Buckingham Palace (and other London palaces)
Palaces are all owned by the Crown, and London is home to quite a few.
Buckingham Palace is of course the seat of our monarchy, controversial due to the huge expense (when homeless people live within walking distance). Originally a townhouse built for the Duke of Buckingham in 1703, the palace has:
- 188 staff bedrooms
- 92 offices
- 73 bathrooms
- 52 private bedrooms
- 19 state rooms
- A swimming pool
- A doctor surgery
- A cinema
- A jeweller’s workshop
- A 42-acre Garden
- Lakes and a tennis court
- A landing pad for helicopters
- Royal Mews (that house cars and carriage horses)
The palace was bombed 9 times during the Second World War, which destroyed the chapel. In modern times, some rooms are open to the public to raise funds (after a claim to heat the palace from public community energy funds was rejected). Due to fears on public opinion, when many people can’t afford to heat their homes.
Other London Palaces
Alexandra Palace in North London was built in 1873, then rebuilt after it burned down. Known as ‘the people’s palace’, this was host to the world’s first TV broadcast in 1936, and today is a Grade II listing building, sitting in 196 acres of parkland.
St James’s Palace is the oldest in London, built by Henry III on the site of a former leper hospital, and where Queen Victoria was married. And where King Charles III was proclaimed King.
Kensington Palace has been home to many members of royalty, including Princes Diana and Princess Margaret. William and Kate used to live here, now they have moved to Windsor (some locals not happy, as dog-walking areas have been removed to give privacy, so now they have to find alternative routes).
The Palace of Westminster is home to the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.
Hampton Court Palace is known for its Tudor gardens and maze.
Banqueting House is the only remaining part of the old Whitehall Palace, now used as government offices.
