Buckingham Palace Tour & Science Museum
Miles walked: 9.6
It was my last day in London and it was a great one!
I had a ticket to tour the state rooms at Buckingham Palace. It only cost £24, which I thought was totally worth it. It would've been a 45 minute walk, so I called an Uber at 8:30 and got there at 9:00. Besides saving myself the walk, the ride in the Uber was nice because it happened to include going over the Thames...twice...because of road closures. The second time we passed Parliament and stopped at a light right by Big Ben, who is currently all bandaged up with scaffolding.
The tour wasn't until 9:30, so I had a little while to take pictures before the area got super busy.
I got in line to enter at about 9:20 and it was pretty efficient to get through ticketing and security. What was really nice is that we got an audio guide that gave information for each room. I really enjoyed this better than a traditional tour with a guide because, well, for one, it was quiet. Other people were not distracting; you were just kind of in your own world. You could also move at your own pace.
Buckingham Palace is one of the last remaining working palaces in the world that is also a principle home for a monarch. Sadly, the British flag was flying and not the Queen's standard, meaning she wasn't in residence at the time.
I visited about 15 rooms, which took a little over an hour for me to do. Photos weren't permitted, of course, so here are my illustrative, wordy explanations.
You enter first via the grand staircase and it is...grand. The carpet is red and plush and and the room is spacious. Then there were the drawing rooms--a blue and white room--where the Queen holds audiences or receives guests. There was a music room which had only a piano and some furniture in it and an awesome view of the back gardens. This is the room where Prince William was baptized.
The throne room was, in particular, so surreal to be standing in. This is where William and Catherine's official wedding photos were taken. The thrones, which you can't see in the photo below, were also in the room, and these are the chairs that Elizabeth and Philip sat in on her coronation day.
It was my last day in London and it was a great one!
I had a ticket to tour the state rooms at Buckingham Palace. It only cost £24, which I thought was totally worth it. It would've been a 45 minute walk, so I called an Uber at 8:30 and got there at 9:00. Besides saving myself the walk, the ride in the Uber was nice because it happened to include going over the Thames...twice...because of road closures. The second time we passed Parliament and stopped at a light right by Big Ben, who is currently all bandaged up with scaffolding.
The tour wasn't until 9:30, so I had a little while to take pictures before the area got super busy.
I got in line to enter at about 9:20 and it was pretty efficient to get through ticketing and security. What was really nice is that we got an audio guide that gave information for each room. I really enjoyed this better than a traditional tour with a guide because, well, for one, it was quiet. Other people were not distracting; you were just kind of in your own world. You could also move at your own pace.
Buckingham Palace is one of the last remaining working palaces in the world that is also a principle home for a monarch. Sadly, the British flag was flying and not the Queen's standard, meaning she wasn't in residence at the time.
I visited about 15 rooms, which took a little over an hour for me to do. Photos weren't permitted, of course, so here are my illustrative, wordy explanations.
You enter first via the grand staircase and it is...grand. The carpet is red and plush and and the room is spacious. Then there were the drawing rooms--a blue and white room--where the Queen holds audiences or receives guests. There was a music room which had only a piano and some furniture in it and an awesome view of the back gardens. This is the room where Prince William was baptized.
The throne room was, in particular, so surreal to be standing in. This is where William and Catherine's official wedding photos were taken. The thrones, which you can't see in the photo below, were also in the room, and these are the chairs that Elizabeth and Philip sat in on her coronation day.
 |
| For reference in case you can't remember what the throne room looks like. :) |
The picture gallery was nice and I looked at a lot of the paintings and appreciated them, even though I don't really "get" it. It was interesting to see original commissioned paintings of past monarchs and their family members.
There was a special exhibition of Prince Charles' favorites from the Royal collection, which was eclectic. All different mediums were represented--paintings, furniture, drawings, household items like decorative plates and tea sets, and things that seemed like knick-knacks. He featured work from past students of his royal charities that deal with art. My favorites in that room were the more intimate photos of the family. Hand drawn pictures of William and Harry, a wedding photo of Harry and Meghan in a frame on a table like you'd see in any home, a photo of George's baptism with the entire family, a cute candid of Harry and Charles laughing together. It was special to see.
The ballroom was pretty impressive. Official dinners were held there, but you might recognize that room as the one where the royal family makes someone a sir or dame.
There was a special exhibition of Prince Charles' favorites from the Royal collection, which was eclectic. All different mediums were represented--paintings, furniture, drawings, household items like decorative plates and tea sets, and things that seemed like knick-knacks. He featured work from past students of his royal charities that deal with art. My favorites in that room were the more intimate photos of the family. Hand drawn pictures of William and Harry, a wedding photo of Harry and Meghan in a frame on a table like you'd see in any home, a photo of George's baptism with the entire family, a cute candid of Harry and Charles laughing together. It was special to see.
The ballroom was pretty impressive. Official dinners were held there, but you might recognize that room as the one where the royal family makes someone a sir or dame.
 |
| Prince William honoring Andy Murray, for reference of what the ballroom looks like. |
It kind of goes without saying (but I'm gonna say it) that every room is exquisite. It is impeccably clean and rich in color, usually with a lot of gold happening.
The commentary was really nice because it would point out pieces of interest, sometimes even with Prince Charles narrating.
The garden was immense and perfectly manicured, as you'd expect. This is where those fancy garden parties happen. It was just so neat to literally be walking in the footsteps of the royals.
Accidentally went into the kids activity section and am so glad I did because I got a busy dad to take these photos for me.
Sometimes I forget I'm a 34 year old grown ass woman. Oh well. Yolo.
The gift shop for Buckingham Palace was hilarious. I simultaneously laughed at everything for it all being silly things that no one would buy and also wanted to buy everything--tea towels with the Queen's face, tons of different tea set and tins, regular chocolate bars but with a picture of the palace on them, a whole section of Harry and Meghan wedding souvenirs, and a discounted section of royal baby stuff. I left with a pencil, magnet, and Christmas ornament.
Overall, it was completely enjoyable and probably the best money I spent for a tour on this trip. It was hard to leave!
Upon exiting the garden, I had no idea where I was directionally, so just picked a way to go and went with it. I ended up back at the front of the palace and a huge crowd had gathered. I had looked up the night before when the changing of the guard happens and it's not typically on Sundays, but this is what this must have been. It was nice to walk up right when it happened!
Next on the agenda was the Science Museum. Some people probably think this trip to London has been boring, but I'm lucky enough to have already seen a lot of the major tourist sites when I was here before, so I'm doing things more off the beaten path this time. The walk was a long one, but I got to see parts of London I haven't seen before. It took probably 45 minutes for me to get there. Admission is free, which is awesome. I immediately found one of the cafes inside and got lunch, my last cheese sandwich and chips, an "infused" water with strawberry, kiwi, and thyme (fancy), and then went back for a flat white and a piece of chocolate cake. I felt guilty for that last part, but didn't so much at the end of the day when I saw I walked over 9 miles and burned 2,500 calories haha.
The exhibits that interested me were the information age and space exploration. All of these rooms have too much to take in, so I try to focus on one thing. In the information age area, I learned about Tommy Flowers who engineered the machine that decoded messages during WWII and the telegraph system that sent messages while the Titanic was sinking. That was especially interesting because you got to see actual messages, the timeline, who responded, and what vessels were the closest.
At 3:00 I had an IMAX movie to watch at the museum! I was pretty excited for this one, a 45 minute film called "A Beautiful Planet."
I can't remember the last time I saw a 3D movie and I think I should see everything in 3D from now on. Seeing the Earth and solar system in this way was amazing. I was like a little kid, just in awe. I learned a lot about the international space station, their logistical challenges, and what they're studying up there.
Here's the trailer for the movie, in case you're interested!
Then I took the longest walk in the history of walks. It was probably an hour and a half back to my hotel. It was like pedestrian purgatory; I thought it would never end. It started off pleasant going through Hyde Park, then got insane and annoying on Oxford Street where all the major shopping happens. Everyone in London was shopping on that one particular street.
I collapsed on my hotel bed for a bit and then went out to Lord John Russell pub for dinner, which was just around the corner from my hotel. Again, I noticed it was very busy, but was brave and walked in anyway because I wanted a proper last dinner experience in England. I ordered the Sunday roast (this time with chicken) and Pimms (which is kind of like a Sprite tasting lemonade that they put a bunch of fruit in). This Sunday roast had chicken with gravy, mashed potatoes, mashed cauliflower, roasted carrots, steamed green beans, three chunky fries, and two little Yorkshire puddings.
I savored the meal and atmosphere, not believing that the two weeks was already up. I felt like I had been there forever, but also just a few days--an interesting combination. The pub and meal was a nice way to end the day and the trip as a whole.
I was ready to go home, but also emotional thinking about what I did while I was there and having to leave somewhere that means so much to me. I made memories for myself and had experiences that I'll never forget.
The commentary was really nice because it would point out pieces of interest, sometimes even with Prince Charles narrating.
The garden was immense and perfectly manicured, as you'd expect. This is where those fancy garden parties happen. It was just so neat to literally be walking in the footsteps of the royals.
Accidentally went into the kids activity section and am so glad I did because I got a busy dad to take these photos for me.
Sometimes I forget I'm a 34 year old grown ass woman. Oh well. Yolo.
The gift shop for Buckingham Palace was hilarious. I simultaneously laughed at everything for it all being silly things that no one would buy and also wanted to buy everything--tea towels with the Queen's face, tons of different tea set and tins, regular chocolate bars but with a picture of the palace on them, a whole section of Harry and Meghan wedding souvenirs, and a discounted section of royal baby stuff. I left with a pencil, magnet, and Christmas ornament.
Overall, it was completely enjoyable and probably the best money I spent for a tour on this trip. It was hard to leave!
Upon exiting the garden, I had no idea where I was directionally, so just picked a way to go and went with it. I ended up back at the front of the palace and a huge crowd had gathered. I had looked up the night before when the changing of the guard happens and it's not typically on Sundays, but this is what this must have been. It was nice to walk up right when it happened!
Next on the agenda was the Science Museum. Some people probably think this trip to London has been boring, but I'm lucky enough to have already seen a lot of the major tourist sites when I was here before, so I'm doing things more off the beaten path this time. The walk was a long one, but I got to see parts of London I haven't seen before. It took probably 45 minutes for me to get there. Admission is free, which is awesome. I immediately found one of the cafes inside and got lunch, my last cheese sandwich and chips, an "infused" water with strawberry, kiwi, and thyme (fancy), and then went back for a flat white and a piece of chocolate cake. I felt guilty for that last part, but didn't so much at the end of the day when I saw I walked over 9 miles and burned 2,500 calories haha.
The exhibits that interested me were the information age and space exploration. All of these rooms have too much to take in, so I try to focus on one thing. In the information age area, I learned about Tommy Flowers who engineered the machine that decoded messages during WWII and the telegraph system that sent messages while the Titanic was sinking. That was especially interesting because you got to see actual messages, the timeline, who responded, and what vessels were the closest.
At 3:00 I had an IMAX movie to watch at the museum! I was pretty excited for this one, a 45 minute film called "A Beautiful Planet."
I can't remember the last time I saw a 3D movie and I think I should see everything in 3D from now on. Seeing the Earth and solar system in this way was amazing. I was like a little kid, just in awe. I learned a lot about the international space station, their logistical challenges, and what they're studying up there.
Here's the trailer for the movie, in case you're interested!
Then I took the longest walk in the history of walks. It was probably an hour and a half back to my hotel. It was like pedestrian purgatory; I thought it would never end. It started off pleasant going through Hyde Park, then got insane and annoying on Oxford Street where all the major shopping happens. Everyone in London was shopping on that one particular street.
I collapsed on my hotel bed for a bit and then went out to Lord John Russell pub for dinner, which was just around the corner from my hotel. Again, I noticed it was very busy, but was brave and walked in anyway because I wanted a proper last dinner experience in England. I ordered the Sunday roast (this time with chicken) and Pimms (which is kind of like a Sprite tasting lemonade that they put a bunch of fruit in). This Sunday roast had chicken with gravy, mashed potatoes, mashed cauliflower, roasted carrots, steamed green beans, three chunky fries, and two little Yorkshire puddings.
I savored the meal and atmosphere, not believing that the two weeks was already up. I felt like I had been there forever, but also just a few days--an interesting combination. The pub and meal was a nice way to end the day and the trip as a whole.
I was ready to go home, but also emotional thinking about what I did while I was there and having to leave somewhere that means so much to me. I made memories for myself and had experiences that I'll never forget.