Buckingham Palace, London

History of Buckingham Palace

The first ever house erected on the current site was built around 1624. The house with its present architectural core was built in 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham. The building was originally intended as the Queen’s House or a private retreat. The palace finally became the principal home of the British monarchy with the accession of Queen Victoria in 1837.

Facts about Buckingham Palace

1) The palace is about 108 meters (354 feet) long, 120 m (390 ft) wide and 24 m (79 ft) tall.

2) It comprises more than 77,000 square meters (830,000 sq ft) of floor space.

3) The Ballroom is the largest room in the palace with 36.6 m length and 18 m width.

4) During the World War II, the palace was bombed 9 times.

5) With more than 350 clocks and watches, it has one of the world's largest collections of clocks.

Top Things to See in Buckingham Palace

1) Buckingham Palace Rooms

Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms within, which is further divided into 19 state rooms, and 78 bathrooms. State Rooms are nothing but lavishly furnished and decorated public rooms where the monarchy receives and rewards her visitors. One can take a tour around these state rooms to see the rooms lined with beautiful candelabras, damask wallpapers, marble columns, rich carpets, graceful sculpture, and artworks.

2) The Grand Staircase

The staircase, or the grand staircase, to be precise is one of the main attractions of Buckingham Palace. Designed by architect John Nash, the majestic bronze staircase would make anyone's eyes twinkle. Some of the world's finest bronze sculpted work can be seen on this staircase, including the double balustrade features, the intricate pattern of acanthus oak, and laurel leaves.

3) The Throne Room

On certain occasions, this room is also used as the ballroom. One could see this throne room as the backdrop of some ceremonial wedding, including that of the Princess Elizabeth and The Duke of Edinburgh.

4) Buckingham Palace Gardens

The garden in the Buckingham Palace extends up to 39 acres. The garden is home to a plethora of wild flowers and trees. The garden also holds within three-acre lake, which would be hard to see anywhere other than in the palace.

5) Garden Cafe and Garden Shop

On the west terrace of the Buckingham Palace, is a tranquil garden cafe. The cafe offers a range of light refreshments including coffee, tea, pastries, and sandwiches. During the summer, the garden shop unfurls itself with a range of souvenirs, and gifts created for the royal collection.

Whether you are a first-timer or a palace affectionate person, Buckingham Palace in London provides you with an exquisite experience that makes people want to visit this place often.