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Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace, in the Kensington district, was built from a Jacobean house that William III and Mary bought in 1689 and that Christopher Wren and Nicholas Hawksmoor extended into a royal residence. Queen Victoria was born and grew up there, and she learned of her accession to the throne in this very building in 1837. Today it is still the official residence of members of the royal family and combines private areas with the King's State Apartments, open to the public, with the King's Staircase and the musical clock in the Cupola Room. In front of the south façade stands a marble statue of Queen Victoria at the age of 18, sculpted by her daughter, Princess Louise. In the gardens, which are free to enter, you will find the Sunken Garden, remodelled in 2021 with a bronze statue of Diana, Princess of Wales, placed in the centre. The Queen's State Apartments remain closed for works until spring 2027.
Add it to your trip on Wanloria →Things to do at Kensington Palace: 4 missions
- Find the musical clock in the Cupola RoomIn the Cupola Room, find the musical clock that took twenty years to build and watch the figures that move to the melody.
- Walk around the Sunken Garden along the Cradle WalkWalk along the Cradle Walk that borders the Sunken Garden and find, in the centre, the bronze statue of Diana, Princess of Wales, placed in 2021.
- Find Victoria at 18Find the marble statue of Queen Victoria in front of the south façade, the work of her daughter Princess Louise, with the crown and sceptre of the coronation.
- Climb the staircase of the King's State ApartmentsClimb the grand staircase leading to the King's State Apartments and find the spot where guards used to check visitors' dress.
Near Kensington Palace
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit Kensington Palace?
From €29 per person. Check the day's price on the official website before you go.
What are the opening hours of Kensington Palace?
Miércoles a domingo, 10:00-18:00 en verano / 10:00-16:00 en invierno; última entrada 45 min antes del cierre; lunes, martes y 24-26 de diciembre cerrado. Las Queen's State Apartments están cerradas por reforma hasta primavera de 2027; el resto del palacio.
How much time do you need for Kensington Palace?
Allow about 2 h 30 min for the visit.
What is there to do at Kensington Palace?
Find the musical clock in the Cupola Room, Walk around the Sunken Garden along the Cradle Walk, Find Victoria at 18 and Climb the staircase of the King's State Apartments.
What is there to see near Kensington Palace?
Statue of Diana, Princess of Wales (105 m), Our Lady of Carmel and St. Simon Stock (370 m) and 8 Holland Street (379 m).