Kensington Palace is a working royal palace set within Kensington Gardens in west London. It is the birthplace and childhood home of Queen Victoria and remains an official residence of members of the Royal Family, including the Prince and Princess of Wales. Visitors can explore the grand King's State Apartments, the Jewel Room and displays on Queen Victoria's life, and in 2026 admission also includes two special exhibitions — the royal fashion show 'Dress Codes' and 'The Last Princesses of Punjab'. Note that the Queen's State Apartments close from 15 June 2026 for a major re-presentation until spring 2027, so check the current route before you go; the Sunken Garden and the statue of Diana, Princess of Wales, in the gardens are well worth a look too.
The King's State Apartments and the theatrical King's Staircase, painted by William Kent with a trompe-l'oeil crowd of Georgian courtiers
The Jewel Room of royal jewellery and richly decorated state rooms such as the Cupola Room
The re-created rooms where Queen Victoria was born and learned she had become queen
The 2026 exhibition 'Dress Codes' — royal outfits spanning 500 years, including Diana's red Bruce Oldfield gown from the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection
'The Last Princesses of Punjab' exhibition, plus the free-to-view Sunken Garden and statue of Diana, Princess of Wales, in Kensington Gardens
Good to know
CautionBook only through the official Historic Royal Palaces (HRP) website. Third-party resellers near the top of search results may charge inflated prices or sell invalid tickets, and be wary of street touts around the palace.
SafetyPickpocketing is common in busy tourist areas and on the Underground. Keep your bag in front and mind your phone and wallet, and be aware of closing times in the large Kensington Gardens around dusk.
SeasonLondon sees rain in every season, so bring an umbrella and a waterproof layer. July is peak summer season, so book online in advance, and the white flowers of the Sunken Garden look their best in summer.
RulesEntry is by timed ticket, so arrive within your booked slot. Large suitcases and big bags may not be allowed inside and cannot be stored, so leave luggage at your accommodation. The palace is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
RulesLondon Tube and buses are easiest with a contactless card or Oyster card; paper tickets are inconvenient, so have a payment method ready before you travel.
MannersThis is a working royal residence, so private areas are off-limits and quiet is expected in the exhibition rooms. Some displays restrict photography or flash, so follow the on-site guidance.
Practical info
The palace is about a 10-minute walk from Queensway station (Central line) or High Street Kensington station (Circle and District lines), crossing Kensington Gardens. It opens Wednesday to Sunday (closed Monday and Tuesday), typically 10am–6pm in summer (March–October) and until 4pm in winter (November–February), but always confirm current prices, opening hours, exhibition dates and the Queen's State Apartments closure on the official HRP website.
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