Practical Information for visiting the Palace of Holyroodhouse
This information will help you plan your visit to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Visitor Information
You can visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse at your leisure using the complimentary multimedia guide, which lasts approximately 1 hour.
Security and Luggage
For safety and security reasons, a one-way system operates along the visitor route.
Security screening
On arrival your belongings will be subject to a bag check. Try to bring as little as possible with you as it will help you to get through this process more quickly.
You may use pacemakers, hearing aids and other electrical or electronic equipment needed for health reasons. Please approach a member of staff if you have any concerns or require assistance.
Luggage
There is no cloakroom facility at the Palace.
Handbags and small backpacks are permitted inside. Bags larger than 45cm × 20cm × 30cm cannot be taken into the Palace. Luggage storage can be found nearby at Waverley Station.
Animals
Animals, other than guide, hearing or assistance animals, will not be admitted.
Restricted and prohibited items
Neither smoking nor vaping (the use of electronic cigarettes) are permitted anywhere in the Palace of Holyroodhouse or Gardens.
The following items may not be brought into the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Gardens:
- Knife with a blade over 7.7cm (3”)
- Knife with a lockable blade (unless you have a reasonable excuse for having it with you)
- Butterfly knife
- Flick knife
- CS or pepper sprays
- Pen knives and knives with blades under 7.7cm (3”)
- Scissors
- Kirpans (the Sikh article of faith) where the blade exceeds 7.7cm (3”)
- Alcoholic drinks in sealed containers
- Paints/aerosols
- Bicycles, folding bikes, roller-skates or skateboards
- Drones
As the Palace of Holyroodhouse is a working royal palace, security and opening arrangements may be subject to change at short notice. Check closure details.
Photography, filming and mobile phones
Photography and filming including wearable devices are not permitted inside the State Apartments. The use of drones is not permitted anywhere in the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Photography and filming for non-commercial purposes are encouraged in the outside areas of the Palace. We love seeing your photos on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook – tag us with your best shots using #HolyroodPalace.
No parts of the Palace of Holyroodhouse may be used as the setting for wedding photography.
Applications for commercial filming should be submitted through this application form.
Out of consideration to other visitors, we ask that you only make or answer phone calls outdoors.
Multimedia Guides
To make the most of your time at the Palace, pick up one of the free multimedia guides at the start of your visit. We clean our multimedia guides and headphones before you use them or you are welcome to use your own standard wired headphones if you prefer.
Our multimedia guides are available in:
- English
- Brazilian Portuguese
- French
- Gaelic
- German
- Italian
- Japanese
- Mandarin Chinese
- Russian
- Spanish
- British Sign Language (BSL) with subtitles
The tour guides you through your visit to the Palace, including the Royal and Historic Apartments. The commentary introduces the history of Holyroodhouse and explains the role of the Palace as an official residence of The King. Hear about the Palace’s former residents, including Mary, Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie.
Family multimedia tour
Our family multimedia tour will guide your children (aimed at age 7-11) around the Palace. Search for hidden unicorns and lions and find out more about the Palace's famous royal inhabitants, past and present. Available in English.
Tour for blind and partially-sighted visitors
An audio-descriptive tour in English is available for blind and partially-sighted visitors.
The tour provides information about the Palace of Holyroodhouse as well as directions and location information to assist visitors throughout their visit.
Tour for D/deaf and hard of hearing visitors
The general tour is available in British Sign Language as a video tour. Subtitles are included. For hard of hearing visitors the multi-media handsets are T-coil compatible and equipped with volume control and neck loops are also available on request. Please note that the technology is not compatible with all hearing aids – a printed version of the multimedia guide script is available on request.
Refreshments
Eating and drinking are not permitted inside the Palace of Holyroodhouse with the exception of bottled water. You will be asked to place drinks and food in closed bags before being admitted.
Food and drink is available at the Café at the Palace.
There is a water fountain and a tap for refilling water bottles in the Mews Courtyard (near the Café at the Palace).
Visiting with children
Toilets and baby-care facilities are available in Mews Courtyard.
Pushchairs can be taken inside the Palace, except during busy periods. If you are asked to leave your pushchair, a dedicated area is available inside the Palace entrance.
Baby carriers and hip seats are available on request. All other personal belongings cannot be left and must be carried for the duration of your visit.
Breastfeeding is welcome anywhere within the Palace of Holyroodhouse and The King's Gallery.
Find out more tips to enjoy your visit with your children in our Children and Families section.
Toilets
Toilets and baby-care facilities are located in the Mews Courtyard. We encourage you to use these facilities before starting your visit.
1-Year Pass
Enjoy free re-admission for a year by converting your ticket to a 1-Year Pass. At the end of your visit, don’t forget to ask a Warden to stamp your ticket to convert it into a 1-Year Pass.
Find out how to book using an existing 1-Year Pass.
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 a companion is admitted free of charge.
