In this article, I present Kensington Palacethe sumptuous royal residence where Prince William and Kate Middleton stayed until very recently!
Here you'll find
- A presentation of Kensington Palace
- What you can see on your visit
- How to get there
- Practical information: prices, opening hours, reservations
- Things to see and do in the area
- And much more!
If you're looking for information about Kensington, you'll love this article.
Follow the guide!
Kensington : article summary
Kensington, a royal palace adored by Britain's sovereigns Â
Located about 3 kilometers from Buckingham PalaceKensington Palace is a landmark of British royalty.
Place of birth and residence of several kings since the 17th century, the home of Princess Diana and, until 2021, the home of William, Kate and their toddlers. visit Londonto dive into daily life of the country's monarchs.
I'll introduce you to its history, figures and what you can see when you visit!
Introducing Kensington Palace
Built in the early XVIIth century in what was then the village of Kensington, this palace belonged to the Earl of Nottingham, who used it as a hotel. It was the King William II who bought it, to have a residence outside London (at the time) but closer than London. Hampton Court.
He commissioned architect Christopher Wren, known for his work on the famous St Paul's Cathedral, Londonto expand the palace, creating apartments and various wings to meet royal expectations.
In the space of just 3 hours, we show you the the best of the historic center of London (must-sees + secret spots) with a French-speaking guide just for you.
Over the centuries, Kensington has become one of the world's favorite places to live of British sovereigns. It was here that George I lived, and it was in Kensington that the future Princess of Wales was born. Queen Victoriawho came to the throne in 1837 on the death of King William IV, and lived in the palace for many years.
Later, Kensington served as a residence for secondary members of the royal family. Among the most famous residents were Prince Charles (now King) and his first wife, Princess Dianawho will live here with their two children William and Harry. Even after her divorce, Lady Di was authorized by Queen Elizabeth II to live in Kensington, until her tragic death in 1997.
Recently, these same William and Harry lived again at Kensington, with their respective partners Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle, before heading off in different directions: Windsor Castle for William, California for Harry!
To visit Kensington Palace is to walk in the footsteps of royalty with whom we are quite familiar. That's one of the reasons why it's one of Britain's most popular palaces!
Facts and figures about Kensington
- The palace lies to the west of the famous Hyde Park
- Originally, it was called the Nottingham House
- The 4e film in the saga Pirates of the Caribbean takes place partly here
What can you see when you visit Kensington Palace?
This visit will delight lovers of fine things, from the royal apartments, a vast collection of works of art and prestige objects, to sumptuous gardens. Here's an overview of what you can see!
The royal apartments
You'll discover the magnificent apartments du Roithose of the QueenWith their decor testifying to royal refinement. From tapestries to furnishings, paintings to jewelry, the visit will leave you breathless.
The King's Gallery
This piece is the palace's largest and was transformed in the 18th century on the orders of King George I, who used it as an exercise room and to display his finest paintings and royal busts. From its reddish walls to its painted ceiling, there's much to admire.
The exhibition dedicated to Queen Victoria
The importance of Queen Victoria This exhibition tells the story of her close relationship with Kensington. A complete area of the palace is also dedicated to the princess's youth, prior to her accession to the throne. It's a fascinating insight into the upbringing and daily life of Britain's future sovereigns.
The area dedicated to Lady Di
More recently, a small area dedicated to Princess of Wales allows you to see some of your personal belongings, including a dress/suit on display.
Temporary exhibitions
Depending on the period, you can discover temporary exhibitions housed in the heart of Kensington Palace. Until the end of 2023, it's a collection of 200 dresses the link between royalty and haute couture, is presented to you!
Kensington Gardens
The tour ends with the palace gardensas vast as it is sumptuous. From the manicured walkways to the mythical Orangerie, not forgetting the many statues to discover (Peter Pan, Queen Victoria, King William III, Lady Di's statue in the Sunken Garden (buried garden), etc.), it's a haven of peace far from the hustle and bustle of the capital!
How do I get to Kensington?
Kensington Palace is located at the following address: Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX
You can easily get there using the following means of transport:
- By metroDistrict and Circle lines, High Street Kensington stop; Central line, Queensway stop
- Via the bus 70, 94, 148, 390, Bayswater Road stop; 9, 10, 49, 52, 70, 452, High Street Kensington stop
Kensington: prices, opening hours and practical information
Here's what you need to know before visiting this superb palace.
Rates and booking
- Adult ticket (16 to 64 years): 29 euros
- Children's ticket (5 to 15 years): 15 euros
- Senior and student discount: 23 euros
- Free for children under 5
When you book online, you choose your visit dates and times, and receive your tickets immediately on your mobile devices to save time.
All you have to do is present them at the entrance on the big day, and you'll be sure to get a seat.
Opening hours
The palace can be visited every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.with last admission two hours before closing.
Visit at least 2 hours to visit Kensington, more if you pay attention to every detail.
Practical information
You can eat on site, in the cafeteria. Plus, you can pick up your food and enjoy it in the gardens!
What to see and do in the area?
Here are the must-see sights around Kensington:
- Browse Hyde Parkin which the palace is located; it is one of the London parks the most pleasant.
- Visit the Museum of Natural History neighbor or Victoria and Albert Museum just around the corner
- Go to the Portobello market20 minutes to the north-west, for antique hunting!
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