A record-breaking 413,000 visitors passed through the doors of Buckingham Palace during this year’s Summer Opening.

Visitor numbers were the highest in 16 years, and the second highest since the palace first opened to the public in 1993.

It’s thought that the special exhibition, called The Queen’s Year, which charted the variety of different work carried out by the Queen, resulted in many people making a return visit to the Palace.

In addition, the Palace’s new Garden Café was another incentive to make a repeat visit. Over the eight-week Summer Opening, the café served 46,000 cups of tea; the profiteroles and vanilla mille feuille were among visitors’ favourite treats.

And the highly successful Victoria & Albert: Art & Love exhibition currently running at The Queen’s Gallery in Buckingham Palace is another reason for the palace to celebrate. Visitor numbers are up 15%, including a record number of first-time visitors. (If you haven’t been yet, this fantastic exhibition has been extended until 5 December, so you’ve still got time to see it.)

To top a very successful year, Buckingham Palace was awarded “Best UK Attraction” at both the Group Travel Awards and the Group Leisure Awards.

Jonathan Marsden, Director of the Royal Collection, said, “We are delighted the number of people choosing to visit Buckingham Palace has continued to grow. Winning two major group travel industry awards is enormously encouraging and a recognition of our commitment to providing the best possible experience for our visitors.”

Did you visit Buck Palace this year? Let us know what you thought in the comments below.