Top 5 British Royal Palaces and Castles to Visit

By: Amy Rambo (amyr@bluepineappletravel.com)

When Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II passed away two weeks ago, I spent about 24 hours contemplating a last-minute hop across the pond to be there in person for the funeral procession and lying in state. Having just been to London in June for the Platinum Jubilee celebrating Her Majesty’s 70 years on throne, I knew how amazing it can be to watch all the ceremony and pageantry first hand. Alas, responsibilities here at home ultimately prevented such spontaneity, but I ended up watching the near constant tv coverage. And I started making plans for my next trip to Great Britain. I’m thinking . . . June.

From the pristine air of the Scottish Highlands to the hustle and bustle of central London, there is something for everyone when visiting the UK. More specifically, many of the historic residences featured in the coverage of Queen Elizabeth’s funeral are open to the public and well worth visiting. To give you a sense of where to go and what to see, here are my top five recommendations for the best Royal Palaces and Castles to visit during your next trip to the United Kingdom.

#5: Buckingham Palace: That balcony. Those guards. Buckingham Palace is the iconic symbol of the British monarchy. A great walking experience anytime you’re in London is to start at those famous gates, and then to stroll down the tree-lined Mall to Trafalgar Square. You can also visit the stables, also called the Royal Mews, to see the gold state coach throughout the year. However, to see the inside state rooms and back gardens, you have to make the trip in either July, August, September, or October. Whether you want to see the throne room, the dining room set with a mock-state dinner, or eat strawberries and cream in the new King’s backyard, Buckingham Palace is well worth a visit.

#4: Sandringham: This royal residence is not a palace or castle, but an excellent example of a British manor house. Bought in the mid-19th century by the future King Edward VII for his bride, Princess Alexandra of Denmark, the home has been a country retreat for the royal family ever since. Set in the Norfolk countryside, a visit to the home includes the surrounding forested grounds that are relatively flat making them perfect for a bike-ride or picnic. The traditional gathering place of the royal family for Christmas, the house is technically a private residence. However, the house is open to visitors from March to October. Visiting the comparatively smaller and more intimate residence means fewer crowds and a staff of docents who are particularly chatty and welcoming.

#3: Kensington Palace: West of Buckingham, through beautiful Hyde Park, is the other London royal residence: Kensington Palace. Famous for being the home of a young Queen Victoria and post-divorce Princess Diana, Kensington is the current in-town residence of the new Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate. You can also visit the oldest part of the palace year-round. I’ve been a couple of times and each experience was slightly different. The palace welcomes visitors with exciting exhibitions that frequently update. You can also have afternoon tea at the Orangery next door. And who knows, you might see Kate Middleton walking her dog through the gardens.

#2: Balmoral: Tucked away in the Scottish Highlands, Balmoral Castle is perhaps the most private of all the residences open to visitors. While you can visit from April to July, know going in that visitor access is restricted to one ballroom. However, you also get to wander around the castle through the gorgeous Scottish countryside. The pristine River Dee runs along the side of the castle, and there’s always a refreshing scent of pine in the air. If you’re looking to get away from the crowds on your next trip, but you still want to experience a historic cultural site, Balmoral should sit at the top of your to-do list.

#1: Windsor Castle: The oldest and largest continuously lived-in castle in the world, Windsor Castle is the place to go to get a taste of the grandeur and splendor of the monarchy. Only about an hour outside of London, Windsor is easily accessible as a day trip or a destination in itself. You can join a tour or go at your own pace through the state rooms of the castle to take in the immense history from the lines of coats of arms, copious amounts of arms and armor, and gigantic paintings of George IV to name a few of the treasures to behold. Also, the town next to the castle is too cute and just as worth a visit as the castle itself.

I could go on, and really, the royal palaces and castles are only the tip of the iceberg of beautiful and historic places to see. If you’re interested in visiting any (or all) of the sites mentioned above, call or email us at Blue Pineapple Travel, especially if you’re now wondering, “where’s a good place to stay in the Scottish Highlands?” We’ll be happy to book that and help you with any other plans for your next trip to the British Isles.