Information for groups visiting the Palace of Holyroodhouse
Whether your group is interested in a special or private visit, or just wants a truly magnificent experience visiting one of the royal residences, our team can help you get the most out of your visit. We offer a groups discount for bookings of 15 or more, and group-only products designed to enrich your experience at the official residences of The King.
Group prices and book tickets
Book in advance for the best value.
Children go half price.
Palace of Holyroodhouse for Groups
Queen Elizabeth II Private Apartments Tour and Palace of Holyroodhouse for groups
Prices for group leaders and guides
Subject to availability, Blue Badge members of the Scottish Tourist Guide Association (STGA) enjoy free entry. To gain free admission Blue Badge Guides should go to the visitor entrance and show either their Blue Badge or an STGA photo identification badge, both of which are issued officially by the STGA.
One unauthorised guide or group leader will enjoy free entry when accompanying a group of 15 people or more. For groups of 14 people or fewer, any unauthorised guide or group leader must be included as part of the booking.
Group Visits & Private Tours 2026
Browse our Group Visits & Private Tours brochure for details of our full programme for groups in 2026
Download the brochureGroup bookings & payments
Groups can reserve and book tickets on our website or by calling the Ticket Sales and Information Office on +44 (0)303 123 7321. Please note that a £2.00 transaction fee is applied to all telephone bookings.
Pre-booked group tickets must be paid for by credit card or company cheque with two signatures 30 days before the day of the visit, or at the time of booking when done within 30 days of the visit date. On-the-day group visits must be paid for by credit card.
We accept the following credit cards:
- Visa
- Mastercard
- American Express
- Switch/Maestro
Company cheques should be made payable to 'Royal Collection Enterprises Limited'.
Coach Parking
Coach set-down and pick-up and limited coach parking is available on a first-come first-serve basis next to the Palace, accessible via Abbeyhill. Coach drivers must remain with the vehicle for the duration of the visit and are respectfully asked to switch off their engines when stationary.
Please note that coach parking is limited only to groups seeking paid entry to the Palace or The King's Gallery. Alternative pay-and-display coach parking is available on nearby Regent Road.
Guiding in the Palace
No guiding is permitted inside the Palace of Holyroodhouse but is welcomed in external areas, namely the Forecourt, Holyrood Abbey and the royal gardens. Blue Badge Guides receive free admission to the Palace, subject to availability, when they present their credentials
Multimedia guides
Visitors can also enjoy a free multimedia tour at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The multimedia tour is available in ten languages:
- English
- Gaelic
- French
- German
- Spanish
- Italian
- Japanese
- Russian
- Mandarin
- Brazilian Portuguese
The tour guides you through your visit to the Palace, including the Royal and Historic Apartments. The commentary introduces the history of Holyroodhouse and explains the role of the Palace as an official residence of The King. Hear about the Palace’s former residents, including Mary, Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie.
We also offer:
- Family multimedia tour. Collect your handset and let our Family audio tour guide you around the Palace. Search for hidden unicorns and lions and find out more about the Palace's famous royal inhabitants, past and present. Aimed at children aged 7-11, available in English.
- Audio tour for blind and partially sighted visitors. The tour provides information about the Palace as well as directions and location information to assist visitors throughout their visit.
Visitors can buy an Official Souvenir Guide for the Palace of Holyroodhouse either in advance from our online shop or on the day of the visit.
