London: Kensington Palace Gardens Tour & Royal Afternoon Tea

Walk Through Kensington Gardens, Then Take Tea Where Royals Did

You walk through Kensington Gardens with an expert guide who tells you the stories of the royal families who lived and ruled here, including Princess Diana. You see the Cradle Walk and the Sunken Garden with the Diana memorial statue. Then you sit down in the 18th-century Orangery on the palace grounds and have proper Royal Afternoon Tea (hand-prepared sandwiches, cakes, pastries and your choice of English tea) with views back over the gardens. The whole experience takes around three hours and includes the guide throughout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Kensington Palace15m · entry included
2. Kensington Gardens40m · entry included
3. Royal Observatory Greenwich1h 5m · entry included

Kensington Palace tour and royal tea

• Timed access to Kensington Palace
• Explore State Apartments and Royal Gardens
• Walk Cradle Walk to Sunken Garden
• View Princess Diana Memorial Statue
• Enjoy Royal Afternoon Tea at Orangery

The experience

The Orangery sits low and pale against the palace grounds, its tall windows catching the light off the gardens beyond. You'll stand in front of it later, teacup in hand, but first comes the walk: through Kensington Gardens with a guide who knows the stories of who lived here, who visited, who shaped the place. The Cradle Walk takes you past the Sunken Garden, where the Princess Diana memorial statue stands, and your guide walks you through the history of the people who made these rooms and these paths matter: Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Diana, King Charles, the generations that lived and ruled from inside those palace walls.

The tour moves at a pace that lets you actually see the place instead of rushing through it. You'll cover the gardens, the Cradle Walk, the Sunken Garden (about three hours total with your guide), and the walking is real. There are hills, cobblestones, uneven surfaces, so comfortable shoes matter. If you want to go inside Kensington Palace itself and see the State Apartments, the Queen Victoria Rooms, the Jewel Room, the King's Gallery and Staircase, that's an optional upgrade with timed entry tickets included. Most people do it. The palace interiors are the reason the gardens feel like more than just a park.

Then you sit down in the Orangery, an 18th-century building on the palace grounds, and have Royal Afternoon Tea. Hand-prepared sandwiches, cakes, pastries, scones (the real thing, not a shortcut version), and you choose from up to ten English teas. The guide stays with you through it. The views are of the palace and gardens from inside one of England's most elegant rooms. It's the kind of detail that makes the whole day feel deliberate instead of rushed.

The tour runs in all weather, so bring layers and waterproof shoes if rain is forecast. Public transport gets you to Kensington Gardens easily if you're coming from elsewhere in London. Book the optional palace upgrade when you reserve if you want inside access. It adds timed entry but no extra walking beyond what the gardens already ask of you.

What’s included

• Guided walk through Kensington Gardens and the Cradle Walk with access to the Sunken Garden and Princess Diana memorial statue.
• stories of Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Diana, King Charles and other members of the royal family.
• expert local guide throughout.
• Royal Afternoon Tea at the 18th-century Orangery on the palace grounds with hand-prepared sandwiches, cakes, pastries and choice of up to ten English teas.
• optional upgrade for timed entry to Kensington Palace State Apartments, Queen Victoria Rooms, Jewel Room, King's Gallery and Staircase.

Options for this experience

9 options

French-language Gardens and Tea11:00Kensington Gardens & Tea: Tour Kensington Gardens with skip-the-line entry to the Orangery and enjoy a VIP afternoon tea experience. Lasts 2 hours and is led by a French-speaking guide.

High Tea in Kensington GardensGuide in English · 11:00Gardens and High Tea: Explore the Kensington Palace Gardens with an exterior visit of the Palace. The tour concludes with a VIP afternoon tea experience.

Spanish-language Gardens and Tea11:00Kensington Gardens & Tea: Tour Kensington Gardens with skip-the-line entry to the Orangery and enjoy a VIP afternoon tea experience. Lasts 2 hours and is led by a Spanish-speaking guide.

See 6 more options

German-language Gardens and Tea11:00Kensington Gardens & Tea: Tour Kensington Gardens with skip-the-line entry to the Orangery and enjoy a VIP afternoon tea experience. Lasts 2 hours and is led by a Spanish-speaking guide.

Kensington Palace & Tea, Spanish09:30Palace, Gardens and Tea: Full tour including Kensington Palace entry and VIP high tea, led by a Spanish-speaking guide. Lasts 3 hours.

Kensington Palace & Tea, German09:30Kensington Palace & High Tea: Tour the Kensington Palace and Gardens, with skip-the-line entry to the Orangery and a VIP afternoon tea experience. Lasts 3 hours and is led by a German-speaking guide.

Kensington Palace & Tea, French09:30Kensington Palace & High Tea: Tour the Kensington Palace and Gardens, with skip-the-line entry to the Orangery and a VIP afternoon tea experience. Lasts 3 hours and is led by a French-speaking guide.

Kensington Palace, Tea in the GardensGuide in English · 09:30Kensington Palace entry, 3 hours: Explore Kensington Palace with timed entry to the Palace and Gardens. The tour ends with a VIP afternoon tea experience.

Kensington Palace, Small GroupGuide in English · 09:30Small Group Palace & Tea: Enjoy a guaranteed small group size for a more intimate guided tour. Lasts 3 hours and includes reserved timed entry to Kensington Palace, Kensington Gardens, and skip-the-line entry to the Orangery.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:30 and 11:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 25 · max 9 per booking

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and German

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French and German

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by LetzGo City Tours GBP

Is this one for you?Right for anyone who wants to see Kensington Gardens and the Diana memorial without navigating the route alone, and who'd rather have the palace stories and afternoon tea included than arrange them separately: the guide and the Orangery booking are what turn a walk in the park into a full royal afternoon.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What's included in the Royal Afternoon Tea?

Hand-prepared sandwiches, cakes, pastries, scones and your choice from up to ten English teas, served in the 18th-century Orangery on the palace grounds.

Can I go inside Kensington Palace?

Yes, as an optional upgrade. Timed entry tickets give you access to the State Apartments, Queen Victoria Rooms, Jewel Room, King's Gallery and Staircase.

How long does the tour take?

Around three hours, including the gardens, Cradle Walk, Sunken Garden and Royal Afternoon Tea.

Is there a lot of walking?

Yes. The route includes hills, cobblestones, uneven surfaces and stairs. Comfortable shoes are essential. Wheelchairs and mobility devices are not recommended.

Where is the Orangery located?

On the grounds of Kensington Palace, within Kensington Gardens. You'll walk there with your guide after touring the gardens.

Do I need to book the palace upgrade in advance?

It's optional, but if you want timed entry to the State Apartments and interiors, book it when you reserve your tour.

What if the weather is bad?

The tour runs in all weather conditions. Dress appropriately for rain and cold, and wear waterproof shoes if needed.

Is there public transport nearby?

Yes, public transportation options are available near Kensington Gardens.