Kensington Palace & Gardens tour with afternoon tea: London

Kensington Gardens, Diana's statue, the Sunken Garden, and three centuries of royal history, then tea in the Orangery

This guided tour of Kensington Palace and Gardens in London walks you through 165-year-old gardens and the Sunken Garden where Princess Diana's statue stands, then enters the palace with timed entry and an audio guide for the state rooms. You choose between full afternoon tea with sandwiches, scones and sparkling wine, or à la carte lunch at your own expense. Groups stay under eight guests with a local English-speaking guide.

Step-by-step itinerary

Kensington Gardens and Palace Tour

• Meet at the designated meeting point
• Learn about Peter Pan stories
• Stroll through historic Kensington Gardens
• Visit the Sunken Garden and Diana's Statue
• Observe wildlife at the Pond
• Enjoy full afternoon tea or a la carte meal
• See views of Albert Hall and Henry Moore's Arch
• Tour Kensington Palace with audio guide

The Experience

The tour starts at Kensington Gardens, where your guide shares the long history of the grounds: the romantic gardens Albert created for Queen Victoria, the Peter Pan stories woven into the landscape, and the wildlife around the Pond filled with spring water and model boat enthusiasts. You'll walk past Henry Moore's Arch and the Bronze Centrepiece commanding views toward the Albert Hall and the Palace itself, building toward the Sunken Garden where Princess Diana's statue was unveiled by William and Harry.

From there you move into Kensington Palace, built in 1694 and home to multiple members of the Royal Family over centuries. Your timed entry ticket gets you past the door, and an audio guide lets you move through the state rooms at your own pace, taking in the rooms where Prince Harry and William grew up. The palace visit is self-guided, so you set the rhythm.

The final stop is the Orangery, a 300-year-old tea room in the gardens. If you've booked the full afternoon tea option, you'll be seated at a private table and served sandwiches, scones and cakes on a traditional three-tiered stand, with sparkling wine included and a tutored guide explaining the history and ceremony of the national drink. If you've chosen à la carte, the same private table is yours, and you order from the full menu for brunch or lunch at your own cost. Either way, service charge is included in the bill.

What’s included

• Extensive guided tour of Kensington Gardens and the grounds.
• timed entry ticket to Kensington Palace with audio guide for the state rooms.
• private table at the Orangery.
• full afternoon tea with sandwiches, scones, cakes and sparkling wine (if selected), or à la carte menu with brunch and lunch options (at your own expense if selected).
• knowledgeable local guide in English.
• service charge on all food and beverage.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Top Tasting Tours

Is this one for you?Book the full afternoon tea option if you want the palace and gardens bundled with a sit-down meal and the story of how tea ceremony works in Britain. Choose à la carte if you'd rather control what you eat and spend, or skip food entirely and focus on the palace and gardens alone. Each option keeps the same three-hour tour and small group size.

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Top questions

What exactly is inside Kensington Palace that I'll see on the tour?

Kensington Palace contains the state rooms you explore with an audio guide. The palace was built in 1694 and has housed many members of the Royal Family. Your timed entry ticket gives you access to walk through these rooms at your own pace. The audio guide is included so you don't need a separate palace tour guide.

Can I bring my young children on this tour?

Children are welcome from age 2 onward. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller throughout the gardens and palace, so you don't have to carry them for the full three hours.

What's the difference between the full afternoon tea option and the à la carte option?

Full afternoon tea includes sandwiches, scones, cakes on a three-tiered stand and sparkling wine, all included in the price. The à la carte option gives you a private table and a full menu for brunch or lunch, but you pay for your food and drink separately at checkout.

How many people will be on this tour?

Groups are typically 2 to 8 guests, which keeps the experience personal. If more guests book, additional guides are assigned so the group size stays manageable.

Is the guide included, and what language do they speak?

Yes, a knowledgeable local guide in English is included for the gardens and palace approach. The palace state rooms are self-guided with an audio guide, so you move through those at your own pace.

How long does the whole tour take?

The tour runs for three hours total, covering the gardens, the Sunken Garden, the palace visit and afternoon tea or lunch at the Orangery.