7 Reasons to Visit The Royal Mews in London

Everyone has heard of Buckingham Palace, but have you heard of the Royal Mews? It’s an establishment that offers an incredibly fascinating insight into a working branch of the palace.

Visit the Royal Mews At Buckingham Palace

The Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace remains under the radar to many with its low profile. However, we’re about to lift the lid on one of the finest working stables in the world. Designed by John Nash in 1825 it’s home to a collection of historic coaches and carriages.

So on your next visit to London enjoy an attraction not as crowded as the Royal Palaces. Here are 7 more reasons to convince you to visit the Royal Mews in London:

Read More: Best Family-Friendly Places to Visit in London’s West End

Designed by a famous architect

The famous architect John Nash, who rebuilt Buckingham House as a royal palace was also responsible for the Royal Mews. The designs included stables, a riding school, coach houses, and harness rooms arranged around a quadrangle reached through a Doric-style arch with a clock tower.

Working Village in Central London

It’s surprising to see a fully working stable and village in the heart of the capital. A behind-the-scenes look will add a memorable experience to any London itinerary.

The origins of the village date back to 1855 when Queen Victoria opened a school in the mews for the children of families who worked at the palace. In addition, new accommodation was built for the 198 members of staff and their families in 1859, which completed the city village.

Being a working branch of the Royal house, the Royal Mews is responsible for all royal road travel, by car, horse and carriage.

The Royal Stables

At the working stables, you’ll be able to see all the usual duties being performed on a visit. Staff will groom the horses, train them, feed them, clean up after them, and take the horses out for their daily morning exercise.

There are around 30 horses each with a nameplate outside the stall with its name and year of birth. And it’s the job of the reigning monarch to name all the horses in the Royal stable. Only two types of horses are used to pull royal carriages – Windsor Greys and Cleveland bays. However, it’s only the Windsor Greys that are allowed to pull the Queen’s carriage.

Marvel at the Gold State Coach

The opulent golden carriage is one of the most magnificent royal coaches in the world and the highlight of a visit to the Royal Mews. Commissioned for King George III in 1762, he never made the journey to Westminster Abbey in his fancy new toy. They never finished it on time, but it has been used for every Royal coronation since.

On display in the former State Carriage House, it measures 7.3 metres long, 2.5 metres high, 3.9 metres wide and weighs an incredible four tonnes. Decorated with gold leaf, sculptured cherubs, a lion’s head, dolphins, and exquisitely painted panels by the Florentine artist, Giovanni Battista Cipriani. Pure extravagance is a sight to be seen!

Although riding in a fairytale carriage doesn’t necessarily equal comfort. They may look impressive but Queen Victoria said it suffered ‘distressing oscillations’ whilst the Queen’s father said the journey to his coronation ‘was the most uncomfortable ride I have ever had in my life.‘

Great way to learn royal history

The tour takes you through royal and British history via the origins of the coaches along with the historic and modern grand state occasions they were used:

Queen Alexandra State Coach

Made in 1865 as a simple town coach for Alexandra, the Princess of Wales it was converted into a state coach in the 1890s. Today it has the very important job of carrying the dazzling Imperial State Crown worn by the Queen at the State Opening of Parliament, along with the Sword of State and the Cap of Maintenance. Escorted by the Queen’s Bargemaster and Watermen who act as footmen, they travel from the Tower of Westminster on a crimson cushion.

Diamond Jubilee Coach

The Diamond Jubilee coach was made in 2014 and comes with all the mod cons like electric windows, a heater, and air-conditioning. State-of-art compared to the other state coaches it’s actually packed full of extraordinary history.

Integrated into the coach are timbers from the Tower of London and pieces from the Mary Rose. The wooden crown on top contains wood from Admiral Nelson’s flagship the HMS Victory and also fragments of wood from the Antarctic base camps used by Captain Rober Falcon Scott and Sir Ernest Shackleton.

And it doesn’t end there, other historical elements include a musket ball from the Battle of Waterloo and a piece of Florence Nightingale’s dress. Essentially making it a mobile time capsule!

Semi State Landau Coach

Most of the carriages on display are State or Semi-State Landau, basically a convertible in the state coach world. Queen Victoria was a fan and often rode in one with the hoods down. The landaus are now used for a mix of ceremonial and official occasions.

The Royal Cars

The impressive Royal fleet of cars is also housed at the Royal Mews, amongst them the most expensive car ever made by Rolls Royce – a Rolls Royce Phantom IV. Made in the 1950s it’s the oldest car in the collection and by far the most imposing and majestic.

Queen Elizabeth II often travels in an armoured Bentley. The clue to whether she is riding in one is a St. George and Dragon symbol on the bonnet and a Royal Standard flown from the car roof.

The cars are specifically made for royal duties and public processions, so they can run at three miles per hour for long periods. Some also feature special Perspex roofs for the public to easily see the royal passengers.

Is the Royals Mews open when Buckingham palace is closed?

The Royal Mews is open from February to November, unlike Buckingham Palace which is only open during the summer. It’s obviously very busy during the summer as many people visit as part of the Royal Day Out Package.

Royal Mews Tickets

This is a combination ticket that allows you to tour Buckingham Palace, The Queen’s Gallery, and the Royal Mews in one day. The best times are obviously to visit in the Spring, Autumn or winter when the demand is low and it’s less busy.

Visiting during covid19 restrictions

Pre-booking is essential as entry numbers are now reduced and a one-way system is in operation with social distancing and mask guidelines in place. An adult ticket is £13 and a family ticket (inc. 2 adults and 3 children under 17) is £33.50. The interactive family activities are not available due to restrictions, but kids are offered an activity kit to complete during their tour as they visit the Royal Mews.

For more information and to book tickets, please visit the Royal Collections Trust website.
N.B. Due to restrictions, the Royal sites are temporarily closed.

Have you ever paid a visit to the Royal Mews in London? Let me know in the comments box below

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