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Buckingham Palace, the official London residence of King Charles, will open its magnificent State Rooms to visitors from July 10 to September 28, 2025, offering a rare opportunity to explore the lavish interiors, royal art collections, and beautiful gardens of this working royal palace while the monarch spends his summer at Balmoral Castle.

Buckingham Palace State Rooms Tour
The standard self-guided State Rooms Tour allows visitors to explore 19 beautifully decorated rooms where the King receives and entertains guests for state occasions. Priced at £32.00 for advance adult tickets, this 90-minute experience includes an audio guide available in nine languages. Visitors will marvel at priceless treasures from the Royal Collection, including paintings by Van Dyck and Canaletto, sculptures by Canova, Sèvres porcelain, and exquisite English and French furniture.

For those seeking a more exclusive experience, the State Rooms and East Wing Highlights Tour (£90.00) offers a guided exploration of areas beyond the famous façade, including the Principal Corridor, Yellow Drawing Room, and Center Room—where the Royal Family gathers before balcony appearances. After your tour, enjoy panoramic views of the palace lawn from the Garden Cafe before walking along the south side of the garden, taking in views of the famous lake and the west front of the palace. Note that the palace is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the summer opening period.

The King's Tour Artists Exhibition
This summer's special exhibition, "The King's Tour Artists," showcases over 70 artworks from His Majesty's personal collection in the Palace's Ballroom, many on public display for the first time. The exhibition celebrates a 40-year tradition begun in 1985 when the then-Prince of Wales invited John Ward to join a royal visit to Italy as the official tour artist. Since then, 42 artists have accompanied 69 royal tours across 95 countries, capturing moments that offer unique perspectives beyond photographic records.

Highlights include John Ward's sketches from HMY Britannia, Luke Marineau's paintings of India's Balsamand Palace, and Richard Foster's evocative "Their Royal Highnesses on North Seymour Island" from the Galápagos. Each artist was personally selected and funded by The King with the simple brief to "draw or paint whatever inspired them," reflecting His Majesty's longstanding patronage of the arts. An accompanying publication, "The Art of Royal Travel: Journeys with The King," featuring over 100 illustrations and artist recollections, will be released on June 19, 2025.

Royal Mews Combination Tickets
The Royal Mews, one of the finest working stables in existence, can be visited as part of a comprehensive Buckingham Palace experience through combination tickets. The "Royal Day Out" package offers a 10% discount while granting access to all three venues: the State Rooms, The King's Gallery featuring "The Edwardians: Age of Elegance" exhibition, and the Royal Mews. For summer 2025, visitors can also purchase specific Buckingham Palace with Royal Mews tickets that include timed entry to both attractions, with typical scheduling allowing for the Royal Mews visit at 1:45 PM following a 10:45 AM palace entry.

At the Royal Mews, visitors can marvel at historic royal carriages including the iconic 260-year-old Gold State Coach used at King Charles III's coronation and the modern Diamond Jubilee State Coach created for Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.
The experience includes a multimedia guide available in nine languages, and visitors might even see working royal horses like the Windsor Greys and Cleveland Bays during their visit. While refreshments aren't available at the Royal Mews, the Garden Café at Buckingham Palace offers drinks and light meals with splendid views of the palace grounds.

Accommodation: Mercure London Paddington Hotel
For visitors seeking convenient and comfortable lodging, the Mercure London Paddington Hotel is an ideal choice:

Location: 144 Praed Street, London W2 1HU
Transport: Adjacent to Paddington Station – direct access to Heathrow Airport and just a short ride on the Circle or District Line to St. James’s Park (nearest tube to Buckingham Palace)
Amenities:

• Modern, air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi
• On-site restaurant and bar
• Fitness suite
• 24-hour front desk and concierge
• Close to Hyde Park and central attractions

Travel Time to Buckingham Palace: Approx. 15–20 minutes by Underground or taxi.

Whether you're in London for a royal adventure or cultural getaway, the Mercure London Paddington offers excellent access, comfort, and service to complete your Buckingham Palace experience.