Royal wedding fever has certainly hit here in Australia, and all around the world for that matter. With Prince Harry set to marry Meghan Markle – and of course the very recent birth of Prince Louie – the interest in the Royal Family has increased significantly this past month or so.
Love them or not, there’s no denying they are an interesting family with an incredible history and tradition. To celebrate the Royal nuptials, we thought we’d take a look at our top 5 royal places worth a visit on your travels in London.
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Buckingham Palace
Perhaps the most iconic and famous royal attraction is of course Buckingham Palace! The official home of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip. You can visit at anytime to take a peek from the gates and if you time your visit you could also witness the famous Changing of the Guards ceremony, held daily at 10:45am. (Be sure to arrive early if you would like a good viewing spot!) During the Summer (July – September) the State Rooms are open to the public and you can purchase tickets to see these lavishly decorated rooms.
Buckingham Palace
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Tower of London
This historic castle has been used for many purposes over the years, however now it is home to the iconic Crown Jewels of England. Visitors can explore the grounds and take a look at the fascinating and large range of jewels on display, with opportunities to visit every day of the week!
Tower of London
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Hyde Park and Kensington Palace
Hyde Park and Kensington Palace are both quite close, so you can visit both on the same day. Hyde Park is one of London’s Royal Parks and you can take a walk around the picturesque park and visit the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain in the park as well. If you then head into Kensington Gardens you’ll find Kensington Palace – home to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (Will and Kate) and their young family. You can visit one wing of the Palace and explore some of the exhibitions on display. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s home (Nottingham Cottage) is also located within these palace grounds.
Kensington Palace
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St James Palace
Before the Queen and her family moved into Buckingham Palace, Her Majesty called St James Palace home. Today, it is home to several other members of the Royal Family and the Royal family’s household offices. Unfortunately, this palace is not open to the public, but it’s still a great place to visit and see the famous Changing of the Guard ceremony up close!
Changing of the guards
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Westminster Abbey
This breathtaking church in the heart of London has been the scene of Royal Coronations for many years and is also famous for holding many Royal Weddings – including that of Prince William and Kate back in 2011! Harry and Meghan have chosen a different church to his older brother and sister in law, choosing instead to get married at St George’s Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle. Westminster Abbey is usually open for visitors from Monday to Saturday throughout the year and is definitely worth a stroll through.
Westminster Abbey
Most of these sites require a ticket to be purchased beforehand and can be quite busy and popular with other travellers. If you’d like to include some royal destinations on your itinerary in the UK, speak to one of our friendly consultants who can help you to arrange it from home so you don’t miss out!
