Located in the Kensington gardens, this palace has been the residence of the British Royal family for more than 300 years. Since the 17th century, Kensington Palace has been the home of several generations of the royal family, including King William III, Queen Victoria and Princess Diana.
Soon after King William III took power in 1689 in a revolution, he started looking for a better royal residence. This decision didn’t come out of royal whim, but as a result of consulting with several doctors who were worried about the King’s chronic asthma and its impact on his wellbeing. In the summer of 1689, according to some sources, the King and his wife bought this estate from the Earl of Nottingham for 20 thousand pounds. Soon after, Christopher Wren was employed to enlarge and decorate the palace. Kensington Palace then became the favorite residence of future rulers of Great Britain, even though the official seat of the court is in Saint James.
Visitors to this palace will be able to walk the old and luxurious private quarters of the royal family. The perfectly preserved rooms of the villa depict the history of the building with the exhibitions of jewels, dresses, tapestry, letters and other artefacts, all of which are in excellent condition.
The palace was recently renovated and currently contains an exhibition of Queen Victoria’s belongings, and a small part is dedicated to Princess Diana and her most famous costumes. This small exhibition is called “Diana – Her Fashion Story”. The gardens of the estate are an oasis of tranquility, while the Orangery is a great spot to enjoy a cup of tea with some delicious cakes.
Ticket price for Kensington Palace
Regular ticket price £ 17.50
Reduced ticket price £ 8.70 - for students and pensioners
Free entrance for children up to 5 years
Opening hours of Kensington Palace
From March to October from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (last entrance at 5:00 p.m.)
From November to February from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (last entrance at 3:00 p.m.)
