Kensington Palace in London

Nestled in the heart of Kensington Gardens, Kensington Palace is an invitation into the enigmatic universe of the British crown.

Follow Captain Ulysses on a tour of this sumptuous residence which remains today the home of illustrious members of the royal family.

Brief history of Kensington Palace

The origins of Kensington Palace

Let’s go back in time to the beginning of the ^17th century, shall we? In 1619, the 1st Earl of Nottingham set his sights on a small renaissance mansion built 14 years earlier in the village of Kensington (which was, at the time, outside the capital) and decided to make it his personal residence.

Seventy years later, in 1689, the freshly crowned King William of Orange (William III) and his wife, Queen Mary II, bought Nottingham House from the 2nd Earl of Nottingham. The new British monarch was indeed asthmatic and wanted to wants to take up residence in the countryside, far from the unbreathable atmosphere of the capital.

The Golden Age of Kensington Palace

At the couple’s request, major expansion works quickly started to make the small mansion a palace worthy of the British crown. The project was entrusted to famous architect Christopher Wren – known, among other things, for designing St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.

For the following 70 years, Kensington Palace (also called Kensington House ) was the favored residence of British monarchs: Queen Anne, King George I and King George II.

In 1819, the queen to be, Victoria, was born at the Palace of Kensington, where she spent the first 18 years of her life, until her accession to power in 1837. The palace later became the residence of secondary members of the royal family.

The Prince and Princess of Wales at Kensington Palace

In 1981, Prince Charles and Princess Diana took in turn residence at Kensington Palace, where their sons, William and Harry, spend the first years of their lives.

In 1992, the couple separated: Prince Charles left Kensington Palace for St. James’s Palace and Queen Elizabeth authorized Lady Diana to stay at Kensington Palace. When Lady D. tragically passed away, many Britons gathered at the gates of the palace to lay wreaths in her memory.

Kensington Palace today

Today, Kensington Palace continues to be inhabited by famous members of British royalty: Prince William and his wife Kate, as well as their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

The palace also became the official residence of Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle following their wedding in 2018, prior to their departure for the United States.

Visiting Kensington Palace and its gardens

Kensington Palace

As you can imagine, only part of Kensington Palace is open to the public. There’s no chance of incidently running into the Duke nor the Duchess of Cambridge during your visit!

But Kensington Palace is an invitation to discover the daily lives of illustrious monarchs of the past and remains as such one of London’s top attractions. You will be able to explore:

• The Queen’s state apartments (where Mary II once lived)
• The King’s state apartments, with the sumptuous King’s Staircase and the equally stunning Cupola Room
• The beautiful gardens of Kensington Palace ( sunken garden )
• Temporary exhibitions that offer a fresh perspective on the English monarchy

Kensington Gardens

Located to the west of Hyde Park (to which they belong), Kensington Gardens extend over 1.1 km2. Weather permitting, Captain Ulysses can only recommend taking some time to leisurely wander through the gardens.

While exploring Kensington gardens, be sure the villages of:

• The Albert Memorial, erected in memory of Queen Victoria’s husband
• Peter Pan statue, in homage to the work of famous Scottish author JM Barrie
• The Serpentine Gallery , a contemporary art museum known for its temporary exhibitions showcasing the works of emblematic artists, such as Man Ray, Henry Moore, Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Jeff Koons
• The Italian Gardens , with their lovely fountains

Afternoon tea in Kensington

Built by Queen Anne in 1704, the Orangery is now home to a café-restaurant, where you’ll be able to try a 100% British specialty: afternoon tea.

On the menu: scones, marmalade and sweet treats of all kinds. Bon appétit!

If you wish, you can also sprinkle this gourmet moment with a pinch of discovery with a guided tour of Kensington Gardens including the afternoon tea : more info here.

Access

Getting to Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace is located in Kensington Gardens, west of Hyde Park.

The nearest public transport is:

• Underground: High Street Kensington (District, Circle and Piccadilly lines) and Queensway (Central line) stations
• Bus: lines 70, 94 and 148 (stop on Bayswater Road) / lines 9, 49, 52, 70 and 452 (stop on Kensington High Street)

The hop-on hop-off buses that tour the city also make a stop at Kensington Palace.

👉 For more information: hop-on hop-off bus ticket + Thames River cruise.

Opening hours of Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace is open every day of the year, except for December 24, 25 and 26. Opening vary with seasons:

• From March 1^st to October 31: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last entry at 5 p.m.)
• From November 1^st to February 29: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (last entry at 3 p.m.)

Visiting Kensington Palace should take roughly 1.5 hour.

Admission

Admission to Kensington Palace is:

• Adults: £19.30
• Children (5-15): £9.60
• Seniors (over 65), students and young visitors (16-17 ): £15.40
• Family pack 1 (1 adult + up to 3 children aged 5-15): £28.90
• Family pack 2 (2 adults and up to 3 children aged 5-15): £48.30

A donation can be added to the price of your entrance ticket if you want.

👉 To save time (and money), you can also book your tickets online.

💡 The London Pass not only gives you access to the iconic Kensington Palace, but also to around 80 other attractions in the capital, including many of the most famous monuments and activities.

👉 Skip the lines: book your tickets and visits in London!

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