Clarence House - © ChrisO
Clarence House is the official residence of the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William and Prince Harry. The royal residence is located close by to Buckingham Palace in central London and for a few months each summer visitors can take a tour of the residence. The elegant and stylish building contains some fine collections of royal art works, silver, porcelain and other treasures and offers visitors the chance to visit another royal residence in the summer months. The house has been a home to various monarchs and members of the royal family and contains a wealth of heritage and history visitors can explore further.
Attractions
Clarence House is located walking distance from Buckingham Palace and stands beside St James' Palace just off Green Park in central London. The residence was built from 1825 until 1827 and was designed by John Nash for Prince William Henry, Duke of Clarence who lived at the residence from 1830 up to 1837. Over the years the house has been altered a number of times, reflecting the needs of its various occupants since the 19th century.
The residence was formerly the London home of the Queen Mother from 1953 until 2002 and home to the Queen who at the time was Princess Elizabeth back in 1947. Currently the house is open to the public during a few months in the summer each year, usually in Aug & Sept.
Despite the world renowned Buckingham Palace being located in close proximity, Clarence House is a tourist attraction in its own right and offers visitors with an interesting tour that includes plenty of history and heritage. Some tourists miss a visit here during their time visiting London which is a shame as a visit here provides a fascinating insight in to a modern Royal residence that retains its historical charm.
Back in 2002-03 the residence was renovated and redecorated for the arrival of the Prince of Wales. The house symbolises an important part of the UK's national history and heritage thus the property was renovated in order to preserve it.
The Prince of Wales formally moved in to the house in August 2003 and with the Prince involved in a number of projects and charities, the profile of the house in the public consciousness has increased in that time. As a result of the renovation new colour schemes for most rooms were introduced along with new textiles and art pieces from the collections of the Prince of Wales and the Royal Collection.
The residence is the home to office accommodation for The Prince of Wales's Household, who help and support in their official engagements and liaise with the many organisations that the Prince of Wales is actively working with.
The Main rooms of the house are currently used by The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall for occasions such as receptions, to receive official visitors to the UK from all over the world and official entertaining.
Guided Tours are given to visitors to the house of the five rooms and adjoining spaces located on the ground floor. The arrangement of the rooms and the contents are similar to what they were when Queen Elizabeth stayed here and there are still many works of art and furniture from the time the Queen stayed here. The house is one of the few royal houses that has been maintained and used for the original purpose it was built for. As an official royal residence the house is very much at the centre of Royal life and work.
The Royal Collection and the collection from Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother are available for the public to view. The wonderful collection particularly in British art in the 20th Century contains a number of important and heralded works by John Piper, Graham Sutherland and Augustus John among others. In addition there are wonderful examples of silver, porcelain and Fabergé among other treasures at the house.
How to Get There
The Royal residence is accessible by both car and public transport.
By Car:
Clarence House is located within the London Congestion Charging zone. Visitors need to factor in the cost of this when visiting by car, the Trafalgar and Abingdon car parks offer car parking facilities. There are also metered street parking bays on some of the roads close by. For those using Satellite Navigation systems the postcode to use is SW1 1BA.
By Train:
The closest train station is London Victoria, there are connections to trains across London and to other towns and cities across the UK from here. The palace is within walking distance from Victoria station.
By Bus:
The bus route numbers 8, 9, 14, 19, 22 and 38 stop at Green Park a short distance away.
By Coach:
There are regular coaches from National Express to and from Victoria Coach station a short distance away making it convenient for visitors from across the UK to get to central London.
By Underground (Tube):
There are a number of Underground stations within a short distance of the palace these include Green Park, St James' Park, Victoria and Hyde Park Corner.
Contact Details
Clarence House
St James's Palace
London
SW1A 1AA
England
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7766 7321
Fax: +44 (0)20 7930 9625
email: groupbookings@royalcollection.org.uk
Website: Royal Collection
Facilities & Information
Opening Times:
Summer Opening:
Early August to Late September:
Mon to Sun: 10.00 to 16.00 (last admission at 15.00)
Note: Admission is by guided tour. All tickets are timed and must be pre-booked. The guided tours will start promptly at the time stated on the ticket. Ensure you are there on time as those coming late will not be admitted.
As a working Royal residence opening arrangements and timings are subject to change at short notice. It is recommended visitors check all opening and closing times and specific days that visits are open when booking to get the latest information & avoid disappointment.
Further Information:
Admission Prices:
Adult: £8.00 approx, Children: £4.00 approx, Concessions: £8.00 approx. Under 5's: Free Entry.
Information:
There are no toilets for public use, visitors can go to facilities at Green Park or St James's Park underground station.
Food and drink are not available at Clarence House. There are number of food and drink places close by for any food and drink requirements.
Map
View Larger Map
For Local Search and Directions see: Clarence House Map
Tips & Other Considerations
There may be some variations on the opening hours depending on the time of year and the attraction you wish to see. It is wise to double check before going to ensure the attraction you wish to see is open and avoid disappointment.
Visitors should remain alert and aware of your belongings at all times especially your wallet/purse and valuables and ensure they are hidden away from public view. If you have a bag try to use a shoulder bag with a good quality, strong strap, that is put across your shoulder not on your shoulder making it more difficult for anyone to take your bag.
If you are travelling by car to central London ensure you are well prepared with maps and Sat Nav to aid your journey, particularly if you are not familiar with the local area and roads. Check traffic news & updates before travelling.
If you are looking for car parking close by to Clarence House, ensure you fully understand the rules, regulations & charges for car parks and street parking. The rules & regulations can be complex & confusing if you are unclear, it is wise not to park there. Parking rules are strictly enforced in central London & can result in fines, clamping and towing of vehicles.
Drivers should be careful of the car parking charges they can be very expensive anywhere from £4 to £6 or £7 per hour depending on the car park/street parking charges. Visitors can save on car parking if they visit on Sundays, there is no congestion charge and the hourly rates in some car parks are reduced. On Sundays it is possible to get cheaper street parking too with significant savings compared to other times.
If you are travelling by public transport, check for service updates prior to beginning your journey for any delays, disruption or cancellations to services that may impact on your journey. Ensure you have the service timetables for the trains, trams, buses and coaches. Remember when the last services are and ensure you make it to the train/bus/coach stops well in time to avoid missing the service.
Disclaimer: The information given in on this website is given in good faith and to the best of our knowledge. If there are any discrepancies in no way do we intend to mislead. Important travel details and arrangements should be confirmed and verified with the relevant authorities.
