Quick Overview

Address: Kensington Palace, London W8 (inside Kensington Gardens, west of Hyde Park).
Closest Tube: High Street Kensington (Circle/District), Queensway (Central), Gloucester Road (Piccadilly/Circle/District), Notting Hill Gate (Central/Circle/District).
Good to know: The palace sits within parkland. Allow extra time to walk from the station across the gardens.

Best First-Time Route

Take the Tube to High Street Kensington. Exit to Kensington High Street, walk east to Kensington Gardens, then follow palace signs north (about 10–12 minutes, flat and stroller-friendly).

Scenic Alternative

From Queensway, enter Kensington Gardens and stroll west past the Round Pond toward the South Front (about 12–15 minutes).

Palace Entrance (Timed) VIP Gardens & High Tea

Option 1 — From Central Hotspots (West End, Soho, Oxford Circus)

Good if you’re staying around Oxford Street, Piccadilly Circus, or Leicester Square.

  • Tube (fast): Central line to Queensway, or Circle/District to High Street Kensington, then walk through the gardens.
  • Walk (scenic): From Hyde Park, enter at Kensington Gore and follow signs past the Albert Memorial toward the palace (~20–25 min).
  • Bus: Frequent services along Kensington High Street and Bayswater Road; walking the last stretch is often just as quick.

Paying for Transport

Tap in/out with contactless or Oyster. Buses are cashless and capped daily—great value for multi-ride days.

Option 2 — Nearest Tube & Rail (Easiest for Most Visitors)

High Street Kensington

Circle/District lines. Exit to Kensington High Street → enter the Gardens near the Royal Garden Hotel → follow palace signs (≈10–12 min).

Queensway

Central line. Enter the Gardens by Bayswater Road → walk west toward the Round Pond and South Front (≈12–15 min).

Gloucester Road

Piccadilly/Circle/District. Head north via Queen’s Gate into the park and continue to the palace (≈15–18 min).

Notting Hill Gate

Central/Circle/District. Walk southeast through the Gardens, keeping the Round Pond on your left (≈15–18 min).

Wayfinding

Inside the park, follow signs to Kensington Palace or the South Front. The Round Pond and long avenues are reliable landmarks.

Option 3 — Buses & Best Walking Approaches

Buses along Kensington High Street and Bayswater Road put you a short stroll from the palace. The most relaxing approach is on foot through Kensington Gardens.

  • From Kensington High St: Enter the Gardens by the Royal Garden Hotel and follow signs north.
  • From Bayswater Road: Enter near Lancaster Gate/Queensway and walk west across tree-lined paths.

Photo Tip

Golden hour lights the South Front beautifully. The Round Pond offers wide-angle palace reflections on calm days.

From London Airports

Heathrow (LHR)

Piccadilly line to Gloucester Road (direct), then walk ~15–18 min through Queen’s Gate into the Gardens. Or Elizabeth line to Paddington → Circle line to High Street Kensington.

Gatwick (LGW)

Trains to Victoria → District/Circle to High Street Kensington, then 10–12 min walk through the Gardens.

Stansted (STN)

Stansted Express to Liverpool Street → Central line to Queensway, then 12–15 min walk in the park.

Luton (LTN)

Trains to St Pancras → Circle line to High Street Kensington (or Central line to Queensway).

Luggage

Paths are paved and level—rolling cases are fine. For large bags, consider station left-luggage before sightseeing.

Driving, Parking & Bikes

Congestion & ULEZ

Central charges/ULEZ may apply. Public transport and walking are usually faster and cheaper for palace visits.

Car Parks

Limited street parking near the Gardens. Use paid car parks around Kensington High Street or Queensway, then walk 10–15 min.

Cycling

Cycleways surround the royal parks. Use racks by park gates; cycling inside garden footpaths is restricted—check local signs.

Accessibility

Surfaces are mostly level and wide. High Street Kensington and Gloucester Road have lifts—check live status before you travel.

Practical Tips

Timing

Weekdays and early slots are calmer. Add buffer time to walk through the Gardens—distances feel longer on busy days.

Weather & Shoes

Pack a light layer or umbrella. Wear comfy shoes—paths are paved but you’ll walk across parkland.

Mobile Payments

Use contactless (phone/card) or Oyster on Tube/bus. Daily caps keep fares predictable.

Royal Kensington Walk Afternoon Tea & Walk

Getting There Cheatsheet

Closest Stations

High Street Kensington • Queensway • Gloucester Road • Notting Hill Gate

Typical Walk Times

High St Ken → Palace: 10–12 min • Queensway → Palace: 12–15 min • Gloucester Rd → Palace: 15–18 min.

Wayfinding

Follow park signs to Kensington Palace/South Front. The Round Pond is a handy landmark.

Crowd Strategy

Arrive early or late in the day for fewer people on paths and easier photos by the South Front.

Accessibility

Step-free routes and lifts at nearby stations (check status). Broad, level paths across the Gardens.

Nearby Essentials

Cafés and facilities along Kensington High Street and Bayswater Road; rest spots throughout the Gardens.

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Ready to Go?

Pick a station, enjoy a scenic park walk, and arrive relaxed at Kensington Palace—then make a day of it with gardens and tea.

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