NOTE: Kensington Palace is undergoing a £12 million renovation project. During this time, from March 2010 until January 2012, you can visit The Enchanted Palace exhibition at the palace.
Originally a private country house, public visitors are now warmly welcomed into Kensington Palace – the birthplace of Queen Victoria and home to Princess Diana between 1981 and 1997. Relive the moment in the Victorian Rooms when the young Princess Victoria discovered that she was to become Queen. Admire the family portraits and original furnishings adorning the homely Queen's Apartments. Revel in the grandeur of the King's Apartments, saturated with paintings and works of art from the Royal Collection, and find sanctuary in the calming Cupola Room where Princess Victoria was christened. On permanent display inside the palace is the famed Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection bursting at the seams with outfits from the 18th century to the present day including a range of glamorous dresses worn by HM Queen Elizabeth II and an array of spectacular and unique evening gowns modelled by Diana, Princess of Wales. No tour of the palace is complete without taking a turn around the elegant 18th century Orangery and Sunken Garden designed to host elaborate court entertainments during the reign of Queen Anne.
Best for: Princess Diana and Queen Victoria, dresses, family portraits, Orangery and sunken gardens.
(Image: Princess Diana's dresses)
What's on at
Kensington Palace State Apartments
The Enchanted Palace 26th March 2010 - 30th June 2012 As Kensington Palace undergoes a £12 million renovation project, due...
11 minutes walk from Kensington Palace State Apartments
For a virtually untouched and immaculately preserved slice of Victorian living, visit this delightful building. One of the only genuine Victorian townhouses remaining and virtually ... More
14 minutes walk from Kensington Palace State Apartments
For the past two centuries this old-fashioned 'learned society' has sent explorers and adventurers all over the world. Famous names from Mungo Park to ...More
Black Lion Gate,
Kensington Gardens,Broad Walk,Bayswater,
London,
W2Map
7 minutes walk from Kensington Palace State Apartments
This truly magical place is a kiddie's wonderland and the ideal jaunt for family fun. The focal point of the commemorative Diana, Princess of Wales ... More
11 minutes walk from Kensington Palace State Apartments
This 180ft Victorian bronze gilt statue in Kensington Gardens is a tribute to Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, and was erected following his death through ... More
5 minutes walk from Kensington Palace State Apartments
The small, quiet and friendly Seraphine Hotel occupies a prime spot overlooking Kensington Gardens and is ideally located for the Royal Albert Hall. Situated on ... More
12 minutes walk from Kensington Palace State Apartments
The pick of many people's concerts in the Late Night Proms series will be this collaboration between the singer/songwriter Jamie Cullum and the Heritage Orchestra. ...More
5 minutes walk from Kensington Palace State Apartments
Ultra-chic, ultra-hip cosmetics with colours to die for, all imported from Canada. A must-have for the cosmetics connoisseur. For a treat you can book a ...More
5 minutes walk from Kensington Palace State Apartments
The Barkers Building on Kensington High Street used to house an entire department store so you can imagine how much fresh, good-for-you food you can ... More
This excellent cafe is a little pricey but benefits from a beautiful, romantic location inside the gardens of Kensington Palace. Designed by Sir John Vanburgh ... More
Former royal conservatory set amid Kensington Gardens.
Set in the perfectly manicured grounds of historic Kensington Palace, the Orangery offers an idyllic setting for afternoon ... More
11 minutes walk from Kensington Palace State Apartments
This is one of London's most prestigious art colleges and the world's only wholly postgraduate university of art and design. You will need at least ... More
An excellent members archery club that shoots in the grounds of Kensington Palace in summer and in Pimlico in winter. Archery is a totally satisfying ... More
8 minutes walk from Kensington Palace State Apartments
Although a restaurant, clubbing and event venue, the extraordinary Kensington Roof Gardens are still accessible to the general public during the day if there are ... More
7 minutes walk from Kensington Palace State Apartments
If you ask your friends about this place, not many will know. It's not wildly off the beaten track either, situated directly opposite High Street ... More
7 minutes walk from Kensington Palace State Apartments
Now more England's national cuisine than sausages and mash, Thai food (the perfect accompaniment to a cooling pint of lager), saw its inauguration in the ... More
8 minutes walk from Kensington Palace State Apartments
Richard Branson's rooftop restaurant-come-nightclub at Kensington Roof Gardens is a favourite with the glam girls of Kensington, who can be seen at all hours sipping ... More
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As Kensington Palace undergoes a £12 million renovation project, due for completion in 2012, there's a magical exhibition revealing the secret stories about the lives ...More
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