For guests at the Amsterdam Hotel in Kensington and Chelsea, staying with us means having a wealth of world famous attractions and iconic landmarks right on their doorstep.

Yet if there’s one venue we’re asked about more than any other, it’s Kensington Palace; the 300+  year-old royal residence which stands less than two miles away from our Earls Court Road hotel.

Over the years, we’ve answered so many questions about the historic venue that we’ve come to regard ourselves as something close to experts on the Palace. Looking to share our knowledge and help you impress your friends and family on your next London holiday, we’ve put together this guide to five little-known facts about Kensington Palace.

It hasn’t always been called Kensington Palace

Though it’s hard to think of this grand, opulent residence as anything other than Kensington Palace, there was a time when it went by a completely different name.

In 1619, less than 15 years after it was first built by Sir George Coppin in 1605, the palace was bought by named Heneage Finch, 1st Earl of Nottingham. As such, the palace was known as Nottingham House until it was purchased by King William III and Queen Mary II, back in 1689.

The Royals bought the palace as a cure for asthma

Take a walk from our hotel to Kensington High Street, and it’s hard to imagine that this whole area was once a tranquil oasis of lavish countryside. Yet that’s just how it was when William III and his wife first moved there.

The move itself wasn’t so much for the sake of basking in the beautiful scenery, but rather because Queen Mary believed the fresh air would cure William’s asthma far better than any medicine ever could.

Most the biggest events in the life of Queen Victoria took place here

Arguably Kensington Palace’s most famous resident, the majority of Queen Victoria’s early life was centered around the palace.

Not only was she born here, but she also met her husband, Prince Albert, in the same palace. It was also here where then Princess Victoria first learned that William IV had passed away, making her Queen.

After she took the throne, Victoria moved to Buckingham Palace, leaving behind a place which was said to have many unhappy memories for her.

A place of tragedy and sadness

Queen Victoria wasn’t the only royal resident to have been unhappy during her time at Kensington Palace. Whilst the venue today makes many wonderful memories for guests at our Kensington and Chelsea hotel, it was said that the late Princess Diana was pretty miserable when she lived here. Meanwhile, Queen Mary, Queen Caroline, and the children of Queen Anne all tragically passed away whilst living at Kensington Palace.

The Palace once housed a man named ‘Peter The Wild Boy’

In 1725, a young, mute teenager was found in the woodlands near Hanover, Germany.

A year later, the boy -who had been named Peter- was brought to live with King George 1 at Kensington Palace. Despite becoming something of a local celebrity, ‘Peter the Wild Boy’ as he was known could only ever say two words throughout his whole life – ‘Peter’ and ‘King George.’

Today, a painting of Peter by artist William Kent remains in the palace. It features the boy standing with members of King George’s court, holding leaves in his hand and wearing a green coat. The painting now sits on King’s Staircase along the east wall.

The Fab Four used to perform at the palace

Those of you with a passion for music will no doubt have plenty to explore on your next London holiday, particularly if you’re a fan of The Beatles.

From the location of scenes from the Fab Four’s movies Help! and A Hard Day’s Night to the famous Abbey Road, it’s all close by. Yet if there’s one little known Beatles landmark, it’s Kensington Palace.

Back at the height of their popularity, John, Paul, George, and Ringo were regular guests at lavish parties thrown by Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon, and were known to lead an assortment of royalty and celebrities in a mass sing-along around the piano.

Explore the famous Kensington Palace with a stay at the Amsterdam Hotel on Earls Court Road. Book online now to enjoy huge savings on your London holiday accommodation, or call our team today on 020 7370 5084.