The Royal Mews, Buckingham Palace Reviews Summary

Category: Heritage museum

Address: Buckingham Palace Rd, London, SW1W 0QH, United Kingdom

Phone: +443031237302

Rating: 4.4
based on 186 reviews.

Guided Tours

Pros:

  • "It was still an interesting visit with a guided tour."
  • "Very nice to see how the horses and carriages are kept."
  • "You see the horses and sometimes even see them walking around the courtyard."
  • "Visited the Palace gardens a little disappointed in that lots of the garden were roped off and only luckily did we get to view this area by booking the prearranged guided tours."
  • "This was a great experience."
  • "A fantastic experience made even more special by Mandy, our guide."
  • "They have free guided tours where you can walk around with one of the people and they explain everything to you."

Cons:

  • "Guides standing around were not very polite to us just because we happened to be standing in the vicinity of a private tour."
  • "The self guided tour was a leaves a bit to be desired, great to have it but could have been clearer in terms of labeling if you want to go through at a different pace."
  • "Also not much time to look around if you do the full time in the gallery, as you then have to rush off for the palace tour."
  • "Some of the staff should chill out a bit and remember they aren't the Royalty!!! Telling people to hang up the headphones themselves, because they were too busy putting the iPads away is really poor arrogant customer service!!!!"
  • "Checking in was a long and boring event in itself even though we had purchased tickets online."
  • "Signage to find the Entry spot to see the Mews is appalling."
  • "Very disappointing. We queued for 1/2 hr even though we had pre booked! And £9 was excessive for what we saw."

Collection & Exhibits

Pros:

  • "Here you'll explore the history of the royal horses and carriages throughout the centuries."
  • "Fantastic collection of vehicles, both horse drawn and petrol powered."
  • "Lovely collection of Royal Coaches here, used for State occasions."
  • "Everyone must visit this inauspiciously named venue. The sheer opulence and crafstmanship of the carriages etc leaves you in awe."
  • "Wonderful to see these amazing carriages."
  • "The carriages are stunning, so cool to be able to see them up close and learn about their history too!"
  • "The big golden carriage was a sight to see, soo beautiful and HUGE."

Cons:

  • "Disappointed. I came to this place expecting a fairy tale garden befitting the royals, I got a mediocre green space with trees and some plants."
  • "What they showed was really interesting. However I have to admit that we expected a larger collection for the price paid."
  • "Showed 1 stable with a horse in it. Here’s some carriages. Here’s some harness. That’s it."
  • "A small little area that includes lots of royal carriages and stables."
  • "Not sure about this. On the London tourist trail. Lovely carriages on show but a bit cramped."
  • "Very disappointed, extremely expensive for what it is. 2 horses, empty horse bays, a handful of horse drawn coaches including a very ostentatious coronation coach and one car."
  • "Overall very few things to see if you are not super duper into coaches/carriages."

Value & Accessibility

Pros:

  • "Not expensive and came with a free tour that offers much more than if you try at it alone."
  • "If you gift aid your ticket you can go back again free for 12 months."
  • "Worth the money 100%."
  • "I was Surprised at how much I enjoyed this event that I went back again with my son as well only takes an hour or so but make sure you go on the free guided tour and both times I did I had different knowledge shared."
  • "Will definitely go again as we got our ticket stamped so now a free one year pass."
  • "Included with the London Pass."
  • "Great value for money for what u get to see."

Cons:

  • "Remember that the entry fee isn't that cheap."
  • "Expensive and it's all over pretty quickly."
  • "The Queen was at Windsor for an extended stay when we visited so there were only 2 horses. And one car. But plenty of carriages."
  • "The coaches are cool, especially the golden one, but it was really busy on a Friday afternoon in summer and most tourist are absorbed by their audioguides and don't pay much attention to where they are going."
  • "According to the Palace Shop opposite the Mews is closed ‘due to the pandemic’. A pity this is not made clear on their website or by other booking sites, or even on the door."

Staff & Service

Pros:

  • "Very interesting and helpful staff."
  • "The knowledgeable guides provide an in-depth look at the history and function of the Mews."
  • "The staff were really friendly and told you exactly the route to follow as well."
  • "Employees are very dedicated and eager to help when necessary."
  • "Our tour guide, Andrea, was very friendly and knowledgeable."
  • "Really love the way that the traditional steps to running the mews have been kept and the skills are still being passed on so we will not lose them."
  • "The staff were extremely helpful making a wheelchair available for my mother who was having some mobility issues."

Cons:

  • "Needs more personal interaction and guidance on the horses."
  • "Some of the staff should chill out a bit and remember they aren't the Royalty!!! Telling people to hang up the headphones themselves, because they were too busy putting the iPads away is really poor arrogant customer service!!!!"
  • "Stood outside Buckingham Palace, was okay. Dont get what all the fuss is about."
  • "I felt sorry for all the people who had travelled so far to see the Queen, family etc., and actually saw very little."

Interactive & Educational Elements

Pros:

  • "Portable audio equipment is provided so as to listened to the history of each area you come across."
  • "The multimedia guides really are fantastic and give all the information you need."
  • "In the old stable block, there are interactive displays. Play dress up, take a seat in a landau."
  • "You can dress up as a horse rider there and take pictures, pretty fun."
  • "There is a part where children can colour in which we ended up sitting down and joining in too."
  • "Theres also a small room with kids activities which was great for the kids."
  • "FREE audio tour was nice! Clean bathrooms!"

Cons:

  • "The self guided tour was a leaves a bit to be desired, great to have it but could have been clearer in terms of labeling if you want to go through at a different pace."
  • "Weaknesses, it's really brief and i wouldn't do it on it's own."
  • "An audioguide is given with each entry ticket, which is available in multiple languages and gives detailed information about each exhibit."

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