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King’s Gallery at Palace of Holyroodhouse

The King's Gallery is the dedicated exhibition space at Palace of Holyroodhouse, showcasing rotating Royal Collection exhibitions, rare decorative arts, royal portraits, photography, fashion, and historic objects linked to the British monarchy.

How to enter the King’s Gallery Holyrood?

The King's Gallery Holyrood sits beside the main entrance area of the palace in Edinburgh and has its own dedicated visitor access point near the palace courtyard.

Entry to the gallery is not included with every palace ticket. Visitors need either a dedicated King’s Gallery ticket or a combo ticket that includes both the palace and the gallery. The combo option is ideal if you also want to explore Mary, Queen of Scots’ apartments and the State Apartments during the same visit!

King’s Gallery Holyrood in a nutshell

  • Must-see highlight: Rotating exhibitions at King's Gallery Holyrood currently include The Edwardians: Age of Elegance, showcasing royal fashion, jewellery, portraits, photography, Fabergé treasures, and ceremonial gowns.
  • Current use: The gallery functions as the Palace of Holyroodhouse’s permanent art exhibition space, hosting changing Royal Collection exhibitions throughout the year.
  • Unique fact: King's gallery holyrood was formerly Queen Victoria’s chapel and was transformed into a public gallery in 2002. Exhibitions often include rarely displayed works from the Royal Collection.
  • Choose the right ticket: Dedicated king's gallery holyrood tickets focus entirely on current exhibitions, while combo tickets additionally include Palace of Holyroodhouse and historic State Apartments access.
  • See the main exhibition: Current exhibitions include The Edwardians: Age of Elegance, featuring royal fashion, jewellery, photography, and paintings.
  • Check exhibition dates carefully: The Edwardians: Age of Elegance runs from April 24 to December 6, 2026, while exhibition schedules occasionally change because of royal events.
  • Accessibility is excellent: King's gallery holyrood remains fully wheelchair accessible, with elevators, accessible restrooms, and complimentary companion tickets available through Royal Collection Trust bookings.
  • Strict gallery rules apply: Photography, filming, food, drinks, smoking, and mobile phone use are prohibited inside exhibition spaces to help protect delicate artworks and historic displays.
  • Pushchair access varies: Pushchairs are generally permitted during quieter hours, though staff may request buggy drop-off at designated areas whenever exhibitions become especially crowded.
  • Prepare for security screening: Visitors entering king's gallery holyrood may undergo security checks, and some restricted belongings could require temporary storage before accessing exhibition galleries.

Your King’s Gallery Holyrood ticket types explained

Things to knowKing’s Gallery TicketPalace + King’s Gallery Combo

King’s Gallery access

Yes

Yes

Palace of Holyroodhouse access

No

Yes

Additional features

Multimedia guide

Palace audio guide + gallery multimedia guide

Why go for it?

Best for exhibition-focused visits

Best value for seeing both attractions

Recommended for

Art lovers and short visits

First-time visitors and history fans

  • Victorian royal origins: The current king's gallery holyrood was originally built during the 1840s as Queen Victoria’s private chapel for royal visits to Scotland.
  • Major 2002 transformation: In 2002, the historic chapel was redesigned into a public exhibition space showcasing treasures from the Royal Collection beside Holyrood Palace.
  • Scotland’s first royal gallery: King's gallery holyrood became Scotland’s first permanent royal art gallery connected directly to an official working royal residence in Edinburgh.
  • Public access to collections: Today, the gallery introduces visitors to rotating exhibitions featuring royal photography, decorative arts, paintings, fashion, and rarely displayed historic objects.

Architectural highlights of King’s Gallery Holyrood

Victorian chapel beginnings

The building originally served as Queen Victoria’s private chapel during royal stays in Edinburgh during the nineteenth century. Even after later renovations, King's Gallery Holyrood still preserves several elements of its historic royal exterior and traditional architectural character connected to the Palace of Holyroodhouse complex.

Sensitive modern transformation

In 2002, architects carefully transformed the former chapel into a contemporary exhibition gallery while preserving much of the original structure. The redesign balanced modern museum requirements with the building’s historic royal identity, allowing visitors to enjoy changing exhibitions without losing the site’s nineteenth-century architectural atmosphere.

Exhibition-focused interiors

Inside the gallery, purpose-built exhibition spaces include climate-controlled rooms, adjustable lighting systems, and flexible gallery layouts designed for delicate artworks and historic objects. These carefully planned interiors help safely display Royal Collection paintings, fashion pieces, jewellery, photography, and decorative arts throughout temporary exhibitions.

Know before you go

  • Seasonal opening hours: From April 1 to October 31, King's Gallery Holyrood opens at 09:30, with final admission at 17:00 before closing at 18:00.
  • Winter visiting schedule: Between November 1 and March 31, the gallery opens at 09:30, allows final entry at 15:30, and closes at 16:30.
  • Weekly closure pattern: King's Gallery operates daily from April 24 to September 7, 2026, then remains closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays afterward.
  • Working royal residence: As part of the Palace of Holyroodhouse complex, opening schedules and closure dates at King's Gallery may occasionally change unexpectedly.
  • Address: Palace of Holyroodhouse, Canongate The Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH8 8DX, United Kingdom 
  • The gallery is located within the Palace of Holyroodhouse complex at the end of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, directly opposite Holyrood Park. 
  • Visitors can easily reach the site on foot from central Edinburgh, Waverley Station, or by local buses serving the Canongate and Holyrood area. 
  • The dedicated gallery entrance is clearly signposted near the palace visitor facilities.
  • Step-free gallery access: King's Gallery Holyrood is fully wheelchair accessible, with elevators and step-free routes connecting exhibition spaces, entrances, restrooms, and visitor facilities throughout.
  • Accessible visitor amenities: Facilities include accessible restrooms, baby-care spaces, cloakrooms, seating areas, and a nearby café for convenient breaks during longer exhibition visits.
  • Guide dogs welcome: Registered assistance and guide dogs are permitted throughout the gallery, helping visitors comfortably navigate galleries and exhibition spaces during their visit.
  • Companion ticket availability: Eligible disabled visitors can access complimentary companion tickets through Royal Collection Trust bookings, making gallery visits more accessible and convenient overall.
  • Included multimedia guides: Admission includes multimedia guides that provide additional exhibition insights, artwork background, and historical context while exploring King's Gallery Holyrood galleries.

Frequently asked questions about King’s Gallery Holyrood tickets

Not always. Some tickets only include palace entry, while others specifically include both the palace and the gallery.