Last updated: 06/13/2020
Find out all the information to visit the Royal Stables at Buckingham Palace. This is the place where you can get up close to the most famous carriages of the British royal family, used in events such as weddings, jubilees, funerals and much more!
BUCKINGHAM PALACE
Built in 1703 by the Duke of Buckingham, the building that houses Buckingham Palace was known as Buckingham House, a much simpler townhouse than the one we know today. In 1761, King George III, acquired the property with the aim of being the private residence of Queen Charlotte. During the 19th century, it was expanded and 3 wings were built around a central courtyard, including the famous balcony where the royal family traditionally gathers to greet their subjects.
After Queen Victoria ascending the throne in 1837, Buckingham Palace eventually became the official residence of a monarch. Since then, the tradition has continued with all the kings and queens that followed (Edward VII, George V, Edward VIII, George VI and Elizabeth II). Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms, and the garden is the largest private garden in London. At “State Rooms”, used for official purposes; you royal stables and the Queen's Art Gallery are open to the public every year. See all information in the post "London: How to Visit Buckingham Palace“.
ECONOMY IN LONDON: ACTIVITY CARDS
For those who want to do many things and visit many paid places in London, the suggestion is to purchase one of the cards that give you direct access to attractions and ride the tourist bus, saving a lot! O THE LONDON PASS is the most famous of them. The card can be purchased in versions of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 10 days. It entitles you to admission to over 60 of London's top attractions and 1 day tour on the hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus. In addition, the card offers more than 20 exclusive special offers at some of the city's shops and restaurants. See the full list of included attractions in this link. Price: from £69.
Read more: What to do in London – Complete itinerary of 5 days or more
THE ROYAL STABLES
The Royal Mews are the stables of the British royal family located at Buckingham Palace in London. It is exactly in this place where it is possible to meet the royal carriages. In the past, the royal stables were not located in Buckingham Palace, but in the Charing Cross area, extending to the area where the Leicester Square.
In the 1760s, King George III transferred some of his day-to-day horses and carriages to the grounds of Buckingham House, which he had acquired in 1762 for the use of his wife. However, when your child George IV had Buckingham Palace converted into the main royal residence in the 1820s, the entire stables establishment was moved south of the Buckingham Palace Gardens, where it still stands today. The former Royal Stables at Charing Cross were demolished to build the famous Trafalgar Square, the most central square in London.
THE CURRENT ROYAL STABLES
The current building housing the Royal Stables was built to designs by John Nash. although the works were completed in 1825, many modifications have been made since then. In 1837, Queen Victoria was the first monarch to consider Buckingham the main residence of the British monarchy, establishing a school in the stables for the children of the families who worked there. Then her husband Prince Albert ordered the construction of a forge and other buildings within the Palace grounds. It was at the Royal Stables Riding School that the Queen's sons learned to ride. In addition to the royal carriages, the site houses official British government horse trainers, chariot drivers and conductors, around 30 horses and some real cars.
WHAT IS THE VISIT TO THE ROYAL STABLES LIKE
Unlike the Palace, which is only open for a few weeks during the year, Stables are available to visit almost all year round, being a good alternative for those who want to know some of the real environments, but do not visit the city when the “State Halls” are open to the public. To enter, for security reasons, you must go through a metal detector and x-ray. take your audio guide (available in Brazilian Portuguese) and follow the numbers indicated to obtain the information of each attraction. Photos are allowed, however, without flash.
On site, the royal carriages used at official events, weddings, the queen's birthday and celebrations. Much of the vehicle collection is on public display, although not all are held in London. Some cars are in regular use, but others are only used on very rare occasions. There are vehicles for a variety of purposes, from personal, recreational and sporting use, as well as those designed and maintained for important occasions.
VISIT HIGHLIGHTS
Among the attractions are historic carriages, such as Queen Alexandra's carriage, the glass carriage, among others.
One of the highlights is the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, a Amazing Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Carriage (60 years of reign). It was built in Australia, measures 5 meters long, weighs 3 tons and requires 6 horses to pull it. The wood paneling of the carriage's interior is made from objects donated by over 100 historic sites and organizations across Britain! In addition, there are even areas of the stables where videos are shown showing occasions when the carriages were used. It's very interesting because we can identify the ceremony while seeing the carriage up close in front of our eyes!
Furthermore, it is possible to check the presence of official monarchy cars, such as a Royal Royce Phantom VI, Bentley Limousines and other rare vehicles produced between the 1950s and 1970s. They are not all on display at the same time as they may be being used for an event at the time of your visit.
At the end of the tour, the highlight is the Gold State Coach, a chariot that is used in the coronation ceremony of a new monarch. She is 7 meters long and 3 meters tall and weighs 4 tons! In addition, it is all gold, decorated with beautiful designs! It needs to be pulled by no less than 8 horses!
The carriage was built at the behest of King George III in 1762 and has been in use since King George IV's accession to the throne in 1821. The carriage stands in a prominent location where efforts are made to recreate how it is prepared for coronation ceremonies. . The last time it was used was in 1953, when Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne.
ROYAL STABLES GIFT SHOP
After visiting the Royal Stables, you can take the opportunity to visit the royal products shop. Virtually everything sold bears the royal family's logo and coat of arms. Books, porcelain, decorative items, key chains, fridge magnets, clothing, cookies, teas, Christmas tree decorations, stationery are some of the items sold. For those looking for something to take as a gift to friends and relatives, they are great options. If you prefer, you can do online shopping and ask to deliver it to the hotel where you are staying.
HOW TO GET TO THE ROYAL STABLES
access by subway It is very easy and it is possible to arrive through 3 stations that are closer:
- Victoria Station: attended by Victoria Line (light blue), circle line (Yellow), District Line (green)
- Green Park Station: attended by Victoria Line (light blue), Piccadilly Line (Navy blue), Jubille Line (Grey)
- Hyde Park Corner Station: attended by Piccadilly Line (Navy blue)
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The Royal Mews (The Royal Stables)
- Address: Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0QH, England
- Schedules:
- February to late March: daily from 10 am to 4 pm
- late March to October: daily from 10 am to 5 pm
- November: Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm
- Entrance: £12 – buy online in this link
- Other options: Royal Stables and Changing of the Guard – buy here
- Tours: Between the months of April and October, 45-minute guided tours are offered. During the tour details are given about the historic carriages, modern cars and all the preparation work for state events and official ceremonies. Tours are offered daily at 10:15 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm and 4 pm. There are also the family tours, special tours for families on Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 pm also during the months of April to October.
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Read more about British royal residences:
- What to do in London – Complete itinerary of 5 days or more
- London: Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace
- London: How to Visit Buckingham Palace
- London: Visit to Clarence House, home of Prince Charles
- London: Kensington Palace Tour, Home of William and Kate
- England: What to do in Windsor – Castle and more tips
- England: How to visit Windsor Castle
- England: Hampton Court Palace – the palace of Henry VIII
- Sandringham House: where the British royal family celebrates Christmas
- Holyroodhouse: Official Palace of British Royalty in Scotland
