Royal palaces tour
3 Days
From £699
In association with Travel Editions
Check availability
Call now and book 02081317856 Quote ref: ROYAL PALACES
Check availability
Call now and book 02081317856
Quote ref: ROYAL PALACES
Email us
Enjoy a visit to Windsor Castle and tour of its magnificent State Apartments as well as trips to Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, Banqueting Hall and Westminster Abbey

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Throughout 1,000 years of British history, London has been at the centre of the romance, decadence and intrigue that defines the story of the royals - a grand soap opera of sex, power and warring families. From marriages and affairs to betrayals and beheadings, the castles and palaces in and around London have witnessed events that have shaped the country.

On this exclusive three-day tour, you will be joined by historian and Tudors expert Prof Suzannah Lipscomb for a private tour of Hampton Court Palace, as well as a talk and Q&A session during which you can pose your questions to her. You will take tours of the great palaces by the Thames, including The State Rooms of Buckingham Palace; the Tower of London; Banqueting Hall; Westminster Abbey and the State Apartments at Windsor Castle, where you can enjoy a private behind-the-ropes tour and a glass of champagne at the tour's close.

Meet Suzannah Lipscomb

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is a historian, academic and television presenter. She says:

"I am a great believer in telling historical tales where they happened. The veil between the past and the present feels very thin when you are following in the footsteps of Henry VIII, or standing in the spot where Anne Boleyn met her end."

Private tour of Windsor Castle

Another highlight will be Windsor Castle, a Royal stronghold since just after the Norman Conquest, where you will journey through 1,000 years of royal history on a private tour of the State Apartments at a time when the castle is otherwise closed to the public. You will also enjoy a glass of champagne at the tour's close.

Discover Hampton Court Palace

Prof Suzannah will accompany you on a visit to Hampton Court Palace, with its famous maze and lavish rooms, perhaps best known for Henry VIII's gruesome love affairs. It dates back to 1515 and was commissioned by Cardinal Wolsey, who later gifted it to the king. An expert on Tudor history, Prof Suzannah will reveal some of the stories and secrets behind this fascinating palace.

To read more about this trip:
PDF
Download the brochure here

Reasons to book

Meet Prof Suzannah Lipscomb

Suzannah is an academic, writer and broadcaster famous for her Tudor expertise, and worked as research curator at Hampton Court Palace.

Private Windsor Castle tour

Journey through 1,000 years of royal history on a private tour of the State Apartments and enjoy a glass of champagne at the tour's close.

Discover Hampton Court Palace

Suzannah will reveal stories and secrets as she accompanies you on a visit to Hampton Court Palace, with its famous maze and lavish rooms.
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Tour brochure
PDF
Download a PDF tour brochure

Your expert guides

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb
TV historian

An historian, author, and broadcaster, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is Professor of History at the University of Roehampton and a fellow of the Royal Historical Society. She received her DPhil in History from Balliol College, Oxford. She has worked as a research curator at Hampton Court Palace and has also presented many historical documentaries on the BBC, ITV, Channel Five, and National Geographic, including Elizabeth I, and the three-part Bloody Tales Of The Tower. She is the author and editor of several books, including A Visitor's Companion To Tudor England.

Price includes

  • Two nights' bed and breakfast at the four-star Talbot Ripley hotel
  • Talk and Hampton Court Palace tour with Prof Suzannah Lipscomb
  • First and second night dinner at the hotel restaurant
  • All tours and admission
  • All coach transfers
  • Tour manager throughout

Availability

From
Sun, Sun, Sep 27, 2020
To
Tue, Tue, Sep 29, 2020
Duration
3 Days
Price per person
£699*
* Price is per person, based on two sharing a room. Subject to availability. Single supplement applies. Travel to the hotel is not included. Our travel partner, Travel Editions, is ABTA-bonded and this trip is ATOL-protected. This promotion is exclusive to Hearst UK and may be promoted by other Hearst UK brands.
Call now to book 02081317856
Quote ref: ROYAL PALACES
Got any questions about this trip? Send us an enquiry

Itinerary

  1. Day
    1
    Tour the State Apartments
    Ripley, United Kingdom

    Arrive independently at the Talbot Hotel Ripley, where at 14.30, an afternoon tea will await you. In the late afternoon we will depart for Windsor where we will enjoy a private tour of the breath-taking State Apartments. Built by William the Conqueror, originally as a motte and bailey castle, Windsor is the longest-occupied palace in Europe, having been used by successive monarchs since Henry I. Our tour will include the unrivalled state apartments, the Royal Collection and a glass of champagne. This evening there will be a late dinner in the hotel restaurant.

    Meals - Dinner
  2. Day
    2
    Westminster Abbey, Banqueting House and Buckingham Palace
    Buckingham Palace, United Kingdom

    This morning we will visit Westminster Abbey for a guided tour. The traditional place of coronation and burial site for English, then British, monarchs, the present Gothic church was begun in 1245 on the orders of Henry III. Every English/British monarch since King Harold and William the Conqueror in 1066 has been crowned here, and 16 royal weddings have been held here. After lunch (not included) we visit the Banqueting House, Whitehall - the only remaining component of the Palace of Whitehall. Our final visit of the day is to the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace which has been an official London residence of the British monarch since the accession of Queen Victoria in 1837. Our tour includes an audio guide which will lead us throughout the State Rooms which are used both privately by the Queen and for official banquets and engagements. This evening, you will enjoy a private and talk from Suzannah with a Q&A session.

    Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
  3. Day
    3
    Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace
    Hampton Court Palace, United Kingdom

    This morning, we will visit the Tower of London, established by William Conqueror in 1066 to keep hostile Londoners at bay. One of the UK's most iconic buildings, the mighty Tower of London has been the scene of some of Britain's most dramatic, fascinating and surprising history and houses the world-renowned Crown Jewels.

    After lunch (not included) we will be joined by Suzannah Lipscomb as we visit Hampton Court Palace, dating back to 1515 when it was commissioned by Cardinal Wolsey, who later gifted it to Henry VIII. It is one of only two of Henry VIII's palaces still in existence. Return to the hotel for approximately 17.30.

    Meals - Breakfast

Accommodation

The Talbot Inn

0
Ripley, United Kingdom

Historic pub, hotel and restaurant on the high street in Ripley

It is said that this 500-year-old coaching inn on Ripley's historic high street is where Lord Nelson's relationship with Lady Hamilton "blossomed". Rooms are spread across four buildings, some overlooking the old coach courtyard. Originally a stop-off point between London and Portsmouth, this puropse remains today, although many punters drop by for the history lesson, ordering a pint and some 'Nelson's nuts'.

Brought to you by

Travel Editions
This tour is operated solely by Travel Editions
Founded in 1994, Travel Editions offers a range of cultural short breaks and tours which appeal to 'travellers' not 'tourists' and whose itineraries are not readily available elsewhere.

To view Travel Editions ’s supplier’s terms and conditions click here.

This tour is protected by the following:

Availability

From
Sun, Sun, Sep 27, 2020
To
Tue, Tue, Sep 29, 2020
Duration
3 Days
Price per person
£699*
* Price is per person, based on two sharing a room. Subject to availability. Single supplement applies. Travel to the hotel is not included. Our travel partner, Travel Editions, is ABTA-bonded and this trip is ATOL-protected. This promotion is exclusive to Hearst UK and may be promoted by other Hearst UK brands.
Call now to book 02081317856
Quote ref: ROYAL PALACES
Email us