London, Windsor Castle and Henry VIII's Hampton Court Palace

Description

London Panoramic Tour
This guided tour begins with a drive to some of the most iconic sites in London. See Parliament Square and the 12 statues of famous statesmen including Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi and Winston Churchill. Next, we’ll pass by Trafalgar Square, home to Nelson’s Column. This statue honours Admiral Nelson in his victory in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Then, it’s on to Piccadilly, Hyde Park Corner and Kensington before heading to Hampton Court Palace and Windsor Castle. 

Hampton Court Palace
As you arrive into this magnificent royal palace in the London borough of Richmond upon Thames, you will be welcomed by one of the expert Palace Hosts. They will introduce you to this opulent riverside residence and set you on your way to discover the State Apartments, Tudor Kitchens and more.

Hampton Court Palace was built in 1515 by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, favourite advisor to King Henry VIII. Once the most powerful man in the English court, second only to the King, Cardinal Wolsey fell out of favour with Henry after he failed to negotiate an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon so he could marry his latest obsession, Anne Boleyn. After Wolsey’s death in 1530, Henry VIII took charge of Hampton Court and showcased his enormous wealth by turning it in to a hotel, a theatre and a huge private playground.

When William III and Mary II (1689 – 1702) took the throne in 1689, they commissioned Sir Christopher Wren to build an elegant new Baroque Palace. Queen Victoria opened the palace to the public in 1838, and it has remained one of England’s most beloved historic attractions. Wander through the vast kitchens where cooks would have worked day and night to bring Henry his poached dolphin and roasted swan. Don’t forget to head out to the beautiful gardens and see if you can escape the oldest surviving maze in the world.

Expert Tip: You will hear lots of information from the Hampton Court Palace host and your tour guide, but make sure you pick up a complementary audio guide on the way in, for those extra bits. Also remember to visit the beautiful gardens. 

Windsor Castle
The preferred weekend residence of  King Charles III, Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. Wander through the stunning State Apartments and keep an eye out for rare works of art on the walls from Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. 

See Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, which has hot and cold running water, electricity and tiny items made by 1,500 of the finest craftspeople of the 20th century. Discover St George’s Chapel, where Harry and Meghan married and the resting place of Henry VIII, Queen Elizabeth II and many other royals.