Royal stables can be quieter than the palace gates. In London’s Royal Mews, you get the rare chance to see the Royal Family’s road transport up close, with a multimedia tour that explains what you are looking at as you walk.

I love how close you are to the coaches, especially the Diamond Jubilee State Coach used for the 2014 State Opening of Parliament. And I also like the shock of scale you get with the Gold State Coach, a coronation icon used for generations, including Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 and King Charles III in 2023.

One thing to plan for is that this ticket focuses on the Mews only. It is not a full Buckingham Palace interior tour, and your horse viewing can be limited depending on what is out and about that day.

Key highlights

• Working stables in action, responsible for road transport for the King and the Royal Family
• Diamond Jubilee State Coach (used in 2014 for the State Opening of Parliament)
• Gold State Coach, used at coronations since William IV, most recently in 2023
• Windsor Greys and Cleveland Bays, the horses trained here to pull the carriages
• Multimedia tour in 9 languages, with audio designed to keep things understandable

Royal Mews entrance: exchange your voucher, then plan for security

Your visit starts on Buckingham Palace Road. You swap your voucher at the ticket office, then head through the visitor entrance to reach the Royal Mews area. The experience is timed by your starting slot, so once you have your entry time, try not to wander around too long nearby.

Before you enter, expect airport-style security checks for you and your belongings. The best move is boring but effective: bring as little as possible. There is no cloakroom for items you cannot take inside, and large bags are simply not allowed.

A small-group feel helps. Your group is limited to 10 participants, which makes the visit feel less like a conveyor belt and more like a calm walk where you can actually look. If you have ever tried to tour famous London sights with kids, this kind of pacing is a win.

What the Royal Mews actually does: horses plus the road transport system

The Royal Mews is not just a museum storage room. It is a working stable that handles training and the practical side of Royal transport. The stables are responsible for training the horses that pull the carriages, including the Windsor Greys and Cleveland Bays. So instead of seeing horses only in photos, you are aiming to spot them in their own working environment.

In real life, that means horse visibility can vary. Some visitors note they saw only a couple of horses at their time, and you may find you cannot get right up beside every stall. If horses are your top priority, treat the horses as the plus, not the only reason you came.

Also, the Royal transport side is part of the thrill. You will be surrounded by vehicles that are more than decorative. They are built for specific Royal occasions, and the Mews explains how the vehicles fit into real events, from state moments to coronations.

Diamond Jubilee State Coach: the up-close wow factor

If you want one coach that anchors the whole visit, it is the Diamond Jubilee State Coach. This is the spectacular carriage that conveyed Queen Elizabeth II during the State Opening of Parliament on 4 June 2014.

Up close, that date matters in a way photos never do. You are looking at something that is recent in Royal terms, not just dusty-and-old. Seeing it in person gives you a clearer sense of scale, craftsmanship, and presence. It also helps you understand why these vehicles get preserved and maintained so carefully. This is not nostalgia for its own sake, it is operational heritage.

I also like how the Mews frames the coach in context. You are not just staring at ornamentation. You are learning what it did and why it looked the way it did for a formal state setting.

Gold State Coach: coronations since William IV, right in front of you

The Gold State Coach is the big one, and it is right there for you to see. It has been used at every coronation since that of William IV, which gives it a time-spanning connection you can feel immediately.

Queen Elizabeth II used it for her coronation in 1953. The most recent use was for the Coronation of King Charles III in 2023. That continuity is a key part of the visit, because it turns a single object into a chain of Royal history across centuries.

The other thing I appreciate is how this coach changes your sense of what Royal pomp looks like. It is easy to think of a coronation as a ceremony and forget the physical logistics. The Gold State Coach is proof that pageantry runs on engineering, materials, and careful upkeep.

If you are coming with kids, this is often the highlight. One review mentioned the pure wonder of seeing the coronation carriage in person after having only seen a coronation memory on TV. That is the kind of moment that helps kids understand that history is not trapped behind glass.

Australian and Irish State Coaches: the details that make the story click

Two other coaches deepen the experience because they show different needs, different eras, and different Royal travel styles.

The Australian State Coach is a great example. It features central heating and electric windows. It carried Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace after the Royal Wedding in 2011. The interesting part for you is that it reminds you these are not frozen in time. Even the Royal transport world adapts to comfort and practicality.

Then there is the Irish State Coach, purchased by Queen Victoria in 1852. Queen Victoria, King George VI, and Queen Elizabeth II have all traveled to the State Opening of Parliament in this carriage. This is one of those details that makes the Mews feel less like a single exhibit and more like a working archive tied to recurring national events.

Together, these coaches do something powerful: they help you see Royal transport as a system. Different vehicles handle different occasions, and the Mews is the place where all that preparation happens.

Seeing the horses: what you can expect, plus a smart viewing plan

Your ticket includes time in the stables area where you may see the horses that draw coaches and carriages. The goal is not only to spot them, but to understand how the Mews training links to the vehicles you just admired.

In practice, you might not see many horses at once. One review notes only two horses were visible, and you could not get over to them for close viewing. That does not mean the experience is disappointing, it means you should shift your focus from quantity to quality.

Try this approach:

• Look for where the training stalls and harnesses are placed relative to the coach area.
• Spend your time on the spots where you can see horses clearly, then rotate back to the coaches once the stable view is done.

Also, some visitors mention stables with tack and horse-related equipment that makes the whole thing feel real, not just decorative. If you love equestrian details, this is where your brain will zoom in fast.

If you are hoping for lots of horses, bring flexibility. A short visit can still be very satisfying, especially because the coaches are so visually dramatic.

Multimedia tour in 9 languages: use it to make the visit stick

Your ticket includes a multimedia tour in 9 languages. The audio guide covers Spanish, Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Russian. That is a big plus if you are traveling with someone who finds English tiring, or if you simply like confirming details in your own language.

I like that the audio does not just read dates. It gives you meaning. When you know what a coach did, you notice different design features. You also understand why certain horses and transport roles are trained and maintained.

A practical note from reviews: the digital audio can work well for multiple generations, including kids. One review specifically praised that a 7-year-old found it interesting, not just background noise. So if you are traveling as a family, plan on this being a calmer alternative to chasing big crowds.

Even when the tour content is self-guided, the staff can add extra context. Reviews mention guides such as Jorge and hosts including Lynne, plus other praised guides like Phil and Seba. If a staff member steps in during your group time, it is worth asking one short question. You will get a better connection between what you see and why it matters.

Timing it right: how long the Mews visit usually feels

Your ticket is valid for 1 day, with starting times based on availability. The visit itself is typically a shorter outing. One review notes the stop is perfect to fill 1 to 2 hours, especially for families and kids.

That time window is part of the value. You do not need to clear half your day in London just to get something meaningful. You can fit it before or after other palace-area plans without feeling trapped.

When you arrive, allow a little extra buffer. One review points out ticket collection at the ticket office can be slow, especially when voucher details must be reentered into the system. This is the kind of friction that can cut into your experience if you arrive exactly at your time and you are hoping for zero waiting.

Crowds, photography, and phones: keep expectations realistic

One of the nice surprises is how easy it can be to tour at a relaxed pace. Reviews repeatedly describe it as not crowded, with a walk-through that you can take at your own speed.

Photography and filming for non-commercial purposes are welcomed. Mobile phones can also be used, just be respectful of other people while you shoot. In other words, you can capture the coaches, but keep it human.

As for the stable area, remember that horses might not be out the whole time, and viewing space can limit how close you get. Treat this like a working facility, not a choreographed show.

When you plan your expectations like that, you will enjoy it more. If you assume every stall will be packed, you can end up mildly disappointed. If you assume you might see just a couple of horses but you will almost certainly see the main coaches, you will likely leave happy.

Price and value at about $22.90 per person

The ticket price is listed at $22.90 per person. For London, that can sound either pricey or reasonable depending on what you compare it to. Here is how I judge the value based on what is included.

You get:

• Entrance to the Royal Mews
• A multimedia tour in 9 languages

More importantly, you are paying for access to working Royal transport artifacts, not generic souvenirs. The Diamond Jubilee State Coach and Gold State Coach are major headline objects, and they are shown as real objects in their original Royal setting, not just behind barriers from a distance.

If you love horses, coaching design, or the practical side of state ceremonies, this feels like strong value for a short visit. If you came to see the most famous grand rooms inside Buckingham Palace proper, you might feel like your money is going to a smaller footprint. The Mews is focused. That is the trade.

Who should book this Royal Mews ticket

This is a great pick if you:

• Want up-close coaches used for real Royal events, including coronations and state occasions
• Like horses and want to see the Windsor Greys and Cleveland Bays connection
• Are traveling with kids who can enjoy a focused 1 to 2 hour outing
• Prefer small-group settings that let you look without stress

It is less ideal if you:

• Want a full-day palace interior tour with lots of rooms and artwork
• Expect constant horse activity on every visit

In short, think of it as a practical behind-the-scenes Royal experience. It is about transport, training, and ceremony in motion.

Should you book the Royal Mews entrance ticket?

I would book it if you want the best combination of scale and accessibility. The big coaches are the show, and the working-stable angle gives you something you cannot easily replicate elsewhere in London.

Book it especially if you have limited time and you want one memorable palace-area stop that still feels authentic. It also works well across ages because the audio tour helps connect the visuals to the story.

Skip it only if your heart is set on a larger Buckingham Palace interior tour. This ticket gives you the Royal transport world, not the entire palace. If you come with that mindset, you are likely to leave thinking you got exactly what you paid for: coaches up close, horses in context, and a surprisingly calm visit.

FAQ

Where do I exchange my voucher before entering the Royal Mews?

You exchange your voucher at the ticket office, then proceed to the visitor entrance to the Royal Mews on Buckingham Palace Road. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long is the ticket valid, and do I choose a time?

The ticket is valid for 1 day. You will need to check availability to see starting times.

What languages are included in the multimedia tour?

The multimedia tour is available in Spanish, Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Russian.

Is the group size limited?

Yes. The experience is a small group limited to 10 participants.

Are luggage or large bags allowed inside?

No. Luggage or large bags are not allowed, and there are no cloakroom facilities for storing items you cannot bring in.

Can I take photos or film?

Photography and filming for non-commercial purposes are welcomed. Mobile phones can be used, with consideration for other visitors.

Can I convert this ticket into a 1-year Pass?

No. Tickets purchased through GetYourGuide cannot be converted into a 1-year Pass.

What is the cancellation policy?

There is free cancellation, with a full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance.