Visiting Buckingham Palace with kids - tihoughts? Post Reply

[Americano]

Hi there,

I'm going to be near Buckingham Palace next week with my kids who are 3 & 4. I wondered whether it is worth visiting Buckingham Palace as I am there or if I should just wait until they're older. Or should I just go and see it from the gates, watch the changing of the guards, or anywhere worth going in St James's park? Any advice welcome, many thanks!

[Kaptainette]

I visited Buckingham Palace last summer and had to buy my ticket about a month in advance. I was glad I didn't bring my son who was then 2 and a half. He would have been bored. I think he would still be bored at 3 and a half. From memory, I had an audio guide which I wouldn't have been able to listen to if I had my son with me.

I did take him to changing of the guard once and had to lift him up so he could see over all the people in front. He lost interest after about 5 minutes. It starts at 11am and we got there about 5 past 11 and there were big crowds.

HOWEVER, there is a very good little playground with a sandpit in St James's Park up the Buckingham Palace end. From there, you can see the guards marching back to the barracks after changing of the guard. We've been there a few times. You can then take a nice stroll through the park down to Big Ben and watch it chime. My son gets a big kick out of that!

Hope it helps and enjoy your day there

[Pop]

We went to Changing of the Guard last week and it was VERY busy. My daughter (who is 3) charmed her way to the front and stood with some very kind American tourists by the railings. The rest of us couldn't see a thing because so many people were standing on the railings. We got there 45 mins early and that clearly wasn't early enough - but there's only a limited amount of waiting around you can do with small kids.

I wouldn't bother going again (at least not in school holidays/the summer) or would do what the previous poster suggested and just try to watch the band marching down the road.

[Americano]

Hi Pops and Kaptainette,

Thanks so much for your thoughts - this is so helpful! And loads of tips and info which is really great. I think I'll wait until they are older but will definitely visit St James's park when I'm next in the area with the kids.

Sorry for the incredibly slow response - we went away for a few weeks and then the start of term took over!

Thanks again x