Royal Mews
What Visitors Say
Visiting the Royal Mews was a wonderful experience. The carriages on display are beautifully maintained and truly impressive to see up close. It’s easy to admire their grand and elegant appearance, and the care put into keeping them in such great condition really stands out. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area.
Went here because I wanted to see the royal carriages in person. Since I live in the U.S., I've only ever seen them on TV, and even if you live in England and might have seen them in a parade, you most likely only saw them from far away and in passing. At the Royal Mews, you can see all of them all at once, parked, and up close. I was curious about the name "Mews" and it turns out this was where the royal hawks used to be kept as they "mewed" meaning moulted their feathers, a time when they couldn't be used for hunting. The place itself is relatively small. However, they try to inform you as much as possible as to what you're looking at with both signs and a free audio tour. And even if you don't really pay that much attention to all that info, the craftsmanship of the carriages themselves are amazing to look at. In addition, when we went we saw a few horses in the stables, a couple of which were being prepared for the police. We went on a rainy Friday morning in late summer and even though I bought tickets ahead of time to be safe, when we arrived there was no wait and we walked straight in. I also saw a small group of people join a tour with a docent, but even without one, we still enjoyed the tour.
This is an amazing Carriage house around the corner from the entrance and exit to Buckingham Palace. Such a treat to see carriages that have carried kings and queens on special occasions. There were also stalls with horses and information to be learned about the staff on hand (who all live upstairs for generations!). Amazing and so worth the cost. You can walk around as long as you like. Kids are welcomed too! Take as many pictures as you like!!!
Saw some magnificent carriages here. Absolutely love the black ones (The Diamond Jubilee State Coach, Semi-State Landau, Miniature Landau, Donkey Barouche) and the Gold State Coach. Not crowded as well. To me, this place is so better than the palace itself.
We recently visited The Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace, and it was a truly memorable experience. It felt incredibly special to be able to see the magnificent royal horses and the stunning historic carriages up close — especially the iconic Gold State Coach used for coronations. There’s something quite magical about being so close to such an important part of royal tradition and history. My child and I were both fascinated and genuinely impressed. The staff were absolutely wonderful — warm, friendly, and always happy to answer questions or offer guidance. It was a lovely day out, both educational and inspiring. Highly recommend for anyone with an interest in the British Royal Family or heritage in general.
Highlights
Gold State Coach
Coronation icon since 1762Four tons of gilded wood hung on leather straps—magnificent to watch, famously uncomfortable to ride.
Main coach house
Diamond Jubilee State Coach
Tradition outside, tech inside (2014)Air-conditioning, stabilisers and door inlays made from historic ships and buildings—heritage turned into a modern ride.
Coach house gallery
Royal Motor Cars
When horsepower means cylindersState Bentleys and Rolls-Royces sit nose-to-nose with the coaches—protocol on wheels in two eras.
Vehicle bay
Harness Room & Saddlery
Craft that makes pageantry workHand-stitched leather, polished brass and colour-coded plumes—fit is safety as much as spectacle.
Service range
Resident Horses
The athletes behind the glitterCleveland Bays and Windsor Greys train for steel nerves and perfect pacing on noisy London streets.
Stables (availability varies; many horses rotate with Windsor)
Opening Hours
Fun Facts
‘Mews’ once meant royal falcon sheds; when the hawks moved out and horses moved in, the name stuck.
The Gold State Coach needs eight horses and moves at walking pace—the leather-strap suspension makes for a rolling, sea-voyage feel inside.
The Diamond Jubilee State Coach hides modern tech—air-con, electric windows and hydraulic suspension—beneath a traditional body.
Your ticket can be upgraded to a 1-Year Pass, so one visit can become a year of drop-ins when different vehicles are on show.
Horses you see in London often commute: training and stabling rotate with Windsor depending on season and ceremony.
