{"id":717173,"date":"2026-01-24T08:31:25","date_gmt":"2026-01-24T08:31:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/717173\/"},"modified":"2026-01-24T08:31:25","modified_gmt":"2026-01-24T08:31:25","slug":"royal-homes-you-can-visit-in-2026-and-those-strictly-off-limits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/717173\/","title":{"rendered":"Royal homes you can visit in 2026 \u2013 and those strictly off limits"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have you ever set foot inside a working royal castle or grand palace? 2026 could be your year to do so, as royal residences<\/a> up and down the country will be throwing open their doors for members of the public to come and admire the grandeur in real life. Some of the properties have the most spectacular grounds ideal for sunny afternoon picnics, and others have facilities like on-site restaurants and playparks so you can really make a day of it.<\/p>\n

From King Charles’ grand castle in Windsor<\/a> to Prince William and Princess Kate’s London residence, here are the royal homes you can tour around in 2026 \u2013 as well as the ones currently off limits\u2026<\/p>\n

\"Buckingham\u00a9 SOPA Images\/LightRocket via Gett<\/p>\n

The iconic palace in the heart of the UK capital <\/p>\n

Buckingham Palace<\/p>\n

Although King Charles doesn’t currently reside at Buckingham Palace, this iconic 775-room building is known around the world as his home. While the palace doesn’t open properly until May, there is still a chance to see inside via one of the special guided tours. The East Wing Exclusive Guided Tour is a very unique experience to see rare parts of the building, including the room from which royals step out onto the legendary, much-photographed balcony.<\/p>\n

Booking details<\/strong>: Buckingham Palace<\/a>‘s summer opening period runs from 9 July to 27 September and tickets are \u00a333. Until May, the East Wing tour is running, and tickets are \u00a3100 per person.<\/p>\n

\"balmoral<\/p>\n

Famed for hosting royal summers<\/p>\n

Balmoral Castle <\/p>\n

Balmoral Castle<\/a> is privately owned by King Charles, after he inherited it from his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, but when he became head of the monarchy, he decided to open up access to the public. The building’s royal history dates back to when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert bought it in 1852, and ever since, it has been a very special country house for the royal family.<\/p>\n

Booking details:<\/strong> This year, Balmoral Castle<\/a>‘s grounds are open 28 January to 22 March, and then the summer season runs 28 March to 9 August 2026. Tickets cost \u00a318.50 or \u00a3110 for a guided castle tour.<\/p>\n

\"Holyroodhouse\"\u00a9 Jeff J Mitchell<\/p>\n

This lesser-known royal gem is steeped in history<\/p>\n

The Palace of Holyroodhouse<\/p>\n

Despite Balmoral being an iconic Scottish bolthole, it’s the Palace of Holyroodhouse that’s\u00a0the\u00a0King’s official Scottish residence. Highlights are the state apartments, including the King’s bedchamber and the throne room, where a pair of thrones commissioned by King George V in 1911 sit. It is located at the foot of the Royal Mile and is very popular with Edinburgh’s many tourists.<\/p>\n

Booking details<\/strong>: The Palace of Holyroodhouse<\/a> is open all year round, and you can visit seven days a week from 21 May to 7 September, and the rest of the year, the property tends to close on a Tuesday and Wednesday. Tickets are \u00a322 for an adult when booked in advance.<\/p>\n

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\"Gardeners\u00a9 PA Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n

The property has award-winning gardens<\/p>\n

Highgrove House<\/p>\n

Highgrove House<\/a> is King Charles’ countryside retreat in Tetbury, and it is home to his cherished, award-winning gardens. He doesn’t keep all that beauty to himself, and he allows tours of the grounds throughout the year. You can get involved with an ordinary tour or upgrade to one with champagne afternoon tea or lunch included. Highlights to spy on the tour are the Chelsea award-winning Carpet Garden and the incredible hedges that make up Thyme Walk.<\/p>\n

Booking details<\/strong>: Check the Highgrove <\/a>website for up-to-date garden tour details. Garden tours are priced from \u00a339.90.<\/p>\n

\"General\u00a9 Getty Images<\/p>\n

This residence is known for royal Christmas breaks<\/p>\n

Sandringham House<\/p>\n

Sandringham House and Gardens is well known as being where the royal family spend their Christmas break, however, it is utterly splendid all year round. Ticketholders can expect to tour the eight ground-floor rooms, admiring rare crockery, ornaments and trinkets. However, the glorious estate is there to be enjoyed throughout the year. Take a stroll, or if you have kids, check out the epic children’s playpark<\/a>, which was masterminded by none other than Princess Kate!<\/p>\n

Booking details<\/strong>: Sandringham House<\/a> and gardens are set to officially open on 28 March and will remain open until 9 October (except for closures between 13 July and 3 August, and 20 to 23 August). Tickets cost \u00a326 when booked in advance.<\/p>\n

\"hillsborough\u00a9 Photo: Getty Images<\/p>\n

Check out this Irish royal residence <\/p>\n

Hillsborough Castle<\/p>\n

Hillsborough Castle is the monarch’s official residence in Lisburn, Northern Ireland. The Georgian property was built by Wills Hill and passed down through the Hill generations, and it has had quite a past, being a governmental office and suffering from a devastating fire in 1934. Interestingly, while it is a royal residence for when the monarch comes to Northern Ireland, it is also now home to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n

Booking details<\/strong>: Hillsborough Castle <\/a>itself and its stunning grounds are open on various dates throughout the year, and it is best to check on the website ahead of travel to avoid disappointment. Tickets cost \u00a320.20. Or gardens only tickets are \u00a310.30.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Upper\u00a9 Getty Images<\/p>\n

This 300-year-old castle is worth a visit <\/p>\n

Windsor Castle <\/p>\n

Windsor Castle<\/a> is the world’s largest occupied castle with a fascinating 1,000-year history. Inside its walls, you’ll find incredible spaces like the Crimson Drawing Room and the King’s State Bedchamber. A much-talked-about feature is Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, which was built between 1921 and 1924 for Queen Mary and is on display at the property.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Booking details<\/strong>: Windsor Castle<\/a> is open Thursday to Monday every week for the entire year, so you can see it during any season. Ticket prices are \u00a332 when booked in advance.<\/p>\n

\"Althorp\u00a9 Alamy Stock Photo<\/p>\n

Princess Diana’s former home opens to visitors in summer<\/p>\n

Althorp House<\/p>\n

While not an official royal residence, the stately home of Althorp House<\/a> is where Princess Diana spent some of her childhood, and her brother Earl Spencer opens it up each summer for visitors to tour. The former Princess of Wales has been buried on the Oval Lake within the grounds, and although members of the public are unable to gain access, there is a temple on site that’s used as a shrine to Diana.<\/p>\n

Previously, Earl Spencer has clarified why they are only open for two months of the year. He said: “We are open for July and August each year, by an arrangement reached with the UK Government in 1992. Strange to think that that summer season is bookended by 1 July – Diana\u2019s birthday – and 31 August – the day she died.”<\/p>\n

Booking details<\/strong>: Althorp House <\/a>and gardens are open from July to August. Tickets normally cost around \u00a328.50, but check the website for details.<\/p>\n

\"The\u00a9 Alex Hurtado<\/p>\n

Where Prince William and family stay when in London <\/p>\n

Kensington Palace<\/p>\n

While Prince William and Princess Kate’s London residence,\u00a0Apartment 1A, is\u00a0totally out of bounds, other parts of the palace\u00a0can be enjoyed by members of the public. For example, the Queen’s State Apartments and the dazzling jewel room.<\/p>\n

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Fun fact: When TikTok user @allthatspretty<\/a> was on a tour, she spotted that there was privacy film on the windows to keep prying eyes out of the garden belonging to Prince William and his family.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Booking details<\/strong>: Kensington Palac<\/a>e tour tickets are \u00a320.60, and the property is open all year round (apart from Mondays and Tuesdays until the end of March).<\/p>\n

Closed royal residences\u00a0<\/p>\n

St James’s Palace<\/strong> \u2013 The 2026 schedule is yet to be released<\/p>\n

Clarence House<\/strong> \u2013 King Charles’ private London home, which\u00a0he inherited from his grandmother, the Queen Mother<\/p>\n

Frogmore House<\/strong> \u2013 Where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle held their wedding reception<\/p>\n

Royal Lodge<\/strong> \u2013 The former home of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor,\u00a0located in Windsor Great Park<\/p>\n

Bagshot Park<\/strong> \u2013 Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie’s private home in Surrey<\/p>\n

Gatcombe Park<\/strong> \u2013 Princess Anne’s private home in Gloucestershire, where her daughter Zara Tindall also lives with her family<\/p>\n

Birkhall House<\/strong> \u2013 King Charles’ private residence in Aberdeenshire, Scotland<\/p>\n

With all residences, please check their websites for the most up-to-date closure information.<\/p>\n