Kensington Palace: how much a ticket costs in 2026 and what to see
Kensington Palace in London looks more modest than Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. At the same time, Queen Victoria was born here, and today the building houses a museum alongside the royal residential apartments.
We have put together what to see in the state rooms, how much a ticket costs in 2026, and how to get there by tube. The palace stands on the western edge of Kensington Gardens, a 10-15 minute walk from two tube stations.
An adult ticket costs £24.70, a child ticket £12.40 (as of 09/2026, official ticket site). Important: the Queen's State Apartments are closed from June 15, 2026 until spring 2027, so you will not see some of the interiors this season.
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History of the building
💡 In short:
- Ticket: adult £24.70, child £12.40 (as of 09/2026, ticket prices).
- The palace is open Wednesday through Sunday, Monday and Tuesday are closed (as of 09/2026, opening hours).
- Nearest tube: Queensway or High Street Kensington, a 10-15 minute walk from each station.
- Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, checked on the official website.
The site in west London belonged to the Earl of Nottingham. In the early 17th century he built a small three-story country house here. William III liked the location away from the noisy center, and the fresh air helped with his asthma, so after the deal the house passed to the royal family.
The rebuilding was entrusted to Christopher Wren, the architect of St Paul's Cathedral. He did not demolish the building but expanded it with galleries, extensions, and staircases. Under him, the King's Apartments, the grand staircase, the clock tower, and the chapel appeared. One of the first distinguished guests was Peter the Great, and in his memory a portrait by Godfrey Kneller hangs in the gallery.
The king and queen did not get to enjoy the new residence, both died soon after moving in. The palace also proved unhappy for Queen Anne, because all of her children died here.
Under Anne, the park and orangery appeared, laid out by the architect John Vanbrugh. Notable improvements were carried out on the orders of George I, with William Benson overseeing the work. Under his design, the building was renovated, and the Privy Chamber and the royal drawing room were built.
George I made Kensington his main headquarters. In 1819, Alexandrina Victoria, the future Queen Victoria, was born in the palace (as of 09/2026, palace history). The event is commemorated by a monument in the garden and a childhood exhibition in the display area.
After her coronation, Victoria left the palace, and it began to fall into disrepair. To save the building, the queen ordered the apartments to be opened to the public. Since the late 19th century, Kensington has partly operated as a museum.
Half of the grounds remain residential. In the late 20th century, Prince Charles lived here with Princess Diana and their children, and after her death the apartments were completely refurbished. Today the complex is divided into a display area with exhibitions and a residential area where tourists are not allowed. You will only see the state rooms and gardens.
The Presence Chamber
© APK · CC BYPhoto: APK, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsUnder George II, the main room of the palace was the Presence Chamber. Here the monarch met with his subjects and received ambassadors of foreign powers. In the first half of the 18th century, Tomochichi, chief of the Yamacraw tribe from the English colony of Georgia, was presented to the British court in this room.
In a prominent position stands the gilded chair of Frederick, son of George II, from which it is convenient to examine the stucco work and ceiling painting. If you are on a guided tour, ask them to show you where the guests stood.
The Queen's Apartments
© Thomas Nugent · CC BY-SAPhoto: Thomas Nugent, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe Queen's Apartments consist of an enfilade of rooms, passageways, and galleries. The rooms are decorated with paintings, and some contain artifacts of British monarchs from the 18th and 19th centuries. This section also includes the boudoir, the drawing room, and the garden staircase.
In 2026 this part was closed for redisplay, so you will only be able to see it after spring 2027 (as of 09/2026, opening schedule). Check the exhibition lineup on the official website before buying a ticket.
The King's Wardrobe
The royal wardrobe was set up in the early 18th century on the orders of Queen Anne. The room for clothes and accessories was not supposed to draw attention. So the entrance was disguised among the paintings on the walls of the hall, and you will not find it at first glance.
© Ilya Grigorik · CC BY-SAPhoto: Ilya Grigorik, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsGeorge II's drawing room
© APK · CC BYPhoto: APK, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsAmong George II's apartments, the drawing room stands out. It drew courtiers and nobles who sought a private audience with the monarch. There is no furniture in the room, because the king was to be greeted standing.
The hall's main decoration is its paintings. The most famous work is called "Venus and Cupid", painted by the Italian artist Giorgio Vasari. Take a look at the canvas by the side wall: from there you can see both the light and the composition.
The King's Staircase
The route to the Presence Chamber runs up the marble King's Staircase. It is one of the most remarkable spots in the palace. At first, the walls along the steps were covered with wooden panels made to designs by Christopher Wren.
In the 18th century, the panels were replaced with paintings by William Kent. The artist depicted palace life and captured many real figures, and Kent borrowed the idea of decorating a passageway with painting from the Italians.
The walls also feature sculptures, copies of ancient statues. On the upper landing is a reproduction of a statue of Diana, whose original is on display at Holkham Hall in Norfolk. Take your time going up: the painting covers the entire wall, and you need time to make out the faces.
Kensington Gardens
Originally, the site of Kensington Gardens was dense forest. Its proximity to the capital and abundance of game attracted the kings, and the area was designated as hunting grounds. It was fenced off and closed to the general public.
After William III bought the palace in the late 17th century, it was decided to lay out a garden here. The landscape design was handled by Christopher Wren. Under Anne, the gardens were expanded with land from Hyde Park and a greenhouse for exotic plants was built.
The Georgian period added the most to the gardens. The improvements were overseen by George II's wife, Caroline. On her orders, a cascade of water features was created: the Long Water, the Serpentine, and the Round Pond. Two wooden summerhouses were built for relaxation, one of them, the "Queen's Temple", has survived to this day.
In the mid-19th century, the layout was supplemented with the Italian Gardens. These are four basin pools surrounded by sculptures. After her husband's death, Queen Victoria ordered a memorial to him, 54 meters high (as of 09/2026, Royal Parks). It took 10 years to create, and it was unveiled in 1872.
© PAUL FARMER · CC BY-SAPhoto: PAUL FARMER, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia CommonsIn the early 20th century, at the wish of Edward VII, a corner of the park was turned into the Sunken Garden in the spirit of 17th-century Dutch gardens. The park had been opened to the public for walks back in the 18th century. Entry to the grounds is free and open year-round, so you can see the gardens separately from a palace ticket.
Prince William and Kate Middleton's move
A new surge of public interest was sparked by Prince William's decision to settle in the palace with his wife and children. The couple chose the former rooms of Princess Margaret, which had stood closed after her death. The restoration of the apartments was paid for from the state budget, because the palace is listed as a historic monument.
Furniture and interior items were selected from the royal collection with the permission of Elizabeth II. The move took place in 2013 (as of 09/2026, Kensington Palace). Today the residential section is still occupied, and you will not be allowed in.
Tickets and opening hours
The palace is not open every day, so choose your date in advance. Opening hours depend on the season (as of 09/2026, season schedule).
Period | Summer (until late October) | Winter (November-February) |
|---|---|---|
Open days | Wednesday-Sunday | Wednesday-Sunday |
Hours | 10:00-18:00 | 10:00-16:00 |
Last entry | 17:00 | 15:00 |
The palace is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and December 24-26. There is no separate audio guide; you explore on your own or with a guide by prior arrangement, and tours are conducted in English.
Entry is paid, and a child ticket is cheaper than an adult one. Check prices before your trip (as of 09/2026, current prices).
Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
Adult | £24.70 |
Child under 16 | £12.40 |
HRP members | free |
When buying online, you can add a voluntary donation, which makes the price slightly higher. An HRP membership card gives unlimited entry to six royal palaces, but it is worth getting only if you plan several visits.
Important: the Queen's State Apartments are closed from June 15, 2026 until spring 2027 (as of 09/2026, visiting rules). Check in advance which rooms are open and buy your ticket online. London tours and tickets on GetYourGuide are useful if you want to add a guided city program to your palace visit.
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Where else to go in London
A palace ticket is bought separately, and the city's other attractions require their own trips. Some sites are in the center, others near Kensington.
- The Tower of London with the Crown Jewels exhibition.
- Tower Bridge with a walk across the glass floor.
- Westminster Abbey with an audio guide.
- Madame Tussauds.
- St Paul's Cathedral, fast-track entry.
- The Shard skyscraper with its observation deck.
- The London Eye on the Thames embankment.
Tickets for these attractions are sold in advance, and in high season entry is timed. You buy a Tower of London ticket with a time slot online, and the voucher arrives by email.
Location and how to get there
The palace is located in west London, postcode W8 4PX (as of 09/2026, open on map). You can get there by Underground or bus.
The two closest stations are Queensway on the Central line and High Street Kensington on the Circle and District lines, each a 10-15 minute walk away (as of 09/2026, Transport for London). Notting Hill Gate station is farther, about a 20-25 minute walk.
Signs lead from the stations to the gates, so getting lost is unlikely. In summer, a bike is a convenient option, with paths laid out around the gardens. If you are traveling to London from another city, book your train tickets in advance.
Kensington Palace on the map
Below is a map you can use to plan your route from your hotel to the palace entrance.
⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
How much does a Kensington Palace ticket cost?
An adult ticket in 2026 costs £24.70, a child ticket up to age 16 costs £12.40, and HRP members enter free (as of 09/2026, tickets and prices). The price includes entry to the temporary exhibition. When buying online, you can add a voluntary donation, which makes the ticket more expensive. Check prices before your trip, as they change every season.
What days and hours is the palace open?
The palace is open Wednesday through Sunday: in summer from 10:00 to 18:00, in winter from 10:00 to 16:00, with last entry one hour earlier (as of 09/2026, opening calendar). The palace is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and December 24-26. Hours depend on the season, so check the website on the day you buy your ticket.
What is currently closed at the palace?
From June 15, 2026, the Queen's State Apartments are closed until spring 2027 for redisplay (as of 09/2026, hrp.org.uk). In 2026, you will see the King's State Apartments, the exhibition "The Last Princesses of Punjab," and the gardens. Some historic interiors are unavailable, so check what is on display before buying.
How much time should I allow for a visit?
Plan for half a day: first the palace rooms, then a walk through Kensington Gardens beyond the fence. Park entry is free; a ticket is only needed for the palace. In summer, a queue forms at the entrance on weekends, so go in the morning. If you are going with a guide, add an hour for the tour.
How do I get to the palace by tube?
The most convenient options are Queensway or High Street Kensington stations, each a 10-15 minute walk from the entrance. Notting Hill Gate station is farther, about 20-25 minutes (as of 09/2026, TfL). Signs lead from the tube. By bus, you can reach stops on High Street Kensington.
In short: what to book
Plan ahead, because the palace and gardens together take up half a day.
If you have one day: palace rooms in the morning, Kensington Gardens in the afternoon.
If you are traveling with children: a child ticket costs £12.40 (as of 09/2026, palace website), and the Italian Gardens are the most interesting part of the gardens for kids.
If you want to see more palaces: the HRP card is worth it when you plan multiple visits.
London tours and tickets on GetYourGuide can help you add city activities to your palace visit, and buy your palace ticket on the official website in advance.
A small editorial team writing guides for independent travel. We travel ourselves, but we haven’t been everywhere, so we check prices, opening hours and how to get there against official sources.