Buckingham Palace is the royal Palace of the United Kingdom, located in the city of Westminster in London, is the center of the emperor’s power, and is also one of the venues for national celebrations and royal welcome ceremonies. It was built in 1703 when John Sheffield, Duke of Buckingham and Normanby, built a large town hall building on the site, which later became the main building of Buckingham Palace. Since then, the palace has undergone several additions and alterations, mainly under the direction of architects John Nassey and Edward Brower, which eventually resulted in the scale seen today.
Buckingham Palace is a four-storey cuboid grey building with a stately main entrance draped with the royal crest and surrounded by railings. There are many statues in the square in front of the palace, as well as the Queen Victoria Memorial Hall expanded by King Edward VII, the golden statue of the victorious Goddess and the statue of Queen Victoria, etc., all represent the glorious history of the royal family. There are more than 600 rooms in the palace, such as ceremony hall, concert hall, banquet hall and gallery, which are luxuriously decorated and resplendent, showing the honor and majesty of the royal family. In addition, the sprawling imperial garden is full of beautiful flowers, adding a sense of tranquility and elegance to the palace.
At certain times, such as every morning, Buckingham Palace will carry out the famous Praetorian Guard handover ceremony, which is a major landscape of British royal culture, attracting a large number of tourists to watch. In addition, Buckingham Palace is also open to the public on a regular basis, visitors can closely appreciate the palace’s art treasures and fine furniture, feel the history and culture of the British royal family.
However, although Buckingham Palace is full of historical and cultural charm, it also faces some maintenance challenges. For example, some buildings of the palace have problems such as rain leakage, which requires a lot of money to repair and maintain.
In general, Buckingham Palace is an important symbol of British history and culture, and it is also a must-visit place for tourists to visit the British royal culture. Whether you appreciate its spectacular architecture, or feel its profound cultural heritage, you can deeply appreciate the unique charm of the British royal family.
- Preliminary preparation
Before planning a visit to Buckingham Palace, the heart of the British royal family, we need to make full preparations to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip. Buckingham Palace is not only the official residence of the Queen of Britain, but also the administrative headquarters of the British royal family, attracting thousands of tourists to visit every year.
First of all, ticket booking is essential. We can check the opening hours and ticket prices of Buckingham Palace through the official website or the travel booking platform, and choose the right time to visit according to our own schedule. In order to avoid queues and rush hours, it is recommended to book tickets online in advance and choose the package for your visit.
In addition to ticket reservations, we also need to know about traffic in and around Buckingham Palace. London’s transport network is well developed, but congestion can occur during peak hours, so we need to plan our travel routes and times in advance to ensure that we can get to the visit site on time.
In the preparation stage, we also need to prepare some necessary travel items. For example, comfortable shoes and clothing are essential as we need to visit various areas of Buckingham Palace on foot. Also, bring a camera and charger so you can record the beautiful moments. If possible, also carry some light snacks and water in case of emergency.
In addition, we need to know the rules and etiquette for visiting Buckingham Palace. As the official residence of the British royal family, Buckingham Palace has strict visiting rules and etiquette requirements. During the visit, we need to abide by the relevant regulations, respect the dignity and authority of the royal family, and must not touch or destroy the cultural relics and exhibits.
- Schedule
Day 1: Buckingham Palace in-depth tour
Morning: We arrive at Buckingham Palace early and first visit its annex buildings – the Royal Gallery and the Royal Mews. The Royal Gallery has a collection of valuable artworks and paintings, which represent the taste and collection of the British royal family, giving us a glimpse of the artistic style of the royal family. Walking in the gallery, we can appreciate the masterpieces of Da Vinci, Van Gogh and other masters and feel the charm of art.
Next, we head to the Royal Stables, where the horses and equipment of the British Royal Horse Team are on display. The horses of the Royal Team are carefully selected and trained, and they are an important part of the royal ceremony. Here, we can see these horses up close and feel the majestic momentum of the Royal horse team.
Noon: At lunchtime, we have the option to have lunch at a restaurant near Buckingham Palace. London’s dining culture is rich and varied, whether it is traditional British cuisine or international cuisine, you can find it here. While enjoying the food, we can also review the experience of the morning visit and share our feelings.
Afternoon: After lunch, we enter the main building of Buckingham Palace for a tour. First came the Throne Room, where the Queen holds important ceremonies and receives foreign heads of state. The interior decoration is luxurious and resplendent, showing the royal honor and majesty. Next, we visit the Concert Hall and the National Restaurant, which are the venues for royal banquets and events, and are also full of royal atmosphere.
Evening: After our visit to Buckingham Palace, we can head to a nearby theatre to see a wonderful show and get a feel for London’s nightlife and culture.
Day 2: Buckingham Palace Square and the Royal Guard handover ceremony
Morning: Early the next morning, we’re back at Buckingham Palace, this time to watch the famous Guard handover ceremony. The ceremony, which usually takes place in the morning, is a highlight of Buckingham Palace. We came to the square early, took up a vantage point and waited for the ceremony to begin.
When the ceremony begins, we can see teams of uniformed Janissaries soldiers performing in formation to the sound of military music and commands, and saluting each other with guns raised. Their movements are neat and majestic, making people feel the majesty and gravitas of the royal family. The ceremony is not only a visual feast, but also a profound experience of British royal culture.
Noon: After watching the Praetorian Guard handover ceremony, we can have lunch at the restaurant near the square. The restaurants here offer a variety of cuisines, whether simple English or international, to satisfy our taste buds.
Afternoon: After lunch, we stroll through the gardens around Buckingham Palace. These gardens have been carefully designed and maintained, with flowers blooming all year round and trees in the shade. Here, we can feel the serenity and elegance of the royal family, but also enjoy a variety of beautiful flowers and sculptures.
Evening: In the evening, we can choose to visit other attractions in London, such as Big Ben, London Eye, etc. These attractions are iconic buildings in London, whether it is to enjoy the night view or feel the history and culture, are a good choice.
Day 3: St. James Park and surrounding attractions Tour
Morning: On the third day, we head to St. James’s Park, a royal park near Buckingham Palace. The park is lined with trees and the lake is clear, which is a good place for the recreation of London citizens. We can walk here, view the scenery, take photos, feel the royal atmosphere.
In the park, we can also visit some historical buildings and sculptures, such as the remains of St. James’s Palace, the statue of James I and so on. These buildings and sculptures are witnesses to British history and give us a deeper understanding of the country’s culture and traditions.
Noon: At lunch time, we can have lunch at a restaurant near the park and sample the local cuisine.
Afternoon: After lunch, we head to other attractions near Buckingham Palace. For example, we can visit Westminster Abbey, which is a historic church and the place where the British monarch was crowned.
To the ancient architectural style and exquisite murals, sculptures and other works of art, feel the thick and solemn history.
Then we head to Tower Bridge, which is not only an important transport hub in London, but also a scenic line on the Thames River. Standing on the bridge, we can overlook the beauty of the Thames and feel the prosperity and vitality of London. At the same time, we can visit the Tower of London and learn about British history and culture.
In addition, if we have enough time, we can also visit the British Museum, which is one of the largest and most famous museums in the world. Here, we can appreciate precious cultural relics and artworks from all over the world and gain an in-depth understanding of the diversity of human civilization.
Evening: After a full day of visiting, in the evening we have the option to enjoy dinner at one of London’s specialty restaurants and taste the local cuisine. While enjoying the food, we can also review the wonderful moments of the day and share our travel experiences.
Third, precautions
Follow the rules: When visiting Buckingham Palace and other attractions, it is important to follow the rules and etiquette. Respect royal dignity and authority, shall not touch or destroy cultural relics and exhibits.
Due to the many attractions in London, it is recommended to plan your trip in advance and arrange your visit time reasonably. Try to avoid visiting popular attractions during peak hours to avoid overcrowding affecting the experience.
Dress comfortably: As you will need to visit multiple sites on foot, it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes and clothing. Also, bring appropriate rain gear or sunscreen according to the weather conditions.
Pay attention to safety: During the journey, please pay attention to the safety of personal belongings and avoid carrying too much cash and valuables. At the same time, pay attention to local traffic and safety information to ensure a safe and smooth trip.
Through this trip, we will deeply experience the royal atmosphere of Buckingham Palace and feel the history and culture of the United Kingdom. During the visit, we can not only appreciate the exquisite art and architecture, but also learn about the traditions and etiquette of the British royal family. At the same time, we can also appreciate the unique charm of the city of London, feel its prosperity and vitality. It will be an unforgettable journey. Let’s look forward to and cherish this wonderful time together.
