All 13 places and people, explained
1. State Rooms above
Upstairs, guests gather in the grand State Rooms, unaware of all the work going on below.
Fun fact The State Rooms are on the first floor, and much of the work happens on the ground floor below.
2. Picture Gallery
Above the busy service rooms, the long Picture Gallery is quiet and full of paintings.
Fun fact The Picture Gallery runs through the middle of the palace.
3. Royal kitchen
Chefs cook in the Royal Kitchen, with copper pots hanging over a big range and long work tables.
Fun fact The kitchen cooks for the royal family, their guests and big events.
4. Chef
A chef arranges food carefully on a plate, adding the last small leaves on top.
Fun fact Chefs taste their food many times while cooking, to get it just right.
5. Ready to serve
The finished dishes wait under silver covers, ready to be carried upstairs.
Fun fact Food is carried quickly so it is still warm when it reaches the table.
6. Staff meal
The people who work at the palace sit down together to share a meal in their own dining room.
Fun fact Staff come from many different countries and backgrounds.
7. Everyday food
Staff meals are simple and warm: vegetable soup, bread, salad and roasted vegetables.
Fun fact Not every meal at the palace is fancy. Everyday food is like food at home.
8. A quiet break
During a break, staff relax with a cup of tea, a book or knitting, and talk with friends.
Fun fact Working long days at big events means breaks are important.
9. Linen room
In the linen room, staff fold, iron and mend the tablecloths, napkins and sheets used all over the palace.
Fun fact Linen is a fabric made from the flax plant.
10. Textile store
Spare fabrics, carpets and curtains are rolled and stored, ready to repair or replace old ones.
Fun fact Some fabrics are specially woven to match the originals exactly.
11. Silver pantry
The silver pantry keeps plates, glasses, cutlery and silver dishes, which are polished by hand.
Fun fact Polishing silver removes the dark layer that forms when silver meets the air.
12. Back stairs
Narrow staircases let staff move between floors quickly without crossing the State Rooms.
Fun fact Big houses and palaces were built with separate stairs just for staff.
13. Ballroom
Go up to the Ballroom to see a banquet being set, then follow the food from the kitchen.
Fun fact Food for a banquet travels a long way from the kitchen to the table.
