12 Royal Palaces You Can Visit in England | travel

Although the United Kingdom is full of palatial residences and elegant country gardens, few are truly royal palaces. Some royal residences, such as Balmoral Castle in Scotland and Sandringham House in Norfolk, are the monarch's private property and off-limits to the public, but many of the properties the monarch calls home are actually open to visitors.

From the official residences of King Charles III to the opulent palaces of past kings and queens across the United Kingdom, visitors can enjoy a taste of royal life as they tour royal residences, throne rooms, acres of gardens and glittering jewel vaults. crown. Here, discover 12 royal palaces you can visit from London to Edinburgh:

1. Kensington Palace, London

oh Kensington Palace It was a royal family for generations. The palace began as a small village known as Nottingham House, but was transformed into a large residence by William III and Mary II. Kensington Palace, the birthplace of Queen Victoria, was home to Princess Diana – who has a garden in her memory – Princess Margaret and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Although they now spend most of their time at Adelaide Cottage at Windsor Castle, Kensington Palace remains the official London home of the Prince and Princess of Wales. Visitors can visit the palace gardens and jewel room, as well as the king's staircase and state apartments.

2. Buckingham Palace, London

oh Buckingham Palace It has long been the official residence and administrative office of the monarchy in London. As it is under construction, King Charles III has not yet visited, but the palace is still open to visitors. The iconic palace has been the site of royal events, state dinners, garden parties and the King's weekly audience with the Prime Minister. In the 1820s, King George IV commissioned architect John Nash to transform Buckingham House, which George III had purchased for Queen Charlotte, into a palace. Today, the sprawling estate has 775 rooms, including 19 state rooms and 52 bedrooms, for the royal family and their guests. The Palace is open to the State Rooms on selected dates each summer, winter and spring, but visitors can see the Royal Stables and Queen's Gallery year-round, as well as the Changing of the Guard outside the Palace on Mondays – fair. Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

3. Highgrove Gardens, Gloucestershire, UK

Located in Gloucestershire, Highgrove Gardens It was the private home of King Charles. The Duchy of Cornwall – then controlled by the future monarch – bought the property in 1980, shortly before he began courting Diana Spencer. The neoclassical Georgian house and grounds were renovated and improved by King Charles, who had a particular interest in the gardens. He consulted with garden designer Rosemary Vere and naturalist Miriam Rothschild on the interconnected gardens, which are open to the public. Highgrove offers garden tours, autumn walks and champagne tea tours.

4. Windsor Castle, Windsor, United Kingdom

The world's largest and oldest occupied fort, The Windsor Castle It dates back to the 11th century, when William the Conqueror began building it over the River Thames. Forty monarchs have lived in the castle, many adding their own grand touches – including George IV's, with the famous Waterloo Room, an enlarged St George's Hall and a new grand staircase, among other improvements. After a devastating fire in 1992, Windsor Castle was painstakingly restored over the next five years at a cost of around R$217 million (US$44 million). The castle is open to visitors from Thursday to Monday, and tours include Queen Mary's Dolls' House and the state apartment where Queen Elizabeth II was buried, the semi-state rooms and St George's Chapel.

5. Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland

Located on Edinburgh's Royal Mile Palace of Holyroodhouse It is the official residence of the King in Scotland. The palace has been owned by many royals, including Mary, Queen of Scots, James IV (who converted the royal quarters of Holyrood Abbey into a palace) and Charles II (who commissioned the architect Sir William Bruce to rebuild the palace after a fire in 1650). . Visitors see the ruins of the Abbey, tour the State Apartments and visit the chambers of Mary Queen of Scots in the Northwest Tower. The palace is open for visitors throughout the year.

6. Hillsborough Castle, Hillsborough, Northern Ireland

Built by the Hill family in the late 18th century, The Hillsborough Castle A grand Irish house and the official home of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland – and the area's royal family. The castle was sold to the British government in the 1920s with the intention of being the home of the Governor of Northern Ireland, and received its first royal visit in 1933 when Queen Victoria's granddaughter Princess Alice stayed at Hillsborough. Over the years, Hillsborough Castle played a key role in peace negotiations between England and Ireland, including the negotiations that later led to the Good Friday Agreement. Visitors can explore 40 hectares of gardens and valleys and visit elegant rooms. The opening hours of the fort and garden vary according to the season.

7. Kew Palace, London

Located in Kew Gardens, South West London Kew Palace It was the royal retreat of many Georgian monarchs, including George III, who was detained there during a mental illness in 1788, and Queen Charlotte. Visit Queen Charlotte's country home and climb the 253 steps of the 18th-century Great Pagoda to see the well-preserved royal kitchens. oh Kew Palace It is open during the spring and summer months.

8. Tower of London, London

Over the years, the Tower of London It housed a royal palace, a prison, an armoury, a royal mint and even a zoo. The central stone tower was commissioned by William the Conqueror in the 1070s, as future kings expanded the castle by adding defensive walls and royal interiors. The tower is still guarded by yeoman warders (or beefeaters), and they hold the ceremony of the keys every day. Explore the White Tower, meet the famous ravens and visit the Crown Jewels, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is open to visitors year-round (although days and times vary depending on the season).

9. Banqueting House, London

The banqueting hall was once part of the Royal Palace of Whitehall, which belonged to the Tudor and Stuart monarchies. A party house The one that exists today is actually the third iteration, designed by architect, costume designer and set designer Inigo Jones. The architect was inspired by his travels in France and Italy to create the classic building. A highlight of the Banqueting House are nine ceiling paintings by Peter Paul Rubens, commissioned by Charles I and installed in 1636. The banquet hall is open for guided tours on select dates each year.

10. Hampton Court Palace, Surrey, UK

Step back in time to the world of the Tudor Kings Hampton Court Palace. Henry VIII loved the house so much that he took six of his wives there and added the great hall and chapel. William III and Mary II commissioned Christopher Wren to build a new Baroque palace, but the architect chose part of the Tudor palace to include the fountain courtyard. Hampton Court has also been the filming location for many period films and TV shows including 'The Favourite', 'Bridgerton' and 'The Great'. The palace and many of its 24 hectares of gardens are open year-round.

11. Abethorpe Palace, Northamptonshire, United Kingdom

However Abethorpe Palace Although it only belonged to the Crown for a short time in the 1540s, the great English country house was frequented by the Tudor and Stuart kings. James I also paid for it to be enlarged, and it was there that he met his (fellow) favourite, George Villiers. (During the restoration of the building from 2004 to 2008, a passage was discovered between its rooms). Elizabeth I, Charles I, George IV and other monarchs have also visited over the years. Apethorpe was sold in 2015 to Jean Christophe Iseux, Baron von Pfetten. As part of the sale, the new owner agreed to open the residence to the public for 50 days a year for the next 80 years.

12. Osborne, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom

In 1845, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert bought it Osborne, a waterfront property on the Isle of Wight. The prince and architect Thomas Cubitt collaborated on a new residence inspired by Italian palaces, and Albert oversaw the design of the gardens and grounds. Queen Victoria died at Osborne in 1901, and the house was opened to the public in 1904. Today, tourists can walk along the late Queen's private beach, visit the on-site Swiss country house and visit the state and family rooms in Italy. Mansion.

* Article originally published Architectural Digest
Translation: Maria Mezquita