The Mall in London is paved with red tarmac to create the visual effect of a giant, permanent "red carpet" leading to Buckingham Palace. This ceremonial,, royal red road, designed to welcome visitors and highlight royal processions, was commissioned by David Eccles, Minister of Works, in the 1950s.
Pall Mall is known for the various gentlemen's clubs built there in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The Travellers Club was founded in 1819 and moved to No. 49 Pall Mall in 1822.
Every night countless planes fly over London as they touch down at London Heathrow and Gatwick airports. And although planes are a safe 1000 feet above the air when they're over the city, the red lights serve as helpful reminders of the terrain below.
Why is The Mall closed today in London Buckingham Palace?
The road is closed to traffic on Sundays, public holidays and for ceremonial events, including royal weddings, jubilee celebrations, parades and state visits.
The arch was designed by Aston Webb, who also designed the Victoria Memorial and the new façade of Buckingham Palace at the other end of the Mall. Admiralty Arch was constructed by John Mowlem & Co and completed in 1912.
On Sundays and public holidays, The Mall and Constitution Hill are closed to traffic. For more information, visit the Royal Parks website or call 0300 061 2350.
Buckingham Palace is open to the public during summer months when the monarch is not in residence. For 2025, the palace opens from July 10 to September 28, with daily opening at 9:30 am and varying closing times throughout the season. The opening period is pretty short compared to many tourist attractions.
The surface of The Mall has been coloured red since the 1950s giving the effect of a giant red carpet leading up to Buckingham Palace. This colour was obtained using synthetic iron oxide pigment from Deanshanger Oxide Works (Deanox), which was created using the Deanox Process devised by chemist Ernest Lovell.
London's "1 hour rule" refers to the Hopper Fare, which allows unlimited bus and tram journeys for a single £1.75 fare within one hour of your first tap-in, using the same contactless or Oyster card. It means you can switch between buses and trams as much as you like, even linking with the Tube or DLR (though the main benefit is bus/tram hopping), without paying again, provided your subsequent taps are within 60 minutes of the initial touch.
Soho (in London) is famous for its vibrant nightlife, diverse restaurants, theatres, and shopping, especially its LGBTQ+ scene centered on Old Compton Street, while also being known historically for music (Carnaby Street in the 60s) and being a media hub, blending historic bohemian vibes with modern urban energy.
Why is London so different from the rest of the UK?
More than 9 million people live in London - far more than any other city, and more than any other region in England and Wales except for the wider South East. More diverse than the rest of the UK. Almost half of the city's population (46%) are Black and Minority Ethnic, compared to just 14% England as a whole.
What do the statues mean in Trafalgar Square? The four bronze lions at the base of Nelson's Column were added in 1867, sculpted by Sir Edwin Landseer. They're often interpreted as symbols of British strength, courage, and empire.
Musical support is provided by a Regimental Band or Corps of Drums with pipers occasionally taking part in the ceremony. Watching the Changing of the Guard is free of charge and no tickets are required.
More than 60% of Gen Z visits malls to socialize and 42% see it as a social activity. The mall is where they meet friends, discover new brands, and linger over meals. It's a space that allows them to mix commerce with connection, reinforcing its role as a modern-day town square.
Yes, Buckingham Palace has a private indoor swimming pool, built in 1938 by King George VI for his daughters, Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) and Princess Margaret, where many royals, including current members, learned to swim. It's a private facility used by the Royal Family and senior household staff, with strict rules about staff access when royals are present.
Salaries for jobs at Buckingham Palace and the wider Royal Household vary significantly by role, from around £19,000 for entry-level positions like Summer Wardens or £20k for a Groom (with accommodation) to £40,000+ for coordination roles, and even £55,000-£60,000 for senior project managers, with lower-paid roles often including housing/meals in exchange for salary adjustments. Salaries aim for the London Living Wage, but some roles have faced criticism for being low relative to UK median earnings, although perks like accommodation or meals can offset costs.
It has been the official residence of the United Kingdom's monarchs since 1837, and it is impressive. The palace has five floors and 775 rooms—including 19 state rooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 92 offices and a surgical room—as well as 40 acres of gardens. But no one from the royal family currently lives there.
For instance The Mall (a tree-bordered walk in St James's Park, London) is usually pronounced as [mæl]. Pall-mall, historically a game, but now (in the form Pall Mall) a street in London, is similarly pronounced with two [æ] sounds in modern BrE. In fact, mall originally meant an alley in which pall-mall is played.
You must pay the daily charge, if you drive within the Congestion Charge zone 7:00-18:00 Monday-Friday and 12:00-18:00 Sat-Sun and bank holidays. No charge between Christmas Day and New Year's Day bank holiday (inclusive). The easiest way to pay is by setting up Auto Pay. Exemptions and discounts are also available.
