Kensington Palace

The royal palace used to be a small villa called Nottingham Cottage or Nottingham House, and new British monarchs William III and Mary II chose it as their country retreat in 1689. In the following years, Stuart and Georgian monarchs reshaped the palace into a fashionable home for young British royal families. Queen Caroline transformed the palace and gardens, and Queen Victoria spent her childhood here before moving to Buckingham Palace in 1837.

During the 17th century, when King William III and Queen Mary II lived here, they held magnificent and elegant balls in ornate and glorious rooms with grand staircases and mesmerising halls.

Things To Do & See

Wind your way on a family trail through the King's State Apartments. These were private apartments that held meetings and were used for audiences. Because visitors stood in the presence of royalty, there was no need for normal housing furniture. Instead, the elegant private apartments were decorated with spectacular sculptures and collections of art, as well as the terracotta busts of George II and Queen Caroline.

The Queen's State Apartments were royal apartments where Queen Mary and later royal consorts lived. The royal palace apartments were where they had their bedrooms, ate their meals, and entertained friends and guests. It was a larger apartment where they could relax and live.

You can also uncover the human side of Her Majesty Queen Victoria. Stand in the very bedroom in which she awoke to the news that she was to be queen, or experience her childhood as a constrained monarch-to-be in The Room of a Sleeping Princess display.

For fashion enthusiasts, the Fashion Rules Restyled special exhibition showcases the elegant dresses worn by Princess Diana, the Queen, and Princess Margaret. The exquisite collection highlights the changing styles and tastes of the royal family over the decades.

Explore Kensington Gardens

The Historic Royal Palace gardens are a beautiful addition to the already beautiful Royal Palace. The Sunken Garden was first designed and created in 1908 and was modelled on the Pond Garden at Hampton Court Palace. With a collection of herbaceous plants, terraces, and water features, all designed with natural materials. The outdoor gardens have continued to evolve with more elements being added, like ornamental flower beds and an ornamental pond. Why not stroll through The Cradle Walk? A sheltered arched arbour that offers a lovely place to relax with the family. Lined with beautiful flowers and plants, it's a delightful walk that kids and parents alike will enjoy!

Kensington Palace's formal gardens began as the King's playground for over 100 years. When William III and Mary II came, they created a separate park with formal flower beds and box hedges, a Dutch style. As Queen Anne came to the throne in the 18th century, she created The Orangery - an English-style garden with a greenhouse and citrus trees. In 1728, Queen Caroline expanded it further and made it the garden it is today. With the boating lake, Broad Walk and Round Pond. For most of the 18th century, it was not a public garden, except on Saturdays, for those dressed respectively.

Swarovski Crystals

Royalty isn't all about glitz and glamour, but a little bit never hurt anyone. Be dazzled by the amazing light installation at the centre of the palace, made from almost 4 km of electroluminescent wire and containing nearly 12,000 Swarovski crystals! Equally, the in-house exhibition, Princess Diana: Her Fashion Story, showcases outfits worn by the princess throughout her lifetime.

You can find amazing events and unlimited adventures at Kensington Palace throughout the year, from captivating exhibitions on fashion and the Jewel Room, where you'll get to admire displays of commissioned gems for Queen Victoria by her husband, Prince Albert.

Food & Drink

After all the exploring and discovering what royalty was like from the 17th century, 19th century and all the way to the present. Stop off for a bite to eat. You can either indulge in a delightful classic afternoon tea at The Pavillion in the grounds of the royal palace. Or grab some light bites from The Cafe, like sandwiches, cakes and ice cream!

A trip to Kensington Palace will take you through three centuries of history as you explore curated exhibitions and displays - all behind royal doors! Are you ready to walk in the footsteps of royalty?

Why We Think Families Love Kensington Palace

Visiting Kensington Palace is like stepping into a storybook. The mix of history, culture, and family-friendly activities ensures that there's something for everyone to enjoy. It's a place where kids can learn through play, and parents can relax and take in the royal surroundings. Whether your family are history buffs or simply looking for a beautiful place to explore, Kensington Palace offers a memorable day out.

"Enjoyable place to visit. Learning about Queen Victoria's history from young girl to later in life. The rooms, the furniture, and some classic paintings on the walls." - Robert