(Royal Pageantry Without the Chaos)

Buckingham Palace is iconic. Historic. Very British. It’s also one of those attractions that can turn into a crowded, curb-filled endurance test if you don’t plan ahead, especially for wheelchair users and those with chronic pain.

The good news? With the right timing, routes, and viewing spots, Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard can be very doable. Which is why I’ve written up this hand guide to Buckingham Palace and the changing of the Guard.

Let’s make it gentle, dignified, and actually enjoyable. Shall we? Read on for my Buckingham Palace travel tips, how to see the Changing of the Guard, and a history of Buckingham Palace.

When Is The Best Time of Year To Visit Buckingham Palace?

The best time of year to visit Buckingham Palace really depends on what kind of experience you want… crowds vs. access vs. energy levels. It also matters if you want to see the palace open to tours. Here’s the honest breakdown:

Best Overall Time: Late Spring (May–early June)

This is the sweet spot.

Why it works:

• Mild weather (not too hot, not too cold)
• Long daylight hours
• Gardens and parks nearby are gorgeous
• Crowds are manageable compared to peak summer

If you want a calm, pleasant visit that doesn’t feel like an endurance event, this is my top recommendation.

Best Time for Inside Palace Tours: Summer (July–September)

This is when Buckingham Palace State Rooms are open to the public, which is a big deal. The summer opening is an ideal time to visit the palace if you actually want to go inside.

Pros:

• Full access to the interior guided tours
• Reliable scheduling
• Everything is open and running smoothly

Cons:

• Crowds are heavier
• Heat can be draining
• Lines can be long (even with tickets)

Jenn tip: If you visit in summer, go early in the day and make this your only major activity.

Best Low-Crowd Option: Early Fall (September–October)

If you care more about comfort than seeing the inside rooms:

• Cooler temperatures
• Fewer tour groups
• Calmer surrounding parks
• Easier pacing

You won’t get interior tours after the summer season, but the exterior experience, plus the Changing of the Guard, is much more relaxed. I was able to arrive one hour early and get a prime position right by the gate to watch the Changing of the Guard. This was not the case when I visited recently in early January. Which brings me to…

Winter (November–February): Proceed Gently

Winter is:

• Cold
• Potentially wet
• Quieter

Pros:

• Very few crowds – except for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays
• Easy viewing around the palace exterior

Cons:

• No State Room tours
• Short daylight hours
• Slippery pavement on rainy days

This can work if you’re okay with seeing the palace from the outside only and prioritizing calm over access. This is not ok if you’re visiting over the holidays, as you will get the worst of all possible worlds. It will be cold, there will be crowds, there will be pickpockets, and you will not have access to state room tours. Basically, avoid Christmas and New Year’s at all costs.

Accessibility-Focused Takeaway

If accessibility, energy conservation, and enjoyment matter most:

• Best balance: May or early June
• Best for tours: July–August (with careful pacing)
• Best for calm visits: September

Visiting Buckingham Palace (Wheelchair Access Basics)

Are Buckingham Palace Tours Wheelchair Accessible?

Yes, partially and thoughtfully. Inside Buckingham Palace is wheelchair-accessible.

When the State Rooms are open to the public, Buckingham Palace provides:

• Step-free access routes
• Elevators where needed
• Accessible restrooms
• Loan wheelchairs

Jenn tip: Always check the official site before you go, as access routes and dates change seasonally.

While Buckingham Palace is accessible, step-free access must be pre-booked by contacting the Specialist Sales team on +44 (0)303 123 7324 or by email specialistsales@rct.uk. 

Concessionary rates are available for you if you have a disability, and they offer a free Access Companion ticket, which can be booked online. No proof of disability is required.

Visitors who require step-free access enter via a different entrance, at the front of the Palace. Once inside the Palace, visitors who have used the Access Route will join the main visitor route and experience the Palace in the same way as other visitors. 

Folding stools are available to borrow; these are issued on a first come first served basis and are not available to book in advance. Please ask a member of staff on the day of your visit for availability.

Manual wheelchairs are available to borrow, free of charge, but subject to availability, for the duration of a visit. They must be pre-booked by contacting the Specialist Sales team at +44 (0)303 123 7324 or by email: specialistsales@rct.uk.

You can use your own wheelchair, provided it’s compatible with the lifts inside Buckingham Palace. The lifts measure 148cm in depth by 94 cm in width with a weight limit of 500kg, and 160cm in depth by 94cm in width with a weight limit of 750kg.

Mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs are welcome. If you have a Class 3 vehicle, you will be asked to set the speed limiter to 4mph.

Rollators (wheeled walkers) are available to borrow, free of charge, but must be pre-booked by contacting the Specialist Sales team on +44 (0)303 123 7324 or by email: specialistsales@rct.uk.

For more information on accessibility at Buckingham Palace, check out their tour website.

What You’ll See on a Buckingham Palace Tour

(A Calm, Honest Walk Through Royal Life)

A Buckingham Palace tour sounds intimidating.

Gilded rooms. Rules. Security. The quiet pressure to behave like you know what you’re doing. But here’s the thing, touring Buckingham Palace isn’t about being fancy. It’s about walking through history, noticing the details, and letting yourself be impressed without needing to rush or perform.

If you’re wondering what’s actually included and whether it’s worth your energy, let’s break it down.

First: A Quick Reality Check for Visitors to Buckingham Palace

You’re not touring the whole palace. Buckingham Palace has over 700 rooms, and you’ll see a curated selection known as the State Rooms. These are the rooms used for:

• Official ceremonies
• State banquets
• Diplomatic events

Translation: you’re seeing the public-facing heart of royal life.

The Buckingham Palace State Rooms (The Main Event)

The Grand Entrance & Staircase

Your tour begins with a sense of scale.

• Marble staircases
• Ornate railings
• Portraits lining the walls

It sets the tone immediately: formal, historic, and intentionally impressive.

The Picture Gallery

This is one of the most beloved rooms on the tour.

You’ll see works by:

• Rembrandt
• Rubens
• Van Dyck
• Canaletto

The gallery is long, elegant, and surprisingly calming, especially if you enjoy art but don’t love crowds. It’s a reminder that royal collections weren’t just about wealth; they were about taste, diplomacy, and legacy.

The State Dining Room

This room is all about scale.

• Long tables set for dozens of guests
• Formal place settings
• Portraits of past monarchs watching over it all

It’s fascinating to imagine the logistics behind royal dinners and mildly comforting to realize everyone probably felt a little awkward here, too.

The White Drawing Room

This is often the highlight for many visitors.

• Soft tones
• Delicate furnishings
• A hidden door disguised as a mirror

It’s elegant without being cold and feels more personal than the larger ceremonial spaces.

The Throne Room

Yes, there are actual thrones.

This room has been used for:

• Coronation-related events
• Official photographs
• Ceremonial occasions

It’s dramatic, symbolic, and very aware of itself, which somehow makes it interesting rather than stuffy.

The Ballroom

The largest room you’ll see and one of the most impressive.

• Used for state banquets
• Full orchestras have played here
• Massive chandeliers overhead

It’s grand in a way that feels designed to impress without apology.

The Palace Gardens (When Included)

Some tours include access to the palace gardens, which are:

• Surprisingly serene
• Flat and spacious
• A nice sensory break after the interiors

Jenn note: This is one of the most grounding parts of the visit — especially if crowds drain you.

Accessibility Notes (Because It Matters)

• Step-free access is available for the tour
• Elevators are provided where needed
• Accessible restrooms are available
• Staff are trained and genuinely helpful

The tour moves at a set pace, but it’s manageable, and you’re not expected to stand in one spot for long periods.

How Long Does the Tour of Buckingham Palace Take?

Plan for:

• About 1.5–2 hours total
• Plus time before and after for rest

Jenn tip: Don’t stack this with another major attraction the same day. This is your main event.

Where is Buckingham Palace Located?

Buckingham Palace is located in central London, in the City of Westminster, right next to some of the city’s most famous parks and landmarks.

📍 Address:
Buckingham Palace
London SW1A 1AA, United Kingdom

Easy Orientation (Jenn-style, no guesswork)

• Neighborhood: Westminster
• Right next to:
  • St. James’s Park
  • Green Park
  • The Mall (the ceremonial road)
• About a 15–20 minute walk from:
  • Westminster Abbey
  • Trafalgar Square
  • Parliament

Closest Transport Options

• Green Park Station (Lines: Jubilee, Piccadilly, Victoria)
  → one of the best options, including step-free access (check lift status)
• Victoria Station (Lines: Victoria, Circle, District)
  → good for buses and longer-distance travel

Jenn tip: If accessibility or energy is a concern, London buses are often easier than the Tube and drop you very close to the palace.

History of Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace didn’t begin as a palace at all. It started life in 1703 as a large townhouse called Buckingham House, built for the Duke of Buckingham. At the time, it sat on the edge of London, a place you escaped to, not ruled from. It was grand, but personal, and designed to feel like a home rather than a symbol.

Everything changed in 1761, when King George III purchased the house for his wife, Queen Charlotte. From there, the building slowly evolved from a private residence into something much larger. Successive monarchs expanded it, added wings, and reshaped it as Britain’s needs and sense of spectacle grew. By the early 19th century, Buckingham Palace had become a statement: power made manifest in architecture.

It was Queen Victoria who officially made Buckingham Palace the primary London residence of the British monarch in 1837, a decision that cemented its place in history. The palace became the backdrop for royal ceremonies, public celebrations, and moments of national significance, from coronations and jubilees to wartime addresses and balcony appearances that millions now recognize instantly.

Over the centuries, Buckingham Palace has adapted to the times. It has been modernized, repaired after World War II damage, and quietly updated to function as both a working office and a symbolic home. Today, it’s less about luxury and more about continuity, a place that reflects how the monarchy has shifted from private power to public presence.

What makes Buckingham Palace interesting isn’t just its size or spectacle. It’s the way it mirrors British history itself. Layered, sometimes contradictory, carefully maintained, and always evolving.

Why Buckingham Palace Matters Today

Buckingham Palace matters today not because it’s old or ornate, but because it’s still in use. This isn’t a frozen relic behind velvet ropes; it’s a working building where state affairs happen, traditions continue, and the modern monarchy quietly operates. In a world where history is often boxed off and archived, Buckingham Palace remains part of everyday national life, whether you follow the royal family closely or not.

It also matters because it has become a shared cultural touchstone. Balcony appearances, Changing of the Guard ceremonies, and public celebrations turn the palace into a place where people gather, not just to watch royalty, but to participate in collective moments. Weddings, jubilees, moments of grief, moments of joy… Buckingham Palace has become a physical anchor for experiences people feel together, even if they experience them differently.

There’s also something quietly important about accessibility and openness here. The fact that parts of the palace are open to the public, that tours exist, and that efforts are made to welcome visitors with disabilities reflects how the institution has had to evolve. Buckingham Palace today isn’t just about exclusivity; it’s about visibility, accountability, and meeting the public where they are.

And finally, Buckingham Palace matters because it invites reflection. You can admire it, question it, feel conflicted about it, or simply observe it; all of those reactions are valid. It stands as a reminder that institutions endure by changing, that history isn’t static, and that symbols only survive when they adapt. Whether you’re there for the pageantry, the architecture, or just to sit and watch the world move around it, Buckingham Palace remains relevant.

How To Get Buckingham Palace Tickets

You can get tickets to see the Buckingham Palace State Rooms through Get Your Guide or Viator.

To view the changing of the guard ceremony, you do not need tickets.

How to Know If King Charles Is at Home at Buckingham Palace

🚩 Look at the Flag

This is the official signal.

• Royal Standard flying = The King is in residence
• Union Jack flying = The King is not at home

That’s it. That’s the system. No drama, no announcements, just a flag doing all the work.

Jenn note: This is one of those delightfully low-effort traditions I deeply respect.

What Is the Royal Standard?

The Royal Standard is the monarch’s personal flag. It’s only flown when the sovereign is actually inside the palace. If King Charles leaves, even briefly, the flag comes down.

If you see it up, he’s home.
If you don’t, he’s elsewhere (often Windsor Castle).

Where to Look

Stand in front of Buckingham Palace and look at the flagpole on the roof. You don’t need binoculars. It’s visible from the gates.

Important Context (Because People Ask)

• King Charles does not live at Buckingham Palace full-time
• His primary residence is Clarence House
• Buckingham Palace is a working palace, used for official events, ceremonies, and offices

So if he’s “home” at Buckingham Palace, it usually means he’s there for state business, not relaxing with tea and Netflix.

Buckingham Palace Changing of the Guard: Wheelchair-Friendly Viewing Guide

The Changing of the Guard is free, outdoors, and wildly popular, which means strategy matters more than stamina.

When It Happens

• Typically late morning
• Frequency varies by season (not every day)

Jenn tip: Check the official schedule the night before, weather and ceremonies can cancel it at the last minute. You can visit the official website here.

Best Wheelchair-Accessible Viewing Spots

These locations offer flat ground, good sightlines, and fewer curbs:

1. Victoria Memorial (Side Areas)

• Flat pavement
• Space to position a wheelchair without being boxed in
• You’ll see guards assemble and pass by

This is one of the best overall options.

2. St. James’s Park (Along the Railings)

• Paved paths
• Room to pull up without crowd crush
• Shade and benches nearby

Jenn tip: This is calmer than standing directly in front of the palace gates. But if you get there early, nothing beats the view from directly in front of the gates.

3. Buckingham Palace Forecourt

• Iconic, but extremely crowded
• Sightlines can be blocked by standing visitors
• Curbs and crowd pressure can make this stressful

If you try this area, arrive very early and have an exit plan.

Spots to Avoid

• The Mall curbside (uneven and packed)
• Tight corners where crowds compress
• Anywhere you can’t easily get away if overwhelmed

You’re here to enjoy the ceremony, not get stuck.

Getting To Buckingham Palace (Wheelchair-Friendly Routes)

Best Option: Bus

London buses are:

• Low-floor
• Ramp-equipped
• Reliable for wheelchair users

Multiple routes stop near Buckingham Palace with minimal rolling distance.

Accessible Tube Stations Nearby

• Green Park – step-free access (check elevator status)
• Westminster – step-free but busy

Jenn tip: Always check TfL’s step-free map before heading out. Elevator outages happen.

Where to Rest After Your Buckingham Palace Visit (This Matters)

You’ll want somewhere to decompress once the ceremony ends.

Nearby options:

• St. James’s Park, which offers flat paths, benches, and shade.
• Cafés near Green Park that have outdoor seating.

These are the perfect places to sit. Hydrate. Let the adrenaline wear off.

The Takeaway

You do not need to stand for hours, fight crowds, or wedge yourself against a gate to experience Buckingham Palace.

You are allowed to:

• Choose calmer viewing spots
• Sit or roll away when needed
• Skip parts that don’t work
• Still feel like you saw the thing

Royal traditions should feel ceremonial, not punishing.

Bonus Royal Fun… The Royal Mews

What Are The Royal Mews?

The Royal Mews house includes:

• The royal horses (including the famous Windsor Greys)
• Historic state carriages, most notably the Gold State Coach
• Modern royal vehicles used for official events

It’s one of the few places in London where royal tradition isn’t just displayed, it’s actively maintained.

Why the Royal Mews Matter

The Royal Mews play a key role in:

• State visits
• Coronations
• Royal weddings
• Official ceremonies and parades

When you see a royal procession moving through London, it almost always starts here.

Can You Visit the Royal Mews?

Yes! The Royal Mews are open to the public on select days, and they’re often described as:

• One of the most interesting royal attractions
• Less crowded than Buckingham Palace
• Surprisingly accessible and hands-on

Visitors can see:

• Horses being cared for
• Carriages up close
• Staff explaining how everything works

Accessibility Note for The Royal Mews

The Royal Mews are considered one of the more accessible royal sites with:

• Step-free routes
• Wheelchair access
• Helpful staff

Jenn tip: If you want a royal experience that feels real rather than ceremonial, and is less stressful than the Changing of the Guard, this is a great choice.

Final Thoughts On My Wheelchair-Accessible Guide to Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard

Visiting Buckingham Palace and seeing the Changing of the Guard and or the Royal Mews can be a stress-free experience if you plan correctly. But if you go at the wrong time of year, it can be an absolute madhouse. It’s all about preparation.

Have you been to Buckingham Palace? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below.

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