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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Nuray Bulbul

How to visit Balmoral Castle: King Charles opens royal venue to public for first time

Visitors can tour parts of Balmoral Castle used by the royal family this summer.

Located in the Scottish Highlands, Balmoral Castle was considered the late Queen Elizabeth II's favourite residence. She spent most of her summers there.

The Balmoral website says the new tours are the first since the structure's completion in 1855.

The grounds and gardens have been the focus of previous tours, which will still take place, with only the ballroom providing access to the castle.

The visits coincide with the inaugural summer opening of Buckingham Palace's East Wing, providing special guided tours of the main floor in July and August.

But why and when will Balmoral Castle be open to the public and how can you get tickets for the tour?

Read on to find out.

When is Balmoral Castle open for public tours?

The tours will take place from July 1 to August 4.

The castle’s website says the tour will "take you on a historical journey through several of the beautiful rooms within Balmoral Castle”.

It adds: "You will learn about the origins of the castle and how it has been loved by generations of the royal family.

The late Queen Elizabeth with former prime minister Liz Truss during an audience at Balmoral just two days before her death in September 2022 (PA Wire)

"Travel through time from the purchase of the Balmoral by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, through to present day, where you can see how rooms within the castle are used today by the King and Queen and other members of the Royal Family."

The tours will end before the King and Queen arrive at Balmoral for their summer break.

Why is Balmoral Castle being opened to the public?

The Guardian reported that it was being opened so estate workers could assess how the brittle structure handles more visitors.

How to get tickets to tour Balmoral Castle

You can buy tickets through the Balmoral Castle website here.

Forty tickets are available every day for £100 — or £150 if afternoon tea is included.

Each tour group is restricted to 10 people.

Sky News and other media outlets have reported that tickets are selling fast.

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