It was the birthplace and childhood home of queen victoria, and it was here that she held her first council meeting as monarch in 1837. Apr 03, 2020 located in central london, the kensington palace is a royal palace used as the official residence for members of the royal family till date. With 400 years worth of history, kensington palace still remains a working royal residence with great historical importance. The districts commercial heart is kensington high street, running on an eastwest axis. Tracy borman today kensington palace is synonymous with young royals. May 07, 2019 top 10 facts about kensington palace kensington palace has been a royal residence for over 300 years and is now the london home to prince william, his wife catherine middleton, and their three children prince george, princess charlotte, and prince louis. Queen mary ii died of smallpox in kensington palace in 1694. Set amidst the scenic kensington gardens, the kensington palace is a tranquil solace from the bustling lanes of london.
Today kensington palace is synonymous with young royals. Spaces are limited and it is necessary to book in advance. This souvenir guidebook contains all the highlights and best things to see and do at kensington palace, including the state apartments, the victoria revealed. The building, as with st pauls cathedral was designed by christopher wren. Home to the british royal family since the 17th century, kensington palace was once an unassuming villa known as nottingham house. Once a modest mansion known as nottingham house, the residence was converted into a lavish royal retreat by william iii and mary ii. It has been a residence of the british royal family since the 17th century, and is currently the official london residence of the duke and duchess of cambridge, princess eugenie and her husband jack brooksbank, the duke and duchess of gloucester, the duke and. For seventy years, kensington palace was the favoured residence of british monarchs, although the official seat of the court was and remains at st. Kensington palace official gift shop historic royal palaces. Jamess which has not been the actual royal residence in london since the 17th century.
Some tours to buckingham palace also stop by kensington palace, while others pair a palace visit with an indulgent afternoon tea experience in the palace gardens. It boasts more than three centuries of continuous royal occupation, making it unique among the historic royal palaces. Originally a fashionable jacobean villa, kensington was dramatically rebuilt in 1689 by christopher wren for the newly crowned. Formerly a private house enlarged by christopher wren in the late 17th century to suit the needs of william and mary, kensington palace was the favoured home of five. An intimate history of the home, first on bbc4 and then on primetime bbc2. New book reveals the dramas inside the walls of kensington. It has been a residence of the british royal family since the 17th century. Buckingham, the tower of london, and hampton court palace. The london royal palace pass gives you excellent savings on both time and money with free, onetime access to the tower of london, hampton court palace, banqueting house and kensington palace. Kensington palace, london les enfants terribles take us inside will and kates home for an immersive yet unreachable story about two women who once lived there miriam gillinson. The unit, which was located within numbers 6, 7 and 8 kensington palace gardens in london, was itself investigated following accusations that it often used torture to extract information.
Filling the state apartments, historic orangery and even a specially built annexe, the museum showcased a collection of objects relating to london and its history, with everything from a roman boat to royal robes on show. See whats going on at wembley stadium or sse arena, wembley. Today kensington palace contains the offices and london residences of the duke and duchess of cambridge. Royalty first moved into the area in 1689 when william iii moved into kensington palace. Kensington palace simple english wikipedia, the free. Kensington palace opening times, tickets and location in london. Kensington palace london priority access tickets, tours. It was also the birthplace and childhood home of queen victoria. It is also famous for being the residence of diana, princess of wales, during the last years of her life. The story of kensington palace kensington palace historic. Kensington palace by underground station is located in london s london city centre neighborhood. Kensington palace, royal palace in the london borough of kensington and chelsea. Then, in 1619, the 1 st earl of nottingham purchased the house and it became known as nottingham house.
Kensington palace books historic royal palaces shop. South kensington and gloucester road are home to imperial college london, the royal college of music, the royal albert hall, national historical museum, victoria and albert museum. This lavish book thoroughly explores kensingtons physical beauty and its history, presenting new material drawn from archives, newspapers, personal letters, images, and careful analysis of the. Kensington had private owners until 1689 when it was bought by king william and queen mary and passed into royal hands. One of the old metropolitan boroughs of london, kensington was granted the status of royal borough by king edward vii in 1901, in recognition his mother, queen victoria, who was born there, and lived there as a child. The birthplace and childhood home of queen victoria, the palace first became a royal residence for william and mary in 1689. In 1605, sir george coppin built a twostory jacobean mansion in the kensington area of london.
The history of kensington palace, london, in 1 minute. Here is a bit of history on kensington palace from wikipedia. Check out an event or a game at twickenham stadium, and consider making time for london eye, a top. Book modern kensington home near kensington palace in. Of great historical importance, kensington palace was the favourite residence of successive sovereigns until 1760. It was acquired from his heir, who was secretary of state to william iii, in 1689, because the king wanted a residence near london but away from the. Free delivery on this product to a uk address descriptive, informative, authoritative this superb official guidebook is the best guide to your visit to kensington palace and is a very enjoyable read bursting with information. Kensington palace london all you need to know before you. Home to william and catherine, kensington palace is now open to the public after a multimillion dollar refurbishment. Kensington palace has been a royal residence for over 300 years and is now the london home to prince william, his wife catherine middleton, and their three children prince george, princess charlotte, and prince louis. Its grounds border the extensive kensington gardens to the east. Located in london s west kensington neighborhood, this vacation home is in a rural area and near a metro station. The stuart and georgian monarchs who lived there, however, transformed nottingham house into the kensington palace visitors can enjoy today. Oct 06, 2011 kensington and chelsea first originated from saxon settlements, with both areas mentioned in the domesday book of 1086.
The elegant home to generations of stylish royal women. Historic royal palaces great britain edward impey provides a highly illustrated history of kensington palace from its foundation early in the 17th century, its early ownership when william and. The palace was originally built for sir george coppin in the 17th century, and it became known as nottingham house after it was purchased by an earl of. Discover our range of official kensington palace gifts and souvenirs inspired by its long and romantic royal history. The palace has a history that stretches back to the 17th century and has been the residence of the royals for over 300 years. Located in kensington gardens, kensington palace has been a residence of the british royal family for over 300 years. With the london royal palace pass, you can visit either 3 or 4 of the palaces listed, depending on whether you choose the central london pass, the three. Kensington palace weddings wedding reception venue london. But the history of kensington stretches back much further. Find information on tickets, events, opening times and discover its unique history. The original early 17thcentury building was constructed in the village of kensington as nottingham house for the earl of nottingham.
Today kensington palace contains the offices and london residences of. Kensington palace london 2020 all you need to know. Kensington palace is a royal residence set in kensington gardens, in the royal borough of kensington and chelsea in london, england. The story of kensington palace book central rappahannock. Know these 9 things about kensington palace and gardens. Stamford bridge stadium and kensington palace are notable landmarks, and travelers looking to shop may want to visit kensington high street and westfield london shopping centre. Discover our range of official kensington palace books inspired by the palace s long and romantic royal history. This lavish book thoroughly explores kensington s physical beauty and its history, presenting new material drawn from archives, newspapers, personal letters, images, and careful analysis of the. Until the reign of queen victoria, kensington palace remained a popular home for the british monarchs, each of whom added their own wings and embellishments. Kensington has played host to some of the most important personalities and events in the long history of the royal family.
You get the history of the place from its beginnings theres been something built on the site for about a years but mostly covering the period from the 17th century onwards through today. The history of kensington palace is certainly as much to do with the characters who have lived and worked there as it is to do with bricks and mortar. The ultimate guide to visiting kensington palace strawberry. Kensington palace tour tickets save with the london pass. Spectacular and elegant architecture, interiors and gardens. An extremely nice paperback history book about kensington palace. Kensington, to the west of london, has always been an attractive royal retreat, as evoked in this image of the palace and grounds from the 1750s. See whats going on at sse arena, wembley or wembley stadium. It was the favourite residence of successive sovereigns and today it accommodates the offices and private apartments of a number of members of the royal family, including the duke and duchess of cambridge and prince harry. Visitors guide to exploring the kensington palace london. I cant recall the last time i paid admission to a site in or around london and felt ripped off, but this was definitely one.
Kensington palace by underground station in london book. Then, in the autumn, im presenting a series called if walls could talk. The unit, which was located within numbers 6, 7 and 8 kensington palace gardens in london, was itself investigated following accusations that it often used. He had come on a diplomatic mission known as his grand embassy of 169798 in which he toured western europe.
Opt for a priorityaccess ticket to save time, or book a royal palaces pass that allows entry to three royal london attractions. The areas natural beauty can be seen at kensington gardens and hyde park, while stamford bridge stadium and zsl london zoo are popular area attractions. Kensington palace history kensington palace has been a royal residence for over 300 years and boasts many captivating stories. The birthplace and childhood home of queen victoria, kensington palace first became a royal residence for william and mary in 1689 and remains a home for members of the royal family today. Book your tickets online for kensington palace, london. New book reveals the dramas inside the walls of kensington palace. Kensington palace, london john cornforth not in library. Many persons must have been surprised to find this is the name of a street, known to many as billionaires row. Originally called queens road, the name changed in 1870, it was built on the grounds of kensington palace, which atanas august 5, 2014 august 6, 2014 what to see. Kensington palace palace, london, united kingdom britannica. These official gifts and souvenirs are all inspired by kensington palace s rich royal stories, past and present. Located in central london, the kensington palace is a royal palace used as the official residence for members of the royal family till date.
This lavish book thoroughly explores kensingtons physical beauty and its history, presenting new material drawn from archives, newspapers, personal letters, images, and careful analysis of the building itself. The london cage was an mi19 prisonerofwar facility during and after the second world war to mainly interrogate captured germans, including ss personnel and members of the nazi party. Jan 15, 20 this is an illustrated history, not a tour guide, of kensington palace which details its origins and royal occupants from 1605 to the present day. The upscale neighborhood is classic with the beautiful churches, high street, quaint eateries and the the parks including the famed holland park. Kensington palace has limited disabled parking for blue badge holders next to the orangery. History of kensington and chelsea the guide to kensington.
These official gifts and souvenirs are all inspired by kensington palace. Kensington palace is renowned for its architecture, splendid interiors, internationally important collections, and, of course, its royal residents. Kensington palace began its life as a country mansion called nottingham house, until it was bought by king william and queen mary and expanded into a more fitting royal residence. During his four month stay, he visited kensington palace and was entertained by king william iii. Home of royalty past and present, few wedding venues can boast the elegance, majesty and timelessness of kensington palace. If you choose to take a tour of kensington palace, there are four different routes which are included in your admission ticket. It was at the 1,300squarefoot, twobedroom home in the compound of kensington palace that they were cooking roast chicken when harry got down on one knee and formally asked meghan to marry him. Historic royal palaces great britain edward impey provides a highly illustrated history of kensington palace from its foundation early in the 17th century, its early ownership when william and mary bought it right through to its. Transforming nottingham house in 1689, the king and queen commissioned sir christopher wren to draw up plans, but the queen herself, excited by the project, took charge of the project to. We use cookies on our site to provide you with a better experience and relevant advertising. The palace s social and political significance is arguably even greater. Despite its depressing history, kensington palace is essentially a hidden gem in hyde park, and thousands of tourists visit the palace each year.
Kensington london 2020 all you need to know before you go. Kensington palace london 2020 all you need to know before. Kensington palace entrance ticket with all the options to available to a tourist in london, a visit to kensington palace should be very near the bottom of very long list. Book kensington palace by underground station in london. On 8 april 1912, the london museum opened its doors here at kensington palace. The north east is taken up by kensington gardens, containing the albert memorial, the serpentine gallery and spekes monument. Queen victoria was born in kensington palace in 1819 and continued to reside there until her accession to the throne in 1837.