You can visit the Royal Mews at your leisure using the complimentary multimedia tour, which lasts approximately 45 minutes.

Please note that the Royal Mews is both a working and residential environment for some of the staff.

You can take a free 45-minute guided tour of the Royal Mews with our Wardens. Learn details about the historic carriages and modern cars, and hear about the work needed to prepare for major State and ceremonial occasions.

Tours take place daily at 10:15, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00 and 16:00. The meeting point is directly opposite the stables.

We also offer special family tours on Saturday and Sunday at 11:30 and 13:30.

Security screening

On arrival, you and your belongings will be subject to airport-style security checks. Try to bring as little as possible with you as it will help you to get through security screening more quickly.

Just as at the airport, please remove all metal objects from your pockets before going through the security arch. For efficiency, we advise packing cameras, phones, keys and wallets in your bag before placing the bag through the security scanner.

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 are no cloakroom or storage facilities at the Royal Mews so all bags and pushchairs must be taken around with you during your visit.

Please note that very large suitcases and heavy luggage may only be permitted at the discretion of our staff, and provided the items are able to pass through the security scanner.

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 Royal Mews.

Some items must be checked in and reclaimed at the end of the visit. Other items may not be brought into the Mews at all. 

The following items must be checked in on arrival and reclaimed at the end of your visit:

• Pen knives and knives with blades under 7.7cm (3”)
• Scissors
• Kirpans (the Sikh article of faith) where the blade exceeds 7.7cm (3”)

The following items may not be brought into the Royal Mews:

• Bicycles, folding bikes, roller-skates or skateboards
• Large bags that cannot fit through airport-style security scanners
• Drones
• Alcoholic drinks
• Paints/aerosols

The following items are unlawful to carry in a public space in the United Kingdom and may be confiscated from you if you attempt to bring them into the Mews:

• 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

As Buckingham Palace is a working royal palace, security and opening arrangements may be subject to change at short notice. Check closure details.

Photography and filming for non-commercial purposes are welcome at the Royal Mews. We love seeing your photos on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook – tag us with your best shots using #RoyalMews. 

Selfie sticks must not be used around the horses.

Applications for commercial filming should be submitted through this application form.

Out of consideration to other visitors, we ask that you move to a quiet area of the Mews if you need to make or answer a phone call.

To make the most of your visit, 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
• German
• Italian
• Japanese
• Mandarin Chinese
• Russian
• Spanish
• British Sign Language (BSL) with subtitles

The tour introduces the fascinating history of the Royal Mews and provides a lively insight into how the Mews operates today. Along the route, staff who live and work onsite talk about the roles they play in the day-to-day activities of the Royal Household. You can also watch behind-the-scenes films about training the horses, caring for the royal cars and carriages, and preparing for a State Occasion, as well as learn more about the history of the Mews and its residents. 

Family multimedia tour

Join Majesty and Scout, two of the horses who live at the Royal Mews – with a special appearance from Rex the Corgi – to discover what life is like at the Mews. From preparations for a State Occasion to the everyday routines of the horses and staff, find out more about the Mews with this interactive, fun guide aimed at children aged 7-11. Available in English.

Tour for D/deaf or 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.

Tour for blind or partially-sighted visitors

An audio-descriptive tour in English is available for blind or partially-sighted visitors.

The tour provides information about the Royal Mews as well as directions and location information to assist visitors throughout their visit.

Guidebooks

If you’d rather not use one of our free multimedia guides or are looking for a book to accompany your visit and take home to enjoy, please consider purchasing the official Royal Mews souvenir guide which is sold online as a part of your ticket purchase to pick up on the day of your visit. The guide is also available from admissions areas and shops on arrival. Every purchase helps support the charitable aims of The Royal Collection Trust.

Eating and drinking are not permitted at the Royal Mews. You will be asked to place drinks and food in closed bags before being admitted.

There is a water fountain available for refilling your water bottle.

Food and drink are not available for purchase at the Royal Mews but there are many cafés, pubs and restaurants in the local area.

Pushchairs can be taken into the Mews.

There are a number of cafés and restaurants nearby on Buckingham Palace Road.

Breastfeeding is welcome anywhere within the Mews.

Discover more tips to enjoy your visit with children in our Children and families section.

Toilets, a Changing Space, and baby-care facilities are located adjacent to the large State Coach House in the middle of the visitor route. The Changing Space is also available to non-visiting members of the public on open days, Thursday to Monday, subject to security search.

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.

The Royal Mews is fully accessible. Concessionary rates are available if you have a disability and a companion is admitted free of charge.