Buckingham Palace in London is only open a short window each year, so this combo ticket is built for maximum royal payoff without extra planning headaches. You’ll get access to all 19 State Rooms plus the palace garden, then head to a classic afternoon tea setting at The Clermont Hotel near Charing Cross.

What I really like is the scale of the palace visit (every major State Room is on the list) and how the afternoon tea follows with a proper sit-down menu: finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream, and cakes with a long list of tea choices.

One thing to watch: you’re doing a mostly self-paced visit with a fixed gap between the palace entry and tea time, and you’ll need to handle the venue exchange yourself. If you hate walking or tight time buffers, this may feel like more work than it looks.

Key points before you go

• 19 State Rooms plus garden access at Buckingham Palace (limited seasonal opening)
• Audio guide included, so you can move at your own pace inside
• Two fixed times: palace entrance at 13:30 and tea at 16:00
• Afternoon tea at The Clermont Hotel, Charing Cross with finger sandwiches, scones, and cakes
• Self-guided between venues: plan on a walk (about 9 minutes from the voucher spot to the palace, then ~23 minutes to the hotel)

Buckingham Palace State Rooms and the Garden: Why This Is a Limited-Time Treat

Buckingham Palace isn’t just a photo stop. It’s one of the few working royal palaces in the world, and when it opens to the public, the experience changes fast from outside grandeur to inside ceremony. For this ticket, the big draw is that you’re not cherry-picking rooms. You’re set up to see the full sweep: all 19 State Rooms plus the garden that’s open for only 10 weeks each year.

That limited opening matters because Buckingham is always “someone’s home,” not a museum set dressing. The State Rooms are used for ceremonial occasions and official entertaining, so the atmosphere is more formal than you’d get from a typical palace. Even if you’re not a “royal history nerd,” you’ll feel it when you’re standing in spaces designed for official gatherings—high ceilings, heavy furnishings, and art that was brought together for display at the highest level.

The garden adds a nice counterbalance. It’s a chance to breathe a little after indoor viewing, and it also helps break the day into two distinct moods: palace ceremony first, then calmer outdoor strolling.

How the Timing Works: 13:30 Palace Entry and a 16:00 Tea Slot

Here’s the rhythm you’re signing up for. Buckingham Palace entrance is at 13:30. Afternoon tea at The Clermont Hotel, Charing Cross is at 16:00. That means you’ll likely have a chunk of time between the moment you finish the palace route and your tea seating.

This matters because you’re not on a guided escort between venues. The ticket includes palace entry and tea, but it doesn’t include a live guide or transportation. You’re expected to make your own way on foot.

A practical approach: plan to go into the palace with realistic energy for a longer indoor circuit, and then keep your expectations flexible for the gap. If you finish earlier than you want, the walk to the hotel is straightforward along The Mall, and the area is busy enough that you won’t feel stranded. If you finish later, you’ll just want to avoid dawdling near exit points too close to your tea start.

One more timing note from real-world experience: some people report confusion around voucher exchanges and then a longer onsite wait before they got their actual entry. So I’d treat 13:30 as the start of the process, not the moment you’re automatically inside. Build in calm.

Inside the Palace: Royal Collection Highlights You’ll Actually Notice

You’re walking into rooms filled with some of the kind of art that’s famous for being copied in textbooks and still looks impressive in person. The palace route is described as home to treasures from the Royal Collection, including works by Rembrandt, Rubens, and Van Dyck. Those names can blur together when you read them on a page—inside, the scale and placement start to make sense.

The art isn’t the only big-ticket item. You’ll also see sculpture by Canova, and examples of Sèvres porcelain. These matter because they’re not just “decor.” They’re part of the way the State Rooms communicate wealth, ceremony, and taste—where materials and craftsmanship are treated like the main character.

If you’re someone who gets bored in galleries, this route can still work because the rooms are arranged for a reason. You’re moving through spaces tied to ceremonial entertaining, not random “best of” picking. And because the experience includes an audio guide, you can slow down when something catches your eye and speed up when you’re ready to keep moving.

One small but important reality check: I’ve seen reports that photography inside can be restricted at Buckingham Palace. So if taking pictures is a priority for you, don’t assume every room is fair game. I’d treat the day as “look with your eyes first.”

The Self-Guided Audio Guide Experience (and Why It’s Good)

This package includes an audio guide, but it’s not framed as a live commentary tour. That’s a plus for some people and a mismatch for others.

Why it’s a plus: inside the palace, you’ll hit rooms with different moods. One room might hold your attention longer, while another you’ll breeze through. With audio, you control pacing. If you want the story behind a painting, you can stop and listen. If you just want to see where the ceremony happens, you can keep moving.

Why it might be a mismatch: if you prefer someone directing you step by step, answering questions on the fly, and keeping the group together, you won’t get that here. You’ll be managing your own time and route.

And because there’s a voucher exchange before you reach the palace, it’s smart to arrive at the process with patience. Some people describe the day as having extra steps before they got their final tickets and then went through security. It’s not the end of the world, but it’s real—so plan your afternoon like you’re not starting at zero stress.

Afternoon Tea at The Clermont Hotel, Charing Cross: What’s On the Menu

After the palace, you switch gears to comfort and tradition. Tea at The Clermont Hotel, Charing Cross starts at 16:00, with a set menu built around classic afternoon tea structure.

Here’s what’s included on the menu:

• Finger sandwiches: cucumber, cured ham, egg mayo, and smoked salmon
• Scones: fresh scones with English Strawberry & Raspberry jam and Cornish clotted cream
• Cakes and pastries: including Eton Mess, Victoria Sponge, Chocolate and Orange Tart, plus fruit macarons
• Tea or coffee with options like English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Darjeeling, Mint, Green, Fruit, and Chamomile

What I like about this menu is that it’s not trying to be fancy for the sake of it. You get the staples (scones with clotted cream and jam, plus a real spread of sandwiches), then a dessert line-up that feels like it was chosen to satisfy different tastes. If you’re with someone who wants sweet and someone else who wants savory, this setup usually keeps everyone happy.

Also, this is a proper sit-down break after palace walking. Even if you’re not an expert on tea, you’ll get the point: you’re resting, eating, and resetting before the rest of your London evening.

Price and Value: Is $107 Fair for Palace Access plus Tea?

Let’s talk value, because $107 per person can sound steep or reasonable depending on how you frame it.

What you’re getting for that price:

• Entrance to Buckingham Palace
• Access to 19 State Rooms and the garden
• Audio guide
• Afternoon tea at The Clermont Hotel

If you tried to build this yourself—palace tickets plus a “proper” afternoon tea at a central hotel—you’d likely spend comparable money, then add your own time planning and coordinating. The real value here is that the package bundles the two major parts of a very London day: palace interiors and a classic tea service.

The trade-off is flexibility. Because tea is scheduled and the day has a fixed order, you can’t easily replace the tea plan if you’re running late or if you want a different meal after the palace. Also, some visitors report the palace process includes waiting and extra steps to get into the building. If you’re the type who hates lines, you may end up feeling like the structure costs you more energy than you expected.

Still, if you want a straightforward “one ticket, two major experiences” setup, this is a solid use of your afternoon.

Meeting Point and Getting Between Venues on Foot

This day uses your feet. You’re responsible for moving between stops.

Your voucher exchange point is at The Albert Pub, 52 Victoria St, London SW1H 0NP. You need to exchange your confirmation for printed vouchers between 12:00 and 12:45. Then you’ll be provided with tickets for Buckingham Palace and The Clermont Hotel Charing Cross.

From The Albert Pub to Buckingham Palace, it’s about a 9-minute walk along Buckingham Gate/B323.

From Buckingham Palace to The Clermont Hotel, Charing Cross, it’s about a 23-minute walk along The Mall.

Two practical tips:

• Don’t treat the voucher exchange time like a suggestion. If you miss it, the whole day gets harder.
• Build in buffer for walking and for the onsite security/ticket flow. Even when the itinerary looks simple on paper, the palace side can slow you down.

If you’re worried about this being too much self-navigation, that’s a fair concern. The experience is more “package with schedule” than “guided stroll with someone holding your hand.”

Who This Works Best For (and Who Should Think Twice)

This experience is best for you if:

• You want maximum Buckingham coverage in one visit (all 19 State Rooms)
• You like the idea of audio guide self-paced touring
• You want afternoon tea that includes scones, clotted cream, sandwiches, and classic desserts
• You’re comfortable walking between South of the palace area and Charing Cross without relying on transport

It may be less ideal if:

• You dislike waiting in lines or dealing with multi-step ticket exchanges
• You hate the idea of a fixed gap between palace and tea
• You need a live guide to keep everything moving and explained in real time

One more note based on real feedback: some people have been surprised by how the day is run, especially around ticket handling and what’s available once you’re inside. If you’re the kind of visitor who needs everything explained up front, it may feel like unnecessary friction.

Should You Book Buckingham Palace with Tea at The Clermont?

I’d book it if you want a clean, classic London pairing: Buckingham Palace State Rooms + garden access followed by a real afternoon tea in a central location. The menu is straightforward, the schedule is clear, and the package saves you from stitching together tickets and tea reservations yourself.

I’d hesitate if you’re planning a super tight itinerary or if you’re particularly sensitive to waiting and self-guided logistics. The day can feel like it has extra steps, and the gap between palace and tea means you’ll want to stay flexible.

If you’re aiming for a memorable, traditional royal day without overcomplicating your plans, this one is a good match—just go in with calm expectations and a comfortable walking mindset.

FAQ

What’s included in this Buckingham Palace and tea experience?

It includes entrance to Buckingham Palace, access to the 19 State Rooms and the garden, an audio guide, and afternoon tea at The Clermont Hotel, Charing Cross.

What time does Buckingham Palace entry start?

Buckingham Palace entrance is listed for 13:30.

What time is afternoon tea at The Clermont Hotel?

Afternoon tea is at 16:00.

Do I need a live guide during the visit?

No. A live guide is not included, and you’ll be self-guided between the venues.

Where do I exchange my ticket voucher?

You must exchange your voucher tickets at The Albert, 52 Victoria St, London SW1H 0NP between 12:00 and 12:45PM.

How do I get between Buckingham Palace and The Clermont Hotel?

You’ll need to make your own way. The walk is about 23 minutes along The Mall.

Is transportation included?

No. Transportation is not included.

Can I take photos inside the palace?

One review notes that taking pictures inside the castle is not allowed.

Is this experience refundable if plans change?

No. The activity is listed as non-refundable.

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