13 Palaces In England That Will Inspire You

England may be small in size, but it boasts a wealth of historic royal palaces that reflect the nation’s rich and enduring heritage. The British royal family, whose lineage spans more than 35 generations, still owns many of these grand residences.

These palaces are far more than beautiful buildings. They’ve been the sites of royal births, weddings, and ceremonies. They also hold dark tales of imprisonment. Each tells a story, offering centuries of unique architecture, lavish interiors, and beautifully maintained gardens.

It’s important to note that not every noble residence qualifies as a palace. A true palace is a grand and often opulent structure explicitly built for royalty, heads of state, or high-ranking officials.

Lambeth Palace in London is the official residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury and a prime example of such a distinguished home.

Buckingham Palace

• Location: Westminster, London SW1A 1AA | Nearest Tube Station: St. James Park or Green Park

Buckingham Palace is the most famous and recognizable royal residence in the United Kingdom. It served as the monarchy’s London home for over 180 years. It contains 775 rooms, including 52 designated for royalty and guests, and 188 for staff.

For most of its history, the palace could only be viewed from the outside. That changed in 1993, when Queen Elizabeth II opened it to the public during the summer to help fund repairs to Windsor Castle after a fire.

Now, the palace is open for ten weeks each summer and on select dates in winter and spring. Visitors can tour 19 grand State Rooms, still used for royal events. Advance booking is essential.

The palace balcony is world-renowned, having been first used by Queen Victoria in 1851. It has since witnessed royal moments, such as Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding kiss and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s.

Don’t miss the Changing of the Guard ceremony—free to watch at 10:45 am on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays (weather permitting). Arrive early for a good view.

Nearby, the Royal Mews, is a London hidden gem worth discovering. It’s home to around 30 horses, royal carriages, and the stunning Gold State Coach commissioned in 1760, is open to the public. Often overlooked, it’s a hidden gem and my favorite spot in the palace.

Kensington Palace

• Location: Kensington, London W8 4PX | Nearest Tube Station: High Street Kensington or Queensway

Set within Kensington Gardens, Kensington Palace has served the Royal Family as a residence since the 17th century. Once known as Nottingham House, the structure underwent expansion in the late 1600s, transforming it into the palace seen today.

It is currently the official London residence of the Duke and Duchess of Kent, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent.

Notable Royalty to live at the Palace included Queen Victoria, born there, and Princess Diana, who had an apartment from 1981 to 1997. Prince William and Prince Harry also made this palace their childhood home.

Since much of the home is a royal residence and in use, it is closed to the public. However, visitors can tour the King’s State Apartments, Queen’s State Apartments, King’s Gallery, the featured exhibition, and portions of the grounds.

Lambeth Palace

•  Location: South Bank, London SE1 7JU | Nearest Tube Station: Westminster

Lambeth Palace, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s official residence, sits on the south bank of the Thames. It’s just 400 yards from Parliament. The 500-year-old Tudor gatehouse bears a resemblance to that of Hampton Court.

Though centrally located, the Palace is often overlooked by tourists due to its understated exterior. The Palace Library holds over 120,000 religious texts, including some dating back to the 12th century, making it the largest sacred collection outside the Vatican.

As a working residence, Lambeth Palace is usually closed to the public. However, guided tours are offered on select dates, allowing visitors to explore rooms, chapels, and learn about past Archbishops.

Also, guests can enjoy the palace’s gardens in summer, which are among the oldest in London.

Apethorpe Palace

• Location: Hunting Way, Apethorpe, Peterborough PE8 5DJ | Nearest Railway Station: Peterborough of Corby

Once known as Apethorpe Hall, Apethorpe Palace was a favored country retreat of Tudor and Stuart monarchs, including Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. Built in the late 15th century from honey-colored stone, the Jacobean estate hosted royalty and aristocrats for centuries.

In 1904, it was sold, ending its royal ties. The property declined and changed hands again. Later, it became a Catholic-run school for decades. English Heritage acquired it and spent £8 million on restoration. Lacking necessities like water, heat, and power, the project required private funding.

In 2014, Baron Jean Christophe and his wife, conservation architect Nadia Pfetten, bought it. Their agreement keeps the palace open to the public 50 days a year for 80 years.

Following further restoration, the palace will open for tours in July and August. Booking is essential as only 25 visitors are allowed at a time. Photography is not permitted inside or on the grounds.

Hampton Court

• Location: Hampton Ct Way, Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9AU | Nearest Railway Station: Hampton Court

Looking for a day trip from London? Visit Hampton Court Palace in Richmond Upon Thames, just 12 miles away. Cardinal Wolsey constructed Hampton Court in the early 16th century. Later, it became King Henry VIII’s favorite residence, having brought all six wives there.

Later renovations added Baroque elements, altering the original Tudor design. In 1838, Queen Victoria opened the palace to the public. Within 50 years, it welcomed over 10 million visitors. The palace is said to be haunted by two of Henry’s wives: Jane Seymour and Catherine Howard.

The grand Tudor façade impressed us, and the astronomical clock from 1540. It shows time, date, zodiac signs, and the sun’s position. Inside, the Great Hall features a stunning hammerbeam ceiling and historic tapestries. It once hosted royal balls and ceremonies.

Outside, explore Britain’s oldest hedge maze, planted in the 1690s. It covers a third of an acre and takes about 20 minutes to navigate.

Eltham Palace

• Location: Court Yard, London, SE9 5QE | Nearest Railway Station: Mottingham or Eltham

Eltham Palace, once a key Tudor residence, was where Henry VIII spent much of his youth. It fell into decline for centuries before being revived in the 1930s by millionaires Stephen and Virginia Courtauld.

The Courtaulds restored the medieval Great Hall and added a striking Art Deco home, creating a unique blend of old and new. They also redesigned parts of the gardens.

Today, English Heritage manages the site. Visitors can explore its mix of medieval architecture, 1930s design, and varied gardens—from formal lawns to a modern rock garden.

Blenheim Palace

• Location: Woodstock, Oxfordshire, OX20 1UL | Nearest Railway Station: Combe or Hanborough

Located in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, Blenheim Palace is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Though not a royal residence, it’s the home of the Dukes of Marlborough and the only non-royal estate in Britain titled “Palace.”

Set on 2,000 acres, it features formal gardens and landscaped grounds. Its Versailles-inspired design took my breath away. If you visit just one palace, make it this one—easily reachable by train from London.

During World War I, Blenheim served as a hospital; in World War II, it housed 400 evacuated boys from Malvern College. It opened to the public in 1950 and gained the UNESCO World Heritage Site designation in 1987.

Churchill proposed to Clementine Hozier at the Diana Temple on the grounds. In 2018, the lake around Vanburgh Bridge was drained for preservation, revealing old boats, tunnels, and 18th-century graffiti.

Inside, highlights include the ornate staterooms and the Long Library’s domed ceiling. Don’t miss the Saloon’s trompe-l’oeil masterpiece by Louis Laguerre. It was our favorite part of the palace.

Outside, the Marlborough Hedge Maze spans 1.8 acres and features 3,000 yews. It’s the second largest in the world, complete with bridges to help navigate.

St. James Palace

• Location: Marlborough Rd, St. James’s, London SW1A 1BQ | Nearest Tube Station: Green Park

Though no longer the primary royal residence, St. James’s Palace has housed many monarchs since its construction by Henry VIII. The original red brick building still stands in Westminster. It’s the oldest royal residence still in use.

The palace hosts official events, including state visits and charity functions. The royal family uses the upper floors, while the lower floors house offices. The Accession Council meets here after a monarch’s death.

The Royal Chapel has hosted key events, including Prince George’s christening and Meghan Markle’s baptism. While not open to the public, visitors can admire the palace from outside and attend chapel services.

Royal Pavilion

• Location: 4/5 Pavilion Buildings Pavilion Gardens, Brighton BN1 1EE | Nearest Railway Station: Brighton

In Brighton, south of London, the Royal Pavilion stands out with its Indo-Gothic onion domes. Originally a seaside retreat for Prince George (later King George IV), it was expanded into the striking palace seen today.

Designed by John Nash, it has an Indian-inspired exterior and a lavish, Chinese-influenced interior. Highlights include the Banqueting Hall, featuring a silver dragon chandelier and a bamboo-leaf ceiling, and the Great Kitchen, which was ahead of its time with steam heating and running water.

I found the interior quite eclectic. The music room features numerous details, from the dragons on the ceiling and the intricate gold clock on the mantel to the six tall porcelain pagodas.

Queen Victoria disliked the Pavilion for its lack of privacy, so it was sold to the town of Brighton, becoming a public attraction. The former stables were later converted into the Brighton Dome concert hall.

Sandringham House

• Location: Sandringham, Norfolk, PE35 6EN | Nearest Railway Station: King’s Lynn

Sandringham House in Norfolk is the royal family’s private country retreat. It’s best known as their Christmas gathering spot. The former Queen has even delivered holiday speeches from there.

Unlike most royal residences, Sandringham is privately owned by the royal family. Bought in 1862 for the future King Edward VII, it has hosted generations of monarchs.

The 20,000-acre estate includes 13 villages. Anmer Hall, located nearby, is Prince William and Kate’s country home, a gift from the late Queen Elizabeth. Princess Diana was born on the estate at Park House.

A working estate, Sandringham employs 200 staff and includes a sawmill, orchards, and produces Ribena from its blackberries.

Visitors can tour from April to early November. They can see the staterooms, the museum, gardens, and St. Mary Magdalene Church. Guests can also stay at Park House Hotel. For those with means, some estate properties are available to rent.

Kew Palace

• Location: Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Richmond TW9 3AE | Nearest Railway Station: Green Park

Tucked within Kew Gardens, Kew Palace is often overlooked. Built in 1631 for silk trader Samuel Fortrey, it’s the smallest of the royal palaces and one of three that once stood here, along with the White House and the King’s Palace.

The bright red brick façade of the Dutch-style home stands out, resembling a modest estate more than a palace.

In the late 1780s, as King George III’s mental health declined, his doctor sent him here to recover. Queen Charlotte and her children also stayed nearby at Queen Charlotte’s Cottage, built in 1770. After she died in 1818, the palace ceased to be a royal residence.

Later, Queen Victoria opened it to the public. Inside, it feels more like a family home than a grand palace, with a restored kitchen, sparse dining room, and the princess’s bedrooms offering a glimpse into royal domestic life.

Palace Of Westminster

• Location: Westminster, London, SW1A 0AA | Nearest Tube Station: Embankment

The Palace of Westminster, beside the River Thames, is home to the UK Parliament and iconic Big Ben. Initially built in 1042 as a royal residence, much of it was destroyed by fire in 1834.

Reconstruction took over a decade, resulting in a massive building with 1,100+ rooms. Westminster Hall, dates to 1097, and is the oldest part of the building still standing. It has hosted coronation banquets and royal addresses.

90-minute guided tours are offered, which include the House of Commons, the House of Lords, and Westminster Hall. A complimentary 45-minute online tour is also available.

Banqueting House

• Location: Whitehall, London SW1A 2ER | Nearest Tube Station: Embankment or Westminster

Banqueting House is the only surviving section of Whitehall Palace, the rest of which was largely destroyed by fire. Its plain white exterior hides an opulent interior, featuring a stunning ceiling by Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens.

Once known as York Place, it hosted royal banquets, ceremonies, and even healing rituals, where monarchs were believed to cure skin ailments by touch.

In 1649, King Charles I was executed outside the building. His son, Charles II, later punished those responsible, and a memorial service is held there every January 30. The property is now managed by the Historic Royal Palaces.

Other Palaces

England is a favorite destination because it boasts a wealth of charm and history. However, let’s not forget the British Isles, which also feature other palaces. Edinburgh is home to the impressive Palace of Holyroodhouse, the royal family’s home in Scotland.

The Isle of Wight contains Queen Victoria’s summer residence, Osborne House. The palace list is vast and includes the Palace of Beaulieu, Dunfermline Palace, and many others.

Whether you have a few days or weeks to visit, we hope one or two of these royal palaces of England will inspire you to explore.