Palaces in London are plentiful and many are open to the public for visits at least part of the year.

They are a popular destination for visitors for many reasons.

For some of us, the rich history is the attraction, and for others the glamour of royalty is the draw.

In any event, seeing the splendour in which royalty lived and still does live can be a very entertaining way to spend your day.

The Tower of London with its magnificent collection of Crown Jewels is a great place to start your visit; its collection of crowns, gems, and coronation accessories is simply stunning.

The Banqueting House is the last bit left of the famed Palace of Whitehall and the massive ceiling paintings by Van Dyke must be seen to be believed.

For those who are interested in gardens and horticulture, Hampton Court Palace has an impressive 700 acres of grounds, 60 of which are taken up with elaborate formal gardens, botanical collections, and a popular hedge maze.

Eltham Palace is an Art Deco lover’s dream, and it also boasts an ancient moat and drawbridge.

The Palace of Westminster is another great place to take a tour; it has the cachet of both having been a palace and being the current home to Parliament.

If you are particularly interested in the comings and goings of the current Royal Family, you may want to pay a visit to some of their official homes.

Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace are both open to visitors most days, and you can see amazing collections of artwork and architecture or just wander around and hope to sneak a peek at a stray Royal or two that might be about.

Kensington Palace is well known as the home of the beloved Princess Diana, is still home to some members of the royal family, and is open to visitors who wish to view the art collections and state apartments.

Palaces in London are a wonderful way to experience the pageantry and peculiarity of royal life.

Banqueting House stopped being used for evening events when it was found that the smoke from the candles was damaging the elaborate paintings on the ceiling.

At Buckingham Palace, history comes to life as you walk down the red carpets and explore the exquisite state rooms.

Unique among palaces in London, Eltham Palace was once the home of a pet lemur named Mah-Jongg.

Hampton Court Palace gardens are a wonderful place to see the results of hundreds of years of royal gardening; be sure to see the magnificent Great Vine.

Going inside Kensington Palace is like stepping back in time; be sure not to miss Queen Victoria’s bedroom.

When visiting the Palace of Westminster, guides can be a big help to you in finding out all of the interesting secrets and stories about the place.

At the Tower of London, Crown Jewels are one of the top attractions; you can see everything from royal crowns to coronation vestments.

The history of Windsor Castle is amazing; it has come a long way since William the Conqueror first erected a wooden fortress on the site.

Photo courtesy: C.K.H.

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