Buckingham Palace Address and Postcode Explained

The Buckingham Palace address postcode is Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA. That is the one to use if you are writing to the palace or entering it into a satnav or mapping app. The confusion comes from the similarly named road nearby: Buckingham Palace Road is a separate street, and its buildings carry different postcodes, such as SW1W 9TP for number 164. This guide explains the difference, how UK postcodes work, and how to avoid ending up on the wrong side of Victoria.

The palace address versus Buckingham Palace Road

Buckingham Palace stands at the end of The Mall, with St James’s Park on one side and Green Park nearby. It is the London residence and administrative headquarters of the monarch, and its postcode sits in the SW1A district, a small area that includes several famous government and royal addresses in Westminster. You can find historical background on Wikipedia’s Buckingham Palace page.

Buckingham Palace Road runs along the south-western side of the palace grounds towards Victoria. It is a busy road lined with offices, hotels and other buildings, and the numbered addresses along it are ordinary street addresses with SW1W postcodes. A number such as 164 Buckingham Palace Road, SW1W 9TP, is a location on that road and has nothing to do with the palace itself. You can read more about the street in our related guide to Buckingham Palace address and postcode.

Quick reference

Place	Address style	Postcode area
Buckingham Palace	Buckingham Palace, London	SW1A 1AA
Buildings on Buckingham Palace Road	Number plus Buckingham Palace Road, London	SW1W (for example SW1W 9TP)
Victoria Station area	Various streets	SW1V or SW1W, depending on the street

If you are looking at a listing that says “Buckingham Palace Road” and it sounds like it is next to the palace, remember that a long road can be far from the actual front gates. Always check the house number, then check the map.

How UK postcodes work

A UK postcode has two parts. The first, called the outward code, identifies the postcode area and district, for example SW1A. The second, the inward code, narrows the location to a small group of addresses, for example 1AA. Together, they usually point to a street or even a single large building. The Royal Mail postcode system is described in general terms on Wikipedia’s page on UK postcodes.

The “SW” in SW1A stands for South Western, one of the old London postal districts, and the number and letter after it divide that into smaller areas. That is why two streets with similar names can sit in different districts: the postcode follows the delivery network, not the name.

Using the postcode for travel

Typing SW1A 1AA into a journey planner or map app will take you to the area around the palace. A few practical points help:

• The nearest Tube stations are in the surrounding area, including Victoria, Green Park and St James’s Park. Check Transport for London for current service information.
• Walking from Victoria Station takes you along Buckingham Palace Road, then on to the palace, which is a handy way to see the difference between the two for yourself.
• Roads near the palace are sometimes closed for ceremonies, events and security reasons, so plan flexible routes.
• Satnav systems may place you at a general access point rather than a visitor entrance.

Writing to the palace

If you want to send a letter or card, the standard address is Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA. Because the household receives a large volume of mail, it is better to keep correspondence short and clear. For official enquiries, formal requests and the current arrangements for contacting members of the Royal Family, consult the official Royal website, royal.uk. Do not send anything of value, and avoid sharing sensitive personal information.

Visiting the palace

Public access to the State Rooms and the Royal Mews runs on a seasonal basis, and arrangements change. Always book through the official ticketing channels and check the dates, as parts of the palace are closed at times. The Changing of the Guard ceremony is a major draw, and its schedule can vary with weather, events and operational requirements, so check an official source for the day you plan to attend.

Plan to arrive early, wear comfortable shoes and take only what you need, since security checks apply. If you have mobility needs, look at the official accessibility information or contact the organisers in advance to ask about step-free routes, seating and facilities.

Avoiding mistakes with similar addresses

1. Copy the full address, including the number and postcode, from a trusted source.
2. Enter the postcode into a map to check where it lands.
3. If the pin falls on an office building or hotel, you are probably on Buckingham Palace Road, not at the palace.
4. For deliveries or meetings, confirm the exact entrance with the person you are meeting.

If you like quick-reference explainers, you might also enjoy our notes on grams in half a pound and how a Brita pitcher works.

Frequently asked questions

Conclusion

The Buckingham Palace address postcode is SW1A 1AA, while Buckingham Palace Road addresses use different SW1W postcodes. Check the number and the postcode together, confirm details with official sources, and you will arrive in the right place.