How much does a ticket cost?
Click here for current ticket prices and booking information. You will find information on adult tickets, child tickets, family tickets and concession prices.
What does my admission ticket include?
Two years of extensive construction work to improve accessibilty to Kensington Palace begins in Spring 2010, and during this time Enchanted Palace takes over the State Apartments. Your admission is to Enchanted Palace. Click here for more information on the significance of the rooms and objects you will see within Enchanted Palace.
How do I find out what will be on when I visit?
Enchanted Palace is open from 26 March 2010 for two years. During this time, there special events for key times of year such as half terms and holidays which will be included in the price of your ticket. To discover the ‘Top ten’ things to see and do at Kensington Palace, click here. For information on current and forthcoming events, click here to visit the 'What's On' page.
Will you accept my student ID?
We accept all valid student ID cards from anywhere in the world. Click here for current ticket prices and booking information.
How can I book admission tickets?
You can book tickets to Enchanted Palace at Kensington Palace online, by telephone or in person. Group bookings can also be made for groups of 15 or more people. Click here for more information and to make bookings.
I have a query with my online booking – where can I go for help?
Contact our booking queries team by email at Booking.Confirmations@hrp.org.uk or ring our contact centre on 0844 482 7799.
May I book tickets in advance when booking via a promotion or offer e.g. Tesco deal tokens, ATOC 2 for 1 offers, etc?
These promotions can only be used to buy tickets on the door on the day of your visit. Separate terms and conditions apply. Please check the relevant websites for more details.
Return to top
When are you open?
Click here for details of our opening times. Kensington Palace is open every day of the year, except 24-26 December, and may also close early sometimes due to special events.
Due to the installation of a new exhibition, the palace will be closed from 8 to 25 March 2010 inclusive. If you have purchased a ticket for these dates, please return to the point of sale in order to obtain a refund.
The Orangery will be open as usual during this time and our gardens are always free to visit.
Return to top
How do I get to Kensington Palace?
For maps and detailed information about getting to the palace by foot, tube, car, taxi, coach or bicycle, click here. Please note that there is no vehicular access to the palace grounds from Kensington High Street.
Return to top
Where did Diana live?
Diana, Princess of Wales, lived in the West wing of the building, both during her marriage and after the separation. The West wing is not part of the visitor experience of Kensington Palace, as it is still in use by the Royal Family. For more information about the history of Kensington Palace, click here.
Do we see where Diana lived?
Unfortunately not, as Diana, Princess of Wales, lived in the West wing of the building, which was then and is still now, residential and not accessible to visitors.
Who lives in the palace now?
Current residents include Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, Duke and Duchess of Kent and Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. The three men are the Queen’s cousins. People who work for the Queen and Prince Charles also have apartments here. For more information about the history of Kensington Palace, click here.
Where is the Diana Fountain?
The Diana Fountain is a short walk from Kensington Palace in Hyde Park, near the Lido Café and opposite the Serpentine Gallery.
Where is Diana’s wedding dress?
Diana, Princess of Wales' wedding dress is on display at her family home and her last resting place, Althorp House, Northampton.
Will I see Diana's dresses on display at Kensington?
Unfortunately due to Diana's dresses being committed to other projects by their overseas owners, and because of the dust and vibrations caused by the construction works, the dresses of Diana, Princess of Wales, have been taken off display at the palace. However, within the 'Room of the Dancing Princesses' in Enchanted Palace, you will find a beautiful new display of a dress designed for Princess Diana by Bruce Oldfield. You can visit the Fashion Museum in Bath between 17 July 2010 and 9 January 2012, to see a special exhibition of ten dresses which belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales - find out more on their website here.
Return to top
Do you offer discounts for groups?
We offer a range of benefits and services to groups of 15 or more people visiting the palace. Please note that travel agents/tour guides (except Blue Badge) do not receive free entry. Click here for group admission rates, publications and further information.
Return to top
I need help with accessing the palace – where can I find some information?
Kensington Palace welcomes all visitors and hopes to make everyone's day out enjoyable. For more information about the accessibility of Enchanted Palace click here. If you have a specific query regarding accessibility, please contact us and we will be pleased to reply. Email: kensingtonpalace@hrp.org.uk
Return to top
How do I become a member?
Join us today and enjoy free and unlimited entry for a year to all the five of our Historic Royal Palaces. It is quick and easy to become a member. You can join online and by phone. Click here for details about becoming a member.
What are the benefits of membership?
As well as enjoying free and unlimited access for a year to all five Historic Royal Palaces, your membership also includes great additional benefits, such as member events and opportunities to meet our own experts and special guests including authors and historians. Click here to learn more about the benefits of membership.
How do I renew my membership?
You can renew your membership by phone or post. Click here for detailed information about renewing your membership.
May I give membership as a gift?
Yes. Purchasing membership of Historic Royal Palaces as a gift is very easy. Click here for detailed information about giving membership as a gift.
Return to top
I’d like to book a school or college visit – who do I contact?
We provide education and schools programmes across the palaces, including Kensington Palace. Click here for information about our education activities, events and resources. To book an education visit to Kensington Palace, please contact our education team on: +44 (0)20 3166 6646.
Return to top
I’d like to buy something I saw in one of your shops – is that possible?
Yes. Browse our Online shop or email the details to our Retail department, who will be happy to help. Click here to visit the Online shop. Or email our Retail department at mailorder@hrp.org.uk.
Return to top
May I hold an event, such as a wedding or conference, at Kensington Palace?
Yes. Whatever your event, this magnificent palace makes an impressive location for entertaining and functions. For more information or to contact our knowledgeable events team, click here.
Return to top
Lost property
I’ve lost something at the palace – what do I do?
If you lose something during your visit, just find the nearest member of staff and we will be happy to help. During the day all lost property is held at the entrance so it can be easily returned. After closing all lost property for that day is transferred to the Control Office and visitors may contact the office with enquiries after their visit by calling 0203 166 6199 or emailing kensingtonpalace@hrp.org.uk.
Return to top
Is there food and drink available to buy at Kensington Palace?
Yes. The famous Orangery restaurant provides a wide range of refreshments from morning coffee, salads and sandwiches and hot meals and afternoon teas. Please note that the Orangery does not take reservations. The Orangery is located within Kensington Palace gardens, which are free to enter. Click here for more information.
May we have a picnic at the palace?
Yes, you can have a picnic outside of Kensington Palace. You are welcome to use any of the benches outside the palace or in Kensington Gardens. Please note food and drink are not permitted within the confines of the buildings.
Return to top
May I take photographs?
We are sorry but photography is not permitted within Enchanted Palace for copyright reasons.
Images of the palace are available for sale from our Photographic Library. Click here to contact the Photographic Library. Requests for commercial photography, filming or sketching should be made in advance. Click here to contact our Press Office regarding commercial photography.
How long goes a visit to the palace last?
Most visitors complete the Enchanted Palace experience in an hour and a half.
Do I need permission to sketch inside the palace?
If you are sketching for your own personal use, you are welcome to do so in many areas of the palace. However, we would be grateful if you could please contact us in advance. Commercial sketching needs separate permissionin advance - please contact the Press Office on 0203 166 6166.
May I use my mobile phone inside the palace?
No - the use of mobile telephones is prohibited within the confines of the buildings.
Do you offer guided tours?
We do not offer guided tours of Enchanted Palace as it is a predominantly visual experience, with theatrical performance and fashion installations. Visitors are provided with an orientation leaflet during their visit and there is a new book exploring Kensington Palace's social history available to purchase - find out more here. If you would prefer a guided tour, we recommend that you contact a Blue Badge Guide.
Is there anywhere I can leave my heavy bags?
Due to the constraints on space because of the extensive construction works, Kensington Palace does not have any left luggage facilities available, so unfortunately people with large suitcases will not be allowed entry.
Is there anywhere to change my baby?
There are baby-changing facilities in the unisex toilets located off the Enchanted Palace ticketing room.
Where can I leave my pushchair?
Pushchairs are allowed around the palace; however, as there is no lift and there are a lot of stairs where buggies must be carried up and down, we strongly recommend that you leave them in a storeroom off the Enchanted Palace ticketing room. Please note however that these are left at your own risk and no other items may be left with the pushchairs in this area as it is unsupervised. Additionally, in the winter the only exit from the palace after 4pm is via a narrow turnstile at the end of Jubilee Walk, on Bayswater Road.
Is there anything for my primary school-age child to do at the palace?
The Enchanted Palace orientation leaflet is your map to discover seven princesses and also contains a drawing activity. Please click here for more information.
May I bring my dog with me?
Only service dogs are allowed inside Kensington Palace and in the formal gardens. Please note that there are no facilities for dogs to be left while their owners visit the palace.
I’m holding a fundraising event – can I get free tickets?
As Historic Royal Palaces is a charity, we receive no funding from the Government or the Crown, so we depend on the support of our visitors, members, donors, volunteers and sponsors. We are unable to support other fundraising activities with complimentary tickets.
I would like to find out about the collections on display at Kensington Palace. Who do I contact?
Many of the items historically on display at Kensington Palace have either gone into storage during the building works to keep them safe from the dust and vibrations, or they have been returned/lent to other organisations for their own exhibitions. However, whilst they are off display general information is still available within the History and Stories and Conservation sections of our website. For specific enquiries relating to the history of the palace and collections, email curators@hrp.org.uk.
How can I find out if a specific painting is on show when I visit?
Kensington Palace is home to a large number of Royal Collection paintings, and some have remained on display as part of Enchanted Palace. However, if you are coming to see a specific painting, please check that it is on public display at Kensington Palace before you visit. Email: chris.stevens@royalcollection.org.uk
How can I contact Kensington Palace?
For our 24-hour information line about the palace, call 0844 482 7777 (from UK) or +44 (0)20 3166 6000 (from outside the UK). Click here for more detailed contact information for Kensington Palace.
Return to top
