The Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace London

Overview

Times

Mon-Sun: 10am-5pm (summer hours)

Duration

Two to three hours

Age

All ages welcome

Accessibility

Please contact venue

Location

Royal Mews

Address
Buckingham Palace Road
London
SW1W 1QH
Telephone:
+44 (0)20 7766 7302
Email
[email protected]

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About

Please note: The Royal Mews will be closed 29 Oct - 12 Mar.

Get a taste for splendour at the Royal Mews, one of the most elegant working stables in the world.

The Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace is where you’ll find the royal family’s state vehicles, including horse-drawn carriages and motor cars, and extensive displays of royal carriages and other associated items.

Try out a royal carriage and if you're lucky, spot the royal horses during your visit to the Royal Mews.

What is there to see at the Royal Mews?

Gold State Coach at the Royal Mews

Admire the Gold State Coach, the most beautifully decorated carriage in the Royal Collection. The fairytale-like carriage has been used for every coronation since 1821.

Next, get ready to be awed by the collection of miniature carriages. These adorable creations were designed to be pulled by ponies, goats, sheep or dogs. Make sure to spot the Donkey Barouche, which was made as a Christmas present for Queen Victoria’s children. 

And don’t miss the ribbon-covered sleigh used by Father Christmas each year to deliver presents to the children who live at Royal Mews.

Among the collection of state vehicles, you’ll find the Rolls Royce Phantom VI, which took Catherine Middleton to Westminster Abbey for her wedding to Prince William.

low angle photo of the white royal horses, pulling a small black coach and a rider at the front wearing a top hat

If you’re lucky, you’ll also get to see the royal horses. The Windsor Greys and Cleveland Bays are not always in the stables, but when they are visitors can spot the names given to each horse by Queen Elizabeth II

How long does it take to go through the Royal Mews?

There’s plenty to see at the Royal Mews and lots of activities on offer for families, including climbing into a carriage, dressing up and tacking a wooden horse. It should take between two and three hours to enjoy it all.

Can I eat at the Royal Mews?

The Royal Mews does not have a café, and eating and drinking is not allowed onsite. There are lots of cafes and restaurants nearby.

Is The Royal Mews free to visit?

two men wearing smart shirts, holding an audio guide and wearing headphones, with the gold state coach in the background

There is a fee to visit the Royal Mews. Tickets must be booked in advance  book Royal Mews tickets now.

Make the most of your royal day out by booking combined tickets for Buckingham Palace and Royal Mews to explore both popular attractions in one day; when you select either the 10am10.45am or 11.45am timeslot. 

Where are the Royal Mews?

The Royal Mews is on Buckingham Palace Road, central London. It is directly opposite Buckingham Palace garden.

How do I get there?

The closest Tube station to the Royal Mews is Victoria (Victoria, and Circle and District lines), which is a seven-minute walk away. Alternatively, use St James's Park (Circle and District lines), which is a 10-minute walk, Hyde Park Corner (Piccadilly line), which is a 13-minute walk or Green Park (Victoria line), which is 14 minutes away on foot.

The closest main line station is Victoria, which is a seven-minute walk from the Royal Mews.

Victoria Coach Station is a 10-minute walk from Buckingham Palace.

Several bus routes stop on Buckingham Palace Road, close to the Royal Mews, including: 11, 211, C1 and C10.

Why is it called the Royal Mews?

The history of the Royal Mews and its name goes back to the reign of Richard II in the late 14th century. “Mews” comes from the royal hawks that were originally kept in the King's Mews, with “mew” meaning moulting and the name’s significance coming from the birds being kept inside while their feathers moulted. The building was later destroyed in a fire, but the name “news” was kept even though it had a different function.

Can you see the horses at the Royal Mews?

Look out for a horse or two during your visit to the Royal Mews. They are not always in the stables, but when they are visitors can see two types of horses –  Windsor Greys and Cleveland Bays that are used to pull the carriages at the Mews.

Can you take photos in the Royal Mews?

You can take photos at the Royal Mews, although no flash photography is allowed around the horses. 

Important information

Please note: The Royal Mews will be closed 29 Oct - 12 Mar.

The Royal Mews will be closed 2, 7 and 14 June 2025.

As working royal residences, Royal Collection Trust sites are subject to closures, which may occur to all or part of them at short notice.

Prices and opening times

Child Ticket From £8.50 per ticket
Concession Ticket From £11.00 per ticket
Adult Ticket From £17.00 per ticket

Opening Times

Thursday to Monday: 10am to 5pm

The Royal Mews occasionally closes for state visits, you may wish to check the opening times in advance.