Tower of London + Kensington Palace + Thames River Rover Pass

The Palace is perhaps best known as the home of Mary, Queen of Scots, and as the setting for many of the dramatic episodes in her turbulent reign. Mary was married at Holyroodhouse and witnessed the brutal killing of her secretary Rizzio by her jealous second husband, Lord Darnley, in her private apartments. The Palace briefly served as the headquarters of Bonnie Prince Charlie during the 1745 uprising. Today the State Apartments are used regularly by The Queen and other members of the Royal Family for State ceremonies and official entertaining. What there is to see: The State Apartments reflect the changing tastes of successive monarchs and are renowned for their fine plasterwork ceilings and magnificent furnishings, particularly the unrivalled collection of Brussels tapestries.  One of the most famous rooms in the Palace is the Great Gallery, hung with  Jacob de Wet's portraits of the real and legendary kings of Scotland. Included on the visit, a display focuses on the Order of the Thistle, the highest honour in Scotland.  The Order honours Scottish men and women who have held public office or who have contributed in a particular way to national life. Shown alongside historic insignia is an example of the mantle worn at the Thistle ceremony at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh, which The Queen attends during her visit to the Palace in July. From 1 April to 31 October the gardens, which are today used for garden parties, can be included as part of a visit to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Visitors to the gardens must keep to the paths, which are about 400 yards long. The Queen's Gallery at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh hosts a programme of changing exhibitions from the Royal Collection. Book here.   Image Credits: 1.Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2018 2.Photographer: Peter Smith. Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2018  

Get a taste of life on the ocean waves, including the chance to take the ship's wheel and learn how to steer 963 tons of Victorian tea clipper through storms and high seas Learn the story of one of the most famous and magnificent ships in the world Take in epic views of the London skyline.   Initially built for the China tea trade and launched in 1869, Cutty Sark’s original wooden planks and iron frames have been meticulously conserved. As part of an ambitious six-year conservation project, the ship was raised over three metres, giving visitors the unique opportunity to stand directly underneath this world wonder and see her elegant lines and ground-breaking design. It has now been developed into an  award-winning museum and visitor experience.   Located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Maritime Greenwich, the National Maritime Museum and the Queen’s House are both located within a short walking distance from Cutty Sark and are free to visit. The Royal Observatory is another must-see attraction when visiting Greenwich; it’s the home of Greenwich Mean Time and the Prime Meridian.

Enjoy Warwick Castle outside it's busiest times with this great value promo offer for parents and grandparents with toddlers! Only available in advance: book now to SAVE! Highlights: See majestic Birds of Prey take to the skies Face fun challenges in the Horrible Histories adventure maze Set off on an interactive walk-through trail on ‘The Conqueror’s Fortress’ Enjoy sensory attractions such as The Kingmaker and Time Tower Explore 64 acres of landscaped grounds and gardens and come face to face with the Castle’s Peacocks. This ticket includes: Entry to the Castle, Grounds and Gardens (excluding the Castle Dungeon). Practical Information: Baby changing and bottle warming facilities on site Excludes School holidays & weekends. Please click here for our any day offer. ​ You must print your e-ticket off and bring it with you in order to be granted access to the attraction. Visit Warwick Castle to experience the fun of real history! Full to the turrets with dazzling shows and attractions, spellbinding story-telling and fun experiences all year-round, Warwick Castle is an action-packed and unforgettable family experience …

The Queen's Gallery was built in the shell of the former Holyrood Free Church and Duchess of Gordon’s School at the entrance to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The buildings were constructed in the 1840s with funds from the Duchess of Gordon, but fell into disuse in the late 19th century. Benjamin Tindall Architects were appointed project architects for the new Queen’s Gallery in October 1999. Their central visual theme was a celebration of The Queen’s Golden Jubilee, expressed through a series of arches and screens that lead visitors from the Gallery entrance to the exhibition spaces beyond. Their design complements the original 19th-century architecture, elements of which were incorporated into the new spaces. Unsympathetic later internal alterations were removed, and a new exposed steel and concrete floor inserted to reflect the original ‘gallery’ of the Church.   A new stone arched entrance was created at the centre of the Horse Wynd frontage, opposite the new Scottish Parliament building. The use of a stone archway, with a courtyard beyond, is a traditional entrance device in Scottish architecture. The main walling is of Catcastle stone, the dressed work and lettering is of Stainton stone and the base is of Kenmay granite. ‘THE QUEEN’S GALLERY’ lettering above the entrance is the work of John Neilson, a calligrapher and carver. The letters were cut from single pieces of stone. Above sits Scotland’s heraldic lion, designed by Jill Watson. The lion sedant is based on a small red lion that sits at the feet of Mary, Queen of Scots on her tomb in Westminster Abbey. (The Palace of Holyroodhouse was once home to Mary, Queen of Scots.)   The monumental entrance doors of oak have gilded bronze hinges by Jill Watson. Continuing the heraldic theme, the main hinges are decorated with the Scottish lion and unicorn. The beasts are set against the adjacent urban scene of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile and the rural scene of Arthur’s Seat and Salisbury Crags. The upper hinges are made as golden boughs of flowering native trees – chestnut and laburnum, oak, rowan and hawthorn. The stone archway is decorated with a carved and gilded garland of Scottish flowers, including daisies and thistles, created by Graciela Ainsworth, an Edinburgh-based sculptor, carver and conservator. Over the old entrance to the former church is a stained-glass window by Christian Shaw.  The design shows a perspective drawing of the interior of a gallery. At night, the shape of the archway is reflected by the glass lights by Keiko Mukaide set into the paving. The artist has given the tiles a water flow pattern, mirroring the stream of visitors walking in and out of the Gallery. Inside, the reception desk by Hamid van Koten is made from curved pieces of Scottish elm with kilned glass and patinated copper. The pendant lights were designed and made in Edinburgh by Ingrid Phillips. Dividing the reception from the main Gallery area is a patterned glass screen by Jacqueline Poncelet. The screen’s bronze handles by Jill Watson incorporate figures looking at art in a gallery.   The dramatic central stair of native timber leads to the Gallery spaces above. The complex shape was designed by the architects with Charles Taylor Woodwork, who were responsible for the construction. Lights set into the first floor illuminate the curved balustrading. The Queen’s Gallery was opened by Her Majesty The Queen on 29 November 2002, as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations. It hosts a programme of changing exhibitions from the Royal Collection.

Set off for a full day excursion to Normandy from Paris with an official guide. Set off from your Paris accommodation at 06:30 for our central Paris agency. Relax during the journey by luxury air-conditioned coach before arriving at the Caen Memorial Museum at around 10:15. The Caen Memorial Museum retraces the various stages of the conflict that took place during the Second World War. Your guided tour will give you the chance to see everyday objects from life during occupation, maps, and models of military vehicles, as well as film screenings that recreate the emotions of D-Day and the Battle for Normandy. The visit continues with an included lunch at the restaurant in the Caen Memorial Museum. Menu* Starter Buffet: Légumes crus de saison et leur vinaigrette(tomates, concombres, carottes) Salades composées Charcuterie *** Table served hot dish Fondant de poulet farci aux cèpes Galette de pommes de terre / Julienne de légumes *** ​Chesse and Dessert Buffet: Fromages normands (Pont l’Evêque et Camembert) Tarte normande Salade de fruits Tarte au chocolat Teurgoule ** Pain de campagne (farmhouse bread) *** Drinks: Bordeaux wine (1 bottle for 4) Eau de source Coffee * Example of menu, subject to modification without any notice            In the afternoon, your tour will continue to several of the iconic landmarks that played a part in the landings. Your first stop will be at the Pointe du Hoc, overlooking the hundred-foot-high cliffs. Stormed by the American Rangers on D-Day, it was one of the key German fortified sites along the Normandy coast and was equipped, at that time, with a number of heavy artillery posts.  You will then visit the famous American Cemetery at Saint Laurent, located just above Omaha Beach. This 170-acre site is home to 9,387 perfectly aligned white marble headstones, a memorial, chapel, and the Garden of the Missing. It pays tribute to all the American soldiers who died during the Second World War. A small trail leads down the hill to Omaha Beach, giving you the opportunity to walk across the sand. You will have one hour to spend here. Following this visit, you will stop at Arromanches, a historic town known for its artificial port, which was built as part of the Normandy landings. The harbour saw the unloading of almost 10,000 tons of equipment. You can still make out the floating reinforced concrete "Phoenix" constructions in the water.  Finally, you will make a short photo-stop near Juno Beach and its cemetery, one of the key D-Day landing beaches for Canadian troops.  Return to your Paris accommodation is scheduled for around 21:30.

One of the most famous buildings in the world, the Tower of London was constructed in the 11th century - almost a 1,000 years ago and has been witness to countless significant events in the development of Britain's now democratic monarchy. During your tour of the Tower of London you will meet the magnificent Yeoman Warders or 'Beefeaters', clad as they were in Tudor times, hear the legend of the ravens and spine chilling tales from the Tower's long history. See the infamous Bloody Tower where the Princes were murdered, Beauchamp Tower where visitors can read carved inscriptions of past prisoners and Traitors Gate where those unlucky enough not to survive imprisonment had their heads impaled - and much more. We sell at less than the gate price, which gives you access to all the Towers and Attractions, as well as the unique Gift Shops, the historic New Armouries Restaurant, Tower Cafe and Kiosk. Your Tower ticket also includes entry to the Crown Jewels. Westminster Abbey Glorious Architecture This magnificent gothic construct is a sight to behold and the incredible stained glass is some of the most impressive in the UK. Coronation Chair Created for King Edward I in 1296, the chair has been the seat for the crowning of every monarch since 1308, including Queen Victoria and our current reigning Queen, HRH Elizabeth II. It is the oldest piece of furniture in the UK that is still used for its original intention. Poets’ Corner The literary corner of the Abbey is named due to the large amount of poets and writers buried there, including Geoffrey Chaucer, Charles Dickens, Rudyard Kipling and Thomas Hardy, as well as many memorial stones and busts dedicated to the likes of Shakespeare and loved Scottish poet Robert Burns. Kings and Queens Westminster Abbey has been the coronation church since 1066 and seventeen monarchs are buried there. The Abbey was also the place where William and Kate tied the knot in 2011.