InfoBritain

 

Kensington Palace, London

Kensington Palace was originally the home of William and Mary who came to the throne in 1689 following the chaotic abdication of James II. William wanted a residence away from the damp of Whitehall, and chose a house in what was then the village of Kensington. Kensington still offers a sense of escape from the bustle of London, with the expanse of Kensington Gardens close by. Christopher Wren was hired to bring the house up to royal standard, and he began remodelling work, which continued in stages to give the building as we see it today. Both William and Mary were fond of their new house, and they both died there, Mary of smallpox in 1694, and William of injuries following a riding accident in 1702.

During the reign of William IV Kensington Palace was the home of the Duke of Kent and his wife Victoria, Princess of Leiningen. Their daughter Victoria was born at Kensington Palace on 24th May 1819. Victoria would go on to become Britain's longest reigning monarch. It was as queen that Victoria saved a now dilapidated palace from demolition. Visiting Kensington Palace today you can do so in the knowledge that it has long played the role of a tourist attraction. Victoria opened some of Kensington Palace's restored rooms to the public.

 

Kensington Palace's most famous recent resident was Princess Diana. If William and Mary tried to find an escape at Kensington Palace, so did Diana. In 1997, following Diana's death, a vast carpet of flowers was laid at the gates by mourners.

Kensington Palace and Gardens have been used as a location for the films The Young Victoria and Finding Neverland.

 

 

 

 

Kensington Gardens

The palace remains a royal residence today. The State Apartments are open to the public. There is a gift shop, and the nearby Orangery serves tea and light meals. There is also an imaginative children's playground close by in Kensington Gardens.

 

 

Opening Times: From 1st March to 30th September Kensington Palace is open 10am to 6pm daily, last admission 5pm.

From 1st October to 28th February open 10am - 5pm, last admission 4pm.

Closed 24th to 26th December.

 

 

 

 

 

Address: Kensington Palace, Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX

Directions: To get to the palace from central London, walk through Hyde Park, and then through Kensington Gardens. Nearest Underground stations are at High Street Kensington, and Nottinghill Gate. Click here for an interactive map centred on Kensington Palace.

Access: Disabled access is difficult. The State Rooms are on the first floor and there is no lift. The Orangery restaurant is accessible to wheelchair users.

Contact:

telephone: 0844 482 7777

for group visits telephone: 020 3166 6311

or fax: 020 3166 6310

e-mail: kensingtonpalace@hrp.org.uk

web site: http://www.hrp.org.uk/kensingtonpalace/