How much does a ticket cost?
Kensington Palace ticket information can be found here. The big news is that now Kids Go Free! (Applies to up to six children under 16 with a paying adult)
What does my admission ticket include?
Kensington Palace is not a traditional heritage experience - our approach is tradition with a twist, and we apply this to the four routes that your ticket includes: Victoria Revealed - a new permanent exhibition exploring the life and reign of one of the palace's most famous residents, Queen Victoria, in her own words; the King's State Apartments with new displays and a new game of court to take part in if you wish; and the Queen's State Apartments which has a more modern and theatrical display to tell the story of William and Mary up to George I.
Do you accept student ID?
We accept all valid student ID cards from anywhere in the world and students enjoy the concession price.
How can I book admission tickets?
You can book tickets by telephone, online or in person. Group bookings can also be made for parties 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.
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When is Kensington Palace open for visiting?
Click here for details of our opening times.
When is the Orangery Restaurant open?
The Orangery Restaurant opening hours are 10.00am to 6.00pm in the summer (1 Mar to 31 Oct), and 10.00am to 5.00pm in the winter (1 Nov to 28 Feb).
What is the best time of day for me to visit?
The middle part of the day will always be the busiest - around 11.00am to 3.00pm. If you prefer a quieter visit, you may prefer to be here at 10.00am when we open.
How long will it take to visit Kensington Palace?
If you were to explore all four routes and enjoy time in the shop, cafe and gardens, you could easily spend 2-3 hours visiting Kensington Palace.
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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 visitor vehicular access to the palace grounds from Kensington High Street, unless you are registered disabled and have booked your vehicle in advance.
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Where did Diana live? Can we see it?
Diana, Princess of Wales, like the royal residents today, lived in the private side of Kensington Palace, which is not open to the public. The private side of Kensington Palace is looked after by the Royal Household and run completely separately. Historic Royal Palaces is the charity which runs the side of Kensington Palace open to the public. For more information about the history of Kensington Palace, click here.
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. It was announced in Autumn 2011 that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are to move into Princess Margaret's former apartment in 2013 and currently live in a cottage in Kensington Palace whilst their main home remains in Anglesey. 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.
Is Diana’s wedding dress on display at Kensington Palace?
No, Diana, Princess of Wales' wedding dress is on display at her family home and her last resting place, Althorp House, Northampton.
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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.
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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. The newly-transformed Kensington Palace offers improved accessibility for all including level access from Kensington Gardens, a lift to all floors for the first time, and portable seating available to borrow. Full information about visitor access to Kensington Palace is available here. If you have a specific query regarding accessibility, please contact us and we will be pleased to reply. Email: kensingtonpalace@hrp.org.uk
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How do I become a member?
Join us today and one of the benefits is 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 other 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.
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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. Find out more about our education activities, events and resources.
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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.
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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.
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Food and drink
Is there food and drink available to buy at Kensington Palace?
Yes we have two venues - the Palace Café which is the place for a coffee, a cake or a sandwhich, and the more formal Orangery restaurant which provides a wider range of options focusing on light lunches and afternoon teas. Please note that the Orangery does not take reservations. The Orangery and the Palace Cafe are 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 in the gardens of Kensington Palace or in the surrounding park. You are welcome to use any of the benches or to sit on the grass. Please note food and drink are not permitted within the confines of the buildings.
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Would I be allowed to take photographs?
Yes, photography is allowed in Kensington Palace. Please be mindful of both the delicate fabric of the building, and of other visitors, if you take photographs inside. Photographs may be something for you to take home, but don't forget to take a story home with you too - ask our Explainers to tell you about the things that interest you.
No filming is allowed - apart from for editorial reasons with advance permission of the Press Office.
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 will a visit to the newly-transformed palace last?
It depends on the individual, but if you explore the four new routes in the palace and spend time in the cafe, gardens and shop, you could easily spend two to three hours here.
Would I need permission to sketch inside the new palace?
If you would be sketching for your own personal use, you would be 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 permission in advance - please contact the Press Office on 0203 166 6166.
Would I be able to use my mobile phone inside the palace?
No - the use of mobile telephones is prohibited within the confines of the buildings.
Will you offer guided tours of the new palace?
The general Kensington Palace experience is to explore at your leisure using the new orientation leaflet, the new Kensington Palace guidebook and asking questions of our Explainers who love to share their expert knowledge with you.
We do offer special tours out of hours which need to be booked in advance - see What's On here or contact our Events Team.
We also offer 'History Bites' every day, which are short talks by our Explainers as experts on a particular subject. These will take place in the visitor areas of the palace and there will be no need to book.
Will there be anywhere I can leave my heavy bags or my pushchair/buggy?
Yes, the new Kensington Palace has a dedicated Cloakroom which you are free to use at your own risk, there are lockers for smaller items and security loops to secure luggage, buggies and coats. All need to be operated with a £1 coin, which is returned. If your luggage is oversized, you will be asked to open it for security checks.
Pushchairs/buggies are allowed around the palace and you can use the new lift to all floors.
Additionally, please be aware that in the winter (November to February) the only exit from Kensington Gardens after 4pm is via a narrow turnstile at Orme Square Gate (north) or Queen's Gate (south), in case your buggy or luggage is too big to exit.
Is there anywhere to change my baby?
Yes the newly-transformed palace has baby-changing facilities in the Palace Cafe toilets and in the toilets off the Vestibule.
Will there be anything for my primary school-age child to do at the palace?
The new Kensington Palace is a palace for everyone and up to six kids under 16 go free with a paying adult. We have a new family trail of Victoria Revealed to enjoy, and there are things to play with an touch throughout the palace giving plenty for children of all ages to enjoy and opportunities to learn.
Will I be able to bring my dog with me?
No, 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?
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 going to be on show when I visit?
The majority of the paintings on display at Kensington Palace belong to the Royal Collection. 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 6100 (from outside the UK). Click here for more detailed contact information for Kensington Palace.
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