If the theme of your London trip is following in the footsteps of the British royal family, then in addition to Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey, be sure to add the enchanting Kensington Palace to your must-see list.
Kensington Palace is a royal residence located in Kensington Gardens, right in the heart of London. Along with the Tower of London, Court Palace, and three other royal palaces, it is under the care of Historic Royal Palaces, a charitable organization that ensures the quality of tours through these monarchical spaces. Although this royal seat doesn’t attract as many tourists as the famous Buckingham Palace, it’s certainly worth a visit. After all, few buildings have been an integral part of British high society life since the 17th century.
Nottingham House
This was the original name of today’s palace, which initially was a small suburban villa. It transformed into a royal residence in 1689 when William III and Mary II chose this modest building as their countryside home. The first architect to take on the complete modification of the place was Sir Christopher Wren, and his work was continued by other designers commissioned by monarchs. With their help, over the years, the reigning families managed to turn the villa into a fashionable home for young members of the British royal family.
The building is a silent witness to a vast portion of British history. It has housed significant figures such as Queen Anne, Princess Margaret (sister of Queen Elizabeth II), and Prince Charles and Princess Diana, who raised their children here. However, the most famous resident of Kensington Palace was undoubtedly Queen Victoria. Not only was she born within its walls, but she also lived there until ascending the throne, after which she moved to Buckingham Palace.
Kensington Palace remains an active, official royal residence and is home to several well-known members of the royal family. It functions somewhat like a royal apartment complex, currently housing the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge along with their children.
Visiting Kensington Palace
Even something as seemingly mundane as the staircase in the palace can leave visitors in awe. The staircase connecting the two floors of Kensington Palace was decorated by William Kent, featuring figures representing the court of George I. However, it’s no surprise that while this part of the palace is charming, there are far more treasures awaiting visitors.
Since the palace still serves primarily as a royal residence, not all rooms are open to the public, but it’s still worth buying a ticket (you can do so here, for example). The rooms that are part of the tour are more than enough to give you a taste of royal glamour and splendor.
The Royal State Apartments
The first thing that catches your attention upon entering the royal state apartments is the surprisingly sparse furniture. Why? The answer is simple—during audiences and meetings held in many of the palace’s rooms, courtiers and guests stood in the presence of the royal family, so there was no need for typical household furniture.
When examining the King’s Apartments, one cannot overlook the Presence Chamber, where the star feature is a fireplace surrounded by intricate wood carvings, or the King’s Drawing Room, which is highlighted by a painting of Venus and Cupid by Vasari. However, the most lavishly decorated room is the so-called Cupola Room, the first and most significant commission given to William Kent, the artist and designer responsible for all the state apartments.
The Queen’s Apartments
In a separate section of the palace, visitors are given a glimpse into the everyday life of Queen Mary II. During the tour, you will pass through her gallery, where she enjoyed reading, the dining room where she and her husband hosted shared meals, and the drawing room filled with the queen’s passion for porcelain, featuring works from China and Japan. The tour also leads through her bedroom, a social space where the monarch spent time with her closest friends. Want to feel like a crowned head for just a moment? You can descend the 1690s straight staircase, just as Queen Mary did, leading directly to her beloved gardens.
The King’s Gallery
As with any gallery, it displays a series of more or less impressive paintings, but this is not the only thing that makes it special. The King’s Gallery is the largest and longest of the state apartments at Kensington Palace. It was here that King William III met with his spies and planned military campaigns.
This royal everyday life was, of course, surrounded by art (and with a capital “A”). The red damask-covered walls are adorned with scenes from the life of Ulysses, as well as a copy of the noble portrait of Charles I on horseback by van Dyck.
Queen Victoria’s Apartments
In the room where Queen Victoria was born, a special permanent exhibition was created in celebration of the 200th anniversary of her birth. The exhibition is filled with objects from her daily life, particularly from her early years. It offers a rare opportunity to see the dollhouse the future monarch played with, along with a poignant scrapbook made by her German governess. The exhibition aims to showcase the extraordinary journey Victoria underwent before becoming the independent queen.
GOOD TO KNOW: During a visit to Kensington Palace, you can also take a close look at Queen Victoria’s jewelry. Among the jewels displayed in glass cases, which were gifted to the monarch by her husband Albert, are three tiaras and an emerald jewelry set. Interestingly, one of the tiaras was designed by King Albert himself.
Palace Gardens
If you’re even slightly thrilled by the sight of beautiful gardens and the greenery reigning within them, you cannot miss a stroll through the palace gardens. This area originally served as hunting grounds for the royal family. Under the orders of Mary II, the first queen to reside in the palace, a Dutch-style garden was initially created here to make her husband William, who hailed from Holland, feel at home. However, this park did not please royal eyes for long, as in 1702, with the ascension of Queen Anne to the throne, it was replaced by an entirely different English-style garden.
Today, this part of the royal grounds enchants visitors with a wildflower meadow and an arched arbor that forms a shaded, romantic tunnel of plants. However, the most beautiful area is considered to be The Sunken Garden, which originally housed a rather ordinary greenhouse. It was given new life in 1908, transforming into a remarkable, terraced garden where the lawn and paved paths intertwine with decorative flower beds.
Practical information
- It is best to purchase tickets for Kensington Palace in advance. This way, you can avoid standing in long lines and reduce the risk of tickets being sold out.
- Address: Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX, United Kingdom
- Buy tickets on GetYourGuide
