FAQs

• Student: You are entitled to a concession rate ticket if you are over the age of 16 and in full time education. You are required to show a current student identification card once on site to validate the discounted price. International students are entitled to this rate if they also meet these requirements with a valid id card.
• 65+ years: You are entitled to a concession rate ticket if you are 65 or over. You may be required to show an identification card (with your date of birth) once on site to validate the discounted price. International visitors are entitled to this rate if they also meet these requirements of proof of age.
• Those with a registered disability: You are entitled to a concession rate ticket.

Those with a registered disability are entitled to a concession rate ticket, and a free carers ticket.

Carers tickets cannot be booked online and must be collected from the admissions desk on the day of the visit after showing proof of disability (such as a Blue Badge, Freedom Pass, DLA letter or PIP letter).

The access page has further detail on what to expect during your visit.

You are entitled to a discounted ticket if you hold a valid military id card. You are required to show a current military id card once on site to validate this discounted rate, and you cannot pre-book. The discount for individual tickets is for the cardholder only. Discounted family tickets are also available when at least one of the adults attending is a military cardholder.

Only those named on the membership account can use a membership card to gain admission. If you are visiting with a friend who is not a member they will be required to purchase a ticket. If you hold a joint or family membership the same terms and conditions apply, and only those named on the account will be granted admission using the card.  

Please ensure you have your valid London Pass ready for scanning on arrival. Separate terms and conditions apply. You do not need to pre-book if visiting on a London Pass. 

It is unlikely you will be required to queue during your visit. The seats/beanbags and mirrors for the Rubens ceiling are available in the Banqueting Hall on a first-come first-served basis and are rarely all in use. Please be patient if they are all occupied upon your arrival. 

Third party vouchers cannot be redeemed on the Historic Royal Palaces website, and you will need to contact the voucher provider to make your booking for you. Tickets purchased through a third party provider are subject to the Terms and Conditions of that company and you would need to contact them directly to discuss your booking or request further information about the offer.

Only Blue Badge guides may guide within Banqueting House. Please book directly with them through a Blue Badge Tourist Guide association.

Banqueting House can be booked as an all-day event space on Thursdays only. To avoid disappointment we have restricted advance sales on these days. General admission tickets will be released and you will be able to book within 4 weeks of your preferred Thursday if there has not been an event confirmed. 

Historic Royal Palaces is a charity and we receive no funding from the Government or the Crown. We depend on the support of our visitors, members, donors, volunteers and sponsors. We are regrettably unable to support other fundraising activities with complimentary tickets but we wish you the best with your fundraising activities. 

There is no on-site car parking and parking in the nearby area is limited. The nearest car park is Q-park Trafalgar.

You are able to spend as much time as you like within the Banqueting House during opening hours, however we recommend you schedule approximately 45 minutes for your visit. Banqueting House is a popular venue for events and weddings so is sometimes subject to earlier closures. The audio tour lasts approximately 30 minutes.

There is no left luggage facility at Banqueting House. Many of the nearby rail stations have storage facilities. 

If you lose something during your visit please contact the nearest member of staff. Alternatively, contact [email protected] and we’ll do our best to try to reunite you with your property.

You are welcome to take non-commercial photographs (without the use of flash) within the palace in most cases. Some items or imagery may be prohibited from being photographed and this will be clearly signposted, or ask a member of staff if you are unsure. The use of tripods and selfie-sticks is prohibited. Images of the palace are available for sale from our Photographic Library. Requests for commercial photography, filming or sketching should be made in advance. 

Wedding and engagement photography is available exclusively to our brides and grooms. 

There is no specific dress code for visitors to Banqueting House. We do ask that you dress respectfully as families are likely to be present. If there are offensive slogans or other clothing items deemed to be inappropriate you may be approached by a member of staff. Please note we do not allow visitors (adult or child) to be in costume at the Banqueting House. There are costumed interpreters and guides on site, and to avoid confusion for other visitors please refrain from dressing in costume.

For general information browse History and Stories and Explore. For detailed information relating to the collections on display, email [email protected]