Historic setting:
The Household Cavalry Museum sits within Horse Guards in Whitehall, central London, one of the city’s most historic buildings. Dating from 1750, it is still the headquarters of the Household Division, in which the Household Cavalry has performed the Queen’s Life Guard in a daily ceremony that has remained broadly unchanged for over 350 years.
The Household Cavalry:
The Household Cavalry was formed in 1661 under the direct order of King Charles II and now consists of the two senior regiments of the British Army – The Life Guards and the Blues and Royals. We have two roles: as a mounted regiment (on horseback), we guard Her Majesty The Queen on ceremonial occasions in London and across the UK and are a key part of the Royal pageantry; as an operational regiment we serve around the world in armoured fighting vehicles. We currently have units deployed on active service in Iraq and Afghanistan. Our fighting capacity is matched by our strategic role in international peace keeping and humanitarian operations.
Collections:
Over the centuries we have amassed an outstanding collection of rare and unique treasures from ceremonial uniforms, royal standards and gallantry awards to musical instruments, horse furniture and silverware by Fabergé. Each exhibit has its own compelling story to tell and many are on display for the very first time. You can see two silver kettledrums given to the regiment in 1831 by William IV; the pistol ball that wounded Sir Robert Hill at Waterloo and the cork leg which belonged to the first Marquess of Anglesy, who, as the Earl of Uxbridge, lost his real one at Waterloo. Modern additions to the collection include Jacky Charlton’s football cap – he did his national service with the regiment and Sefton’s bridle – the horse that was injured in the 1982 Hyde Park bombings. Much of the collection has resulted from the close association that has existed between the Household Cavalry and Royalty. We have, after all, protected successive kings and queens from rebels, rioters and assassins for nearly 350 years.
Working Stable Block:
Visitors can gain a unique behind-the-scenes look at our working stable block. All the horses here are on duty and at different times of the day you will see something going on - you might see the horses being brought in, groomed, fed and watered, their hooves oiled and shoes checked, their saddles adjusted ready to go on guard or just see the stables themselves being cleaned. Both our horses and riders go through a rigorous and demanding training. In the Museum's many interactive and multimedia presentations, you will hear first hand accounts of what this training is like and the techniques our soldiers use to master their horses and complete the gruelling preparations for regimental inspections.
What is Included:
Meals as indicated-1 x light breakfast (Day 2) + 1 x lunch (Day 1)
Shared Accommodation & linen
All park entrance fees incl. 3 PARKS PASS
Friendly & informative tour guide
Along the way you will meet some of Australia’s favourite animals. At our first stop, Moonlit Sanctuary, you can cuddle a koala (**fee applicable) and hand feed kangaroos and wallabies. Enjoy lunch overlooking a billabong teeming with waterbirds before we make tracks to Phillip Island. You will be dropped off at the Island Accommodation early afternoon and can explore the magical island coastline on your own at your leisure. Next day we will come and pick you up early afternoon.
First stop on day 2 is historic Churchill Island.
Down at Churchill Island take time to wander about the gardens surrounding the historic Amess House. Learn about the significance of this small island in the history of Victoria. Head over to the farm yards where you’ll get to see stockwhip cracking, sheep shearing and working dogs in action. From here we’ll take you to the Koala Conservation Centre where you’ll get up close to koalas in their natural environment.
Next we head over to the home of the Little Penguins, Summerland Peninsula, but before we meet the stars of the show we’ll take a break at the Nobbies Centre.
Last but certainly not least is the world famous Penguin Parade. Here you’ll see hundreds of Little Penguins come ashore just after sunset, make their way across the beach and up into the sand dunes to their burrows. A natural wonder, this is something you will never forget.
YOU SHOULD BRING (ADVISABLE)
Good shoes / boots for walking
Appropriate clothing for warm and cold conditions
Sunscreen, hat, water bottle
Bathers for swimming (time permitted)
Bring own toiletries & towel
Barcelona es una ciudad que se transforma cuando el sol se esconde y una cierta magia y misterio lo envuelven todo. Sus edificios desvelan entonces otros atractivos, y de todos quizás el más encantador es, además, una obra maestra de Antonio Gaudí. ¡Te invitamos a descubrir la Casa Milà de noche!.
Con esta visita íntima y exclusiva descubrirás los secretos que el edificio esconde cuando oscurece y serás testigo privilegiado de las vidas, costumbres y pequeñas historias de los vecinos de esta singular residencia de hace 100 años. Comprobarás como cada rincón es muestra de la imaginación y el genio de Gaudí, todo y que en ningún momento éste renunció a la funcionalidad de cada espacio y elemento.
Pasadizos serpenteantes que te transportarán al interior de una cueva, olas de mar que esconden tranquilos seres marinos, telarañas de hierro forjado, chimeneas que asemejan guerreros gigantes y muchas otras formas por descubrir donde la piedra y los materiales cobran vida en un baile de magníficos detalles. Un inolvidable viaje al origen de la vida, la esencia de la arquitectura de Gaudí.
All aboard the 'orrible omnibus for a ride around the dark side of London. The Ghost Bus Tours' classic Routemaster bus has been redesigned to give passengers London's first 'Fright Bus' service. On-board actors and technical trickery combine to create the scariest tour in town. A creepy conductor will provide the commentary for this sinister sightseeing show, revealing haunted Palaces, unmarked burial grounds and the many skeletons in the capital's cupboard.
The Ghost Bus Tours - The Necropolis Bus Company
Earth to earth…
The Necropolis Bus Company began in the 19th century as a private funeral bus service. The Necropolis vehicles or ‘Carcass Coaches’ as they were known to Londoners were able to convey the deceased, pall bearers and up to 50 mourners (no standing) to the final resting place. Each bus had an onboard conductor/chief mourner and a special siren or ‘mourning whistle’ to warn pedestrians of the bus’s approach. The sound of the whistle prompted gentlemen to remove their hats and bow their heads as a mark of passing respect.
Ashes to Ashes…
Regular service ran until 1967 when a tragic fire at the company depot in South Dulstead razed the building to the ground and destroyed almost the entire fleet of buses. Only one vehicle was salvaged from the ashes and was locked in a storage facility for 40 years. It has now been restored to its original design and is operated by NECROBUS as a sightseeing service in central London.
Bus to Bus...
The bus is painted in the company’s traditional colour of midnight black. The interior seating is arranged in ‘railway style’ for comfort and so that passengers can grieve openly and offer condolences to each other. Decorative features include lamps and window curtains, which were always drawn if a coffin was stored in the vehicle overnight. This is based on the superstition that a departed spirit might be trapped by its own reflection in the glass and would be unable to pass on to the other world. It also helped to keep the bodies cool in the summer months.
Please Note: The Ghost Bus Tours take no responsibility for items left on the bus, personal items are carried at the owners risk and The Ghost Bus can take no responsibility for items damaged or lost. Smoking, eating and drinks other than bottled water are not permitted on the bus. There are no toilet facilities on the bus.
The vehicle is a 1966 Routemaster and it has not been possible to make the entrance wheelchair accessible.
