Kings, Queens & Statesman

All this is included in our wonderful Royal weekend:

 

 

Buckingham Palace

We visit magnificent Buckingham Palace which is recognised around the world as the home of the monarch, the focus of national and royal celebrations, as well as the backdrop to the regular Changing the Guard ceremony.

Explore the magnificent State Rooms which are the public rooms in the Palace where the monarch and members of the Royal Family receive and entertain their guests on State, ceremonial and official occasions. There are 19 State Rooms, which mainly reflect the taste of George IV, who commissioned the architect John Nash to transform Buckingham House into a grand palace in 1825. The State Rooms are furnished with many of the greatest treasures from the Royal Collection, including paintings by Van Dyck and Canaletto, sculpture by Canova, Sèvres porcelain, and some of the finest English and French furniture in the world. Many of the State Rooms have particular uses today. The Throne Room is used for court ceremonies and official entertaining, and was the setting for the wedding photos of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The White Drawing Room, perhaps the grandest of all the State Rooms, serves as a royal reception room for The King and members of the Royal Family to gather before official occasions.

 

 

The Tower of London

Marvel at the imposing White Tower, a magnificent example of Norman architecture at the heart of the Tower of London.

 

 

Discover captivating stories of pain and passion, treachery and torture with the Yeoman Warder tours at the Tower of London.

Meet the famous ravens at the Tower of London and discover why they are known as the guardians of the Tower.

 

 

The Crown Jewels have been stored and displayed at the Tower of London since 1661, continuing a long tradition of storing precious objects here. This magnificent world-famous collection of 23,578 gemstones is part of the Royal Collection and boasts items that are still used in royal ceremonies today. UNDER GUARD AND STILL IN USE - You'll find the Crown Jewels under armed guard in the Jewel House at the Tower of London. These gems are a unique working collection of royal regalia and are still regularly used by the monarch for important national ceremonies, such as the State Opening of Parliament. Make sure to look out for the 'in use' signs.

 

 

 

Chartwell

Home of Sir Winston Churchill and his family, which is filled with treasures, gifts and personal belongings, presented as they knew it. There is a formal rose garden designed by Lady Churchill which leads into the terrace lawn with views over surrounding estate and countryside.

The Walled Garden is a working kitchen garden, with walls built by Winston Churchill and is surrounded by apple orchard and wildflower meadow.

The Studio is home of the largest single collection of Winston Churchill’s paintings, with interactive displays offer insight into Churchill the painter.

 

 

Hever Castle

Experience over 600 years of history at the romantic double-moated 14th century castle once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII and mother of Elizabeth I. Discover magnificent award-winning gardens set in 125 acres of glorious grounds. No matter what time of year you visit you are guaranteed a breath-taking display.

Dating back to the 14th century, Hever Castle was once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII and Mother of Elizabeth I. It formed the unlikely backdrop to a sequence of tumultuous events that changed the course of Britain’s history, monarchy and religion. Its panelled rooms house fine furniture, tapestries, antiques and what is regarded by some as ‘one of the best collections of Tudor portraits after the National Portrait Gallery’. The Book of Hours Room beautifully illuminates two prayer books which belonged to Anne Boleyn and bear her inscriptions and signature. Today, much of what you see is the result of the remarkable efforts of William Waldorf Astor, who used his fortune to restore and extend the Castle in the early 20th century. The Astor Suite is dedicated to its more recent history, showcasing pictures and memorabilia relating to the Astor family and the Edwardian period. Hever Castle is what every child wants a castle to be: crenelated, moated and haunted. The permanent exhibition in the Long Gallery depicts the saga from the Wars of the Roses to the Reformation through its art collection.

 

 

Today there is jousting in the grounds

The Knights of Royal England return to battle it out at the annual Hever Castle Jousting Tournament. Spectators will be treated to a thrilling show as the brave knights compete for points to find this season’s champion. Witness spectacular displays of action, stunts, falls and fights in an authentic arena complete with Royal Box.

 

 

Federation House built in 2008, is the headquarters for the Police Federation and is fresh and contemporary with a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. The bedrooms are designed with your comfort in mind: • 26 inch television • Climate control • Safe deposit box • Hairdryers • Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel • gym. Please note that some twins are a double bed with a comfortable double sofa bed. Meals are self service style. Doubles for sole occupancy are an additional £125. www.federationhouse.co.uk

 

Dinners & Breakfasts & Monday High Tea

 

Travel in Style from Pudsey, Farsley, Calverley, Rodley, Leeds, Horsforth, Bradford, Ainley Top, Woolley Edge Services

 

Fully Escorted by a Hanson Exclusives’ Tour Manager.

 

Please note: We strongly recommend that you take out insurance to cover you for cancellation charges due to illness.

 

Holiday Travel Insurance  -  We suggest that you should be adequately insured for any of our holidays.