Royal Things to Do in London: Insider Guide to Palaces, Castles and Pitfalls
When you’re trying to coordinate the best royal things to do in London, are you making big mistakes before you even board your flight?
During a 1:1 London trip consultation, a client told me she had booked a hotel room in Windsor, assuming it was a quick walk away from many other London attractions.
Not only did she not realise Windsor is an entirely separate town outside London, but also she was booked for a Monday night. She was completely unaware that the castle is closed to the public on Tuesdays and Wednesdays!
If you are currently feeling that same pre-vacation stress and confusion, using one of my vetted London itineraries is the easiest way to avoid major booking disasters.
As an American in London who has spent over a decade exploring this city with my London-born husband, I have visited every major royal site multiple times.
I have had years to digest the confusing rules, and trust me, I’ve made the mistakes myself.
During one memorable visit with my own mother during the busy April half-term, I waited until just days before our trip to buy our Windsor Castle tickets. We could only secure an afternoon slot, which meant we weren’t even admitted to the castle grounds until late.
By the time we got inside, the queue for St. George’s Chapel was completely wrapped around the grounds and closed for the day. (And don’t forget, it’s never open to visitors on Sundays!)
If you want to avoid these exact heartbreaks and discover the absolute best places to see in London, you need a strategy.
Here, I’ll share the most iconic royal places to go in London so you can plan your London trip with confidence.
Buckingham Palace vs Hampton Court Palace
When mapping out places to see in London, Buckingham Palace is an attraction my 1:1 trip consultation clients always indicate is a priority. It’s easily one of the most recognisable places to go in London, but here is the catch: most visitors only ever see it from outside the iron gates.
Unless you are visiting during a very narrow window in the summer months when the State Rooms open, you can’t go inside. And even then, it requires intense pre-booking chess and is extremely crowded.
If you want an immersive royal experience without the claustrophobia, look at Hampton Court Palace instead.
And, if you’re choosing between Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Palace on your London trip, this is what you must know.
Hampton Court Palace is perfect for anyone fascinated by British history, especially the dramatic Tudor period of King Henry VIII. Unlike Buckingham Palace, it requires no timed-entry stress and rarely suffers from suffocating crowds.
It is one of the best royal things to do in London (actually Greater London) if you want to wander through real history at your own pace while here.
2. Windsor Castle: The Fairytale Day Trip
If your dream London trip includes feeling like you’ve stepped directly into a storybook, Windsor Castle is an absolute must. The entire experience feels like you’re seeing a historic town through the eyes of a princess. From the moment you step off the train, the majestic walk leads you straight toward a castle that looks exactly like a royal fairytale.
Beyond the castle walls, the town itself is beautiful. You can take a stroll along the river or wander over to explore Eton, the famous historic school where the princes went to school.
Inside the castle grounds, the details are breathtaking. It is home to Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House. And for anyone who loves modern royal history, St. George’s Chapel is a deeply meaningful pilgrimage site where the Queen is laid to rest.
Sunny’s Insight
Windsor Castle is a working palace and completely closes to the public on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. And St. George’s Chapel is always closed to visitors on Sundays. If you love the Queen and this is your ultimate priority, you must coordinate your calendar perfectly.
3. HM Tower of London: Mistakes to Avoid
Whether you love historic fortresses or just want the most iconic British experience on your first London trip, the Tower of London is my top recommendation.
It is an absolute powerhouse among places to see in London, serving as an iconic castle, secure fortress, royal palace and infamous prison all in one. What more could you want on a London trip bucket list???
However, because it is easily one of the most popular places to go in London, showing up without a game plan is a recipe for disaster. The biggest mistake visitors make is arriving late in the day. To actually see the breathtaking Crown Jewels without standing in a soul-crushing ‘Disney World-like summer queue’ that wraps around the courtyard, you must arrive very early in the day.
While the standard admission includes a tour with the iconic Beefeaters, the regular crowds can make it hard to hear their funny, witty stories. If there is one attraction on your London itinerary where you should splurge on a private experience to completely bypass the chaos, this is it.
Sunny’s Insight
Book a private Beefeater tour ahead of time. It is without a doubt my single favourite strategy to completely beat the crowds and get an up-close, elite look at the fortress. You can read my full review. Note: These are popular tours that sell out early so get tickets far ahead of your trip if interested.
4. Central London’s Royal Gems: Royal Mews & Royal Albert Hall
If you don’t have time for a full day trip outside Central London, there are many great places to see in London that offer a heavy dose of majesty.
First is the Royal Mews, located right at Buckingham Palace. It is one of the finest working stables in existence. It’s also responsible for all road travel arrangements for the royal family. If you want to see the historic royal carriages up close, add this to your London itinerary. However, keep in mind it isn’t open all year or every day.
Another iconic stop is the Royal Albert Hall. While famous for its world-class concerts, taking an official tour of this stunning building is really fun. I’ve done this twice and have written a Royal Albert Hall tour review.
It holds deep ties to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and gives you a spectacular look behind the scenes of British heritage. Additionally, it’s one of the most interesting things to do in London for music fans.
Final Thoughts: Navigating Royal Sights with Confidence
Trying to balance train schedules to Windsor, booking narrow summer windows for Buckingham Palace and dodging the overwhelming summer queues at the Tower of London can make planning a London trip feel like a full-time job for most people.
If you want to bypass the anxiety and experience the absolute best places to go in London without feeling like a lost tourist, I have already done all the hard work for you. I’ve mapped out the exact order of attractions and hidden local secrets for these iconic sights in my London Travel Guide and Restaurant Guide bundle.
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So, Sunny friends, which of the royal things to do in London is at the top of your bucket list?
An inquiry about Windsor Castle: once you are in the grounds, is there a prescribed route you must follow? I am more interested in St. George’s Chapel, and I want to start my visit there. Is that possible?
Yes, you can and should go straight to St George’s Chapel. The line for it and the Doll’s House get quite long so go to those first. Make sure you don’t visit on a Sunday because St George’s is not open to the public that day.