Holidays are the perfect excuse to play tourist in the city. Instead of rushing past Buckingham Palace yet again, this summer I decided it was time to actually step inside one of the Palace’s attractions. As much as I’d love to explore the opulent State Rooms, I figured that might be a little too grand (and let’s be honest, not so kid-friendly). Instead, we headed for the Royal Mews—a working part of the Palace that promised horses, carriages, and just enough fairytale magic to capture a child’s imagination.

The Royal Mews is where all the road travel for the King and Royal Family is organised—everything from the gleaming Rolls Royces to the magnificent golden coaches pulled by horses. It’s part living stables, part museum, and part backstage pass to the pomp and ceremony we see, for example, during the State Opening of Parliament (I was lucky enough to witness one in 2015 while working at the Houses of Parliament, when Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was still on the throne). 

We hopped off at Green Park and walked toward Buckingham Palace, pausing for a few photos in the sunshine. The atmosphere was pure good vibes—tourists swapping cameras to take pictures for one another, cheerful compliments from strangers (someone admired the crochet in my spotless white blouse—thank you!), and an infectious sense of summer excitement. London can be pretty great, after all.

The entrance to the Royal Mews is just off Buckingham Palace Road, and unlike the Palace’s grand façade, it’s surprisingly discreet.

Inside, visitors can pick up an audio guide, including a dedicated family version that was a huge hit with my daughter. She listened on repeat during the visit! Guided tours are also available, but the included audio guide was excellent. Photos aren’t permitted in the courtyard, as those working at the Mews actually live there—it’s a private community within the Palace grounds, and one that feels straight out of a film.

Because the Mews is a working stable, the carriage horses may or may not be around. We were lucky to spot one right as we entered, though the website gently manages expectations, noting: “Look out for a horse or two during your visit.”Two breeds of horse are used here: the Windsor Greys, which draw the carriages carrying the monarch and royal family, they are not a breed but a type selected by the Royal Mews, and the Cleveland Bays, which handle day-to-day duties such as collecting ambassadors and high commissioners.

Alongside the stables, the Mews also houses the official fleet of royal cars—including sleek Rolls Royces and Bentleys. Standing among them, with centuries-old coaches on one side and modern cars on the other, you really see how tradition and modernity sit side by side in royal life.

But the real stars of the show in the Royal Mews are the coaches—especially the Gold State Coach and the Diamond Jubilee State Coach. Honestly, they’re beyond even Cinderella’s wildest dreams.

The Diamond Jubilee State Coach, though it looks centuries old, was actually built in Australia in 2012 (and first used in 2014) to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee. It’s packed with modern perks like air conditioning, electric windows, six hydraulic stabilisers to keep things steady—and there’s even a hidden camera perched up in the crown. And yes—it whisked King Charles III and Queen Camilla toward their 2023 coronation—while the legendary Gold State Coach carried them back.

The Diamond Jubilee State Coach during the Coronation of King Charles III

The Diamond Jubilee State Coach during the Coronation of King Charles III. Copyright: Royal Collection Enterprises Limited© | Royal Collection Trust

I was genuinely awestruck standing before the Gold State Coach. At over 260 years old, it has been used at every coronation since that of William IV. Queen Elizabeth II travelled in it on her Coronation Day in 1953, it appeared in the Platinum Jubilee Pageant in 2022, and most recently it carried King Charles III during his Coronation in 2023.

The coach itself is extraordinary: seven metres long, nearly four metres tall, weighing four tonnes, and requiring eight horses to pull it. It is made of giltwood, which is a thin layer of gold leaf over wood. Its sides are decorated with painted panels of Roman gods and goddesses, while gilded sculptures and triton figures adorn the roof and wheels. It looks every bit the stuff of fairytales.

The Gold State Coach

The Gold State Coach Copyright: Royal Collection Enterprises Limited© | Royal Collection Trust

The Gold State Coach is also the third oldest surviving coach in the UK, after the Speaker of the House of Common’s Coach (1698) and the Lord Mayor of London’s Coach (1758) and because of the weight and suspension, it is only ever used at a walking pace.

FAMILY VISITS

As for families, there’s plenty to keep children entertained. Inside the State Stables, kids can practise tacking up a wooden pony, pretending to get it ready to pull a carriage. There’s also a dressing-up area where little ones (and grown-ups, if you’re brave enough) can try on specially made liveries, plus a room for colouring carriages and taking a breather.

These small touches make the visit far more interactive and help younger visitors feel part of the royal story rather than just onlookers.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely. It’s a must for anyone who loves all things royal—or has a soft spot for magnificent horses and transport history. And the highlight? Without a doubt, standing before the Gold State Coach. It’s impossible not to feel as though you’ve stepped straight into a living fairytale.

Address and Key Details:

The Royal Mews, Buckingham Palace, London SW1W 0QH. The site has level access throughout, and Green Park is also wheelchair accessible. The toilets were clean and well-kept, and there’s even a water station for refilling bottles, which was a welcome touch on a summer’s day.

  • Nearest Underground Stations:
    • Green Park (Jubilee and Victoria lines). 
    • Victoria (Victoria, District, and Circle lines). 
    • St. James’s Park (District and Circle lines). 

Tickets to The Royal Mews cost £17 for adults and £8.50 for children (under 5 go free), and it’s worth booking in advance to guarantee entry.