Park & nature · Kensington and Hyde Park
Kensington Palace
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Kensington Palace is a working royal residence set in the leafy Kensington Gardens, the childhood home of Queen Victoria, the former home of Diana, Princess of Wales, and today the official London residence of several senior royals. The public can tour the historic State Apartments, including the King's and Queen's apartments and Victoria-era rooms, alongside changing exhibitions that often feature royal fashion, including iconic dresses worn by Diana and other princesses.
The setting is half the appeal: the palace opens onto Kensington Gardens, with the ornate Sunken Garden (a favourite of Diana's, now featuring her statue), the Italian Gardens, and the Round Pond. It's a more intimate royal visit than Buckingham Palace, and combines naturally with a stroll through Hyde Park.
Don't miss
- The historic State Apartments
- Royal-fashion exhibitions (often featuring Princess Diana's dresses)
- Queen Victoria's birthplace and early-life rooms
- The Sunken Garden and Diana's statue
- The setting within Kensington Gardens
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Kensington Palace
You don't need a tour to visit — entry is free. A tour is worth it if you want transport, a guide, or to combine Kensington Palace with nearby sights in one day. That's what these do well.
Cheapest way inLondon's Palaces & Parliament Tour (See Over 20+ London Top Sights)4.9★ · 1,728 travelers~3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$30 per personSee dates →
Best full dayStonehenge, Windsor Castle, and Bath from London4.6★ · 20,129 travelers~11 hoursFree cancellationFrom$108 per personSee dates →
Private & flexiblePrivate Tour: Royal High Tea At Kensington Palace Gardens4.9★ · 43 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$271 per personSee dates →Good for
How travelers rate it
Know before you go
- Book timed tickets online ahead; it's a popular royal site.
- The surrounding Kensington Gardens, including the Sunken Garden and Diana's statue, are free.
- Check the current special exhibition; royal-fashion shows are a frequent highlight.
- Combine it with a walk through Kensington Gardens into Hyde Park.
A bit of history
Originally a Jacobean mansion, the building became a royal palace under William III and Mary II in 1689. Queen Victoria was born and raised here. It has housed numerous royals since, including Diana, Princess of Wales, and remains an official royal residence with public State Apartments managed by Historic Royal Palaces.
Common questions
Is it connected to Princess Diana?
Yes, Kensington Palace was Diana's London home, and the Sunken Garden in Kensington Gardens features a statue of her. Exhibitions often display her dresses.
Can I visit if royals still live there?
Yes, senior royals have private apartments, but the historic State Apartments are open to the public on a paid, timed ticket.
Are the gardens free?
Yes, Kensington Gardens, including the Sunken Garden and Italian Gardens, are free to wander; only the palace interior is ticketed.
How does it compare to Buckingham Palace?
It's smaller and more intimate, open year-round (unlike Buckingham Palace's limited summer opening), and set in lovely gardens.
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