Buckingham Palace

2:11 PM  ISK  

Often heard about, often talked about Buckingham Palace of UK is the home of British Monarchy since 1837. It was first the Duke of Buckingham's townhouse and stood as a private property for almost one and a half century and then was owned by George III. The palace became the official residence for Queen Victoria after that and ever since it is the official royal residence currently for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Located at the Westminster side, Buckingham Palace owns the largest private garden of England too.

In 1703 William Winde provided the design for the Buckingham House which is regarded as the architectural core of the modern day Buckingham Palace. The house however was remodelled in 1762. King George IV renovated the house into a palace with the help of architect John Nash. In 1830 architect Edward Blore was hired to finish the unfinished work of Nash. In 1861 when Queen was widowed she left the palace. Since then the palace was abandoned with neglect.

Palace is built over a ground of 77000m2 with piano nobile containing State Dining Room, Blue Drawing Room, Music Room, White Drawing Room, Royal Closet, Throne Room, Green Drawing Room, Cross Gallery, Ball Room, East Gallery, Yellow Drawing Room, Centre/Balcony Room, Chinese Luncheon Room, Principal Corridor, Private Apartments, Service Areas, The Grand staircase, Ambassador's Entrance and Grand Entrance.

The largest room of the palace is the Ball Room which is also used for occasions like state banquets, investitures and conferring of knighthoods etc. By 1999 the palace contained palace contained 19 state rooms, 52 principal bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices, and 78 bathrooms according to a book published by the Royal Collection Department. Also in honour of Queen Victoria there is a memorial erected in front of the main gates created by the sculptor Thomas Brock. The palace was bombed seven times during World War II at one of which the palace chapel was destroyed in 1940.


Travellers' Guide
Today the Place is a top most tourist attraction in London. If you are planning to visit London make sure you visit Buckingham Palace. Here are first choice hotels in London.

Hotel 41 
41 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0PS, England
44(0)2073000041
The Milestone Hotel 
1 Kensington Court | Kensington, London W8 5DL, England
+44(0)2079171000
Plaza on the River - Club and Residence
18 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TJ, England
Covent Garden Hotel 
10 Monmouth Street, London WC2H 9HB, England
+44 20 7806 1000
The Levin
28 Basil Street | Knightsbridge, London SW3 1AS, England
+44(0)2075896286
Sofitel St James London 
Waterloo Place, London SW1Y 4AN, England








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