Attraction 22 / 54
Quick Info
Location
Buckingham Palace Road SW1
Subway
Victoria (Circle, District, Victoria)
Rating
Hotels
landmarkLooking for a hotel near the Royal Mews?Compare hotels and locate them on a map.Start booking here
Visitors to Buckingham Palace can make a side trip to the Royal Mews, one of the finest examples in the world of a working stable.

Doric Arch
History of the Royal Mews
Established shortly after King George III purchased Buckingham Palace in 1760, the Royal Mews has always been an important part of the royal home in London, even in modern times when automobile travel is the
norm and horses and carriages are only used for special occasions.

State Coach
It seems that England’s royal families have always had an affinity for horses. When John Nash remodeled Buckingham Palace in 1820, he took the small stables and turned them into a grand structure, recognizing their importance to the then royal family. When Queen Victoria assumed the throne less than two decades later in 1837, she enhanced the Royal Mews yet again.
Throughout the decades, other additions have been made, including a riding school, a forge, and more stables. The mews also now houses the
royal family’s fleet of automobiles as well as 30 horses, plus living quarters for the horses’ handlers and their families. (The current Queen Elizabeth prefers Cleveland Bays, so visitors will see many horses of that variety.)

The Stables
State Coaches
A visit to the Royal Mews allows guests a look at a permanent display of impressive State vehicles, thirty ceremonial horse-drawn carriages and the magnificent Gold State Coach, which is only used for coronations or very special occasions, like the
Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002.

Gold State Coach
Visiting the Royal Mews
There is a small admission charge to tour the Royal Mews, but the majority of the funds are used for the upkeep of the building and the care of animals that live inside. Guided tours depart at regular intervals throughout the day, from March through October. Special family activities are held at the Royal Mews on Saturday and Sunday, with fun and educational events geared for children up to age 11.
345
- Next: Regent's Park



Printable version