The King’s Royal Residences

Three cheers for an extra bank holiday, hip-hip hooray! Crammed with three bank holidays, May is the perfect time to get out and explore in the spring sunshine. But with two right at the start of the month, get a rattle on to make sure you don’t miss out!

With the coronation imminent, huge international focus will be on our Royal family and celebrations, so we thought we’d have a look round some of the new monarch’s official residences. Yes, we know you’ll get the first one, 5 points. But do you know King Charles’s official residence in Scotland? Or Northern Ireland? All steeped in history, packed with priceless art, furniture and memorabilia, beautifully kept up, and open to the public, these are palaces and castles with something for everyone- yes, glorious gardens and welcoming cafes, too. Charles hasn’t invited us in for a cuppa yet… but one of our Let’s Go Out readers must be “right place, right time” one day- let us know if it’s you!

Buckingham Palace London

We had to start with the Big House! The King's official London residence and a working royal palace, Buckingham Palace is recognised around the world as the home of the monarch, the focus of national and royal celebrations. 2023 marks 30 years since Buckingham Palace opened its doors to the visiting public, for 10 weeks every summer. Indeed, many people think the palace is closed outside May-September, but we’ll share a Let’s Go Out secret: spring is a wonderful time to visit, with guided tours every Friday-Sunday- and a better chance of seeing some Royal action, as Charles won’t be on his summer getaway!

Channel your inner Paddington, as you walk through magnificent State Rooms, including the breath-taking Marble Hall, White Drawing Room, Ballroom, Grand Staircase, and the Throne Room itself. Every room is filled with priceless furniture, paintings, and objects, all with a story, which your guide will bring to life. Then explore the picture-perfect gardens, finishing with Changing of The Guard. Better get practising that curtsey!

Balmoral Castle Scotland

Built in 1855, Balmoral is the Scottish country home of the British Royal Family. Aware that spring and summer show the glorious grounds off in full splendour, “The Firm” open them to the public across these months only. Enjoy a leisurely explore of the grounds and gardens, following waymarked paths or taking take an audio tour, which also brings the castle and area’s history to life.

The castle itself is off-limits, save for the stunning ballroom, the largest room in the Castle, and the highlight for many visitors. Still much used by the Royal Family for dances and banquets today, converted into an exhibition space, 2023’s exhibition presents a photographic display of Royal Monarchs at Balmoral Castle from Queen Victoria to present day, plus a special exhibition celebrating King Charles’s Coronation. Before leaving, pop by the cafe for some homemade refreshment, and, suitably restored, there’s acres of Royal Deeside estate to hike it view-tastically off, too.

Palace of Holyroodhouse Edinburgh 

Standing at the end of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, the Palace of Holyroodhouse is the King’s official residence in Scotland. Welcoming visitors for hundreds of years, this quieter time of year outside the Fringe crowds is a wonderful time to discover this gem of a Royal building. Discover its close associations with some of Scotland’s most well-known historic figures such as Bonnie Prince Charlie. It was also the setting for many dramatic episodes in the short reign of Mary, Queen of Scots, whose apartments you can visit.

Explore 14 magnificent historic and State Apartments, used regularly by the monarch for State ceremonies and official entertaining, and bedecked with great works of art from the Royal Collection. Wander the romantic ruins of the 12th-century Holyrood Abbey, and remarkable royal gardens at your own pace, accompanied by a complimentary multimedia tour. The Queen’s Gallery, located within the Palace, hosts changing exhibitions from the Royal Collection featuring old master paintings, rare furniture, decorative arts and photographs, always stunning and fascinating.

Hillsborough Castle, Northern Ireland

Don’t forget the monarch has a Royal Residence in Northern Ireland! Located just 20 minutes from Belfast, the beautifully restored Hillsborough Castle has welcomed the world and witnessed pivotal moments in history for over three hundred years. As home to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland since the 1970s, Hillsborough Castle has also played a central role in the peace-building process for 40 years. Throughout your tour of the state rooms, still used by the royal family, you’ll hear stories of celebration, entertainment, diplomacy, and negotiation.

Hillsborough Castle's glorious gardens are a joy to explore and delight to the senses, including ornamental grounds, peaceful woodland, meandering waterways and picturesque glens. Offering countless places to unwind and explore, keep an eye out for specimen trees and rare plants. Be among the first to enjoy the newly-restored Walled Garden and previously unseen Lost Garden, then enjoy produce direct from the Walled Garden in the award-winning café.