The King's Gallery, Buckingham Palace

★★★★★ 4.5/5 (54,718 reviews) Excellent

About This Museum

Tucked away within the working heart of Buckingham Palace, The King's Gallery is a truly unique space. It feels less like a formal museum and more like a private glimpse into the royal family's own treasure chest. You'll find everything from Rembrandt's soulful portraits to a surprisingly modern and intimate Lucian Freud painting of Queen Elizabeth II. The exhibitions change, pulling different wonders from the vast Royal Collection, so there's always a reason to pop back in.

Collection Highlights

Beyond the famous Freud portrait, keep an eye out for exquisite pieces by Canaletto, who perfectly captured the light of Venice, and some of the most magnificent Sèvres porcelain you're ever likely to see. They even have drawings by Leonardo da Vinci on rotation.

Visitor Information

You enter through the Ambassadors' Court on Buckingham Palace Road – it feels a bit like using the staff entrance! Do book ahead, especially in summer, as it's a popular spot. It’s wonderfully manageable; you can easily soak it all up in an hour or two.

Architecture & Building

The gallery itself has a grand but intimate feel, created from what was once Queen Victoria's private chapel. After wartime bombing, it was thoughtfully redesigned with a soaring, coffered ceiling and soft lighting that makes the art simply glow.

Contact & Location

Address: Buckingham Palace, Buckingham Gate, Victoria, London, Greater London, England, SW1A 1AA, United Kingdom

Phone: +44 303 123 7301

Website: Visit Website