Queen's Gallery, London
In today's London, it's almost a rite of passage for every visitor to make their way to Buckingham Palace to witness the renowned Changing of the Guard ceremony. However, what many may not realize is that the palace also boasts a remarkable attraction – the Queen's Gallery – which is a must-see in its own right. Interestingly, it's worth noting that at one point in history, Buckingham House, which once occupied the same location as the palace does today, was considered as a possible location for the British Museum. Ultimately, this idea was abandoned due to cost considerations.
During the Blitz in 1941, a bomb destroyed the palace's chapel. When the reconstruction efforts began, the decision was made not to rebuild the chapel but instead to create a Royal Museum, allowing the public to view items from the extensive Royal Collection. Surprisingly, this collection is three times larger than the National Gallery!
The Queen's Gallery was opened to the public in 1962 and currently hosts temporary exhibitions spanning seven rooms, showcasing pieces from the aforementioned collection, which includes a stunning array of artworks by renowned artists such as Michelangelo, Raphael, Holbein, Reynolds, Gainsborough, Vermeer, Van Dyck, Rubens, Rembrandt, and Canaletto. It also boasts the world's largest collection of Leonardo drawings, unique Fabergé eggs, and an abundance of Sèvres china, jewels, ceremonial weapons, and textiles.
Please note that photography and filming are strictly prohibited inside, and visitors are requested to turn off their mobile phones.
Pro Tip:
Don't forget that you can have your ticket stamped at the end of your visit for a complimentary return to other exhibitions within the next 12 months.
During the Blitz in 1941, a bomb destroyed the palace's chapel. When the reconstruction efforts began, the decision was made not to rebuild the chapel but instead to create a Royal Museum, allowing the public to view items from the extensive Royal Collection. Surprisingly, this collection is three times larger than the National Gallery!
The Queen's Gallery was opened to the public in 1962 and currently hosts temporary exhibitions spanning seven rooms, showcasing pieces from the aforementioned collection, which includes a stunning array of artworks by renowned artists such as Michelangelo, Raphael, Holbein, Reynolds, Gainsborough, Vermeer, Van Dyck, Rubens, Rembrandt, and Canaletto. It also boasts the world's largest collection of Leonardo drawings, unique Fabergé eggs, and an abundance of Sèvres china, jewels, ceremonial weapons, and textiles.
Please note that photography and filming are strictly prohibited inside, and visitors are requested to turn off their mobile phones.
Pro Tip:
Don't forget that you can have your ticket stamped at the end of your visit for a complimentary return to other exhibitions within the next 12 months.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in London. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Queen's Gallery on Map
Sight Name: Queen's Gallery
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in London, England
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Creating your own self-guided walk in London is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
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The South Bank is a stretch of the Thames in London that is beautiful to walk through because there are so many iconic and magnificent things to see along the way. A lively and ever-changing area at the heart of London’s cultural scene, it also has the advantage of offering views across the Thames to some of the most famous buildings anywhere. The Palace of Westminster is the major feature in... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles
Jane Austen’s London
The celebrated English novelist Jane Austen primarily lived between Bath and Hampshire. However, London also held a special significance in Austen's life. Many of her novels drew inspiration from the capital, like Lydia Bennet and Mr Wickham’s elopement in “Pride & Prejudice.”
One of Austen's cherished spots in London was Twinings, a renowned tea shop. Jane Austen was known... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles
One of Austen's cherished spots in London was Twinings, a renowned tea shop. Jane Austen was known... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles
London's Historic Pubs Walk
If there’s any more iconic symbol for London than Big Ben or the London Eye, then it must be the traditional English pub. And London sure is full of them, dating from pre-Victorian times to just about five minutes ago.
With so much history surrounding London there is no shortage of historic pubs to choose from. Whether you fancy half-timbered, rambling watering holes or small but perfectly... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.6 Km or 3.5 Miles
With so much history surrounding London there is no shortage of historic pubs to choose from. Whether you fancy half-timbered, rambling watering holes or small but perfectly... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.6 Km or 3.5 Miles
Harry Potter Walking Tour II
The arrival of Harry Potter books, followed by tremendously successful Hollywood adaptation, has made London an even more popular destination now with the Harry Potter fans all over the world. The list of attractions in the city associated with Potter’s journeys includes both, newly-invented as well as some long-standing locations.
On Part II of the self-guided Happy Potter Walking Tour, you... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
On Part II of the self-guided Happy Potter Walking Tour, you... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
London Introduction Walking Tour
After the Roman invasion of 43 AD, the settlement of Londinium came into being. Things went well enough until 61 AD. Then Queen Boudica and her Iceni warriors arrived. They burned the town to ashes. They were not just rowdy tourists. Londinium had died but it rose again and it flourished until the Romans left in the 5th century.
With the Romans gone, Londinium was Anglo-Saxon Lundenwic. Until... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles
With the Romans gone, Londinium was Anglo-Saxon Lundenwic. Until... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles
Shakespeare's London Walking Tour
Often called England's national poet or simply "the Bard", William Shakespeare is revered as one of, if not the greatest playwright this world has ever seen. The dramas, such as Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth are among the finest creations in the English language, translated into every major language and performed more often than those of any other author.... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles
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