You are cordially invited to Buckingham Palace, official London residence of Her Royal Majesty, the Queen. But you will need to be quick. Doors at the palace open for summer guests from 22 July 2019, and are firmly relocked until next summer on 29 September 2019.
So, if you are planning on staying at the Hotel Park Grand Paddington Court London this summer, get your ticket before they sell out.
If you do wish to visit Buckingham Palace, booking your tour in advance is highly recommended, due to the popularity of the attraction. Whilst searching for London hotels special offers this summer, book your ticket to the palace at the same time. Thinking ahead puts you in a better position to book a great advance deal or package on your hotel, then you can use the savings to invest in other London tourist attractions.
If you need a little convincing, we have put together an overview of what you will see, and why you should put a day out at Buckingham Palace at the top of your list while staying at the Hotel Park Grand Paddington Court London.
1) The Queen rules
Everyone loves the Queen. The longest-serving British monarch, she is beloved for her Christmas Day broadcasts, her affection for corgis, her horseback riding, her efforts during the Second World War and her iconic wave. So naturally, everyone is curious for a glimpse into how she lives.
The Queen has lived at Buckingham Palace most of her life, although it is not her permanent residence. It’s her office, you could say. She lives there when she has business in London.
However, it is still a home of sorts and has powerful personal memories for her, since her childhood. She lived there during her coronation in 1953, at the young age of 27. She gave birth to her three sons there. In fact, she broke Royal protocol and had Prince Philip present at the birth of Prince Edward!
When the Queen is at home, the Royal Standard flies above the palace. Whilst she is away, the Union Flag (affectionately known as the Union Jack) flies. Sadly, you’ll be seeing the latter when you book the tour because during summer, the Queen stays at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
Everyone deserves a holiday, even royalty.
2) It’s a majestic day out
There is so much to explore at Buckingham Palace. The core attractions of the tour are the 19 State Rooms – a suite of lavishly decorated rooms where the Queen receives official visitors. They are also the setting of private affairs with a commercial interest – such as the Royal Wedding reception for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
The Palace features a treasure trove of art owned by the Royal Collection. It’s home to paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Poussin and Canaletto. There are sculptures by Canova and Chantrey, and exquisite examples of Sèvres porcelain. Some of the finest English and French furniture in the world grace the corridors and parlours.
Do you have a dinner reservation at The Grand Restaurant after your tour? Fortunately, there are over 350 clocks and pocket watches throughout the palace, so you can keep an eye on the time to ensure you’re not late.
Your tour concludes in the Palace Garden, where you can have a cup of tea on the lawns where the Queen has her garden parties before she heads up to Scotland.
3) Your chaperone is the Prince of Wales
That’s right, you will be guided by His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales – heir to the throne. This is an audio guide, but still, we think it’s a rather splendid element of the tour. It’s free, and His Royal Highness will tell you everything you need to know.
4) You will see unique exhibitions
Every summer, a themed exhibition is launched at the Palace as part of the summer tour. This year is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Queen Victoria, who was crowned when she was 18 and ruled for 63 years, making her the second longest reigning monarch second only to our current Queen. Under Queen Victoria’s reign, Buckingham Palace became the working residence that it remains today, and the special exhibition guides you through this transformation.
5) You will feel like royalty
Waltzing up the Grand Staircase will give you a red carpet experience like no other. Dip into the Throne Room, and imagine yourself seated on the Chairs of Estate, upon which The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were coronated. Step into the Ballroom, and picture hosting your own State Banquet with your family. As a working palace, the design and temperament of Buckingham Palace have the power to make you feel both at home and in awe.
6) Location, location, location
They (and by ‘they’ we mean palace architects John Nash and Edward Blore) really couldn’t have built the palace in a better location. It’s cocooned by the Royal Parks for a post-palace picnic and ice cream. It’s also walking distance to Trafalgar Square, home of the National Gallery and Nelson’s Column. You can nip down to Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. Honestly, from here you can get anywhere easily and quickly, so it’s ideal even for those on a fleeting visit to London who wish to squeeze in a few attractions.
7) The Crown is coming back
If you’ve been gripped by Netflix’s series about the monarch, The Crown, you’ll no doubt know that the third season airs this autumn. What better way to prepare yourself than by visiting the setting of the series? If you haven’t seen the show yet, make the most of the complimentary Wi-Fi at the Hotel Park Grand Paddington Court London and binge watch in your comfy room.
8) You’ll be one of the few
Finally, as it only opens to the public for a mere 10 weeks a year, access to Buckingham Palace is extremely limited, so if you happen to be in London during this window of opportunity – seize the day!
