Buckingham Palace: The Royal Mews Entrance Ticket

The Gold State Coach is the showstopper: a huge, gilded carriage used at every coronation since 1831, including King Charles III’s in 2023. At the Royal Mews, you can see it at close range, alongside the Diamond Jubilee State Coach and the horses and equipment connected to royal transport.

I like two things especially: the carriages are close enough for you to take in their size and detail, and the Mews is still a working stable, not just a display of old vehicles. One consideration: this ticket is for the Royal Mews only, not Buckingham Palace’s State Rooms, and the number of horses you see may be limited.

• See the coronation coach up close: The Gold State Coach has been used at every coronation since William IV’s in 1831.
• Compare coaches from different eras: The Diamond Jubilee, Australian State and Irish State Coaches each tell a different story about royal travel.
• Look for the working horses: Windsor Greys and Cleveland Bays draw the royal carriages, though how many are in view can vary.
• Explore at your own pace: A multimedia tour is included in nine languages.
• Plan for security: Airport-style screening applies, and large bags, pen-knives and scissors are not allowed.

The Royal Mews is the working side of Buckingham Palace

The Royal Mews handles road transport for the King and the Royal Family, by horse-drawn carriage and motor car. That practical job gives the visit a different feel from a palace-room tour: the coaches are not simply decorative heirlooms, but vehicles made for ceremonies and public occasions.

The Mews is also a stable and training centre for Windsor Greys and Cleveland Bays, the horses that draw the royal carriages. You may see horses in their stalls during your visit, but the number on view is not fixed. Some visitors have seen two; others have seen more. If you are coming mainly for the horses, treat a sighting as a welcome part of the visit rather than a guarantee of a full stable tour.

For me, the appeal lies in seeing both sides of the operation. The coaches show ceremony at its most elaborate, while the horses, harness and stable setting point to the work behind the pageantry. You get a compact look at how royal transport functions, not just a room full of grand objects.

Start with the coaches, then compare their stories

The main event is the collection of historic coaches and carriages. Their size and ornament are easier to appreciate in person than on a television screen. The gilding, fittings and scale become clearer when you can stand nearby and look closely, rather than seeing a carriage pass in a procession.

The Gold State Coach deserves time. It has carried monarchs at every coronation since 1831. Queen Elizabeth II rode in it on her Coronation Day in 1953, and it was used again for King Charles III’s coronation in 2023. Its ceremonial role is easy to understand once you see the coach itself: this is not a modest everyday vehicle, but an imposing object built to be seen.

The Diamond Jubilee State Coach offers a different chapter. It conveyed Queen Elizabeth II to the State Opening of Parliament on 4 June 2014. It is worth comparing its design with the older coaches around it. The Mews gives you the chance to notice how royal transport has changed while keeping its formal purpose.

Then there is the Australian State Coach, a reminder that modern comforts can find their way into a royal carriage. It has central heating and electric windows, and carried Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace after the 2011 Royal Wedding. Those features make it an easy conversation starter: even ceremonial travel has to account for comfort.

The Irish State Coach adds another long-running link with royal events. Queen Victoria bought it in 1852, and Queen Victoria, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II all travelled in it to the State Opening of Parliament. Taken together, these vehicles do more than display craftsmanship. They show how the monarchy has used transport to mark coronations, weddings and the opening of Parliament.

Look closely, then use the audio tour

The visit is designed for a self-guided pace, with a multimedia tour included in English, Spanish, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese and Russian. That lets you spend longer with the coach that interests you and move on when you are ready, rather than keeping to a fixed spoken tour.

The audio adds context to what can otherwise look like a row of beautiful but similar carriages. It helps connect each vehicle to the event it served and gives families a way to make the visit more engaging. The format has worked well for mixed ages, including children, because you can take in the material at your own speed.

Some visits have also included staff-led tours. Guides named Lynne, Jorge, Phil and Seba have been praised for adding personal detail and making the history lively. But a live guide is not something to count on from the ticket details: the included feature is the multimedia tour. If a staff member is available, that can be a useful bonus.

Plan roughly one to two hours if you want time for the coaches, the audio and any horses in view. The actual length depends on your pace and interest. It is a manageable stop when you want a focused activity near Buckingham Palace, rather than a full-day commitment.

Horses bring the ceremonial vehicles to life

The horses are a key part of the Mews, but expectations matter. Windsor Greys and Cleveland Bays are trained to draw the royal carriages, and seeing them connects the polished vehicles to the living work behind them. If you are fond of horses, this may be one of the most memorable parts of the visit.

Still, access to the stalls and the number of horses present can vary. At times, you may see only a couple, and you may not be able to approach them closely. Children who come mainly for the animals could be disappointed if few are on view, so it helps to frame the visit around the whole collection: carriages, horses, stable life and royal transport.

Families can also enjoy the carriages as objects in their own right. Their scale and ornament catch the eye, while the audio offers enough context to keep the visit from becoming a simple walk past displays. The Mews can suit different generations because an adult may focus on the history and workmanship while a child watches for horses and notices the unusual coach details.

What the $22.90 ticket is worth

At $22.90 per person, the ticket offers good value if you have a real interest in royal history, horses, ceremonial events or vehicle design. You are paying for access to a working royal site and a collection of coaches that have played a part in major public occasions. The close viewing is a strength: the display lets you appreciate details that are hard to make out during a procession.

The value is less compelling if you expect entry to Buckingham Palace itself. This ticket covers the Royal Mews, not the State Rooms or every part of the palace. The distinction is important, particularly if you are comparing it with other Buckingham Palace visits or hoping to see the royal residence’s interiors.

The Mews is also a more specialized visit than a general palace tour. If coaches and horses do little for you, the collection may feel brief. If you are curious about how royal ceremonies are staged and supported, the visit gives that interest a focused, practical answer.

There is no one-year pass included, and tickets bought through GetYourGuide cannot be converted into one. Visitors seeking concessionary rates for disabled people or the complimentary companion ticket need to book directly with Royal Collection Trust. Transfers are not included, so make your own way to the visitor entrance.

Getting in and making the visit easier

The meeting point is the ticket office on Buckingham Palace Road. Exchange your voucher there, then continue to the Royal Mews visitor entrance. Ticket collection has occasionally taken time, so build in a little room before your intended start rather than arriving at the last possible minute.

Everyone and their belongings go through airport-style security. Bring as little as you can: large bags, pen-knives and scissors are not allowed, and there is no cloakroom for storing prohibited items. A small, uncomplicated bag makes screening easier.

Photography and non-commercial filming are welcome. Mobile phones are permitted, but keep them considerate of people around you. The activity ends back at the meeting point, and the ticket is valid for one day, with starting times dependent on availability.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option can help if you want to keep plans flexible. Those are useful booking terms, but the main decision is whether the Mews itself matches your interests. It is not a broad palace tour; it is a close look at royal road travel and the people, animals and vehicles behind it.

Who should book the Royal Mews

I would put this visit high on the list for anyone intrigued by coronations, royal pageantry, horses or historic transport. It is particularly well suited to families who want an activity with visual appeal and an audio option that lets everyone set their own pace. The carriages are impressive even if you are not a specialist, and the stories behind them give the displays a clear purpose.

It is also a sensible choice if you want a shorter Buckingham Palace-area visit with substance. Allow around one to two hours, and go in knowing the horses may be few or not especially close. If your main aim is to tour palace rooms, choose a different ticket. If you want to see the Gold State Coach, understand the royal carriage tradition and get a glimpse of a working stable, the Mews is well worth considering.

FAQ

Does this ticket include entry to Buckingham Palace’s State Rooms?

No. It includes entrance to the Royal Mews only, not the State Rooms or the full palace.

What is included with the ticket?

The ticket includes entry to the Royal Mews and a multimedia tour in nine languages: Spanish, Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese and Russian.

Which coaches can I see?

The display includes the Gold State Coach, Diamond Jubilee State Coach, Australian State Coach and Irish State Coach.

Will I see the royal horses?

You may see some of the King’s horses, including Windsor Greys or Cleveland Bays, but the number on view can vary.

Can I bring a large bag?

No. Large bags are not allowed, and there is no cloakroom. Pen-knives and scissors are also prohibited. Airport-style security checks apply.

Can I get a concessionary rate or companion ticket?

Concessionary rates for disabled visitors and a complimentary companion ticket are available only through direct booking with Royal Collection Trust.