Embark On A Journey Of Exploration With These Royal Palaces In London


The United Kingdom is known across the world for its rich, vibrant royal heritage. There are a number of grand and beautiful palaces across this country. Various royal families of Britain have resided in London since the past few centuries, having built palaces and castles throughout this capital city. So when you are visiting London, you know your visit is incomplete if you haven't explored the royal heritage of this cosmopolitan city. To make the best of your stay in London, you could try one of the hotels near Tower Bridge, an iconic landmark. Listed below are some of the top royal attractions in London visitors should definitely check out when in the city.

Buckingham Palace
Initially built as a house by the Duke of Buckingham, the Buckingham Palace stands tall today as the official London residence of the Queen. It is known across the world over as the centre of royal engagements such as weddings, coronations and jubilees. It has some 775 rooms. One can visit the Queen’s Gallery and the Queen’s Mews any time of the year and also see the famous Changing the Guard. The lavishly decorated State Rooms are open to visitors during the summer months when the Queen is on holiday.

Palace of Westminster
The original Palace of Westminster was built nearly 1,000 years ago in 1097. It was home to kings and queens until 1512 before King Henry VIII moved out. In 1547 his son, King Edward VI, gave the building to Parliament and they have been sitting inside the Palace of Westminster ever since. Although the original palace was lost in a fire in 1834, the rebuilt Palace – designed by architect Charles Barry – is famous the world over for its Gothic architecture. When the Parliament is in session, it is free for the public to go inside and listen to the political debates in the House of Lords or House of Commons.

Lambeth Palace
One of the oldest on the list, Lambeth Palace has been the official London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury since as early as 1200. Its library contains the largest collection of records of the Church of England. A fine, original Tudor gatehouse, dating back to the 1490s, can be seen here along with some original walls and red brick facades from the outside.

Windsor Castle and Palace
The world’s oldest continually inhabited castle, Windsor Castle is the home where Queen Elizabeth II spends the majority of her time. Originally built in the 11th century, today the vast Castle complex is used almost as often as the Buckingham Palace for state banquets and official entertainments. Don’t forget to visit the State Apartments and Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House which happens to be the largest dolls’ house in the world.

Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace sits in the picturesque location of Kensington Gardens, next to Hyde Park. The original Palace still survives today – looking nearly exactly how it would have when it was originally built in the 17th century. The Palace offers a glimpse into the lives of its previous royal residents.

Kew Palace
The present Kew Palace was built by King George III in 1802. Although his son, King George IV, tore down parts of his father’s palace, a large and very grand building still survives. Take a peek inside the most intimate of the royal palaces, where everything is just as it was during George’s reign. The riot of colours in the authentically re-created rooms give you a real feel of the life of this royal family.

After finishing your royal trip and learning so much about British royalty and its history, if you are hungry and missing Indian flavours, then head to the Indian restaurants in London, which you will find aplenty there. And why not, didn’t you know that the chicken tikka masala is the most popular dish in Britain? Stay and restaurant recommendations? Well, try out The LaLiT London, a boutique 5-star property infused with improvised and stylised Indian and classic British architecture and a rather elaborate food menu to satisfy your taste buds.