If the Royal Standard Flag is flying at full mast, then it’s safe to assume you’re just a few feet from the Queen. If, however, the Union Flag is up there, then she’s not in residence. Good luck differentiating between the two, but maybe it’s safer to just presume and imagine she’s in. It’s not like you’re going to break in for a cup of tea with her, like a guy once did, while she was sleeping (yes, we saw that episode of The Crown too). That said, the palace is open to visitors in the summer months, and has been since 1993. So, you can wander around the state rooms and get a glimpse of what your luxury Plum Guide home will be like (OK, admittedly, while we do indeed have some pretty great homes, it’ll be tough to match the Palace). It won't be tough to get to there from your home though, because we have a wide selection of properties just a stone's throw away from the Palace itself. It's an essential visit whilst in London, so explore our list of homes near Buckingham Palace and find the perfect property for you.

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This Westminster apartment lies just 0.5 miles from Buckingham Palace, providing the perfect base for sightseeing around London. With space for up to 4 guests, you and the family will find comfort in putting your feet up on the corner sofa after a long day exploring the sights of the English capital. And if there happens to be rain stopping you from seeing the Palace on any particular day, you can still read about it in the home's modest library of books, so you'll always be able to get your fix.

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Salted Caramel, like Areca Gem, is just half a mile away from Buckingham Palace, situated in the luxury epicentre of Mayfair. This home is found within a hotel, and offers an impressive array of amenities for you to enjoy after your day of trying to spot Queen Lizzy through a window. The balcony/rooftop terrace is the perfect place to settle for the evening, and the welcome hamper will simply confirm to you that you've chosen one of the top properties in the area to call your temporary home.

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Next on our list of selected homes near Buckingham Palace, we have Flemings Penthouse. This property is the perfect combination of a luxury apartment and a five-star hotel, with 24 hour concierge, an onsite gym and professional room service. Staying in Mayfair will mean you certainly aren't short of things to do, and with the Queen just around the corner (maybe), you'll always be in highly esteemed company.

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Following in the footsteps of all the other homes in this list, Chariots of Fire is extremely close to the Palace, sitting just 0.5 miles away. The home boasts a relaxed cancellation policy, a home cinema setup, and lift access, so there is accessibility and entertainment for everyone to enjoy. The impressive interior artefacts almost resemble those you'll find in Buckingham palace (almost), and the well-stocked library of books would leave even the Queen jealous of the abundance of information at your disposal.

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This three bedroom apartment in the heart of Westminster is, believe it or not, just half a mile away from Buckingham Palace (there's a bit of a theme going on here isn't there). The private terrace will be calling your name after your day of taking enough pictures to fill multiple camera rolls, and is complemented rather perfectly by the presence of both a wine cooler and a barbecue. The sleek interior gives the feel of a luxury hotel suite, and you'll be spoilt for choice when deciding on your evening viewing pleasure, with a DVD library and Netflix both readily available.

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Rounding off our list of homes to book near Buckingham Palace, we have Kings Junior, a one-bedroom property situated in Westminster. As you've come to expect by now, this home is 0.5 miles away from the Palace, but you can also reside here with your dog if you happen to be travelling with a canine companion. The apartment will be found inside The Taj Kings Townhouse, and the grand water feature outside the main entrance will have you wondering whether you have accidentally booked a room inside Buckingham Palace itself.

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