Palace of Holyroodhouse
The King's official residence in Edinburgh and the home of Scottish royal history.
Open throughout the year, the Palace of Holyroodhouse stands at the end of Edinburgh's Royal Mile.
Explore the Palace's close associations with some of Scotland’s most well-known historic figures such as Mary, Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie, and learn how today it is used by The King when carrying out official engagements in Scotland.
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Your visit to the Palace of Holyroodhouse ©
Highlights
Top things to see and do at the Palace of Holyroodhouse
With so much to see and do, take a look at our list of recommendations to make your visit extra special.
See the listWhat's on
Christmas at the Palace of Holyroodhouse
We’re decking the halls, the galleries and the throne room.
Exclusive Christmas Evening Tours
In the company of an expert guide, enjoy a private tour of the State Apartments once the Palace doors have closed to visitors for the day.
Shopping and eating
Palace Shop
Visit our shop which offers a wide range of exclusive gifts inspired by the royal palaces and the works of art in the Royal Collection.
Café at the Palace
The Café at the Palace offers seasonal, home-made dishes from fresh, locally-sourced produce.
Children and Families
Things to do with children
Learn about the Palace and its most famous residents with our interactive multimedia tour.
Palace of Holyroodhouse communication cards
To support children and young people on the autism spectrum to enjoy the Palace.
About the Palace
The Palace of Holyroodhouse today
Discover how the Palace is used by The King when carrying out official engagements in Scotland.
Palace Garden
Learn about the garden at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, first used in 1503 and still in use today for royal events.
Who built the Palace?
According to medieval legend, the Abbey was founded in 1128 by David I of Scotland after seeing a vision of a stag.
The History of Abbey Strand
Discover the fascinating history of Abbey Strand, the gateway to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Mary, Queen of Scots
Discover the real story of Mary, Queen of Scots and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Schools
Bring the curriculum to life with a visit to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. We offer a range of interactive workshops, tours, learning activities and resources for nursery, primary and secondary pupils. Our schools visit information will help teachers and organisers plan their visit.
Groups
Group bookings
It is essential to pre-book your group visit. Buy your tickets online or over the telephone.
Access and mobility
The Palace of Holyroodhouse is largely accessible, with some restrictions in Mary, Queen of Scots' rooms. Concessionary rates are available if you have a disability and we offer a free access companion ticket which can be booked online.
Accessible toilets are located in the Café at the Palace, which can be visited without a ticket. There is limited bench seating around the Palace.
Registered assistance dogs are welcome.
The multimedia guide is available in British Sign Language (BSL) and with subtitles, and an audio-descriptive guide is available for blind or partially-sighted visitors.
A number of Wardens are Dementia Friends, please ask staff for any assistance.
The Palace tour is indoors with some small rooms, and includes access to outdoor areas including the Palace garden. You may wish to download a photo journey(PDF) to help you plan your visit.
You might find it useful to review the detailed access guides on the AccessAble website:
Accessible parking spaces are located on Horse Wynd, just outside the Palace, on a first-come, first-served basis.
General information on visiting is available on our Practical Information page.
For detailed access information, please select one of the options below. For any other information you can contact the Specialist Sales team on +44 (0)303 123 7324 or by emailing [email protected].
