Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace serves as both the office and London residence of Her Majesty the Queen. It is one of the few working royal palaces remaining in the world today.

In August and September, when the palace is not being used in its official capacity, visitors can enjoy the State Rooms, which form the heart of the working palace - nineteen rooms, lavishly furnished with the finest treasures from the Royal Collection, including paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Poussin and Canaletto and some of the finest English and French furniture.

The special exhibition at the Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace in 2010 will give visitors a lively insight into the principal national and ceremonial events in the royal year. "The Queen's Year" will include displays of ceremonial robes, gifts, uniforms, dresses and jewellery, as well as archive photography and film to evoke the many and varied aspects of the sovereign's work.

Visitors end their tour with a walk along the south side of the Palace garden, which splendid views of the west front of the Palace and the famous lake.

The Royal Mews

The Royal Mews is the mews (or stables) of the British Royal Family, located in the grounds of Buckingham Palace.

Here you can see the the Gold State Coach along with various horse-drawn carriages and motor cars, used for coronations, State Visits, royal weddings, the State Opening of Parliament and official engagements. For most of the year the stables are home to the working horses that play an important role in The Queen's official and ceremonial duties.

The Queen's Gallery

The Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace is a permanent space dedicated to changing exhibitions of items from the Royal Collection, the wide-ranging collection of art and treasures held in trust by The Queen for the Nation. The Queen's Gallery is open to the public throughout the year.