Kensington Palace
With a National Art Pass you get
A royal London residence since 1689, see rooms filled with history, special exhibitions and a striking statue of Princess Diana in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace.
Kensington Palace has been a royal home for over 300 years. Visit grand apartments that have no furniture because the King’s visitors were not allowed to sit, and walk past the place where royal guards once vetted visitors’ outfits. Outside, stop by the statue of Princess Diana in the Sunken Garden, planted with white flowers in her memory.
The palace is the birthplace of Queen Victoria. Highlights in the queen’s reimagined childhood rooms include Victoria’s own doll house and a scrapbook that’s on display for the first time. More imposing is the staircase that leads to the King’s State Apartments, while a musical clock that took 20 years to make features among the lavish decorations in the Cupola Room. The Queen’s State Apartments, meanwhile, reveal realities of royal life: here, Queen Anne quarrelled with her friend, and Mary II of England ate fish with beer.
Elsewhere are more historic surprises. In the Jewel Room is the only known tiara designed by a consort for his Queen, decorated with gems specially commissioned for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert. The Pavilion, meanwhile, is the only place in London where it’s possible to have traditional afternoon tea on royal palace grounds. The Palace Café is no less welcoming – and for gifts inspired by this historic royal home, head to the Kensington Palace Shop.
To avoid disappointment please book tickets online ahead of your visit.
Why you should go
Opulent royal apartments that have witnessed history
Handcrafted treasures in the Jewel Room
Afternoon tea overlooking beautiful formal gardens
Visitor information
Address
Kensington Gardens, London, Greater London, W8 4PX
020 3166 6000
Opening times
Art Fund members receive 50% off entry during exhibitions, free entry at other times.
Pre-book tickets during exhibitions, otherwise just show up on the day.
Visitor information
The more you see, the more we do.
The National Art Pass lets you enjoy free entry to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic places across the UK, while raising money to support them.