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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.
Windsor Castle, the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world, is one of the official residences of Her Majesty The Queen. The Castle's dramatic site encapsulates 900 years of British history. It covers an area of 26 acres and contains, as well as a royal palace, a magnificent chapel and the homes and workplaces of a large number of people. What there is to see: The magnificent State Apartments are furnished with some of the finest works of art from the Royal Collection, including paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Canaletto, Gainsborough and the famous triple portrait of Charles I by Sir Anthony van Dyck. In 1992 fire destroyed or damaged more than 100 rooms at the Castle. By good fortune the rooms worst affected were empty at the time, and as a result, few of the Castle's artistic treasures were destroyed. The highly acclaimed restoration work, completed in 1997, is a testament to the extraordinary skills of some of the finest craftsmen in Europe. From October to March visitors can also enjoy George IV's private apartments (the Semi-State Rooms), among the most richly decorated interiors in the Castle. St George's Chapel is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in England. It is the spiritual home of the Order of the Garter, the senior order of British Chivalry established in 1348 by Edward III. Within the chapel are the tombs of ten sovereigns, including Henry VIII and his third wife Jane Seymour, and Charles I. Among the highlights of a visit to Windsor is Queen Mary's Dolls' House, the most famous dolls' house in the world. The Drawings Gallery shows changing exhibitions of material from the Royal Library at Windsor Castle. The special display below is shown alongside a selection of treasures from the Royal Library. Current/Forthcoming exhibitions: The Queen: Portraits of a Monarch Friday, 23 November 2012 to Sunday, 09 June 2013 Queen Elizabeth II is one of the most depicted women in the world. She has sat to numerous artists, from Cecil Beaton and Pietro Annigoni to Lucian Freud. Her portrait likeness, so widely circulated, has also inspired artists such as Andy Warhol, whose screenprint portraits of Her Majesty have been recently acquired for the Royal Collection and are displayed for the first time at Windsor Castle. Portraits of The Queen are made for a number of official purposes, ranging from photographs distributed at the time of a State Visit, to those that mark a particular anniversary. Portraits bearing a clear and recognisable image of the sovereign are required for use on coins, banknotes and stamps. Many of the works on display were created with one of these purposes in mind. This exhibition presents a selection of official, commissioned and formal portraits of The Queen, gathered here from the different Royal residences.
RED LOOP The official tour of the National Mall, authorized by the National Park Service and National Mall and Memorial Parks. Take in all the places that are synonymous with the nation’s Capital; The White House, U.S. Capitol, Air and Space Museum, Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, FDR Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial are just some of the iconic landmarks. Commentary provided in live guided commentary and in a choice of 8 pre-recorded languages. BLUE LOOP The Heroes tour travels to the sites and memorials honoring American heroes. Travel over the Potomac River leaving Washington, DC behind and visiting Virginia. The tour’s main features are Arlington National Cemetery, the Pentagon, the Pentagon City Fashion Center, and the US Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima Statue.) Other highlights include the Vietnam Veterans War Memorial, WWII Memorial and Air Force Memorial. Tour is available with live-guided commentary. YELLOW LOOP Travel through the city's historic center, passing the White House and Dupont Circle before heading out to discover Adams Morgan, the National Zoo, and the old world charm of Georgetown. Recorded commentary is available in your choice of 8 languages (French, German, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese and English available). PANORAMIC NIGHT TOUR Experience the Capital’s standout landmarks beautifully illuminated after dusk. Accompanied by your knowledgeable tour guide, you will be able to discover the stories behind Washington’s iconic landmarks. Your guide will explain the history of these national monuments and reveal the perfect position to capture the most impressive photos. DURATION: 2 Hours OPERATES: March 13- May 25: 19:00* May 26 to September 4: 19:30* September 5 to March 12: 18:30* *Departure from Willard Hotel is 30 minutes earlier. REDEMPTION INSTRUCTION: Redeem vouchers at either starting location: Union Station or Willard Hotel. Commentary The multi lingual tours provide a personal commentary in a choice of eight languages: English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Mandarin, Japanese and Portuguese Your ticket will be valid for 48 hours from the first time you hop on the bus!
Winter: Daily Departure time: 10:00, 12:00, 15:00 or 09:00 / 10:00 / 12:00 / 13:00 / 15;00 Departure from Pyramides Agency: 2 rue des Pyramides, 75001 Paris Important Operation Information: In 2018, Eiffel Tower will renovate its lifts. The renovation will last at least 12 months and implies that one lift will be out of service during this period. We will keep you informed of any further notice.
For Tours:
Please plan to arrive 15 minutes prior to your tour time. Please bring your receipt or confirmation number.
Participants arriving after the tour departure time risk forfeiture of their tour seats.
Bike and Roll reserves the right to cancel any tour for weather or other reasons.
If the weather is questionable, please call one hour prior to the start time to confirm the tour status.
This is the text for the Frequently Asked Questions that applies to this specific tour. (Q) Do tours run all year round? (A) Yes, from November to March we will run tours on a reduced schedule at 11am from Thursdays to Mondays, inclusive. Please see the tour page for full details. (Q) Where is the meeting point for the tour? (A) Directly outside Queensway tube station, which is on the central line (the red line cutting across the map from east to west). 15 minutes before the start of the tour, one of our guides will be standing by the red phone boxes holding a Fat Tyre sign. (Q) Is the tour difficult? (A) No. Most of the time is spent on bike lanes within the Royal Parks. There is a bit of road riding and a few crossings so a basic level of cycling proficiency is required. (Q) What happens if it rains? (A) We run tours rain or shine and have plenty of rain ponchos. We find tours in the rain to be a different kind of fun and an even more fun memory! If you have a reservation and the weather is really bad, you are welcome to reschedule the tour for any other day for up to year. (Q) Do we stop for lunch? (A) Yes. We usually stop near Trafalgar Square where there are plenty of options for lunch including to join your guide at a traditional English pub. Otherwise, we may stop in St James park next to a cafe. (Q) Where does the tour end? (A) Both tours finish at the same place they start. (Q) Do we go inside the sites? (A) No, the bike tours are an overview of the sites and more about getting a feel for the city. However, on private tours you can arrange to take extra time at the sites if you'd like to go inside. (Q) Will we be able to take photos? (A) Yes. There will be a chance to take many photos at the designated stops. (Q)Is there a space to store bags or luggage? (A)Yes. You are welcome to leave bags, luggage or unwanted family members in our garages. Someone is usually in the office and it will be locked up if they have to leave. While we have never had a single case of theft or loss of items, you do leave them at your own risk. (Q) Do you provide the bikes? (A) Absolutely. (Q) Can I supply my own bike? (A) You are welcome to bring your own bicycle. Our insurance only covers the theft of our own bicycles, so please do bring your own lock for the lunch stop. (Q) Can an adult ride on the tandem? (A) No. Our tandems are known as tag-alongs which attach to adult bikes and are designed for children up to about the age of five years old.. (Q) Are helmets provided? (A) Yes. You are not compelled by law to wear helmets in the UK, but we have more than enough for everyone so the choice is entirely yours.