THE QUEENS GALLERY

Located at Buckingham Palace, the Queen's Gallery is a public art gallery dedicated to amazing artworks and treasures from the Royal Collection. Originally a conservatory and then a chapel, it was transformed into a beautiful gallery in 1962 and later expanded for the Queen's Golden Jubilee in 1997. Here, you will find a wide variety of art and historical items that introduce you to the royal world in the flexible gallery spaces.

Nestled within Buckingham Palace, the Queen’s Gallery London is a hidden gem that takes you on a journey through time and artistic splendour. This remarkable gallery features a rich history and insights into the world of British royalty and the arts. 

Originally, it was conceived as one of the three identical conservatories of Buckingham Palace designed by the renowned architect John Nash in the form of Ionic temples. After completion in 1831, this elegant conservatory stood proudly on the southwest corner of the Palace, overlooking the garden. However, history took an unexpected turn in 1843 when the conservatory was reborn as a private chapel for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The chapel served as a sanctuary for the royal couple and marked their appreciation for the fashionable 19th-century watercolour genre. In 1940, the chapel turned into ruins due to an air bombing.

The ruined chapel was then resurrected as The Queen’s Gallery in 1962, which was dedicated to housing the Royal Collection of art, history, and culture. It features a fresh entrance, improved access, flexible gallery spaces, and state-of-the-art environmental controls. Even the entrance is decorated with symbolic friezes and relief panels representing the Patron Saints of the United Kingdom.

Today, the gallery garners the interests of visitors with its dynamic array of exhibitions that showcase precious items from the Royal Collection and reveal the evolving fashion trends of 18th-century Britain.

Highlights

• Pay a visit to the Queen’s Gallery London and discover the beautiful world of art and treasures from the remarkable Royal Collection.
• Explore the "Style & Society: Dressing the Georgians" exhibition that features 200 works, including rare clothing and accessories. 
• Admire courtly gowns and practical dresses from the 18th century, depicted by renowned artists like Gainsborough, Zoffany, and Hogarth.
• Delve into the past and know how clothing offers insights into life during the rapidly changing 18th-century Britain. 
• Wander around the temporary exhibitions that provide fascinating insights into British royalty through art, history, and culture.
• Admire the elegant walls of the gallery that are decorated with intricate detailing and historic design elements. 
• Learn about the establishment of the gallery by Queen Elizabeth II in 1962 to its ongoing role in presenting the Royal Collection to the public. 
• Observe the spectacular old master paintings, sculptures, drawings, decorative arts, rare furniture, and images from a vast photograph collection.
• Take advantage of multimedia guides that use audio and visual technology to provide deeper insights into the exhibitions.

How To Reach

• By Train- You can board a train from anywhere in London to London Victoria and then take a 10-minute walk to reach the Queen’s Gallery. Alternatively, you can take the train to London Charing Cross and then stroll for about 20 minutes to reach your final destination. The entire journey will take you around 30 to 45 minutes to cover a distance of 3.5 kilometres.
• By Tube- Travelling by tube is another excellent option to reach the Queen’s Gallery London. Some of the stations that are located at a 10-minute walking distance from the gallery are Victoria, Green Park, St. James's Park, and Hyde Park Corner. Covering a distance of about 5 kilometres from the city centre, each of these well-connected stations can be reached in just 15 minutes via tube.
• By Coach / Bus- If you prefer to take a coach or bus, you can board bus numbers 11, 211, C1, and C10 and alight on Buckingham Palace Road. From there, you can take a 5-minute walk to reach the Queen’s Gallery London. This journey covers a total distance of about 1.7 kilometres in just 15 minutes.

Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit the Queen's Gallery in London is during the summer season, typically from June to August. During this time, the weather remains pleasant to enjoy both the gallery and the beautiful Buckingham Palace gardens. To make the most of your visit, it is advisable to explore the gallery either early in the morning or later in the evening. This timing helps you avoid the crowds and provides a quieter atmosphere so you can immerse yourself in the art and history at your own pace.

Other Essential Information

Distance from the City Centre: 5 kilometres

Restrictions:

• Smoking and vaping is not allowed in The Queen's Gallery.
• Upon arrival, certain items like knives and large bags are checked, while bicycles and drones are not allowed inside, and unlawful items may be confiscated.
• The use of pen knives and knives with blades under 7.7cm is only allowed when they are checked in and reclaimed at the end of your visit.
• Kirpan the Sikh article of faith with blades exceeding 7.7 cm will also be checked in.
• The possession of CS or pepper sprays in a public space in the UK is unlawful, and such items may be confiscated if brought into the gallery.

Facilities:

• Security- When you arrive at The Queen’s Gallery, you and your belongings will undergo airport-style security checks. Hence, it is advisable to bring as few items as possible and remove metal objects from pockets. Cameras, phones, keys, and wallets should be packed in a bag before going through the security scanner.
• Luggage- The gallery provides a cloakroom for storing coats and bags free of charge during your visit. Certain items, like long umbrellas and large bags, are not allowed in the exhibition space and must be stored in the cloakroom. Large suitcases and heavy luggage will be at the discretion of the staff provided they can pass through the security scanner.
• Pets- Only guide, hearing, or assistance animals are permitted in The Queen's Gallery. 
• Photography- Non-commercial photography and filming are allowed in the gallery. However, commercial filming will require prior application. You should take phone calls outside the exhibition space to respect other visitors.
• Multimedia Guide- You can enhance your gallery experience with the free multimedia guide available in English. The guides and headphones are cleaned before use, and you can use your own standard wired headphones if preferred. Large-print booklets and translations of text panels are available at the multimedia guide desk.
• Refreshments- Eating and drinking are not allowed within The Queen's Gallery, except for bottled water. You should place the bottled water in closed bags upon entry. There are no on-site food and drink services, but numerous options are available in the surrounding area.
• Toilets- Toilets and baby-care facilities are provided within The Queen's Gallery for the convenience of the visitors.
• Facility for Kids- You can usually take baby trolleys into the gallery, but they must be left in a designated area during busy times. Baby carriers and hip seats can be borrowed free of charge if they are subject to availability. 

Accessibility: 

• The Queen’s Gallery is accessible to all visitors. 
• Individuals with disabilities can benefit from rate concessions.
• They can bring a companion completely free of charge.