The Queen's Gallery - Buckingham Palace

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.

The Original London Sightseeing Tour A spectacular day out for all the family! THE TOURS The Original Tour (Yellow Route) Hop-on and off our tours at your leisure exploring London's sights in safety and comfort. Get the most out of your visit with a fun & informative English guided commentary provided by our professional tour hosts. The route takes in London's most famous sights; including Buckingham Palace, Big Ben & the Houses of Parliament, Downing Street, The London Dungeon, Tower Bridge and The Tower of London. Commentary - English Live Guided Bus Times - The Original Tour (Yellow Route) departs every 20 minutes from Whitcomb Street between 08:30 to 18:00. Tour Duration: 2 hours 15 mins Last full Yellow tour: 16:30 Mon-Thurs, Fri-Sun 17:00 Departure Points - We recommend you join this tour from our Visitor Centre or Piccadilly Circus. The City Sightseeing Tour (Red Route) Our City Sightseeing route takes in all of London's landmark attractions and offers entertaining, multi-lingual commentaries. Children can also enjoy our superb Kids' Channel on the Red Route. The route takes in the capital's most famous sights including Buckingham Palace, Big Ben & the Houses of Parliament, Downing Street, Madame Tussauds, The London Dungeon, Tower Bridge and The Tower of London. Commentary - Digitally Recorded Multi-Lingual in English, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, German, Japanese, Portuguese & Kids' Channel. Bus Times: First red tour departs at 0830 from Grosvenor Gardens with departures every 10-15 minutes there­after. Mon–Thurs last tour 16:50 and Fri-Sun last tour from 17:20 Tour Duration: 2 hours 15 mins Departure Points - We recommend you join this tour from Victoria, Visitor Centre or Piccadilly Circus. The Museum Tour (Blue Route) In addition to our two popular main tour routes, customers of The Original Tour can enjoy the delights of London's top museum districts relayed to them through the superb digital commentary. Enjoy the many attractions, shops and museums along the Blue route which runs from the British Museum down to Kensington and Knightsbridge for Kensington Palace, Harrods, the V&A, Natural History and Science Museums, whilst listening to an informative and entertaining commentary. Commentary - Digitally Recorded Multi-Lingual in English, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, German, Japanese, Portuguese & Kids' Channel. Bus Times - First Blue Tour from Woburn Place 08:30, from Kensington Palace Gardens 08:15 daily, every 15-20 minutes thereafter daily. Last Full Blue Tour 17:15 from Kensington Palace Gardens to Woburn Place daily. Last Full Blue Tour 17:30 from Woburn Place to Kensington Palace Gardens daily. Tour Duration: 2 hours 15 mins Departure Points - We recommend you join this tour from Piccadilly Circus. EXPLORE LONDON WALKING TOURS Get up close to London's incredible history. Included FREE with every bus tour ticket! Three fabulous walks put you at the heart of the world's most exciting city: Changing the Guard Walk: See Buckingham Palace, St James's Palace and the regiments that guard them in this exciting walk as you march alongside the guards at Buckingham Palace.* Departs daily 10:30 from The Original London Visitor Centre Rock ‘n’ Roll Walk: Take a 90 minute walk through the heart of London’s rocking heritage: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie and The Sex Pistols – it’s only rock ‘n’ Roll, but I like it! Departs daily 13:00 from The Original London Visitor Centre Jack the Ripper Walk: Walk in the footsteps of the world's most infamous serial killer as we reveal his murderous tale from the dark street of Whitechapel in 1888. Departs daily 15:30 from The Original Tour stop at the Tower of London on Tower Hill * On non-guard change days walks go to Buckingham Palace and to St James's Palace where you can take photos of sentry boxes. The guard change does not take place if it is raining. ** All tours take approximately 90 minutes. Please note that the Jack the Ripper walk will finish at Aldgate East tube station and not at one of our bus stops. *** Walking tours are included FREE with an Original Tour ticket but can be purchased separately at 7 GBP each. MAIN DEPARTURE POINTS: The Original London Visitor Centre The newly opened London Visitor Centre is your one-stop-shop to the Capital and beyond. Visit us at our Trafalgar Square address for expert help from our excellent travel advisers. You can also purchase tickets for a range of exciting activities. Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday 08:30 to 18:00 Sunday & Bank Holidays 09:00 to 17:30 Address: 17-19 Cockspur Street, Trafalgar Square Nearest Tube: Charing Cross or Piccadilly Circus Start Point 1 - PICCADILLY CIRCUS Directions: Yellow Route From Whitcomb Street: The stop is by the McDonald's between Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square. Red Route From Haymarket: The stop is outside the Theatre Royal. Green & Blue Routes From Rupert Street: The stop is outside 'Yo Sushi' restaurant on Rupert Street No.19. Timetable - Frequency approx. 10 mins Yellow Route: First Bus 08:30, Last Full Tour 18:00 Red Route: First Bus 09:15, Last Full Tour 16:20 Green Route: First Bus 09:52, Last Full Tour 14:10 Blue Route: First Bus 08:45, Last Full Tour 17:15 Start Point 2 - TRAFALGAR SQUARE Directions: Yellow & Red Routes From Trafalgar Square (North Side): The stop is located opposite The Original London Visitor Centre at Stop 'Z', by the Sainsbury Wing of the National Gallery. Green Route From Northumberland Avenue: The stop is opposite 'Garfunkel's' restaurant at Stop 'W'. Timetable - Frequency approx. 15 mins Yellow Route: First Bus 08:35, Last Full Tour 15:50 Red Route: First Bus 09:20, Last Full Tour 15:04 Green Route: First Bus 09:18, Last Full Tour 14:35 Start Point 3 - RUSSELL SQUARE & WOBURN PLACE Directions: Blue Routes From Woburn Place: The stop is located just off Russell Square on Woburn Place outside the Royal National Hotel. Timetable - Frequency approx. 15 mins Blue Route: First Bus 08:30, Last Full Tour 16:30 Start Point 4 - VICTORIA & GROSVENOR GARDENS Directions: Yellow Route From Buckingham Palace Road: The stop is located outside the Thistle Victoria Hotel on Buckingham Palace Road. Red Route From Grosvenor Gardens: The stop is located beside Grosvenor Gardens outside STA Travel. Timetable - Frequency approx. 10 mins Yellow Route: First Bus 09:05, Last Full Tour 16:15 Red Route: First Bus 08:30, Last Full Tour 17:20 Start Point 5 - MARBLE ARCH Directions: Yellow & Red Routes From Speakers' Corner: The stop is located at Speakers' Corner at Marble Arch on Park Lane. Take subway exit number '3', turn right at street level and go over pedestrian crossing. Our bus stop is the last on the right hand side  

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.

Be amazed and enchanted by the lights of Vancouver on this memorable tour. Highlights: Stanley Park: Bright Nights Display
Canuck Place: Lighting of the House
English Bay: Christmas Tree Display
VanDusen Botanical Garden: Fesitval of Lights
St. Paul's Hospital: Lights of Hope Tour Notes: Outdoor attire is suggested: comfortable walking shoes, mittens, hat, wind resistant jacket and umbrella Don't forget your camera! Consuming alcohol on the Trolley is prohibited This tour has a special cancellation after 3pm the day prior to departure is 100% non-refundable

Then you  can try one of the latest water sports of paddle boarding, either stand up, or, if you prefer, you can kneel on the board as you look down into the waters at the many fish swimming beneath you. The adventure continues with kayaking and exploring the coves with your helpful guide who will help you get the most from the tour. You will get to enjoy a light snack and drinks before heading back to your hotel and all you need to bring is: swimwear, a change of clothes, sunsreen, a camera and a very big, sense of adventure! 

Please note: Guests should dress elegantly  If you want to take your time at the Eiffel Tower after dinner, you can reach the 2nd floor with no extra fee taking only the stairs. You can do the cruise later on youe own (Port de la Bourbonnais, Bateaux Parisians company, in front of the Eiffel Tower. Departure every hour until 9:30pm). It is recommended to inform the hostess about it.  The skip-the-line access is subjet to the Eiffel Towr procedures: The Vigipirate plan, the security control or an unforeseen crowd can slow down the entrance.  Enjoy a delicious dinner in this chic, contemporary Eiffel Tower restaurant in Paris.    Menu*: Trout marinated in Manakara peppercorns, fromage blanc with herbs and a citrus fruit reduction   ** Roasted poultry supreme, mashed potatoes with jerusalem artichoke and a truffle oil emulsion   ** Crousti Eiffel with praline chocolate, custard cream sauce   **    Château de Lagorce - AOC Bordeaux (Rouge)  Château Tariquet - IGP Côtes de Gascogne (Blanc)  Les Celliers de Ramatuelle - AOP Côtes de Provence (Rosé)   Mineral water & coffee   Child menu (-12 years old)*   King prawns in mild spices, celeriac remoulade and grapefruit with pomegranate seed vinaigrette   **   Sautéed cod steak and herb mashed potatoes     or     Roasted poultry supreme and herb mashed potatoes   **   Tour Eiffel with chocolate and a praline custard sauce   **   Soft