Exclusive visits and private tours Tower of London Opening ceremony - Get ahead of the crowds, book your group to witness the Military Guard escort the Yeoman Sergeant along Water Lane to open the great gates at the Byward and Middle Towers to let in the visitors for the day. Available Tuesday Saturday groups must arrive at the Middle Drawbridge at 8.45am. Included in admission charge the ceremony is complete by 9.02am. Coins and Kings welcome talks visit Mint Street where the coins of the realm were minted for over 500 years. Discover from our Warden how counterfeiters were dealt with and see if you can spot the forgeries. Talks must be pre-booked for morning visits for groups of up to 20 people, 50 plus VAT per booking. Yeoman Warder meet and greet be welcomed to the most famous fortress by an iconic Beefeater. There is limited availability so this must be booked and paid for in advance. Get a 15 minute intro and photo opportunity prior to exploring the many highlights. 50 plus VAT per booking. Evening tours - This popular tour casts a new light on the Tower of London and gives groups the chance to enjoy the tranquil atmosphere after the hustle and bustle of the daytime. Tours commence at 8.30pm with a Yeoman Warder guiding your group through the ancient fortress for an hour, finishing with the Ceremony of the Keys, the world s longest running military ceremony. The evening finishes at 10.05pm. Minimum 20, maximum 50, 30 per person plus VAT Private viewing of the Crown Jewels - This is a unique opportunity to view the fabulous finery and regalia, the Crown Jewels, outside normal visitor hours. Explore their importance to the British monarchy, the role of the Tower in protecting these treasures and the long and fascinating tradition of coronations in England. Available in the morning from 8.15am when your group is met by a Yeoman Warder and escorted to the Jewel House where the Wardens welcome you to the Treasury. Following your visit the Tower is fully open for your group to explore further. You can also add refreshments at an additional cost booked separately in the Perkin Reveller should you wish. In the evening the visit starts at 6.30pm with sparkling wine and canapés in the Jewel House and the evening finishes at 8pm. The morning viewing is 75 per person plus VAT and the evening at 110 per person plus VAT, minimum 15, maximum 150.
Secrets of the Tower - This highly exclusive opportunity offers small groups access to hidden places not usually open to the public. Parties of a maximum of 8 people will be met by a Yeoman Warder at the Sally Port where Henry VIII greeted Anne Boleyn as his new bride to be in 1532. Visitors will also be shown the extraordinary Upper Byward Tower painting, believed to have been painted in the late 1390s. The Council Chamber in Queen s House, St Thomas More s cell and the Crypt below the chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula are also included. This tour has very limited availability and with many areas being accessible only via narrow spiral staircases and cobbled pathways it s essential to fully discuss the nature of your group visit with our events team. The cost of the tour is 900 plus VAT. Hampton Court Palace Guided tours make your visit extra special or maybe there is part of our history that particularly appeals to your clients. Our ITG accredited guides provide tours of an hour and a half on a variety of topics including the Tudor or Baroque palaces, the tapestries and celebrating our new Cumberland Art Gallery, Art at the Palace. Prices start at 132 per group, up to 40 people. Tours are also available in costume and French, German and Italian on request. Courtyard and Cloister tours join your State Apartment warder half an hour before the palace opens to the public to get an early morning insight of the palace as it prepares for the visitors and hear the intriguing stories of kings, queens and courtiers who have populated the palace over the centuries. Starting at 9.30am in the gardens for a maximum of 35 people per warder the tour lasts 45 minutes and costs 90 per group. Grace and Favour tours discover who lived at the palace once the royal court had departed. Get behind the scenes of Hampton Court and explores a side of the Palace that is often forgotten. The abandoned Grace and Favour apartments are not accessible to the public but bought back to life on this hour and half guided tour. For small parties of 12-15 guests at 50 per person plus VAT the tour includes refreshments prior to the tour in Anne Boleyn s archway. Anyone for tennis? The Royal Tennis court is one of less than fifty real tennis courts in the world, and one of the few courts where the public can watch this intriguing sport. Enjoy an hour learning about the game that the young Henry VIII was passionate about. The tour includes a talk on the history of the game, the court, an introduction to the rules and an exhibition from professional players. There is also an opportunity for guests to have a go themselves! The experience is 800 plus VAT per group, maximum 50 guests. Roof top tours take a different look at Hampton Court Palace from amongst the famous chimneys. Best taken in summer months as weather dependent but available year round, tours take 1 hour, must be booked and paid in advance for a maximum of 15 people. 300 inc VAT, plus palace admission. Please be aware there are health and safety restrictions for participants to sign up to.
Kensington Palace Morning tours - Get a head start and book a place on the first tour of the day at 9am. Tours with our expert Palace Explainers are for up to 30 people, you can book 1 place or all 30 if you wish! The tour lasts 1 hour after which the palace opens to the public and visitors can explore even more. Places are 30 per person and include admission but must be booked and paid for in advance. Victorian breakfast and exclusive tour - start your morning at 8am with a beautiful array of pastries, croissants, fresh fruit, a glass of champagne, choice of teas and coffee in the delightful Orangery, then, join your palace expert to uncover Victoria Revealed, the public and private passions this famous queen. Set within the rooms Victoria lived as a child, exhibits include paintings, gifts exchanged with Prince Albert and her wedding dress. The tour concludes at 10am however guests can then visit the magnificent State Apartments at the palace and Fashion rules: dresses from the collections of Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Margaret and Diana, Princess of Wales. This unique experience is available to groups of 20 to 80 and costs 100 per person plus VAT. Eerie evenings - An evening of surprising stories awaits you as you enter into the unique eerie atmosphere of Kensington Palace at night. Tours are guided through the shadowy historic State Apartments where you will hear chilling tales of mysterious sights and strange happenings... Eerie evenings start at 6.45pm, max 25 per tour, 28 per person inclusive of VAT, evening concludes at 8.30pm. Advance booking essential, private group dates upon request. Kew Palace Private summer evening tours Cast a new light on Kew Palace, this special opportunity to tour King George III s intimate family home is available on request from April September. Lead by one of our costumed palace experts your group will discover the good times and sad times encountered by the royal family between 1800 and 1818. Minimum 10, maximum 30, tours start at 5pm and finish at 7.30pm and include a glass of wine. 30 per person inc VAT.
Banqueting House Guided tours - This revolutionary building, created for court entertainments continues to host many spectacular events and parties. Open daily from 9.30am to 1pm you can discover the last remaining part of Whitehall Palace and learn the grim reality of the final hours of Charles I who in 1649 was beheaded on a scaffold outside. Marvel at the skill and craftsmanship of the magnificent Rubens paintings. Cost for an hour tour is 120 per group. Welcome history bites book one of our knowledgeable staff to welcome your group to the only remaining part of Whitehall Palace. These 15 minute intros supplement the free audio guide and make your group feel welcome at this extraordinary royal treasure set amongst the famous Government buildings. Hillsborough Castle The official residence of the Royal Family in Northern Ireland is located south west of Belfast. Book a tour of the house and take advantage of our extra special refreshment packages including morning or afternoon tea or sparkling wine and canapes to supplement your tour. House tour takes 1 hour and starts at 7.50 per person. Create the very best London itinerary with a Royal Pass The perfect ticket to ensure your clients and groups don t miss any of the greatest royal palaces in London is the Royal Pass. This convenient, flexible souvenir admission pass to the palaces offers benefits to tour operators and group organisers alike. There are three versions of the pass, the four palace pass, the three palace pass and the central London pass. Passes are undated allowing you or your clients to plan and adapt the itinerary as you go and passes are valid for one admission per included palace over a two year period. Passes can be pre-purchased in advance, minimum order being just 15, or for our Agency Voucher Scheme members, exchanged by your clients with your approved voucher at the Group Tickets entrances. For costs and more details contact the Sales Team.
More info Prices above are valid for 2016-17 season but are subject to change, so do check with us when you have an enquiry. Most opportunities are priced for a minimum number of visitors however we can accommodate smaller parties but the cost will be based on the minimum requirement. For details on all the above possibilities for groups and individuals please contact the Sales Team at Historic Royal Palaces at groupsandtraveltrade@hrp.org.uk or call +44 (0) 20 3166 6311. Search your ideal opportunity at www.hrp.org.uk Historic Royal Palaces is the charity that looks after the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Banqueting House, Kensington Palace, Kew Palace and Hillsborough Castle. We help everyone explore the story of how monarchs and people have shaped society, in some of the greatest palaces ever built. We raise all our own funds and depend on the support of our visitors, members, donors, sponsors and volunteers.