Walk

I hope you enjoyed the London walk in Hampstead I shared earlier this week. Continuing from there, today I want to add another to the series with a self-guided walk in Kensington. There’s a map, too.

Kensington is one of London’s most elegant neighborhoods. Best known for being home to Kensington Palace and Gardens, it’s also host to an abundance of hidden streets and mews .

Unsurprisingly for an area near a royal residence, Kensington has some of the prettiest houses and gardens in the city.

Kynance Mews is my favorite street in all of London. From spring wisteria garlanding the facades to Virginia creeper cascading down the doors in autumn, this secret street is beautiful year-round.

But there’s plenty more loveliness to uncover in the neighborhood. The colorful houses in Atherstone Mews, for example. Or the impossibly beautiful passage on Gordon Place.

Every time I walk down these streets I discover some new detail that makes me love them more. If you take your time, you will, too.

Self-Guided Walk in Kensington

This self-guided walk in Kensington will take you through the best of the area’s secret streets. There are plenty of cafes, pubs, and restaurants along the way, so feel free to stop if you need a rest.

Start your walk at High Street Kensington tube station. As you exit, turn right and cross the street at the nearest crossing, then turn left to walk west towards Holland Park .

As you do, find the alley that is Kensington Church Walk and head down it. This lane will take you by St. Mary Abbots Gardens, behind St. Mary Abbots Church, and up a narrow passage lined with shops.

Eventually you will come out on Holland Street. Turn left, then take your first left into the walkway at the end of Gordon Place.

This tiny lane is full of houses with lovely gardens. It’s lush with wisteria in the spring, so don’t miss it if you’re in London at this time of year.

Exit Gordon Place the way you came and turn left to continue down Holland Street towards Holland Park .

Take your first left on Drayson Mews and soak up the atmosphere and painted facades as you meander down to Phillimore Walk.

Turn right on Phillimore Walk, then take your second left on Campden Hill Road. This will bring you back to Kensington High Street.

Cross over Kensington High Street and turn right to head west. Duck down Eden Close, which will be the first street on your left.

Eden Close is a classic mews that gives way to Adam and Eve Mews, another neighborhood gem. Once on the latter, walk down it and turn right to exit onto Allen Street.

Turn left on Allen Street and follow it all the way down to the end. There you will find Lexham Mews and Radley Mews, two more lovely streets to explore.

Back out on Allen Street, take a right on Stratford Road, exploring the colorful houses on Blithfield Street as you make your way to Marloes Road.

Turn right on Marloes Road, then left on Lexham Gardens. Soak up the rows of houses and green spaces before heading up Cornwall Gardens Walk, the little passage in the northeast corner of Lexham Gardens.

This leafy corridor will take you up into Cornwall Gardens. It’s surrounded by charming houses and lanes, so make sure to explore as you go.

When you get to Cornwall Gardens, head to the northwest end and turn left down the little alley that leads to Stanford Road.

Take your first right to get from Stanford Road to Eldon Road, another street with lovely homes. After the church, turn right onto Victoria Road.

At the end you’ll come to a small set of steps. Go down them to find yourself in Kynance Mews, one of the prettiest streets in London .

Explore Kynance Mews on either side of Launceston Place, taking in the arches and colorful houses in all their detail.

When you’re finished, continue your self-guided walk in Kensington by heading north up Launceston Place towards Hyde Park .

Explore the cluster of shops at the end, then take a left on Victoria Grove and a quick right on Canning Passage, following it around as it becomes Canning Place. One of the houses here is stunning when the spring wisteria is in bloom.

There are lots of little side streets to explore here, including the continuation of Canning Passage to where it meets Victoria Road, the pretty houses on De Vere Gardens, and the double-decker houses in Canning Place Mews.

After exploring these streets, continue down Canning Place to Palace Gate, crossing over and making the loop of Kensington Gate. This little street has whimsical architecture and gardens.

Back at Palace Gate, turn left down Gloucester Road. After a few steps, take your first left down Queen’s Gate Mews, ducking into the little alcoves and admiring the tables and chairs as you make your way to the pub at the end.

When you reach the pub, turn left to continue exploring the mews until it dead ends, then turn around and walk straight past the pub until you get to Queen’s Gate Terrace.

Once on Queen’s Gate Terrace, cross the street and turn right, then take your first left on Gore Street. Peek into pretty Petersham Place as you pass by, then continue your walk down Gore Street.

When Gore Street meets Elvaston Place, cross the street and turn left, then take your first right on Elvaston Mews.

Walk down it, taking in the colorful buildings (and sometimes even more colorful cars) as it curves around to meet Queen’s Gate Place.

Cross the street and explore the colorful homes on Petersham Mews, then return to Queen’s Gate Place and turn right.

Walk down Queen’s Gate Place, then turn right on Atherstone Mews. The colorful homes and flowers will lead you around to Cromwell Road, where you can turn right and walk to Gloucester Road.

A left turn there will bring you to Gloucester Road tube station, where your walk ends.

Kensington Walk Details

Time: 2 hours

Map of the first half of the walk: https://goo.gl/maps/YGri4jiT14K2

Map of the second half of the walk: https://goo.gl/maps/6T2bg8F21w52

Further afield: Kensington Palace and Gardens, Uxbridge Street, Callcott Street

I’ve written a lot more London walks and you can see them all in my London walking tours blog post.

There are other lovely walks outlined in London’s Hidden Walks , too. You can get it here . There are further ideas in my London walking books post as well.

Have you done a self-guided walk in Kensington? What were the highlights?

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26 Comments on Lady’s Guide to a Lovely Kensington Walk

I’m definitely saving this:)

Nice! I hope you enjoy the walk.

You take some amazing pictures!

My daughter is in love with London (Thank you, Harry Potter). So I’m finally bringing her this autumn. I’m home schooling her this year so I can take her on a tour around the world. Your blog will def be a good reference during our trips.

That’s great! I hope the blog helps you with your plans.

Newbie on the blog. Was planning out a trip to London and trying to see more of the area and country through blogs. I’ve hosted tons of people from London that mentioned your blog. I run and have heard good things so here I am checking out some of your guides. I love your style, the photos, and the info. Knowing that this is all doable on my own is a great plus. Looking forward to exploring more. Cheers,

Thanks! I’m glad you’ve heard good things, and I hope you find my blog helpful.

I’m leaving for London in two weeks; it’ll be my third visit there. After one of those times being a study abroad experience I feel fairly well-acquainted with the city, but I love finding new things to explore! If you only have time for either the first or second half of the walk, which would you recommend? Thank you for this, and all of your posts!

You’re welcome! If you like mews, the second half is better.

Hi! I used your guide when I was in London my last time, it was perfect 🙂 Thanks for your great work! I will go again to London next week and will try one of your other walks. So fun!

I’m so glad to hear that!

The Kensington and South Kensington walks were sensational – and fantastic to have the map references. The mews were the drawcard, but I also loved the whole vibe of the area, though it was tempered when I checked out the price of a two bedroom apartment in the area, which required at least a million pounds, usually much more. So we will just have to rely on your walks instead. A million thanks!

I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed the walks!

My husband and I unfortunately had only one full day in London this time around. I wanted to get away from the crowds and see areas I hadn’t or wouldn’t see on my own. I found your site and we chose the Kensington walk. We want to thank you so much! We thoroughly enjoyed everything about it and we never would have seen these neighborhoods without your help. We look forward to taking advantage of your other self guided tours on our next visit. Thank you so much!

I’m so glad to hear that! Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment and let me know.

I’m coming to London for the weekend from Ireland and have a solo day on Friday while my husband is at cricket at Lords. This walk sounds perfect – love the Kensington area. Many thanks for sharing this! I’ll likely have to restrain myself form instagram overload around these beautiful streets. Thanks again – your blog is one of my favourites!

You’re welcome! I hope you enjoy it.

Beautiful walk. Thank you very much for putting it together and sharing it

You’re welcome!

Really enjoyed your walk whilst staying a few days in London.

Many thanks.

You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it.

Love the neighborhood and so nice and nostalgic to see it again. I used to live on palace gardens terrace and constantly explored the environs

I’m glad my blog post brought back good memories for you!

Did your amazing Kensington walk today. It was so wonderful to see the mews and amazing houses.

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Diana Her Fashion Story

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The History Hit Miscellany of Facts, Figures and Fascinating Finds

• 20th Century

Red Square: The Story of Russia’s Most Iconic Landmark

Alice Loxton

30 oct 2019, @history_alice.

Red Square is undoubtedly one of Moscow’s – and Russia’s – most iconic landmarks. Although it began its life as a shanty town of wooden huts, it was cleared in the 1400s by Ivan III, allowing it to blossom into a rich visual narrative of Russian history. It houses the Kremlin complex, St Basil’s Cathedral and Lenin’s mausoleum.

Although its name is often thought to derive from the blood that flowed during periods of unrest, or to reflect the colours of the communist regime, it is actually of linguistic origin. In the Russian language, ‘red’ and ‘beautiful’ derived from the word krasny , thus it is known as ‘Beautiful Square’ to the Russian people.

A Palm Sunday procession in the 17th century, leaving Saint Basil’s for the Kremlin.

In the 20th century, Red Square became a famous site of official military parades. At one parade, on 7 November 1941, columns of young cadets marched through the square and straight onto the front line, which was only about 30 miles away.

At another parade, the victory parade on 24 June 1945, 200 Nazi standards were thrown on the ground and trampled by mounted Soviet commanders.

The Kremlin

Since 1147, the Kremlin has always been a place of importance as the first stones were laid for the hunting lodge of Prince Juri of Suzdal.

Perched on the Borovitskiy Hill, at the confluence of the Moscow and Neglinnay Rivers, it would soon grow to become a vast complex of Russian political and religious power and is now used as the seat of the Russian Parliament. An old Moscow proverb says

‘Over the city, there is only the Kremlin, and over the Kremlin, there is only God’.

A bird’s eye view of the Kremlin. Image source: Kremlin.ru / CC BY 4.0.

In the 15th century, an enormous fortified wall was built to cut the Kremlin off from the rest of the city. It measures 7 metres thick, 19 metres high, and over one mile long.

It enclosed some of Russia’s most important symbols of piety: the Cathedral of the Dormition (1479), the Church of the Virgin’s Robes (1486) and the Cathedral of the Annunciation (1489). Together, they create a skyline of white turrets and gilded domes – although red stars were added in 1917 when the communists gained power.

The Palace of Facets, the oldest secular structure, was built in 1491 for Ivan III, who imported Italian architects to create a Renaissance masterpiece. The tall bell tower known as ‘Ivan the Terrible’ was added in 1508, and the St Michael Archangel Cathedral was built in 1509.

The Great Kremlin Palace, viewed from across the Movska River. Image source: NVO / CC BY-SA 3.0.

The Great Kremlin Palace was built between 1839 and 1850, in just 11 years. Nicholas I ordered its construction to emphasise the strength of his autocratic regime, and to act as the Tsar’s Moscow residence.

Its five sumptuous reception halls, the Georgievsky, Vladimisky, Aleksandrovsky, Andreyevsky and Ekaterininsky, each represent the orders of the Russian Empire, The Orders of St George, Vladimir, Alexander, Andrew and Catherine.

The Hall of the Order of St. George in the Great Kremlin Palace. Image source: Kremlin.ru / CC BY 4.0.

St Basil’s Cathedral

In 1552, a battle against the Mongols had raged for eight terrible days. It was only when Ivan the Terrible’s army forced the Mongolian troops back inside the city walls that a bloody siege could finish off the fighting. To mark this triumph, St Basil’s was built, officially known as the Cathedral of St Vasily the Blessed.

The Cathedral is topped with nine onion domes, staggered at various heights. They are decorated with mesmerising patterns which were recoloured between 1680 and 1848, when icon and mural art became popular and bright colours were favoured.

Its design seems to stem from the vernacular wooden churches of the Russian North, whilst revealing a confluence with Byzantine styles. The interior and brickwork also betray Italian influence.

An early 20th century postcard of St Basil’s.

Lenin’s mausoleum

Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov, also known as Lenin, served as the head of government of Soviet Russia from 1917 until 1924, when he died from a hemorrhagic stroke. A wooden tomb was erected in Red Square to accommodate the 100,000 mourners who visited in the following six weeks.

During this time, freezing temperatures preserved him almost perfectly. It inspired the Soviet officials not to bury the body, but preserve it forever. The cult of Lenin had started.

Mourners queuing to see Lenin’s frozen body in March 1925, then housed in a wooden mausoleum. Image source: Bundesarchiv, Bild 102-01169 / CC-BY-SA 3.0.

Once the body had defrosted, time was ticking for the embalming to be completed. Two chemists, without any certainty about the success of their technique, injected a cocktail of chemicals to prevent the body drying up.

All the internal organs were removed, leaving only skeleton and muscle which is now re-embalmed every 18 months by the ‘Lenin Lab’. The brain was taken to the Neurology Centre at the Russian Academy of Sciences, where it was studied to try and explain Lenin’s genius.

However, Lenin’s corpse had already reached early stages of decomposition – dark spots formed on the skin and the eyes had sunk into their sockets. Before the embalming could take place, scientists carefully whitened the skin with acetic acid and ethyl alcohol.

Under the pressure of the Soviet government, they spent months of sleepless nights trying to preserve the body. Their final method remains a mystery. But whatever it was, it worked.

Lenin’s mausoleum. Image source: Staron / CC BY-SA 3.0.

An imposing mausoleum of marble, porphyry, granite and labradorite was constructed as a permanent memorial on Red Square. A guard of honour was placed outside, a position known as ‘Number One Sentry’.

The body was laid out dressed in a modest black suit, lying on a bed of red silk inside a glass sarcophagus. Lenin’s eyes are closed, his hair is combed and his moustache neatly trimmed.

During the Second World War , Lenin’s body was temporarily evacuated to Siberia in October 1941, when it became apparent Moscow was vulnerable to the approaching German army . When it returned, it was joined in 1953 by the embalmed body of Stalin .

Lenin speaking on 1 May 1920.

This reunion was short-lived. In 1961 Stalin’s body was removed during Khrushchev’s Thaw, the period of de-Stalinization. He was buried outside the Kremlin Wall, beside many other Russian leaders of the past century.

Today, Lenin’s mausoleum is free to visit, and the body is treated with great respect. Visitors are given strict instructions regarding their behaviour, such as, ‘You must not laugh or smile’.

Taking photographs is strictly forbidden, and cameras are checked before and after visitors enter the building, to check these rules have been followed. Men are not able to wear hats, and hands must be kept out of pockets.

Featured Image: Alvesgaspar / CC BY-SA 3.0.

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