Royal homes, palaces and museums open to the public in London: Where to learn about the Royal Family

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If you’re fascinated by the British Royal Family but don't fancy staking out the Lindo Wing, you can fulfil your curiosity with London’s many royal museums.

The monarchy is in a decidedly modern phase, thanks to the young families of the Duke and Duchesses of Cambridge and Sussex - but its long history isn’t forgotten through the many historic royal palaces that are open to the public.

Whether you want to visit the official residence of HRH herself, wander round the abode of the younger royals or take a look at the spot where the monarchy briefly ended in 1649 with the country’s only case of regicide, the capital has a museum for every royal aficionado.

If you’re intrigued by all things royal, here’s our guide to London’s best royal museums and attractions.

Buckingham Palace

The Royal Collection

As the Queen’s official London residence, Buckingham Palace is one of the world’s most recognisable buildings. It’s top of the list for any royal fan, and visitors can see the State Rooms over 10 weeks in the summer and selected dates in winter and spring. As you enter through the Grand Staircase, you’ll get an immediate feel for John Nash’s theatre-influenced designs, before seeing the Ballroom and the Throne Room. In the Picture Gallery, treasures from the Royal Collection are on show including works by Rembrandt, Van Dyck, Rubens and Titian. If you’re passing by, you’ll also be able to see the changing of the guard take place outside the palace at various times during the week.

Don’t miss: Just because you didn’t get an invite to one of the Queen’s garden parties doesn’t mean you can’t see the garden. Visitors can book a tour to see all of the highlights - including the Palace tennis court, where Fred Perry played George VI in the 1930s.

Nearest station: St James’s Park.

The next opening will be July 20 to August 31, 9.30am to 7.30pm. Private tours can sometimes be booked separately outside of these dates.

Kensington Palace

Historic Royal Palaces

As the home of the young royals, Kensington Palace has been a hive of activity since Will, Kate and Harry welcomed Meghan Markle to the family. It may be synonymous with the royal family’s more modern side, but it’s been around since the 17th century. Visitors won’t be able to see what the gang are watching on Netflix as the official living quarters are private, but the palace State Rooms are open to the public. This includes the decidedly regal King and Queen’s State Apartments, where the Georgian royals resided, and the childhood home of Queen Victoria (including the room she was born in). There’s also a rolling programme of exhibitions, which currently includes Diana: Her Fashion Story, charting the iconic style of the late Princess through her dresses. In 2019, a new exhibition will mark 200 years since the birth of Queen Victoria.

Don’t miss: The serene Sunken Garden isn’t just a beautiful place to steal a moment of tranquillity - it’s been a crucial location for many of the royals. Princess Diana famously loved to go there for a bit of quiet time and enjoyed chatting to the gardeners. In 2017, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle posed for photos there after announcing their engagement. Best of all, it’s completely free for the public to visit.

Nearest stations: High Street Kensington and Queensway.

Open Monday to Sunday, from 10am to 4pm.

Kensington Gardens, W8 4PX; hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace

Tower of London

Historic Royal Palaces

Within its fortress, the Tower of London contains a castle, the crown jewels, a historic prison and hundreds of tales mystery and intrigue. It’s a must for any royal lover. You’ll want to keep a whole day aside to enjoy the many fascinating aspects of this attraction, from the Bloody Tower where two princes disappeared to a dungeon of historic torture implements. In the prison, messages carved into the walls hundreds of years ago by those held captive can still be read, and outside you’ll see a moving tribute to those executed on Tower Green (including Anne Boleyn). And then there’s the ravens - it’s rumoured that if they leave the Tower then the kingdom will fall, so always worth checking that they’re still there.

Don’t miss: The crown jewels, worn by the Queen for her coronation, are on everyone’s must-see list - but almost as extraordinary is in the next room: a punch bowl from 1829, which is so large that it can hold 144 bottles of wine.

Nearest station: Tower Hill.

Open Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 4.30pm, Sunday to Monday from 10am to 4.30pm.

Tower of London, EC3N 4AB; hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london

Banqueting House

Historic Royal Palaces

This architectural rarity was used by Charles I for extravagant entertainment; it’s also the spot where the latter was executed. Designed by Inigo Jones, it’s the most famous building of its kind, and the only remaining part of the royal palace of Whitehall - most of which was destroyed in various fires in the 1700s. What makes it especially worth a visit are the spectacular ceilings, painted by Peter Paul Rubens - commissioned by the art-loving Charles I himself. Specially positioned mirrors mean you can enjoy the details of these stunning works without giving yourself neckache. Beneath the hall is the Undercroft, designed as a drinking den for James I and once rumoured to contain a grotto decorated with shells. As well as being open to visitors, Banqueting House is now frequently hired for private events.

Don’t miss: A bust of Charles I sits above the entrance to Banqueting House, with a plaque marking the spot where he was executed. Here he uttered his final words: “I go from corruptible to an incorruptible crown, where no disturbance can be.”

Nearest station: Westminster and Embankment.

Open Monday to Sunday, from 10am to 4pm. (Occasionally closed for private events - check in advance.)

Whitehall, SW1A 2ER; hrp.org.uk/banqueting-house

Kew Palace

Historic Royal Palaces

When you pay a visit to Kew Gardens, you’ll also get the chance to see Kew Palace, which was once a private retreat for George III. As the smallest of the royal palaces, it was mainly used in the 18th century by the royals as an intimate place to escape their busy public life; it ended up becoming a place of incarceration for George III during bouts of mental illness. Visitors to Kew Palace can find out more about his story, and his wife Queen Charlotte who died there in 1818. It’s also the place where Edward and Victoire, the Duke and Duchess of Kent, were married; nine months later, their daughter - who went on to become Queen Victoria - was born.

Don’t miss: The Great Pagoda, designed for the royals in the 18th century, is an exotic structure within Kew Gardens. It’s recently been restored - its 80 original dragons only lasted 22 years - and you’ll need to climb 253 steps to get to the top of this 163ft tower.

Nearest station: Kew Gardens. (15-20 minute walk.)

Open for the summer, from April 5 - September 30. Monday to Sunday, from 10.30am to 5.30pm.

Richmond, TW9 3AE; hrp.org.uk/kew-palace

Hampton Court Palace

Historic Royal Palaces

You’ll have to travel a little further afield, but this favourite palace of Henry VIII is well worth the trip. His proclivity for wives has made him one of the most famous British monarchs in history, but here you can get to know him a little better, from the kitchens where his glorious banquets were prepared to the Great Hall where Shakespeare’s men are said to have performed. Some are even reported to have seen the ghost of Catherine Howard along the route from Henry’s private apartments to the chapel - now known as the Haunted Gallery.

Don’t miss: Among the palace’s 60-acre garden, which also contains a giant maze, you’ll find the Great Vine. Planted 250 years ago by Capability Brown, it is officially the largest vineyard in the world.

Nearest station: Hampton Court.

Open Monday to Sunday, from 10am to 4.30pm.

East Molesey, KT8 9AU; hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace

Clarence House

Getty Images

The official residence of Prince Charles and Camilla is normally open to the public for a month in the summer each year, although the next time won’t be until 2020. Visitors are given a guided tour of five of the rooms, many of which also contain features from when the Queen Mother lived there until her death in 2002. The tour begins in the garden, before the chance to see the library, the Morning Room (a breakfast room), the Lancaster Room (a waiting room) and the Dining Room.

Don’t miss: Clarence House contains a number of treasures from the Royal Collection, reflecting the Queen Mother’s artistic taste. Look out for works by Landseer and Bogdani, and examples of Chinese porcelain first made for the Royal Pavilion in Brighton.

Nearest station: Green Park.

The next opening will be in August 2020.

St James's Palace, SW1A 1BA; rct.uk/visit/clarence-house

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