School visits
Find out how Palaces and great works of art can inspire learning with our curriculum linked programmes and resources for primary and secondary schools.
The King's Gallery, Buckingham Palace
The building that originally stood on the site of the current King’s Gallery was designed by John Nash as one of Buckingham Palace’s three identical conservatories or pavilions in the form of Ionic temples. It was constructed on the south-west corner of the Palace, facing the garden, and was completed in 1831. The conservatory was converted into a private chapel for Queen Victoria in 1843, but destroyed in an air raid in 1940. At the suggestion of The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, it was redeveloped as a gallery for the Royal Collection in 1962.
The building that originally stood on the site of the current King’s Gallery was designed by John Nash as one of Buckingham Palace’s three identical conservatories or pavilions in the form of Ionic temples. It was constructed on the south-west corner of the Palace, facing the garden, and was completed in 1831. The conservatory was converted into a private chapel for Queen Victoria in 1843, but destroyed in an air raid in 1940. At the suggestion of The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, it was redeveloped as a gallery for the Royal Collection in 1962.
How to book
To find out more or to make a booking contact the Learning Bookings team.
Please have to hand:
- Preferred date and possible alternatives, plus time of arrival
- Numbers of children and supervising adults
- The taught programme you would like
- Details of any special educational or access needs
Please use the downloadable Bookings Forms to send your details to the Learning Bookings Team.
You will then be sent a reservation letter, together with your teachers’ resource pack, giving a date by which full payment must be received to secure the booking.
Please note: you may be asked to cover the cost of the session if you cancel within short notice of your visit. Non-booked schools will be charged at standard group admission rates. Please see our Terms of Application for Learning Group Admissions.
Contact us
Learning Bookings Team
Ticket Sales and Information Office
Buckingham Palace
London SW1A 1AA
T. (+44) (0)303 123 7323
F. (+44) (0)20 7930 9625
[email protected]
Sharing Learning Objectives
You will find our learning objectives for each taught session on the relevant programme information page. Sending us your learning objectives prior to your visit will help us tailor the session to your group’s requirements.
Planning Visits
Once you have made your booking, we offer two complimentary tickets for you and a colleague to conduct a planning visit. If you would like to meet a member of the Learning team during this visit, please let us know at the time of booking.
Prices
Reduced-rate admission for school groups
Pre-booked school groups: £1 per pupil
Children in Reception or below: FREE
Please note the minimum school group sizes for booking taught workshops are:
- 15 Pupils
- 10 Pupils for SEN groups
Accompanying adults
One teacher or adult helper is admitted free of charge at the following ratios:
- Under 5s - 1 adult: 3 pupils
- Years 1 to 3 - 1 adult: 6 pupils
- Year 4 and above - 1 adult: 10 pupils
Please ask for details of rates for additional adults when booking.
Access
Our learning programmes are designed to be accessible to all pupils. Most of our sessions can be adapted to meet any educational or access needs your group may have. Please ask for details when booking.
You may find the information for visitors on the Autism spectrum helpful when planning your visit to The King's Gallery.
Free access companion tickets are available for adults accompanying any pupils with a disability in your group.
Lunch facilities
There are no lunch spaces available for groups visiting The King's Gallery. Green Park and St James’s Park are located nearby. Lunch room facilities are available at the nearby Girl Guiding UK ICANDO Centre on Buckingham Palace Road. For bookings please telephone 020 7592 1818.
Security
Arrival
Following your booking a confirmation letter, with an agreed arrival time, will be sent to you; your letter serves as a ticket for your group. The group leader must have a copy of the confirmation letter to present on arrival.
Security Measures
Royal Collection Trust sites have airport-style security measures at all public entry points, through which all visitors, including school groups, are required to enter. All adults and children will be asked to:
- Allow any bags to be searched by hand
- Walk through a metal detector arch, one at a time
- Switch off mobile phones
The Royal Collection Trust Learning section asks that teachers undertake the following guidelines to make entry to Royal Collection Trust sites as smooth and quick as possible:
- Please arrive at the Royal Collection Trust site at least 15 minutes before the scheduled time for the booked workshop
- Teachers and children should not bring the following: scissors, compasses, metal cutlery, sharp metallic implements
- Only bring what you need! The Royal Collection Trust Learning section will provide all necessary equipment such as clipboards, pencils and drawing materials (groups can bring their own sketchbooks if they prefer to use these)
