Palaces of London: From posh pads to party crashers (you wouldn't want to be invited)
Buckingham Palace, with its balcony waves and corgi-filled courtyards, is the first image that springs to mind, right? But London's got a whole lot more palace drama than just one. Get ready for a whirlwind tour of the grand, the gritty, and the downright ghostly residences of London's royal and, well, not-so-royal past.
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| What Palaces Are In London |
The Royals are Rollin' In: Palaces Fit for a Crown (or Two)
Buckingham Palace: THE palace. Home to the Queen (or whoever's on the throne, really), it's got 775 rooms, enough for a serious game of hide-and-seek with a crown jewel or two. You might even catch the Changing of the Guard ceremony, a display of pomp and circumstance that'll make you feel like you've stepped into a history textbook (with better hats).
Kensington Palace: Not as stuffy as Buckingham Palace (and with way less chance of bumping into a corgi), Kensington Palace is all about the younger royals. Prince William and Kate Middleton (you might know them as Wills and Kate) live here, and it's also seen the likes of Princess Diana.
St. James's Palace: This grand old dame is technically the most senior royal residence in London. Think of it as the posh granny flat of the palace bunch. These days, it's used for official ceremonies and houses some of the royal family's offices.
Palaces with a Past: When Opulence Goes Out of Fashion
Hampton Court Palace: Ever heard of Henry VIII? Yeah, this was pretty much his Tudor crib. Think huge halls, sprawling gardens, and maybe a ghost or two of Henry's many wives lingering in the corridors (don't worry, they're probably just looking for some head chopping excitement).
Whitehall Palace: Once a royal residence the size of a small town, Whitehall Palace is now just a shadow of its former glory. Most of it burned down in a giant fire in 1691, so all that's left is Banqueting House, a fancypants building that's now used for exhibitions and shindigs.
The Tower of London: This one's a bit of a party crasher. It wasn't built for lounging around in silk robes (although Henry VIII did briefly consider it). The Tower of London was a fortress, a prison, and a place where many a royal head met the chopping block. Not exactly the ideal spot for an afternoon tea.
So You Want to Palace-Hop Like a Pro? How To...
- Buckingham Palace: Check the official website to see if the State Rooms are open for tours. You can also catch the Changing of the Guard ceremony for free.
- Kensington Palace: Explore the State Apartments and delve into the lives of past residents like Queen Victoria.
- Hampton Court Palace: Get lost in the maze (don't worry, there's an exit!), wander through the gardens, and see where Henry VIII used to, well, you know...
- The Tower of London: Take a Yeoman Warder tour (they're the Beefeaters, those guys with the fancy hats) and learn about the Tower's dark and fascinating history.
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