Admission is included in the London Pass and is something like L11 otherwise. There is a discount for seniors (60+). The Palace is only open to visitors at a certain time during the year, since the Queen actually lives here. The 2001 opening was 8/4 through 9/30. You have to get your tickets in advance, because they are sold for a certain date and time (15-minute entry window). Sometimes that means that you get your ticket and go right in, and other times it means you have to come back the next day. Here you can see the gorgeous furniture, graceful statues, staircases, paintings and other things. You get to walk through rooms that are used for official functions. This is a fascinating place to visit. Photography and videotaping is not allowed inside. The Changing of the Guard ceremony also takes place here, at around 11 AM. There is a sign in front of the Palace that tells you when the next ceremony is going to be (they're usually held either daily or every other day). The ceremony is fun to watch, and includes a marching band and cavalry in full dress uniforms. Be sure to come early if you want to watch this, as huge crows gather around the fence and make it rather difficult to see. The plaza in front of the Palace has a large statue of Queen Victoria. There are beautiful flower beds all around the area. Go to http://www.royalresidences.com for more information.

Unless you're fortunate to be in London in the summer months when the royal family is away and the palace is open to the public, or you're there on a day when the changing of the guard is taking place (every other day in the off season), the palace is a reasonably boring place to visit. If you do make it on a day when the guard changing is taking place, go early to get a good spot otherwise the crowds are horrendous (even in December when we were last there).

On your way back to the Underground stop, this area has several little pubs and restaurants that are excellent. Wander in and try one!

The changing of the guards was like watching a parade... there are people lining the streets and it's a march-in of the guards. It reminded us of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets Fish Drill Team... They do it in unison and silence and it's amazing to watch.

By all means stop by Buckingham Palace to see it (and to have a ready answer to EVERYONE who will ask you if you did). It's an impressive landmark with beautiful grounds and, of course, the famous changing of the guard. Beyond that, you can take a tour (roughly $16) at various times of the year and some people would probably enjoy that. There is some impressive art and it is an elegant place to be sure -- but our advice would be to go to a gallery, if you like art... For palace buffs, more info is available at: http://www.royalresidences.com The area around the palace is dotted with little tourist traps and souvenir shops. Grab a few post cards or a brass Big Ben, if you need one. The prices are no worse here than anywhere else.

We did not have the opportunity to tour Buckingham Palace on our trip, however the mere sight of its enormous structure is worth seeing, and photographing. Though we didn't get to tour, we did show up bright and early at the palace to witness the Changing of the Guard. This spectacle attracts a large crowd, so if you want to get a good view, get there early. It starts at 11:30 am. I'm not sure I would recommend this event for young children, as it takes about 45 minutes and you are standing the whole time. I do think it is one of those things you have to do once, but I don't think it will be a regular stop for us on subsequent trips.