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London’s Secret Royal Palaces, Castles and Stately Homes

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Finding historic houses, stately homes and whatever resembles a least a little bit royal palaces in London is something I love doing.

From pretty neighborhoods to places to spot cherry blossom, I see the beautiful in every area I visit in London.

If you’re traveling to London for the first time, visiting those secret castles and royal palaces is a great way to discover London’s history.

And if you’re not a tourist, but living in London on a budget, you’ll be happy to know most of these places are completely free!

London’s Secret Royal Palaces, Castles and Stately Homes

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When wandering around posh areas in London, you’ll come across many more stately homes, historic houses and secret palaces you’d initially think.

Richly decorated with sculptures, lights and paintings, those vast palaces are a great way to break away from London’s most touristic areas.

If, for instance, you’d like some romantic date ideas in London, castles and palaces are usually romantic places to take your other half…

At least in my book!

The Most Beautiful Royal Palaces in London: Somerset House, Central London

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Photo: Somerset House

One of the most central royal palaces in London, Somerset House is a hot spot when it comes to spending summer in London.

Movie showings, activities, shopping areas sponsored by brands like Jo Malone, Somerset House, finished in the 18th Century in a neoclassical architecture, offers both culture and history.

During the winter, Somerset House offers one of the best ice rinks in London, and again, more shops to treat yourself and your beloveds.

From end of November, if you’re looking for the best Christmas decorations in London, don’t overlook Somerset House!

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Photo: Somerset House

On the other side of Somerset House, you will have some of the best free views in London, on the Thames river which glistens when the sun is out.

Inside, visitors are able to walk around the impressive Courtauld Gallery, which in itself is one of the most beautiful art galleries in London.

Read: The Best Free Rooftops in London

The Most Secret Palaces in London: Ham House, Richmond

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Photo: Country Life

Ham House is located in Richmond, one of the prettiest villages in London, and it is yet another hidden gem when it comes to art and architecture.

More of a stately home than other royal palaces in London, Ham House is a 17th century mansion, and one of the best-preserved examples of a Stuart-era house.

If you’re looking for really instagrammable places in London to walk around and snap some shots, Ham House is open to the public.

You can get on a free tour, wander around the historic house, and enjoy a good coffee with cake at the onsite coffee shop!

Read: The Best Charity Shops in London

The Most Secret Royal Palaces in London: Spencer House

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Photo: Spencer House

Spencer House in South West London is probably one of the most beautiful houses in London, and probably the entire world.

Mansion lovers, you will love to visit what used to be home to the first Earl of Spencer, an ancestor of Princess Diana.

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Photo: Spencer House

If you’re looking for completely free things to do in London, that’s not the one, with admission fee currently set at £15 for adults.

There are however some landmarks in London which deserve every penny, and the gorgeously-maintainted Spencer House is one of them.

Read: The Cutest Pink Cafes in London

The Most Beautiful Historic Houses in London: Wallace Collection

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Photo: Wallace Collection

The Wallace Collection is one of the best museums in London, and located in West London, really close to Oxford Street.

Nearby, you not only have Selfridges, one of the best shopping centers in London, but also lots of quaint little streets to walk around and relax.

At the Wallace Collection, previous home of Marquesses of Hertford and Sir Richard Wallace, you will find a world-class art collection.

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Photo: Wallace Collection

Paintings, armor, decorative arts, sculptures and furniture from various periods can be found there.

The French Renaissance style of Hertford House, which hosts the Wallace Collection, is yet another hidden gem in itself.

Rembrandt, Titio and many more celebrities of the arts world have their works exhibited there.

So before you pay a visit to all the cool shops on Oxford St, make sure you stop by the Wallace Collection!

Read: The Best French Patisseries in London

The Most Secret Palaces in London: Eltham Palace

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Photo: Eltham Palace

Eltham Palace and Gardens in Greenwich is one of the best examples we have of medieval royal palaces in London.

This one is an English Heritage site, and no other palace, castle or stately home in London even remotely looks like Eltham Palace.

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Photo: Ceraudo

The highlights of the palace are definitely its secret garden, as well as the beautiful Art Deco mansion.

You’ll find plenty of cool things to do in Greenwich, but visiting Eltham Palace is one you can’t overlook when visiting London!

Read: The Most Instagrammable Cafes in London

Most Beautiful Royal Palaces in London: Strawberry Hill House

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Photo: Discover Britain Mag

Strawberry Hill House was built by Horace Walpole during the 18th Century – Walpole is considered at the forefront of Gothic revival architecture in England.

Well, Strawberry Hill House is considered the perfect example of this architectural house, and the contrast between the pure, white exterior and the bright red and gold interiors is striking.

This would almost make you think of castles in Paris, with romantic curves, pointed arches and turrets.

One of the most beautiful palaces to visit in London if you want to be blown away!

Most Secret Royal Palaces in London: Lincoln’s Inn, Central London

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Photo: CountryLife

Lincoln’s Inn is located in Central London, close to Temple Church and St Paul’s Cathedral.

Lincoln’s Inn is a prominent example of Tudor architecture, and one of the most secret places in London, especially counting in the Inner Temple Garden.

Its history can be traced back to the 13th century, with the collection of buildings used as homes and offices for lawyers.

Lincoln’s Inn is one of the four Inns of Court in London, and walking around this place and Temple Church, one of the most beautiful churches in London, makes for a really unusual date.

Read: How to Eat in London on a Budget

Best Secret Royal Palaces in London: Hampton Court Palace

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Photo: HR Palaces

Hampton Court Palace in Richmond is another one of the most beautiful royal palaces in London, built in the 16th century and later purchased by King Henry VIII.

You have two palaces inside Hampton Court Palace; the Tudor Palace and the Baroque Palace.

They were built one after the other, and while the architecture is different, every little detail is worth observing there.

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Photo: HR Palaces

Even if you’re not a history buff, you’ll find at Hampton Court Palace some of the most beautiful art in London.

It takes some time to reach, since the palace is not located in Central London, but for a romantic date or just to do something when it rains in London, it’s perfect.

Read: The Cutest Villages in London

Most Secret Royal Palaces in London: Crystal Palace

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Photo: HeritageCalling

Crystal Palace was one of the most important palaces in London of the 19th Century, since it was home to the Great Exhibition of 1851.

It used to be located in Hyde Park, and was later moved to Sydenham until it burned in 1936.

The palace cannot be visited, but Crystal Palace Park is one of the best hidden gems in London, with a curated lifesize maze and dinosaur statues.

For those on the hunt for animal statues in London, that’s a place to visit!

Most Secret Royal Palaces in London: Sir John Soane’s Museum

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Photo: Sir John Soane’s Museum

Now, if you’re on the hunt for royal palaces in London that are free to the public, try Sir John Soane’s Museum in Lincoln’s Inn Fields.

Former home to the architect Sir John Soane, the stately home offers sculptures, paintings, and of course, stunning architecture.

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Photo: Sir John Soane’s Museum

It reminds me a bit of the Wallace Collection, with its collection of antiquities and art, and is a place where you can imagine people gathering to catch up back in the day.

Read: The Best Cupcakes in London

The Most Beautiful Royal Palaces in London: Kensington Palace

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Photo: Standard

In terms of secret royal palaces in London, I wouldn’t say Kensington Palace is absolutely secret.

It’s actually one of the most famous palaces in town, and located only a mile from Buckingham Palace.

Kensington Palace used to be Princess Diana’s home, and a spectacular place to visit if you’re hooked on historical houses and gorgeous art.

Queen Victoria was also born there, and if you have time and are looking for things to do in West London, Kensington Palace is a treat.

You’ll also find some of the best cookies in London at Ben’s Cookies in South Kensington, must-tries if you’re staying around those areas.

Read: The Best Bagels in London

The Best Secret Castles in London: Finsbury Barracks, City Road

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Photo: Pinterest

When I used to live in Mile End and Bethnal Green in East London, I used to pass by this castle on City Road, near Old Street, and could not understand what it was.

Well, it’s not one of the royal palaces in London at all, even if it does look like a stunning castle.

A little bit like the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand, which may look like a castle, but are not.

Finsbury Barracks was built in 1857 and also goes by the name City Road Barracks, and basically used to be headquarters to the Royal London Militia.

Since you’re almost in Moorgate, you could pay a visit to Eataly, one of the best Italian food shops in London for fresh pizza, pasta and Italian chocolate!

Read: The Best Neapolitan Pizza in London

Most Secret Royal Palaces in London: Fulham Palace

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Photo: Telegraph

Fulham Palace is located in South West London, after all the cute cafes and charity shops in Chelsea.

Once country home to the Bishops of London, Fulham Palace is one of the royal palaces in London that boast the cutest garden ever.

You can easily access Fulham Palace from Putney Bridge tube station, where you’ll also find one of the best second hand bookshops in London, Hurlingham Books.

If you like finding beautiful bookshops, that’s another place you really have to check out.

Entrance to Fulham Palace is completely free, and everything from the Tudor courtyard to the Great Hall is worth a picture.

Read: The Cutest Bakeries in London

The Most Beautiful Stately Homes in London: Chiswick House

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Photo: Chiswick House and Gardens

Chiswick offers some of the prettiest streets in London, and the opulent West London area also offers a beautiful stately home.

Chiswick House was built in the 18th century, and the architecture and art if offers revolves mainly around Italian renaissance and antique Roman art.

I love finding Roman ruins in London and Roman sculptures, so to have a rotunda and frescoes all around the historical house really is a sight to gorge oneself on.

The gardens are also worth a good glance, and neatly curated in the English garden style.

It’s not completely free to access either the house or the gardens, but totally worth it.

Read: The Most Unique Shops in London

The Most Beautiful Royal Palaces in London: Tower of London

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Who would have thought that the Tower of London is one of the most historical royal palaces in London?

Yup, it’s not just home to the Crown Jewels.

Labeled UNESCO World Heritage Sight, the Tower of London is one of the most famous attractions in London.

Founded in 1066, this beautiful palace was in turn a palace, a menagerie, an armory, a prison and a treasury.

You’re really close to Tower Bridge and the Shard here, and whether you choose to relax in the garden or go work at the nearby Starbucks cafe, this is a pretty area to walk around.

Read: How to Spend 24 Hours in London

The Best Secret Castles in London: Lambeth Palace

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Photo: Archbishop of Canterbury

Lambeth Palace is located in the borough of Lambeth in South London, and its history can be traced back to the 13th century.

Home of the Archbishop of Canterbury, senior bishop of the Church of England, this is actually one of the most essential royal palaces in London.

The various buildings were erected at different times, and if you’re looking for incredible architecture in London, the Chapel and the Great Hall are two must-sees.

And for book lovers, the Lambeth Palace Library is one of the most beautiful libraries in London – don’t miss out on it!

Read: The Most Secret Beaches in London

Most Secret Royal Palaces in London: Greenwich Palace/Old Royal Naval College

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Photo: Cog Design

One of the best things to do in Greenwich is to visit the Old Royal Naval College.

In my opinion, it’s one of the most gorgeous photo spots in London, and really perfect once color-graded on Illustrator.

Perfect for Pinterest, too!

The Old Royal Naval College now stands in lieu of the Palace of Placentia, built in the 15th Century and later called Greenwich Palace.

This stately home was the birthplace of several monarchs like King Henry VIII, Queen Mary I and Queen Elizabeth I.

The Old Royal Naval College is one of the best hidden gems in London, and really perfect when you’re looking for nontouristy things to do!

Read: How to Make Friends in London

The Most Beautiful Royal Palaces in London: Buckingham Palace

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Photo: House and Garden

Talking about nontouristy things to do in London, Buckingham Palace is definitely not the one.

However, it’s one of the most famous royal palaces in London, and located in the City of Westminster, with Hyde Park surrounding it.

Buckingham Palace was built in 1703, and has been the private residence of British monarchs since its purchase by King George III in 1761.

Not too far from Buckingham Palace, you have Bayswater, Lancaster Gate and Paddington, with some of the cutest mews in London.

It’s a great place to write in London, to relax, read, or just have a picnic before going clothes shopping on Oxford St or Knightsbridge!

Read: The Best Apps to Survive in London

Best Secret Royal Palaces in London: Winchester Palace

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Photo: Fun London Tours

If you’re interested in finding beautiful ruins in London, you could start in London Bridge, right off Borough Market, with Winchester Palace.

Located on Pickfords wharf, this 12th century palace was residence to the powerful Bishops of Winchester.

Most of it was demolished after the 17th century and it’s quite incredible to tell yourself this used to be a full palace at some point.

People walked these walls, of which now only ruins remain, and the ancient monument is now labeled English Heritage.

Of all the cool things to do in London Bridge, popping by Winchester Palace is certainly one of the coolest.

And you also have Bread Ahead Bakery, as well as the astonishing Southwark Cathedral just a few steps away!

Read: The Best Things to Buy in London

Most Secret Royal Palaces in London: Banqueting House, Whitehall

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Photo: HRPalaces

The Banqueting House in Whitehall is another one of the most famous royal palaces in London, designed at the beginning of the 17th Century.

Here, we have a perfect example of Palladian architecture, which emerged in Venice and blew up in England with its classical elements from Ancient Rome and Greece.

The Banqueting House in Whitehall features countless allegorical scenes, elaborate and beautiful, with ceilings painted by none other than Rubens.

If you’re looking for historical houses in London, the Banqueting House has more than one secret up its sleeve!

Read: The Best Vegan Doughnuts in London

Most Beautiful Royal Palaces in London: Apsley House

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Photo: Pooky

Apsley House is probably one of the most beautiful royal palaces in London, hidden away at Hyde Park Corner.

One of the most famous highlights of Apsley House is its painting ‘The Waterseller of Seville’ by Diego Velázquez.

That’s not all you’ll find there, as in addition to Velázquez and Rubens works of art, the interiors are so opulent you’ll wonder how it is even possible.

We’re really close to Knightsbridge here, so once you’re done visiting Apsley House, a visit to Elan Cafe on Hans Crescent is totally appropriate.

Plus, you’ll be snacking in one of the cutest pink places in London and facing Harrods directly.

And since Harrods is one of the best department stores in London… We’re really on for a fully satisfying day.

Read: The Most Colorful Streets in Notting Hill

Best Secret Royal Palaces in London: St James’s Palace

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Photo: RCT

One of the most important royal palaces in London, St James’s Palace also doubles as one of the oldest buildings in town.

If you are walking around famous areas in London like Buckingham Palace, take some time to see St James’s Palace, built in the 16th by King Henry VIII.

It’s quite crazy to find such well-preserved, secret castles in London, and this one is right in the heart of the city!

This palace is not the primary residence of the British monarch anymore, as it was for monarchs like Queen Mary I and Queen Elizabeth I, but it is still a significant location for official ceremonies.

Read: The Most Colorful Streets in Camden

London’s Secret Royal Palaces, Castles and Stately Homes

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There you have them, all the best royal palaces in London, secret castles and stately houses to visit!

One of the things I wish I knew before going to London for the first place is just how many hidden palaces there are.

And of course, with palaces, you can almost always find parks and gardens – if you love finding secret gardens in London, we have a two birds one stone situation here!