Love the Royal Family? We found some interesting attractions in London for those of us who can’t get enough of the Royals.
London is a great place to soak yourself in history, but it’s also a cultural destination that will leave you with far greater knowledge of the Royals than any of your friends and relatives. When you tour the residential palaces where the Royals live and glimpse into the history that has brought them to their current state of power, you gain a new respect and love for the family.
We’ll start by sharing a bit of Royal knowledge that not everyone knows, and it regards Westminster Abbey. You may know that Royal coronations and many Royal events are held there, but what about funerals? Yes, 17 Monarchs were buried there, and you can visit their gravesites at the Royal Tombs of Westminster Abbey.
You’ll pick up a lot of Royal trivia as you visit some of the most popular attractions in London. We created a list of the best attractions for anyone who loves the Royals, so get your itinerary out and start planning.
Interesting Attractions in London Related to the Royal Family:
The Banqueting House
The Banqueting House is located in Whitehall and stands on land once occupied by the Palace of Whitehall. The original palace burned down in 1698 but was replaced by a series of banqueting houses used for masques and other grand forms of entertainment. This is one of the most interesting attractions in London because there are a lot of fascinating historical tales about Royals who were wooed, entertained, and even executed in the Banqueting House, and you’ll hear about them all if you stop by for a visit.
What to do here:
- Take in views of the elaborately designed Rubens ceiling.
- See where Charles I was executed.
- Walk through gardens to get a taste of Mother Nature in true Royals fashion.
- Stop by the gift shop.
Buckingham Palace
If you love the Royals, you can’t miss a visit to Buckingham Palace when your feet touch down in London. Serving as the official place of residence for the sovereigns of London since the 1800s, the palace is the best place to see what it means to live like a Royal. The Queen gave birth to Princes Andrew and Charles at this palace and continues to enjoy much of her life on the grounds.
You can only visit this palace in the summer. Since it is the home of royalty, the entire palace isn’t open to the public. You will get to view certain areas of the palace during select hours of the day only. It’s still enough to give you an idea of what it’s like to live amongst the sovereigns in London.
What to do here:
- Watch the Changing of the Guard.
- Look at the royal coaches and carriages at the Royal Mews.
- Tour the state rooms inside the palace.
- View artwork in the Queen’s Gallery.
- Go to Green Park to see where Charles II once spent his leisure time.
- See the wildflowers in the palace’s garden.
Household Cavalry Museum
The Household Cavalry is trained to carry out reconnaissance work for the Queen. They wear elaborate uniforms and are trained to drive armored vehicles as well as horses. This museum pays tribute to the cavalry and gives visitors a firsthand glimpse into what it takes to serve the Queen. It certainly can be one of the most interesting attractions in London for this up-close look.
Go online to book your tickets in advance. Same-day drop-ins are no longer accepted.
What to do here:
- Try on a uniform to feel the weight of serving as a calvaryman.
- Catch the morning guard change to see the calvary in action.
- Tour the working stables to see how the horses are cared for daily.
- Find the touchscreen monitors to listen to a free guide.
Fortnum & Mason
Fortnum & Mason is a high-end department store and food hall that is located in Piccadilly. They also operate a restaurant at the Royal Exchange. The food hall sells everything from tea, biscuits, chocolate, and cake to caviar, truffles, and meat. The department store carries high-end hampers and other homewares.
What does the retailer have to do with the Royals? Fortnum & Mason is the Queen’s preferred grocer, and the retailer has been serving the royal family for many years. If you want to shop like a Royal, you can’t go wrong by stopping into one of the company’s stores or restaurants to pick up groceries or perhaps a luxury hamper to take back home.
What to do here:
- Shop for food and take it on a picnic in one of London’s gardens or parks.
- Shop for homewares, or just gawk at the prices in this high-end supermarket and department store.
Hampton Court Palace
This historical palace served the Tudor dynasty and has a history spanning more than 500 years. Henry VIII lived here with his six wives and many grand events have been hosted on the grounds throughout the years. While it isn’t currently a residential palace where the Royals live, it will give you a good idea of what it meant to live amongst royalty hundreds of years ago. It also has some of the most stunning gardens and artwork.
What to do here:
- Walk through some of the most beautiful gardens in London.
- Check out special features in the gardens like the Great Vine and the Maze.
- Look at the impressive art collection.
Kensington Palace
The Royal family has been spending time at Kensington Palace for many decades. One of the reasons that it is one of the most interesting attractions in London is because it was once home to Princess Diana plus an impressive list of other Royal family members. Visiting is a must if you want to see one of the most famous palaces in London’s history. It’s also worth your time to simply pay tribute to Princess Diana.
What to do here:
- Take a tour to hear interesting stories about the Royals who have lived in the palace or used it as a retreat.
- Admire Princess Diana’s sense of style by looking at a collection of her clothing, including the dress she wore when she danced with John Travolta.
- View royal artwork in the King’s Gallery.
- Enjoy a moment of peace and quite in the White Garden.
Kew Palace
This Royal palace is located within Kew Gardens, so you can enjoy some time out in the fresh air while viewing a small cottage that was originally built to house a wealthy silk merchant. The palace grabbed the attention of Royals because it was secluded from the hustle and bustle of the city, giving the Royal family a break from life in the public eye.
George III eventually took up residence at this palace and was known for having a mental illness that complicated his life. While the Kew Palace isn’t as luxurious and oversized as other Royal palaces, it does give you another glimpse into what it might mean to live amongst the Royal family.
What to do here:
- Step onto the Great Pagoda and enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding gardens.
- Visit Queen Charlotte’s cottage.
Tower of London
If you want to dig into the history of the royals, you can’t miss a visit to the Tower of London. It’s one of the most popular Royal Palaces open to visitors today because there are so many interesting stories about real events from the past. The Tower of London has served many purposes over the years, including use as a prison known for torturing those held captive. That reason alone makes it one of the interesting attractions in London!
What to do here:
- Count the black ravens as they patrol the tower at all times.
- See the collection of Royal Jewels in the Jewel House.
- Go into the White Tower to see royal armor on display in the Line of Kings exhibit.
- Visit the Royal Mint, which was once housed in the tower.
- See how kings and queens once lived at the palace by visiting recreations of rooms in the Medieval Palace.
Westminster Abbey
Are Royal weddings one of your top enjoyments in life? If you find them even a little interesting, you want to visit Westminster Abbey while you’re in London. This operational church has hosted nearly 20 royal weddings plus many noteworthy burials and coronations.
What to do here:
- Pay respect to 17 deceased royal monarchs by visiting the Royal Tombs.
- See the Coronation Chair.
- Attend a daily choral service in the Quire.
- View statues of 10 martyrs.
- Explore literature at the Poet’s Corner.
Wimbledon
This is an upscale residential town and London borough with strong connections to the Royals. It’s home to the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, otherwise known as the All England Club. The Royal family maintains an exclusive box at the club that allows them to enjoy tennis matches in private. Royal stars like Kate Middleton have made appearances, and that means you may want to make your appearance as well.
What to do here:
- Attend the tennis championships.
- Visit the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum.
- Spend some time outdoors at Wimbledon Common or Wimbledon Park.
- Visit the popular Buddhist temple, Wat Buddhapadipa.
Learning About the Royals from Home
Why wait until you get to London to start learning more about the Royals? In addition to watching the current news and events unfold from the UK, you can read books and blogs about the history of London. You can also watch videos online from leading historians. Look up any of the top attractions in London and you will find a variety of historical information that includes fun tidbits of information about the Royal family.
Happy learning! Traveling to London is so much fun when you know a bit about the Royals and are thirsty to learn even more.