Kensington Palace
Kensington W8 4PX
10am – 6pm Wed–Sun; closed Mon–Tue
Tube: Notting Hill Gate, Holland Park, High Street Kensington
1.5 hours +
All
from £12pp
Based on 5 reviews
About Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace isn’t just for history buffs – it’s full of royal stories and surprises that kids and teens will love. Queen Victoria grew up here (with an epic dollhouse), and it’s still a working royal home, with links to William and Kate.
With a free audio guide, families can explore rooms like Victoria’s childhood bedroom and Mary II’s royal suite, all brought to life with fun facts and storytelling. Look out for the Time Explorers game on some guides – it’s packed with quizzes and challenges to keep young minds busy.
Allow 60–90 minutes inside, then head out to see the gorgeous Sunken Garden, or let the kids run wild in Kensington Gardens next door. There’s a family-friendly café and a royal gift shop with crown-shaped biscuits worth bringing home.
It’s a great mix of culture, fresh air and a touch of royal sparkle – perfect for a family day out in West London.
Top tip from the KidRated Team:
Time your visit with one of their family trails – they’re fun, interactive, and a lifesaver when it comes to keeping kids engaged. Bonus: the shop has brilliant princess-and-prince themed gifts, so maybe set a spending limit before you go in!
Yes. There’s loads for families to explore, from royal bedrooms to fancy fashion displays. Younger kids love the Time Explorers audio guide, while teens enjoy the history, portraits and stories about Victoria, William, and Kate. It’s a great mix of old-school glamour and real-life drama.
Around 60 to 90 minutes inside the palace, depending on how involved your kids are with solving audio guide missions. Add a bit more time for the gardens, gift shop and snack stop.
Yes, the free audio guide includes a kid-friendly game called Time Explorers, which has quizzes and challenges to complete as you explore. It’s a fun way to keep everyone engaged and works well for both primary kids and curious teens.
Yes, it’s mostly step-free, and there are lifts and accessible toilets available. You may be asked to leave buggies in designated areas at busy times.
The Orangery café and another palace café near the shop – serving sandwiches, kids’ meals, cakes, and hot drinks. Great for a break after all that royal roaming.
Yes, and it’s full of fun stuff. Expect everything from crown-themed stationery and royal teddies to books, toy soldiers, and the odd corgi. Pocket money well spent!
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