Places

Facts about Buckingham Palace

May 27, 2025 17:55

Buckingham Palace has been the London residence of British monarchs since 1837. Today, the royal complex, located in the heart of the city, covers a total area of 77,000 square metres, which is comparable to a small town. Buckingham Palace has everything necessary for the monarchs' comfortable stay, including a cinema, post office, hospital, swimming pool, police station and even a park with a helicopter pad. Everyone can get a taste of the royal family's history, as the residence is open to tourists and welcomes visitors. The palace is guarded by the Household Division — many tourists dream of seeing the changing of the guard, as it is one of the most spectacular and famous ceremonies in London. Read on to discover more interesting facts about Britain's most famous landmark.

Official name of the palace	Buckingham Palace
Country	United Kingdom
Region	London
Year built	1703 year
Architect	William Weld
Telephone	+44 303 123 7300
Adress	Buckingham Palace, London, SW1A 1AA
Owner	the Crown Estate
Number of rooms	775 rooms
Area	20 hectares

Why is Buckingham Palace called Buckingham Palace?

Buckingham Palace owes its name to John Sheffield, Duke of Buckingham. It was he who purchased the property back in 1703 and built Buckingham House on the site. It was not until 1762 that the Duke decided to sell the mansion to King George III of England. From that time onwards, the magnificent building became the property of the British monarchs, but it was not until 1837 that it became their official residence.

When and by whom was Buckingham Palace built?

Originally, Buckingham Palace belonged to John Sheffield, Duke of Buckingham. It was based on his design that a famous English architect built the mansion here in 1703. In 1762, it was purchased by George III for his wife, Queen Charlotte, as a future private residence. Over the next 75 years, the palace was regularly rebuilt and expanded. The process was supervised by renowned architects Edward Blore and John Nash.

How long did it take to build Buckingham Palace?

The palace was rebuilt and modernised after it was bought by the royal family, and it wasn't until 1837 that it became the official residence of Queen Victoria. Initially, George planned to use it as a reception house, but then it was decided to significantly expand the building. English architects set to work and added three buildings to the original Buckingham Hall, which were built in a similar style.

How much is Buckingham Palace worth?

London Buckingham Palace is not for sale, so it does not have a market value as such. But in terms of approximate figures, experts estimate its value at £5.2 billion or $6.7 billion. This makes it one of the most expensive buildings in the world in 2025.

How many rooms are there in Buckingham Palace?

There are 775 rooms in total, including 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 19 state rooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 78 bathrooms and 92 offices. Here you can see all the splendour of England — Queen's Palace London is decorated with antique precious furniture, paintings by Rembrandt and Rubens, Sèvres porcelain and unique gold objects.

rooms in Buckingham Palace — Rooms in Buckingham Palace

Where is Buckingham Palace located?

The official residence of the British monarchs is located in London. The exact address is Buckingham Palace, London SW1A, UK.

How to get to Buckingham Palace by car?

It is best to use public transport to get to Buckingham Palace, but it is also possible to travel by car. However, when planning your route, please note that access to some areas of the city is restricted. The best option is to follow the signs on the main roads A2 and M25 in London.

Buckingham Palace is located in the central part of the city in Westminster, where parking is often difficult. We therefore recommend leaving your car on the outskirts and taking a bus or the underground to the palace.

How to get to Buckingham Palace by train?

The nearest train stations are London Victoria, Charing Cross and Green Park. To get to the palace by train, choose the most convenient station. You can then continue on foot, which takes 10 to 20 minutes on average.

How to get to Buckingham Palace by bus?

There is a direct bus to Buckingham Palace that departs from Westminster Station and arrives at Westminster Cathedral. It runs daily every five minutes according to the schedule. The journey takes no more than 10 minutes. Buses 11, 211, C1 and C10 also stop near Buckingham Palace.

Who owns Buckingham Palace?

Buckingham Palace is nominally owned by the reigning monarch. However, despite being the official residence of British monarchs and the venue for state events, it is not the property of the Crown. Buckingham Palace is owned by the British state and maintained at its expense.

Who lives in Buckingham Palace?

Today, Buckingham Palace is home to King Charles III and Queen Camilla. It is worth noting that the mansion is currently undergoing extensive renovations, so the royal couple is temporarily staying at Windsor Castle and Clarence House. The King uses Buckingham Palace mainly for work meetings.

The palace's historical residents include the first monarch, Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles and Princess Diana.

residents of Buckingham Palace — Residents of Buckingham Palace

What does it mean when the flag is raised above Buckingham Palace?

If the flag of the United Kingdom is raised above Buckingham Palace, it means that no member of the royal family is currently present.

Royal Standard

If the Royal Standard is flying above the palace, it indicates that the monarch is currently there.

How can you tell if the king is in Buckingham Palace?

To do this, look at the flagpole above the palace. When the Royal Standard is flying, it means the monarch is inside.

Who broke into Buckingham Palace?

On 9 July 1982, early in the morning, an uninvited guest climbed over the 4-metre wall surrounding the palace and park and entered Queen Elizabeth II's room. It was 33-year-old painter Michael Fagan.

For his misdemeanour, he was placed in a psychiatric clinic in October 1982, from which he was released three months later.

What is happening at Buckingham Palace today?

At present, the palace remains closed to visitors, state visits and public events due to extensive renovation work. The renovation is scheduled to be completed in 2027.

When is Buckingham Palace open to the public?

The palace is usually open to tourists in the summer when the royal family is away. 2025 is an exception, and changes have been made to the schedule. The palace is closed to the public until approximately 2027. The reason for these restrictions is extensive renovation work.

Is it possible to go inside Buckingham Palace?

Before the restoration, which began in 2025, the palace was open to visitors during the summer.

During this time, the royal family would leave their residence and travel to Scotland. In the summer of 2025, it will be impossible to visit Buckingham Palace for the first time in 30 years. However, there are alternatives for tourists, such as Windsor Castle, Hampton Court, and Kensington Palace.

Buckingham Palace opening hours

Buckingham Palace is open during the summer when the royal family is at their country residence. The State Rooms will be open to visitors from 10 July to 28 September 2025, from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tickets should be booked in advance as they sell out quickly.

How much does it cost to visit Buckingham Palace?

The cost depends on the type of ticket purchased. On average, a visit to the famous Palace London will cost a tourist between £25 and £50.

How much does afternoon tea cost at Buckingham Palace?

Afternoon tea is a royal tradition that brings monarchs together around the table. Now, any visitor can feel like royalty by taking a guided tour.

Some tours include traditional Afternoon Tea, where you can enjoy a cup of tea and desserts served on a three-tiered tray. The cost of the ceremony ranges from £25 to £60.

How long does a tour of Buckingham Palace take?

A tour of the Royal Palace takes between 2 and 2.5 hours on average. In summer, you can safely add an hour to the tour to allow time for a stroll in the gardens.

Changing of the Guard schedule at Buckingham Palace

The Changing of the Guard takes place daily at 11:00 a.m. during the summer. During other seasons, you can witness this event on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.