Without a doubt one of the most popular buildings in the world and rightfully so. Home of the queen and thousands of years of history which we have based our culture and life styles on buckingham palace is the one place every british citizen should visit at least once in their life time.

Its a must do in london ! Great to watch the changing of the guard. just check times !!!

Buckingham Palace … and royal entertaining, a base for many officially visiting Heads of State, and a major tourist attraction. It has been a rallying point for the British people at times of national rejoicing, crisis or grief. “Buckingham Palace”, “Buck House” or simply “The Palace” commonly refers to the source of press statements issued by the offices of the Royal Household.

Changing of the guards. No visit to London is complete without seeing this military tradition. The Queen’s Guard in London changes inside the gates of Buckingham Palace at 11.30am every day in the summer and every other day in the winter. Get there early and view the spectacle from outside the front gates. Not to be missed!!

What better day out in London than tea with the Queen?! For a paltry £15 you can take tea and scones with Her Majesty, a slice of something truly English. When I stand in front of here, hand on heart, thinking of all my tax returns that have gone to maintain this fabulous place… it brings a little tear to my eye.

TIP: be sure to check the flag is up, otherwise, she’s not home.

great place to see

glorious state rooms lovely gardens

Good old Buck House, the bastion of our much beloved monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. Many people only have the chance to gather outside and gawp at the architecture, watch the Changing of the Guard and have a picture taken with a flag pole sticking out of their head!

From June until September each year, the Queen opens the state apartments to public view when she leaves the city and heads towards Windsor Castle or Sandringham. You will know she is not around because the standard will not be flying from the Palace roof. Ah! you didn’t know that did you? Its worth getting getting to see the inside of the Palace with its magnificent interior, the furniture, the priceless paintings, the medals room and that Investiture Room which looks huge on film but in reality, is quite small. You exit the palace through the main gardens which are Capability Brown designed and well tended. That’s what Queenie looks out at every day from her bedroom. It really is worthwhile getting into to see the place. It is very enjoyable experience and the reaction from people you mention it to is “Oh! I wish I had gone there!”. Browsing the Palace shop which is full of lovely bric a brac, cards and books is mesmeric as you keep seeing things you want to buy

A company called lastminutedotcom offers a very nice package of tickets to a tour of Buckingham Palace followed by tea and champers at The Athaneum Hotel in Piccadilly.

I have taken friends on this tour many times and cannot recommend it highly enough. They always say it was the best part of their trip to London so go for it if you can!

Not many people know that Qype UK HQ is actually opposite Buckingham Palace. So if you are doing a bit of sightseeing, feel free to drop by! Buckingham Palace is one of the most famous Landmarks in London and well worth a visit if you are a first timer in London. During the summer they open up the palace to the public. Well worth getting on the list to look round. It’s about £15.

Remember - The Queen is only in if the flag is flying above the palace!