If you are facing Buckingham Palace, walk towards the left onto Spur Road and then take another left onto Birdcage Walk. We're now heading towards the second part of the Buckingham Palace neighborhood of London known as Westminster – which is where you'll find Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey.
Big Ben and Buckingham Palace are about 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) apart. A walk between them takes about 15 to 30 minutes, depending on your exact path through St. James's Park.
London Walking Tour: Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, to Trafalgar Square
Can you wear jeans to visit Buckingham Palace?
Yes, you can wear jeans for a standard public tour of Buckingham Palace, as there is no formal dress code. However, dark and neat jeans are best, and you must dress much more formally if attending a special event like a Royal Garden Party.
At 11:00 AM at Buckingham Palace, the famous Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place, featuring the New Guard arriving, military music, and an official handover of duties.
How far apart is Windsor Castle from Buckingham Palace?
Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace are about 20 miles (32 km) apart in a straight line, with a driving and road distance of roughly 22 miles (35 km).
Going inside Big Ben (the Elizabeth Tower) is widely considered worth it for the unique behind-the-scenes access, historic clock mechanics, and views from right behind the giant clock faces.
The Tower of London is about 3.6 to 4 miles away from Buckingham Palace, meaning they are not right next to each other, but they are both in central London.
Yes, Harrods is close to Buckingham Palace, sitting about 1.4 miles (2.2 km) away. You can easily walk between them, take a short bus ride, or grab a taxi.
For a scenic walk in London, the Queen's Walk along the South Bank, the Regent's Canal, and the Royal Parks (specifically Richmond and Kensington Gardens) are considered top choices in 2026.
Which is better to visit, Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle?
Which is better for first-time visitors to the UK? If you want the quintessential, postcard-perfect London experience, choose Buckingham Palace. If you are looking for deep historical value, medieval architecture, and a scenic trip outside the city center, choose Windsor Castle.
Yes, Big Ben is near Buckingham Palace; they are about 1.1 to 1.3 miles (1.8 to 2 km) apart in central London. You can easily walk between them in about 20 to 25 minutes.
Yes, Big Ben is very close to Westminster Abbey, sitting just a short walk of about 0.3 miles (roughly a 5 to 7-minute walk) away across Parliament Square in central London.
Viewing Big Ben from the outside is completely free, but going inside requires a paid ticket except for UK residents who request a limited free tour via their Member of Parliament.
Which is better to visit, Windsor Castle or Kensington Palace?
For a more personal glimpse into royal life, Kensington Palace is hard to beat. Smaller and more intimate than Windsor Castle, it has been home to generations of royals, from Queen Victoria to Diana, Princess of Wales.
Does the Royal Family live in Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle?
While it remains the official administrative headquarters of the monarchy, King Charles III and Queen Camilla don't currently reside at Buckingham Palace full-time. At present, they spend most of their time at Clarence House in London, which has been Charles's residence since 2003.
How far apart are Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace?
Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace are about 2 to 2.5 miles (3.2 to 4.0 kilometers) apart by walking or road, and about 1.7 miles (2.7 kilometers) in a straight line.
