Kensington Palace Guide: Tickets, Hours & What's Closed
2 - 3 h
Royal Palace & Museum
Royal residence since 1689; still home to working members of the Royal Family
Kensington Palace, Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX, United Kingdom
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Practical Visitor Info & Tips
£24.70
£20.00
10:00 - 18:00 daily. Last admission to the palace 17:00; gardens last entry 17:45.
Advance booking is recommended via the official ticketing platform.
| Standard | Kensington Palace | 10:00 - 18:00 |
Last Admission: 17:00 for the palace; gardens last entry 17:45.
Closed On: The Queen's State Apartments are closed until Spring 2027 for a major re-presentation project.
One of three Historic Royal Palaces sites in/near London (alongside the Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace) — each is independently ticketed. An HRP annual membership (from GBP 65) gives unlimited free entry to all three plus Hillsborough Castle, but this is a repeat-visit membership product, not a short-stay sightseeing pass.
| Ticket Type | Price | Notes | Valid Until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult (18-64) | £24.70 (£27.20 incl. voluntary donation) | Includes current temporary exhibition | 8 Nov 2026 |
| Senior / student | £20.00 | Includes current temporary exhibition | 8 Nov 2026 |
| Child (5-15) / Young Person (16-17) | £12.40 | Includes current temporary exhibition | 8 Nov 2026 |
| Under 5 | Free | No ticket required | — |
Overview & Visitor Introduction
Kensington Palace is one of three Historic Royal Palaces (HRP) sites in or near London, alongside the Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace — each is independently ticketed, so a ticket to one does not admit you to the others. It remains a working royal residence as well as a visitor attraction, and is closely associated with Diana, Princess of Wales, who lived here, and with Queen Victoria, who was born on the site in 1819.
Current admission prices (Adult 18-64: £24.70, or £27.20 including a 10% voluntary donation) apply for visits up to 8 November 2026 and include entry to a current temporary exhibition — a different rate may apply from 11 November 2026 onward, per Historic Royal Palaces' official pricing page, so treat these figures as time-bound rather than a permanent rate.
Advance online booking is available and recommended, but it is not mandatory timed entry — tickets can also be bought on the day at the palace's ticket office, subject to availability.
The Queen's State Apartments are closed until Spring 2027 for a major re-presentation project. Visitors during this period should expect the King's State Apartments and other palace areas to remain open, but should not plan a visit around seeing the Queen's State Apartments specifically.
History & Architectural Significance
Originally a Jacobean mansion known as Nottingham House, the building was purchased in 1689 by the newly crowned William III and Mary II, who commissioned Sir Christopher Wren to enlarge it into a royal palace better suited to court life away from the smoke of central London. Successive monarchs added to the palace over the following decades, giving it the mixed 17th- and 18th-century appearance seen today.
Queen Victoria was born at Kensington Palace in 1819 and spent her childhood there before becoming queen in 1837. In more recent history, the palace was the official London residence of Diana, Princess of Wales, and remains home today to working members of the Royal Family, including the Prince and Princess of Wales.
What to See: Top Highlights
King's State Apartments
State rooms associated with William III and Georgian court life, open to visitors year-round.
Queen's State Apartments (currently closed)
Closed until Spring 2027 for a major re-presentation project — do not plan a visit around these rooms until then.
Sunken Garden
A formal garden near the palace's east front, a popular spot with visitors following the palace's royal-history theme.
Included Temporary Exhibition
A current temporary exhibition is included in admission through 8 November 2026 — check the official site for what's on during your visit.
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Pass Compatibility
Compare London PassesKensington Palace's status on the Go City All-Inclusive Pass is not confirmed either way at this time — treat that as unresolved rather than assuming coverage. What is confirmed is Historic Royal Palaces' own annual membership (from £65), which gives unlimited free entry to Kensington Palace plus the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace and Hillsborough Castle for 12 months. That's a genuine option for repeat visitors, but it's a membership product for multiple visits over a year, not a short-stay city sightseeing pass.
Go City London All-Inclusive Pass
Not confirmed by the provider. Not itemized with per-attraction clarity on Go City's own London pass page at the time of this check — the page lists attraction categories rather than a definitive per-site inclusion table for this specific site. Check directly with Go City before assuming either inclusion or exclusion.
HRP Membership
Included. Unlimited free entry as a benefit of the annual HRP membership.
Data Provenance
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to book Kensington Palace tickets in advance?
Are the Queen's State Apartments open?
Will these prices still apply if I visit in 2027?
Does a city pass include Kensington Palace?
Is Kensington Palace the same organization as Windsor Castle?
What is Kensington Palace's connection to Princess Diana and Queen Victoria?
Is there a family ticket for Kensington Palace?
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