On my last visit to Buckingham Palace, I was accompanied by my husband and two sons. After finishing the palace visit within 2 hours, my partner took us to explore some famous and attractive places nearby. We spent the whole day within 10 kilometres as there were some awesome restaurants and shopping paradises.
Actually, we visited some historical places. Also, we did lunch and shopping: all the places are within 2-10 minutes distance from Buckingham Palace. From my sweet memory, I list the best things to do near Buckingham Palace.
Let’s check those out to make a nice plan for your next visit. Moreover, learn the dress code for the Buckingham Palace garden party.
Full Review: Best Things to Do Near Buckingham Palace
I have categorized this section into three parts: places to visit, places to eat, and places to shop. All these can make your whole day happen after you finish visiting Buckingham Palace.
04 Major Historic Places to Visit
The following are the must-visit places near the Buckingham Palace.
Westminster Abbey
History: Westminster Abby is a phenomenal showcasing of British Gothic architecture. It was established in 1245 by Henry III. Now, it is an active church and hosts the royal tombs of 30 kings and queens. I was amazed even before entering the building; the exterior is full of master artworks.
My Experience: Also, a sense of respect arises from the sky-high towers, the massive establishment, and the artwork. Inside, you will find a treasure chest filled with valuable items like numerous paintings, colourful stained glass, decorative floors, beautiful fabrics, books, and many other special things. Besides, what time do the guards change at Buckingham Palace?
Top Features of Westminister Abbey
It also holds the largest collection of big sculptures in the UK.
- It is a UNESCO Heritage site.
- Open: Monday to Friday: 9.30 AM to 3.30 PM
- Adult ticket price: £19
- You can spend the whole day here if you are an art lover. But if you are like me, an average tourist, 2-3 hours is enough to cover this place perfectly.
Tower of London
The History: The Tower of London is another crucial royal establishment near Buckingham Palace. It is just 4.6 Kilometers away from the Palace. This big White Tower is a famous example of how the Normans built strong castles in England. In 1066, William the Conqueror constructed the White Tower to showcase the might of the Normans.
William made it by the River Thames to protect London. He assumed that enemies would always keep a distance if they saw this huge fort-like establishment. This structure would give them a clear message about the ruler’s power. In short, the Tower of London is a giant fortress with a long history; now, it’s a symbol of royalty.
My Experience: I was lucky that my husband took a guided tour. The guide explained every detail about the space distribution, the purpose of each element, etc. I suggest that if you are not good at history, take a guided tour to explore this place effectively. Along with the interior and exterior, the iconic royal armoury collections were the most amazing thing for me.
Important One: Is Visiting Buckingham Palace for Free
Top Features of the Tower of London
- It is a World Heritage site.
- Open: Mondays to Sundays: 10.00 AM to 5.30 PM; Tuesdays to Saturdays: 9.00 AM to 5.30 PM.
- For adults, the admission fee is £33.60
- Well, to be honest with you, I did not find it much interesting. It is a good spot to learn some of London’s history and the war strategies the then people used to defend against outsiders. But walking through those stone-cold corridors alone gives a chilly feel. I recommend a maximum of 1.5 hours stay at this place for all simple visitors like me.
The London Zoo
Location: It is located just 3.8 kilometres away from Buckingham Palace. For me, the London Zoo was a great place to change taste. Seeing all those century-old gloomy British establishments can make you bored after a while; at least, it happened to me. So, I enjoyed the zoo greatly.
Situated in the northern region of Regent’s Park, its other name is Zoological Gardens. It accommodates various animals and is considered the finest collection worldwide.
My Experience: The best things to do near Buckingham Palace is to take a tour of the London Zoo. The Zoological Society of London governs it and has the world’s largest zoological library. The things that amazed me were the penguins and space decorations as per various themes.
I think it is the perfect family-friendly spot. Numerous families with kids are doing picnics here. My husband said that it was just 11:30 a.m. with this crowd. Later on, the family gathering would increase substantially.
Top Features of the London Zoo
- The per-person entry fee is £33.
- A two-hour tour is enough for this place. However, we just spent 1 hour here.
- Operation time: 10.00 AM to 5.00 PM.
Kew Royal Botanic Gardens
Location: Well, this place is not actually within walking distance from the Palace. It’s nearly 10 KM from Buckingham. If you have adequate time, you can go on foot by exploring the roads and alleys. My sons wanted a taxi to save time and avoid fatigue.
My Experience: This garden really amazed me, or better to say, it filled my mind with joy and peace. It hosts hundreds of plant species and does a more critical job of conservation. This historic garden makes you understand the revolution in gardening within 200 years.
It has different parts that show how gardens have changed from the 18th to the 20th century. It also has a lot of plants and documents that have been collected and cared for for many years. It was established in 1759. These gardens have always been an important place to study different plants and how they can be useful.
Top Features of the Kew Royal Botanic Gardens
The best things to do near Buckingham Palace was to see this place. I am not a botany expert; I just enjoyed the colourful flowers, never-seen plants, etc. It was really a great experience to be in nature in a city area.
- The ticket price is £19.
- In this place, I can spend my whole day just sitting, seeing the wonderful surroundings, and reading a book. However, our schedule was tight, so we left the place after 1.5 hours of exploration.
Places to Eat
My family decided to explore the prominent restaurants near Buckingham Palace. So, we visited all the places but ate a little at every restaurant.
The Goring
The Goring is just a few minutes away from the Palace, and some royal family members eventually come to this place to eat. This restaurant had a Michelin star since 2015. I was lucky to dress for visiting Buckingham Palace: a true lady.
Otherwise, I might not enter this restaurant as they maintain a strict dress code: no sportswear, shorts, etc., are allowed. Their signature dishes are Egg Drumbkilmo, beef wellington, etc. We just ordered a lobster omelette. I was surprised to know that the restaurant even serves late at night, which is quite unusual.
The Curry Room
The best things to do near Buckingham Palace is to eat at a nearby Indian restaurant. After visiting the Palace and the nearby places, the Curry Room is a great place to fill your stomach. It is a superb choice, especially if you like subcontinental cuisine. You can have dishes like lamb curry, butter chicken, and beef vindaloo. The restaurant also serves delightful cheesecakes, ice cream, and curry desserts.
They also have live music sessions in the evening. I liked their friendly staff, reasonable price, and attentive service. However, my son, Ron, avoids spicy food. So we didn’t try any main dish; we just ordered ice cream. It was worth visiting this place: the overall ambience was really great.
Places to Shop
As a full-time tourist, I always prefer to experience some authentic things. The same goes for the shopping. There are several reputed and popular shopping spots near the Buckingham Palace. But I was looking for something different. Monodeep, my husband, took me to Carnaby Street and Retromania.
Carnaby Street
It is literally a street with tons of shops alongside. It is also a historical place. It is a former hub of coolness and was at the heart of the British youth movement in the 1960s. During that period, it was reserved for the elite fashionists.
It gained worldwide fame due to its numerous fashion stores offering Mod-style clothing, a lasting impact on London’s fashion scene, shopping culture, and the tourism industry. You do not need to do shopping here; just roaming around within the place is a great experience.
Retromania
Retromania London is a special shop inside the FARA Charity Shop just for vintage and designer fashion fans. You can find old-fashioned hats, bags, clothes, and more. They collect cool stuff from different FARA shops. You help FARA’s programs for kids in Romania when you shop here.
You can also donate stuff. They’re open every day. I found this place unique based on its concept and the charity activities. I purchased an old traditional British hat like the earls and lords wore during the 18th century.
Final Words
So, what are the best things to do near Buckingham Palace? I hope that my list will help you plan your next visit perfectly. Here, you might not experience any adventurous things but can learn and incorporate British culture, history, and tradition.
