exploring the royal side of london

I was so excited that we were going to be visiting the royal history of england during our stay in london. when i was little i always dreamed about castles and being in a royal family and how magical it must all be. during our time in london, we made it a point to explore a few of the city’s most iconic royal sights: buckingham palace, Windsor Castle, and the Tower of London. Each one gave us a glimpse into centuries of british history and the stories that still live on today. each place was unique and it was just so amazing to see how royals lived in the past and how they still live today!

buckingham palace:

You can’t visit london without at least walking by buckingham palace. we didn’t go inside, but honestly just standing outside those famous gates felt surreal. the golden details, the grandeur of the facade, and the sense of “wow, this is the buckingham palace” hit us right away. i was thinking as i was looking at the palace, how many times the royals had come out onto the balcony to show new family members, etc. for a moment it felt like we were part of a postcard scene.

if you time your visit right, you can see the changing of the guards ceremony here, but we saved that for windsor castle. instead, we just soaked in the view, took plenty of photos, and imagined what it would be like to live behind those gates!!

Windsor Castle:

Windsor was the royal highlight of our trip. it’s not only the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world, but it also feels like you’ve stepped back in time the moment you walk through it’s gates. we purchased tickets with our favorite tour booking company ahead of time-i highly recommend this or you will be waiting in line for a very long time!

we arrived early and were lucky enough to catch the changing of the guard up close- the sound of the drums echoing through the cobblestone courtyard, the precision of the soldiers, and the crowds watching in awe. it was really surreal and out of a royal dream!

inside, windsor castle is just as impressive. every room tells a story, from ornate state apartments filled with art and armor to the quiet beauty of st. george’s chapel. it’s incredible to think that the castle has been home to so many generations of royalty-and that it was still used a few years ago by the late queen.

tower of london:

no royal-themed trip would be complete without a stop at the tower of london. walking through its stone walls, it’s easy to imagine centuries of history- from medieval kings to famous prisoners. but the main attraction, and the main reason we wanted to visit was to see the crown jewels. the sparkle, the size, the sheer craftsmanship-it’s a reminder of just how much history (and ceremony) is wrapped up in britain’s monarchy.

we also enjoyed walking the grounds of the tower of london. the moment you step onto the cobblestone pathways surrounding the fortress, you feel the weight of history. those thick stone walls, the old battlements, the ravens hopping along like they own the place and the mystery of them guarding the tower-it all feels straight out of a storybook!

as we wandered around the perimeter, the modern city buzzed just beyond the walls, creating this beautiful contrast of old and new. and then, as you round the corner, there is the tower bridge-rising behind the tower like a beautiful backdrop.

seeing the tower of london with tower bridge perfectly framed in the background is one of those moments that just stays with you. the bright blue accents of the bridge pop against the gray stone of the fortress, and if the light hits just right, the whole scene almost looks unreal. we took our time walking along the river, soaking in the views from every angle and loving every moment!

exploring these royal landmarks gave us a whole new appreciation for london’s deep connection to it’s past. from the modern-day elegance of buckingham palace to the ancient walls of the tower of london, it’s a journey through time-one that’s grand, fascinating, and truly unforgettable.

if your planning your own trip to london, set aside a day or two to dive into it’s royal side. even if you only admire some places from the outside, there’s something special about standing where history-and tradition still lives on.

for those curious about our london trip, including accommodation Recommendations, where we enjoyed afternoon tea, food & store recommendations, excursions, must see spots, check out our custom curated travel Itinerary templates in pdf format in our store section of our website that includes our full itinerary including links, custom map, tips, etc. (sign up for our email list, and receive a free pdf mini vacation ideas template download). additionally you can collaborate with me to create a personalized itinerary exclusively tailored to your vacation. 

*Be on the lookout for our upcoming London blog

Happy Travels!

Mandy