•London Travel Holiday•
•Things To See And Do On Your London Travel Holiday•
Buckingham Palace - One Of London’s Favorite Tourist Attractions
Buckingham Palace is one of London's most popular tourist attractions drawing in over 50,000 invited diplomats and guests each year, so it's hard to imagine that it is still the actual residence of Britain's monarchy.
Built in 1703 as a much smaller place by the Duke of Buckingham, it was purchased by George III in 1762 and used as his private residence. During the next 75 years much expansion was done resulting in a palatial home of three wings and a middle courtyard.
In 1837, Queen Victoria added many rooms such as a nursery, visitors bedrooms, a formal ballroom - enough to make up an entire wing. The marble arch that once adorned the grounds was moved to Hyde Park and the last major update was done in 1913 when the Portland stone on the palace was re-faced.
Buckingham Palace is actively used for both office space and as a residence. In fact, there are over 400 people who work here in the private areas, however this still leaves much of the palace opened to the public.
The state rooms in the West Wing can be viewed during August and September and during other times of the year, other parts of the palace are open and tourists can get a peek at furniture, and even personal effects such as jewels and gowns.
Year-round, the Queens Gallery is open for viewing of objects owned by Britain. This display is constantly changing and you can see wonderful things such as paintings by Canaletto, Vermeer and Rubens as well as other famous artists. Nearby, the Royal Mews is home to The Golden State coach, used for state functions such as coronations, as well as 30 horses housed in the stables.
Outside Buckingham Palace there are quite a few sites to see as well. The 40 acre garden boasts a gorgeous view of the lake along with a well tended flowers. The Changing of the Guard is another outdoor activity you wont want to miss. This traditional event has been happening since 1660 and is accompanied by a guard band which plays a military march while the new set of guards is replacing the old. When the Queen is at the palace there are four guards, but when she's away there only two.
The changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace or Guard Mounting Ceremony, as it is officially called, takes place at 11:30 a.m. and is about 45 minutes long, although if the web is really bad it might not happen at all.
You can get to the palace via the tube - get off at either the Green Park stop which is north of the palace or Victoria Station which is to the south.
Built in 1703 as a much smaller place by the Duke of Buckingham, it was purchased by George III in 1762 and used as his private residence. During the next 75 years much expansion was done resulting in a palatial home of three wings and a middle courtyard.
In 1837, Queen Victoria added many rooms such as a nursery, visitors bedrooms, a formal ballroom - enough to make up an entire wing. The marble arch that once adorned the grounds was moved to Hyde Park and the last major update was done in 1913 when the Portland stone on the palace was re-faced.
Buckingham Palace is actively used for both office space and as a residence. In fact, there are over 400 people who work here in the private areas, however this still leaves much of the palace opened to the public.
The state rooms in the West Wing can be viewed during August and September and during other times of the year, other parts of the palace are open and tourists can get a peek at furniture, and even personal effects such as jewels and gowns.
Year-round, the Queens Gallery is open for viewing of objects owned by Britain. This display is constantly changing and you can see wonderful things such as paintings by Canaletto, Vermeer and Rubens as well as other famous artists. Nearby, the Royal Mews is home to The Golden State coach, used for state functions such as coronations, as well as 30 horses housed in the stables.
Outside Buckingham Palace there are quite a few sites to see as well. The 40 acre garden boasts a gorgeous view of the lake along with a well tended flowers. The Changing of the Guard is another outdoor activity you wont want to miss. This traditional event has been happening since 1660 and is accompanied by a guard band which plays a military march while the new set of guards is replacing the old. When the Queen is at the palace there are four guards, but when she's away there only two.
The changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace or Guard Mounting Ceremony, as it is officially called, takes place at 11:30 a.m. and is about 45 minutes long, although if the web is really bad it might not happen at all.
You can get to the palace via the tube - get off at either the Green Park stop which is north of the palace or Victoria Station which is to the south.