The State Rooms at Buckingham Palace

This was an amazing experience. You receive an audio player with headphones upon entry. You can put it around your neck as you walk around and press and listen to the descriptions of the various state rooms. Self guided tour in your own language. Water bottles are permitted. The only thing that was a little annoying was the need to hold your bag for the duration of the time there.

There are so many items located in these rooms... beautiful chandeliers and dresses, wardrobe, tables, chairs, paintings, sculptures...

No photos or videos allowed in the State Rooms.

The tour took a little over an hour. It was a little packed, but we did go during the summer.

The experience of the Buckingham Palace tour was unforgettable. We were set up with an audio guide that provided information about each room in a fun-filled, engaging way. Each room was stunning--so much art and history. Each room clearly had specific functions and it was gorgeous to see the intricate detail. The tour probably took a little bit over an hour to walk through the entire palace. We went one week before the Queen passed and saw the Exhibit on the Platinum Jubilee. It was wonderful

The State Rooms at Buckingham Palace are only open to the public for 10 weeks a year (July to September) and a few selected dates in the winter and spring. In other words, you have a relatively small window in which to view the inside of Buckingham Palace as a visitor. We didn't plan around this, but felt fortunate that the dates happened to work out that way.

We walked up and got the Adult rate of 25 GBP each ($30.71 USD).

(+) As expected, the State Rooms are absolutely stunning! You get to learn a great deal about British history. Plenty of beautiful art and paintings on display as well. They have apparently been big fans of Venice, since there were numerous paintings displayed that depicted Venice.
(+) An audio tour is included in your admission price. This is great for getting some of the history of what surrounds you. Each clip lasted about 45 seconds to 2 minutes so it was concise and kept you moving at your own pace.
(+) airport type security screening process to get in. Sad that this is necessary, but in today's world...
(+) Employees were nice and friendly.
(+) The garden in the back is gorgeous. Looks almost like something out of a painting itself!

(-) No pics inside. This would be a slam dunk 5 star review if we could just take our own pics. This is the policy in quite a few of the major attractions in London and I absolutely hate it.

This was an awesome experience and I am glad to say I got to walk around some of Buckingham Palace. I just wish they were a bit more lax on the picture policy (like maybe a no flash photography policy).

Still...it's definitely a must do if they happen to be available at the time. It's a fantastic and memorable experience!

4 stars.

Big tourist location! When I first arrived, there were hordes of people wanting to take photos outside the palace gates, and take photos of the iconic red-suited guards in front of the palace. If you're lucky, you can also catch a viewing of the Crossing of the Guards.

The fountain and statue outside is stunning too. There's also a lovely green park right across the street. There's also advertisements for exhibits outside the palace gates, which is how I learned about the DaVinci exhibit, and the Queen Victoria's Palace exhibit in the State Rooms.

Since the State Rooms are open for only 10 weeks during the summer, I decided to get a ticket to go in, including a visit through the Queen Victoria's Palace exhibit.

Of course, it's incredibly beautiful inside. There was a giant carriage used for special occasions, gilded hallways and staircases, numerous paintings, a throne room, and ballrooms. I learned new things, like how Buckingham Palace used to be a less-than-desirable palace until Victoria and Albert renovated it, how Queen Victoria began the tradition of royalty appearing on the balcony during certain public events, and that Queen Victoria collected the baby teeth of her children and created extensive documentation about them growing up.

Photos aren't allowed since the State Rooms are after all palace property and closed off to the public for most of the year. So, no cameras allowed until you exit the building and walk out into the garden and the gift shop.

An exceptional tour of an exceptional place. This tour is only offered during the summer for a few months and is the only way to actually "tour" the palace. First a few tips! Book this in advance, times fill up quickly and you might not be able to get it same day. Prepare for queues to get in and airport style security. There isn't a reason to show up early for your tour - you will just be queued outside. No photos allowed inside.. at all. The audio guide is free and excellent! It's also interactive and on an iPod.

After you tour all the amazing rooms at your own pace there is an amazing cafe (you can have tea at Buckingham palace! ) and souvenir shop. If you are in London when this is available, it is a must see!

Since 1993 the Buckingham Palace opened the doors to allow the public to help pay for damage caused by a fire. It's only open from July to October when the Queen is out.

Like the Gallery and Mews, visitors are offered free audio guides to listen to as you do a self tour of the Palace. However, unlike the prior places, once you past security, the Palace does not allow you to take any photos until you reach the garden.

I figured since it was my luck to be here in London at a time where the public were allowed to view The State Rooms at Buckingham Palace I better take advantage. It just happens that at this time to, there wasn't much of a wait/line, which equated to the inside not being packed and you weren't pushed along with the crowd.

Another place, out of many in London, where you are not allowed to take pictures, but you are encouraged to purchase a souvenir guide. Which puzzles me since there are a few pictures on here from visitors that really shouldn't exist. I also caught myself giving a fellow tourist the stink eye as they were videoing their walk into the State Rooms. I should of started ringing a bell and yelling "Shame" at her.

An audio/visual tour guide accompanies this tour with highlights from each set of items on exhibit. Not all items are touched upon in this guide, so don't think that by standing back and admiring the items will give you a full grasp of what is on display. You will still need to take your turn reading the placards to understand which each item is. Each room you enter is designated to a continent. So that means each room you enter has items that were given to the Queen as a gift from that country. Each item is unique unto itself. My favorite part of this exhibit (which I am sure changes from time to time) was the room that they had an exhibit dedicated to Princess Diana. The items that were on display here were items that were picked by her sons, Princes William and Harry. It was a very touching display as they put some thought into what they felt were important to them. These items also let you glimpse at memories that they had of their mother.

Every single room was elegant, it kind of reminded me of going to my grandparent's house. You know, it's old and well maintained, but you didn't want to touch anything for fear that you might break something.

At the end of the tour you hand back in your guided tour and are allowed to stroll about the grounds. To the one side you have a children's area that allow children to play and on the other side is a cafe to get a small bite to eat. To exit completely you must walk through the grounds, this isn't a suggestion, it's the way it is. But in all honesty, it quite the lovely stroll. You forget you are in London as the grounds are lush. Along the way you can view ponds, wildlife and the beautiful foliage.

Also along the way out you can stop at the gift shop and make a purchase or two. I did just that and got my niece a stuffed Welsh Corgi. All items as you can guess were Buckingham Palace themed. Prices were reasonable and the staff were polite as can be. You will pass one more place before you actually hit the exit and it is an ice cream stand. I cannot speak to this as I bypassed that and headed towards the exit.

If you ask me, you should take the time and visit here. It is a once in a lifetime type of thing to do.

If you have never been inside Buckingham Palace during its Summer Opening, then you should arrange to do so asap! This not only for tourists but also it's a great day out for locals.
When her Majesty the Queen leaves Buckingham Palace and stays in Windsor Castle, (that's roughly after 20th July and for 3 months every year), Buckingham Palace State rooms are open to the public. 1st question: Are Queen's rooms i.e. bedroom, kitchen etc. open to visit? Of course no you stupid. Only the State Rooms and the Palace Gardens are open. And what are the State Rooms? Are the ones that Queen meets people like ministers, diplomats etc.

You will need about 2-3 hours to spend here and you will be given a really informative audio/video tour guide as you enter. The tickets worth every penny you pay and they are valid for one year as soon as you stamp them on the back on your way to exit. So you can come even next year or as many times as you like.
This year 2016, they made a slight change in some of the rooms in order to celebrate the Queen's 90th birthday and thus hundrends of her dresses are displayed there.

No photography is allowed apart from the outside of the Palace, at the end of your tour in the Palace Gardens.

All I have to say is "Wow!"

A once in a lifetime opportunity I am glad I took advantage of!

#JustDoIt

Before the tour, there is airport style security. Once inside, you can grab an audio tour device. We opted to not take one. It's a self guided tour, so you can explore at your own pace. I'm glad I decided to go! Tons of info, lots and lots to see.