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Introduction

Time: All Year

Accommodation: 5 Star Hotels

Start Date: 4 Nights / 5 Days

Group Size: Singles, Couples, Families and Small Groups

In the heart of London are the modern day Buckingham, Kensington and the remains of the ancient Whitehall palaces. We will also explore many sites asscoiated with the Royal family including places of worhsip and education.

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Over the course of the 5 days on this tour, you will experience the best the capital has to offer from the stark beauty of the medieval Tower of London to the opulenence of Windsor Castle. The tours can be flexible to cater for any particular Royal interests.

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Itinerary

Day 1: Tower - City - St Paul's Cathedral

The TOWER OF LONDON has been a royal palace, zoo, prison and fortress. The White Tower was built by William I and each monarch added their own fortifications. You will hear the tales behind stories like the princes in the tower. On view are Henry VIII’s armour and the Crown Jewels. Travelling through the CITY - London's principal trading areas, there are many Royal connections before ST PAUL’S CATHEDRAL. Built by Christopher Wren in 1685. Important services have included the wedding of Prince Charles to Lady Diana and the thanksgiving service for 80th Birthday of Her Majesty the Queen.

Day 2: Boat - Greenwich - Eltham Palace

Taking a boat along the River THAMES passing London's great sites before we alight in GREENWICH. This lovely riverside village is a World Heritage Site. Both Mary Tudor and Elizabeth I were born here. The Palace of Placentia was a royal palace and now the Royal Naval College. The ROYAL OBSERVATORY overlooks the Royal Park and MARITIME MUSEUM. ELTHAM PALACE is part medieval palace, part Art Deco showpiece. The centre of the palace is a moated C14th Great Hall built by Edward IV. In the 1930s, the wealthy Courtauld family transformed it with under floor heating and piped music.

Day 3: Westminster - Banqueting House - Parks

Strolling down the Queen's ceremonial route, The Mall to WESTMINSTER ABBEY. Regally set across the road from the Houses of Parliament, the Abbey has been the crowning place of kings since 1066 and contains the graves of seventeen monarchs. The present church was built by Henry III in 1245. Along Whitehall is BANQUETING HOUSE, used to provide entertainment for Charles I, and was later the scene of his execution. It houses the only remaining in-situ painted ceiling by Peter Paul Rubens and was painted in 1621. Finally, we will see some of the Royal Parks incuding the Diana Memorial Fountain.

Day 4: Buckingham Palace - Guards - Kensington

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, built in 1702 is the head of the Royal household and the Queen's official residence in London. The pomp and ceremony of the Changing of the Guards, takes place in front of the palace by the soldiers who protect the Queen. The QUEEN'S GALLERY exhiibits pieces from the Royal Collection. (In the summer months, there are 19 STATE ROOMS open). KENSINGTON PALACE was converted into a Royal Palace for William III and Mary in 1689 by Sir Christopher Wren. Visitors see the elegant C18th State Rooms. After the death of Princess Diana in 1997, the William Gates became a focus for mourners.

Day 5: Windsor - Eton - Hampton Court

WINDSOR CASTLE is the largest inhabited castle in the world and is still the Queen’s home. In the grounds is ST GEORGE’S CHAPEL built in 1475 and where Henry VIII is buried. Close to the castle is ETON COLLEGE, one of the country’s premier schools having educated 18 prime ministers and Prince Charles’ children, William and Harry. We drive to HAMPTON COURT, a Royal Palace since Henry VIII. Built by Cardinal Wolsey in 1514, it was given to Henry to stave off his displeasure at Wolsey’s rising power. The gardens are one of the best examples of Tudor landscape architecture and the maze provides amusement.