WHAT TO EXPECT ON A BUCKINGHAM PALACE TOUR

A brief history prior to the Buckingham palace tour

The official headquarters of the monarchy, Buckingham palace is an iconic landmark in the UK, and certainly one of the many places to visit when on a London Bus tour. The palace also provides residence for the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh as well as other members who make up the Royal Family. As the headquarters of the monarchy, the palace hosts numerous official events and ceremonies. While there are many people who take the Buckingham palace tour, these visits are characterized into two: formal or official visits and informal visits. Official visits will usually include visits by the Prime minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, ambassadors (both British and foreign) as well as other distinguished guests. Informal visits on the other hand, will be characterized by both locals and foreigners who want to take a tour of London’s best places.

The history of the Buckingham palace dates back to as far as the 17th century, and the name was given to by John Sheffield who became the Duke of Buckingham much later. Over the years that followed, the palace underwent several renovations to what it is now. Interestingly, the palace was once under consideration for an ideal museum site, but this did not come to fruition for the reasons that it required great resources to pull it off. The palace has been home to a number of people in the Royal family, including King Edward VII, King George V and Queen Mary, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, and the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.

How do you arrange for a visit to the Buckingham palace tour?

There are various ways to get to the palace if you plan to tour, and the different methods will vary depending on the desired comfort as well as proximity from the place where you will be staying. For people who are keen on sightseeing, how about taking a London Bus tour? There are many companies that offer these services, so research prior to your tour would be a good thing to do. The advantage of going on such tours is that visitors get to hop on and off for the preplanned visit. This way, you are sure not to miss a single thing. Train rides are also available from London Victoria, but make sure to check ticket availability prior to your tour.

You can also have the Buckingham palace tour by road, but it is important to note that the palace is located within the Congestion Charge Zone, and consequently, there are extra charges to be incurred. The charge is a daily fee that amounts to ten pounds between Monday and Friday, from 7:00AM to 6:00PM. Ensure that you get the correct information and avoid dubious websites that claim to sell these charges. If this does not seem appealing to you, you could choose to use the Underground at Victoria, Hyde Park Corner as well as the Green Park. Should you choose to use the coach, the Victoria Coach Station is just a 15-minutes stroll from the palace.

A typical visit lasts around two hours, and opening times to enjoy the Buckingham palace tour will vary depending on the month of visit as well as the London Bus tour company of choice. The admission fee will also vary depending on the type of visit, as well as whether or not one is in a group. Below are the types of tours available for those who are interested:

• The Royal Day Out: This is perhaps the most comprehensive type of visit in the Buckingham palace tour. Purchasing these tickets assures the visitor admission to different places on the expansive location, including: the State Rooms, Buckingham Palace as well as the Queen’s Gallery, a favorite with art lovers.
• A tour of the palace and the State Rooms.
• A tour of the State Rooms as well as highlights of the Garden within the Palace.
  Whichever tour you may be interested in, it is always advisable to book tickets beforehand. You could also check with your travel agent well ahead of time when planning for your Buckingham palace tour. While on tour, make sure to see the Picture Gallery, one of the State Rooms where you can find exquisite paintings that constitute the Royal Collection. This is also one of the most critical rooms for entertainment during official events. There is also what is known as Changing the Guard, a colorful and vibrant ceremony that lasts just about an hour and occurs on select days. For full information, you should check the Army website prior to going on the Buckingham palace tour. Do not finish your tour without visiting the Buckingham palace where you can get wonderful souvenirs with you. A London Bus tour certainly is an excellent way to experience London.