A picnic on the Buckingham Palace lawns might be the closest you’ll ever get to dining like a royal.
After a long series of lockdowns, we’ve become quite used to outdoor dining here in London. This royal opportunity, however, is unlike any other: For the first time ever, Buckingham Palace has opened its garden to the public, allowing visitors to wander around and have a picnic on the grounds.
In what is described as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”, you can now bring along food, blankets, and lawn chairs for a daytime picnic with views of the Palace. You’ll also be able to take a private walk around the garden, which is usually closed to the public and only accessible via guided tours.
From July 9 until September 19, you can roam the grounds and discover the Herbaceous Border, Horse Chestnut Avenue, the Plane trees planted by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, and the lake with its island that is home to the Buckingham Palace bees, to name a few highlights.
Before you get too excited, though, there are some rules to ensure the grounds stay in order. While picnics are allowed (you can bring your own food or buy refreshments there), barbecues, ball games, and alcohol are strictly forbidden. We’ll take it! Now all that’s missing is a bit of sun.
Grab your ticket for a visit between July 9 and September 19 here.