Facilities

Practical information for your visit

For families

Suitability

We welcome visitors of all ages. Children should be supervised at all times throughout your visit for your safety, particularly around the stone staircase.

There are beanbags in the main Banqueting Hall for sitting on while viewing the Rubens ceiling.
We offer colouring activities and a family trail workbook - please ask a member of staff.

Our audio guide is suitable for children aged approximately 10 years and older.

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is welcomed in all areas of the Banqueting House. Should you wish for more privacy, there is a vanity area in the ladies' toilets with seating.

Baby change

Unfortunately, there are no baby changing facilities at Banqueting House.

Buggies

Buggies can be used on the ground floor of the Banqueting House and can be left downstairs before ascending the stairs.

Photography and filming

Visitors are welcome to take photographs within most areas of Banqueting House.

Historic Royal Palaces has a photography policy that applies to media and commercial photography. When taking photographs at our site, you may be approached by our staff and asked about the purposes of your photography or filming. Historic Royal Palaces reserves the right to request you stop your activities if these are believed to be in breach of the policy.

The photography of certain, individual items may not be allowed due to loan arrangements. Please ask a member of staff if you’re unsure.

Commercial and media photography

Requests for commercial and media photography, filming and sketching should be made in advance by contacting our Media and PR Team.

Photographic equipment

Equipment such as tripods, monopods, selfie sticks (interiors) and gimbals may not be used at the site unless arrangements have been made in advance with our Media and PR or Conservation teams.

Wedding photography

Wedding photography is exclusive to couples hiring Banqueting House for their wedding day. To find out more about hiring Banqueting House for your event, visit our Hire a Venue pages.

Other visitors

We ask that you respect the privacy of our other visitors while taking photographs at our site. Historic Royal Palaces is a safeguarding organisation and takes its responsibility to protect children and vulnerable people seriously. We may sometimes ask therefore that visitors refrain from filming or photographing other visitors.

Read our Safeguarding policies

Left luggage

We are not able to offer left luggage facilities at Banqueting House for security reasons. Many of the nearby tube stations have storage space.

Left Luggage Guide: Visit London website

Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi is available inside the palace.

Simply follow the on-screen prompts on your mobile device to get connected.

Lost property

Please speak to a member of staff if you lose something during a visit. All lost property is held in the shop. Alternatively contact our visitor services team with a description of the lost item and the date of your visit by emailing info@hrp.org.uk

Toilets

The main toilet facilities are found in the Undercroft off the main entrance hall, these are not accessible.

Accessible toilets are available if you speak with a member of staff. Please be aware the toilet is accessed down a short ramp with no handrail.

Health and safety advice

Our palaces are very old and have many uneven surfaces, for example cobbles, worn steps, uneven steps and slopes. Please choose footwear that is comfortable and appropriate for the conditions.
Some surfaces may be slippery, particularly if they are wet from rain.
Light levels can be low in some places, so please allow sufficient time for your eyes to adjust, particularly when using stairs.
Look out for our safety signs and follow the advice given to avoid spoiling your day.

First aid

Please alert a uniformed member of staff if someone within your party requires First Aid during the visit.

Prohibited articles

In the interest of security, visitors are granted admission to the palace on the condition they may be searched before entering the premises. The following items are strictly banned: