Prestige Apartments Blog

Buckingham Palace is slap bang in the heart of the capital. 

This month it’s all about the royal baby and in keeping with the theme I’ve turned my attention to some right royal residences.  So if you want to live like a Prince Regent…or at least nearby…then here are my top 10 royal residences and where to stay:

1. Kensington Palace, London

Kensington Palace is the current London home of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Kate, William and son Prince George are expected to welcome a little girl (rumoured to be named Alexandra) into their newly renovated Kensington Palace apartment by the end of April. The 20-room space, also known as Apartment 1A, features a charming private garden perfect for play time with the little ones.  The Jacobean mansion was originally bought as Nottingham House by William III in 1689 and was then extended and improved by Sir Christopher Wren. Many notable royal residents have occupied the palace since then including King William III and his wife Queen Mary II, and more recently William’s mum, Princess Diana.

Cheval Thorney Court in Kensington is our pick of the serviced apartments nearby as it’s most definitely fit for royalty…so why not go ahead and treat yourself like a prince or princess?    

2. Buckingham Palace, London

This is probably the most well known royal residence and being slap bang in the heart of the capital, it’s been the official London residence of the British sovereign since 1837.  Queen Victoria was the first monarch to settle in the 775 room palace however she found it a tad lacking (clearly one needed a grand ballroom in which to entertain!), and so she added a large room which was, at the time of construction in 1853-5, the largest room in London. The spectacular 40 acre ‘back’ garden is the scene of many wonderful summer garden parties (to which many ‘normal’ people are invited) but the palace itself is home to the private offices and apartments of the Duke of Edinburgh, the Duke of York, the Earl and other minor Royals.

Have yourself a ball finding an apartment around Buckingham Palace - LBS Apartments in Victoria are right next door!  

3. Balmoral Castle, Aberdeenshire

Balmoral Castle is the Scottish home of the Royal Family and its magnificent architecture is typical of the Scottish Baronial period. The Queen and her family holiday here each summer. The Castle was bought by Prince Albert for Queen Victoria in 1852, however the castle (built in the 15^th century), was thought to be too small for a royal family and so Prince Albert built a larger version adjacent to the original. The work was completed in 1856 and the ‘new’ castle now sits proudly on the 20,000 hectacre Balmoral estate in Royal Deeside!

For your royal retreat in the Scottish Highlands you’ll have plenty of apartments to choose from and our pick is fabulous The Spires, Aberdeen  

4. Windsor Castle, Berkshire

Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world and it’s where the Queen spends most of her weekends. Built in 1070 by William the Conqueror, who chose the site due to its proximity to the capital (just a day’s march from the Tower of London back in the bad old days) and because it could be used to protect London from western approaches. It’s been home to the kings and queens of Britain for almost 1,000 years. The Queen still upholds the tradition of Easter Court, where she stays for a month from March to April and entertains guests with her dine-and-stay parties and attends the Easter Sunday service.

You won’t believe your eyes when you see the views overlooking Windsor Castle at Peascod House in Windsor…just look out for the Easter bunny!  

5. Frogmore House, Surrey

Little known Frogmore House is a beautiful royal retreat in the grounds of Windsor Castle. It was originally constructed between 1680 and 1684 and was a great favourite of the royals. Each family who inhabited the house added their own touches so today the house stands as a lasting testament to changing tastes throughout history. Queen Victoria was a particular admirer of the house and wrote: ‘All is peace and quiet and you only hear the hum of the bees, the singing of the birds and the occasional crowing and cackling from the Poultry Yard!’ The Royal Family still enjoy picnics at Frogmore and although today it’s not officially a royal residence, it’s often used by The Family for entertaining.

We can’t guarantee that you’ll still hear the bees humming over the gentle hum of traffic, but Lord Raglan House in Windsor is our pick of the serviced apartments nearby.   

6. Sandringham House, Norfolk 

Sandringham House is the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh’s country retreat. It’s been the private home of British monarchs since 1862 and has witnessed the various goings-on of many a royal family. The Duke of Clarence and King George V both died here. It was also the venue of the first ever Christmas broadcast started by King George V with his broadcast to the Empire in 1932. That only stopped when Queen Elizabeth II changed it to a TV version in 1957, filmed in the library at Sandringham. This delightful house is where the Royal Family like to spend their Christmas and locals can see the entire family making their way to church each Christmas morning. Nowdays however ‘the locals’ have morphed into a vast and well travelled throng and the consequently obligatory media scrum.

Looking for your own country retreat to beat the media buzz around the new royal baby? Hardwick House, Norwich is our pick of the bunch.  

7. Clarence House, London

This stuccoed mansion on The Mall in London’s City of Westminster was the London home of the Queen Mother until her death in 2002.Today it’s the official London home of the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and Princes Harry and William, and is the location for many state visits and events.It was designed by John Nash and built between 1825 and 1827 for Prince William Henry (the Duke of Clarence) and his wife Adelaide as their new London home. It’s attached to St. James's Palace (see below) and shares the palace's garden.

We’re sure the Queen Mum would have approved of the serviced apartment options around the area. Our top pick is delightful Flemmings Mayfair.   r

8. St James’s Palace, London

Built by Henry VIII, St James’s Palace originally took its name from the leper hospital that stood in its place in the 11^th century. It’s seen many important events take place within its walls including the marriages of George III and Queen Charlotte, Victoria and Albert, and George V and Queen Mary. The last sovereign to live there was William IV who died in 1837. St James’s Palace houses the offices of Princes William and Harry and was most recently the setting for the christening of little Prince George of Cambridge!

Looking for a place to wet the new royal baby’s head?  Why not try nearby Mayfair Park Apartments.  

9. Osborne House, Isle of Wight

Although no longer occupied by the Royal Family, the seaside palace of Osborne House was Queen Victoria’s family home. Bought by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1845, it was used as an escape from the hustle and bustle of London. The house was designed by Thomas Cubitt with Prince Albert’s vision and guidance. The couple lived here with their nine children, The House overlooks the Solent and their private beach. In the grounds of the house, a giant timber wendy house was built for the royal children’s entertainment. Known as Swiss Cottage, the house will be opening to the public again soon. 

It’s child’s play looking for somewhere to stay with so many nearby serviced apartments to choose from – our pick of which is Ocean Village Marina, Southampton.  

10. The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh

This majestic palace was originally founded as a monastery in 1128 but is now the Queen’s official residence in Scotland and she spends ‘Holyrood Week’ here each June/July. The palace has had an eventful history with monarchs and members of royalty both living and staying here intermittently. The palace was home to Mary Queen of Scots for most of her life until her sister Queen Elizabeth I had her head chopped off!  Now that’s what I call sibling rivalry!

Don’t lose Your head though as there is plenty of serviced accommodation to choose from in Edinburgh.  Our pick? Dreamhouse Holyrood.   

Prestige Apartments has a royal selection of serviced apartments in London for you to choose from.  Just get in touch with our friendly sales team and they’ll give you the royal treatment and help you to choose your perfect serviced accommodation. 

Tel: 020 7704 6514 or email: sales@prestigeapartments.co.uk