Buckingham Palace is an incredibly important landmark in the borough of Westminster. It has been the official London residence of the monarch since 1837. The palace was built in 1703 and has 775 rooms. This includes 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices, 78 bathrooms, 52 royal (and guest) bedrooms, and 19 staterooms. The palace is a grand architectural site that spans over 39 acres. This building is now the administrative headquarters of the monarch and is a popular tourist attraction.
Travelers who visit London typically consider Buckingham Palace to be a necessary stop. This is likely because it is the focus of both national and royal celebrations and has such a rich history. The palace is also the backdrop for regular Changing the Guard (or Guard Mounting) ceremonies. These ceremonies take place at the palace every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Since it hosts important events like these to this day, even locals find it to be a significant cultural site.
Although the palace is a tried and true tourist destination, the palace has had the same offerings for travelers for quite some time. This is why the sudden announcement of a new opening at the palace received such a positive response from the public. Here is what travelers should know about the opening and how they can visit the previously inaccessible part of the royal estate.
The New Opening At Buckingham Palace
The East Wing of the palace is now open to the public for the first time. This opening, according to the Royal Collection Trust, is an effort to share the historic building with new generations. The exclusive experience includes access to the wing’s Center Room, the Yellow Drawing Room, the main corridor, and more. Paying visitors can go behind the scenes where British Royals have been for events like birthdays, weddings, and coronation ceremonies.
When Can Travelers See the East Wing?
Since 1993, the palace has had temporary openings to the public. During most of the year, it operates as an office and residence, but in the summer people can visit. Buckingham Palace is typically open from July to October each year, allowing visitors a chance to explore the palace’s state rooms and garden on foot.
The East Wing of Buckingham Palace will be open from July 15 to August 31 for guided tours. Unfortunately, East Wing tours are fully booked for the summer since they only take 20 people at a time. Tickets for the tours sold out in only a few hours. Travelers can still check out Buckingham Palace’s state rooms since tours run for seven days a week until September 29.
Tourist Opportunities
Lucky ticketholders who acted quickly enough after the announcement of the wing opening paid around £75 (or $97) for a 45-minute guided tour. This is a relatively expensive price for a tour, but of course, the rare sighting spiked prices. Travelers who got their ticket will be glad to know that the East Wing has undergone extensive renovation for over five years leading up to the opening. It is unclear whether or not there will be future dates for the East Wing tour. The Royal Collection Trust stated it would review the trial period before deciding about future public access.
The East Wing tour was an exclusive experience so it sold out fast, but travelers will likely still flock to the palace. Fans of Buckingham Palace should book their tickets in advance if they plan to visit while the East Wing Tours are happening. Those wanting to visit can still book the state rooms tour that costs £32 (or $41).
