Kensington Palace

#11

⭐ Highlights

State Apartments

Stuart and Georgian court life

These rooms hosted royal ceremonies from the late 1600s, with painted ceilings and baroque fireplaces surviving centuries of change.

Follow the route arrows; compare the King’s vs Queen’s décor.

📍 King’s and Queen’s Suites

Victoria’s Rooms

Birthplace of a queen

Queen Victoria was born here in 1819 and learned of her accession in 1837 in the palace’s private rooms.

Find the ‘Kensington System’ panels explaining her strict upbringing.

📍 First floor apartments

Sunken Garden

Peaceful formal garden

Created in 1908, this garden was redesigned for the 20th anniversary of Diana’s death and now hosts her 2021 statue.

Stand by the pool for reflections and a full statue view.

📍 South of palace

The Orangery

Elegant early 1700s pavilion

Built for Queen Anne around 1704, this light-filled hall served court entertainments among citrus trees.

Glance up to see the tall sash windows and plasterwork.

📍 Garden terrace

Diana’s Legacy

Modern royal history

Princess Diana lived here from 1981 to 1997; rotating displays explore her public work and style.

Check the current exhibition listing before you go.

📍 Exhibition areas

Opening Hours

Sunday: 10:00 – 18:00

Wednesday: 10:00 – 18:00

Thursday: 10:00 – 18:00

Friday: 10:00 – 18:00

Saturday: 10:00 – 18:00

Inside the museum

Kensington Palace blends living residence with layered royal history. Walk the Stuart and Georgian State Apartments where ceremony shaped power, then step into Victoria's rooms to meet a princess raised under strict rules who became an empress. Outside, the Sunken Garden frames Diana's 2021 statue with calm symmetry; the Orangery offers crisp early-eighteenth-century elegance. It's smaller and quieter than Buckingham Palace, with good step-free routes and audio included. Exhibitions rotate, so check what's on before booking. Allow two hours, longer if you plan tea or a garden stroll. Pair your visit with a loop through Kensington Gardens to the Round Pond and the Italian Gardens for a gentle, royal-themed afternoon.

Show more Show less

📖 Wikipedia 🌐 Website Google Maps