Royal Mews

Visit the transport hub of Buckingham Palace at the Royal Mews, Buckingham Palace. A bustling part of Britain’s Royal heritage in the heart of London.

The Royal Mews is one of the finest working stables anywhere in the world and home to the royal collection of historic coaches and carriages, and the Windsor Greys and Cleveland Bays, The Queen's horses that pull them along. To this day, the stables are still responsible for all road travel arrangements for Her Majesty The Queen and other members of the Royal Family.

Enjoy access to the Royal Mews with The London Pass® 

- Pay nothing at the door – simply show your pass.
- Explore the home to historic royal carriages and one of the finest working stables in existence.
- See the Gold State Coach, the grandest coach at the Royal Mews, first-hand.

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- The Royal Mews history

- The Royal Mews highlights

- The Royal Mews facts

- Don’t miss

- Know before you go

- Getting in

- Make the most of your London Pass

- How to get there

History of the Royal Mews

The Royal Mews has been the location of the sovereign's road transport since 1760 when George III moved his carriage collection closer to his new home at Buckingham Palace. Since then, it has been updated by several monarchs in keeping with their changing transport needs.

Among the historic coaches and carriages on display are the spectacular Diamond Jubilee State Coach, which was first used to convey Her Majesty The Queen to the State Opening of Parliament in 2014. The Australian State Coach, which was given to Her Majesty as a gift from the Australian people, is imposing and also includes central heating. The most dazzling of all is the Gold State Coach, however, which has been used at every coronation since that of George IV in 1821.

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The Royal Mews highlights

• See the Gold State Coach, the grandest coach at the Royal Mews, first hand. The Coach has been used in every coronation since that of George V. 
  
  
• Marvel at the regal beauty of the Royal horses. 
  
  
• See The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee coach and try out a royal carriage for yourself.
  
  
• Discover the livery worn by The Queen’s coachmen and dress up in bespoke livery in the State Stables.

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The Royal Mews facts

• The Windsor Grey horses, used to pull the royal carriages, are so-called because they were kept at Windsor during Queen Victoria’s reign. 
  
  
• Cleveland Bays, another type of horse used to pull the carriages, are one of the oldest breeds of horses in the UK. 
  
  
• The Royal stables were originally located in Charing Cross, where the National Gallery is today. 
  
  
• Queen Victoria took full advantage of the ample space at the Royal Mews. She kept up to 200 horses there at one point and also set up a school for the children of its employees.
  
  
• The Gold State Coach weighs almost four tonnes and needs eight horses to draw it. It never moves faster than walking speed.

Read more facts about the Royal Mews here.

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Don't miss

The Gold State Coach
The Gold State Coach was commissioned by George III in 1762 and has been used at every coronation since George IV’s in 1821. Designed to be prominent, the Coach is an impressive 7 metres long and 3 metres tall, and by far the grandest coach at the Royal Mews. On your visit, spot the three cherubs on the roof. These represent the guardian spirits, of England, Scotland and Ireland. They hold the models of the Royal Crown and hold the Sceptre, the Sword of State, and the Ensign of Knighthood in their hands.

Carriage Horses
Chosen for their steady temperament, stamina and obedience, the Carriage Horses are a must-see at the Royal Mews. Discover the two types of horse - Windsor Greys and Cleveland Bays - responsible for transporting high commissioners, ambassadors and royalty. 

Diamond Jubilee State Coach
Built in Australia, the Diamond Jubilee State Coach combines traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, such as hydraulic stabilisers and even central heating. Over 100 historical organisations and heritage sites have donated objects and materials, such as seat handrails from the Royal Yacht Britannia, window frames and interior panels from Caernarfon Castle and The Mary Rose - King Henry VIII’s flagship. 

Interactivity for children
Kids - don't just visit the horses, learn how to tack one! Little ones will enjoy tacking a wooden pony to get it ready to pull a carriage. The immersion doesn’t break there, as they can also visit the State Stables and dress up as a footman in specially-created livery.

Events at the Royal Mews
For more events at the Royal Mews, check the official site. 

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Know before you go

As well as a complimentary multimedia guide for every visitor, the Royal Mews also offers regular guided tours where visitors can learn the history of the Mews and its association with the British monarchy. Eating and drinking aren't allowed inside. However, you'll find plenty of cafés and restaurants nearby.  The Royal Mews is fully accessible. Most of the site is outside, with some cover. For detailed access information and access events, please check the official site.

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Getting in

Present your London Pass® at the main entrance.

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Make the most of your London Pass®

• Make the most of your day out with a combined visit to the Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace: a permanent space dedicated to changing exhibitions from the Royal collection. 
• Buckingham Palace tours are available through The London Pass® from 20th July to 29th September 2019. 
• If you’re visiting the Royal Mews and the surrounding area with a London Pass, remember you entry to the Guards Museum and the Wellington Arch is included. 

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How to get there

By train
- London Victoria. 

By underground
- Victoria, Green Park, St. James's Park and Hyde Park Corner.  

By bus
- 11, 211, C1 and C10 stop on Buckingham Palace Road.  Victoria Coach Station is a 10-minute walk from the Palace.

For more things to do in London, visit the London Pass® blog.

See all attractions. 

Well worth the money! We bought a six-day pass, including an Underground pass, and used it every day we were in London. In fact, I calculated that we would have spent more on getting into places and using the Tube, than the pass cost. The pass book, listing where it could be used, was invaluable and pointed us to places, like Benjamin Franklin's home, we wouldn't have visited otherwise. I'll get a London pass again, next time I visit!
Sally Young from USA

Credit:

Image One: Photographer: Pawel Libera. Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2018

Image Two: Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2018

Image Three: Photographer: Pawel Libera. Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2018

Getting to Royal Mews

Getting to Royal Mews

• Royal Mews The Royal Mews, Buckingham Palace, London, SW1W 1QH

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