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Royal Albert Hall - Grand Tour Did you know? There are 13,000 “A”s for Albert around Hall The Hall is home to the world's largest single woven carpet design, made of 326,666 sheep fleeces and 49 million tufts getting it into the Guinness World Records The world’s biggest Christmas pudding was made at the Hall and weighed ten tonnes The first ever body-building contest and Sumo wrestling tournament outside Japan took place in the main auditorium The Elgar Room used to be home to the Central School of Speech & Drama, giving a stage to names including Sir Lawrence Olivier and Dame Judy Dench 5,500 bottles of champagne and 1,800 bottles of gin are drunk at the Hall every year Afternoon Tea was introduced to Britain by Queen Victoria. The first tea party was held at the Hall in 1912. The tradition continues today in the Hall's Verdi Restaurant The Royal Albert Hall Grand Tour is fully accessible. Some time slots and/or dates are unavailable due to events taking place in the auditorium. The Royal Albert Hall was built to fulfil the vision of Prince Albert (Queen Victoria's consort) of a 'Central Hall' that would be used to promote understanding and appreciation of the Arts and Sciences and would stand at the heart of the South Kensington estate, surrounded by museums and places of learning. The Hall is a Grade I Listed building; and has been in continuous use since it was opened in March 1871. It was always conceived as a multipurpose building to host not only concerts of music but exhibitions, public meetings, scientific conversations and award ceremonies. It is a registered charity held in trust for the nation and is financially self sufficient, receiving no funding from central or local government. Kensington Palace and the Diana Exhibition Kensington Palace unveils a palace of secret stories and public lives. Visitors arrive through beautiful landscaped gardens evoking a past when Kensington was countryside. From the entrance hall start your journey through the magnificent Kings and Queen’s State Apartments. Filled with stories of two royal courts; the Stuarts and the Hanoverians, learn what you would have worn, how you should behave and how to succeed in the heady atmosphere of the palace state apartments. The Queen's State Apartments Explore these intimate, private rooms created for Queen Mary II, who ruled jointly with her husband, King William III, in the 17th century. The Queen’s rooms The Queen's Staircase, little changed since its construction in 1690, is deliberately plainer than the King's. Mary would have glided down its steps to reach her beloved gardens, created in the Dutch style, through the door at its foot. Diana: Her Fashion Story ‘Diana: Her Fashion Story’ will trace the evolution of the Princess’s style, from the demure, romantic outfits of her first public appearances, to the glamour, elegance and confidence of her later life. From her earliest royal engagements, everything Diana wore was closely scrutinised, and the exhibition will explore how she navigated her unique position in the public eye: learning to use her image to engage and inspire people, and to champion the causes she cared about. Discover exquisite and celebrated outfits from throughout the Princess’s public life. The exhibition will bring together an extraordinary collection of garments, ranging from the glamorous evening gowns worn on engagements in the 1980s, to the chic Catherine Walker suits that made up Diana’s ‘working wardrobe’ in the 1990s. The Princess’s relationship with her favourite designers will be explored through a display of some of their original fashion sketches, created for her during the design process. Exhibition highlights will include the pale pink Emanuel blouse worn for Diana’s engagement portrait by Lord Snowdon in 1981, and Victor Edelstein’s iconic ink blue velvet gown, famously worn at the White House when the Princess danced with John Travolta. A blue tartan Emanuel suit, worn for an official visit to Venice in the 1980s, will go on display in public for the first time. The suit, a rare survival of the Princess’s daywear, was only recently rediscovered and acquired by Historic Royal Palaces – the charity responsible for Kensington Palace - at auction. * Please note, this exhibit is due to be very popular, queues are to be expected.
YOU SHOULD BRING: Swim wear Towel Closed and secure shoes for the Bungy Warm clothes during winter periods
Enjoy Seville, the capital of Andalusia, and its beautiful architecture influenced by the Romans, Arabs and Jews throughout history. Join us and you will experience this warm and welcoming city. This full guided tour will take you to the historic downtown of Seville. We will start with a panoramic visit of the city: Paseo de Colon, Plaza de America, Avenida de las Palmeras, Maria Luisa Park and Guadalquivir River. The city is situated on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, which divides the city into two halves: Sevilla and Triana. Afterwards, we will make a stop at Plaza de España where you will have some free time to take beautiful photos. Again on our coach we go to the Jardines de Murillo. From here, we'll go around through narrow and serpentine streets with a secret and peaceful atmosphere. This is the Barrio de Santa Cruz (Jewish Quarter), one of the most charming parts of the city. The visit continues to the splendid Cathedral. The Cathedral of Seville is the third largest church in the world after Saint Peter's in Rome and Saint Paul's in London. It is from the fifteenth century and occupies the site of a former great mosque built in the late twelfth century. Finally, you’ll have some free time to have lunch and to discover local food on your own. Our meeting point before we come back is the famous Torre del Oro, a thirteenth century tower, the top of which is rumoured to have once been covered in gold.
On your double decker bus tour, hop on and off as you please at 40+ stops throughout Uptown and Downtown Manhattan. See the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Central Park, and more as you make your way through distinct neighborhoods, like the Upper West Side and Greenwich Village. A friendly tour guide leads the way, pointing out top sights and offering insightful commentary about noteworthy attractions. Hop off in Times Square to visit two unique attractions – admission included! Inside Ripley’s Believe It or Not, prepare to see the most bizarre artifacts and exhibits up close and personal. In over 20 themed galleries, discover shrunken heads, try out the amazing LaseRace TM and see pop culture sculptures made from scrap metal. Then, travel across the world and through time at an all-new attraction in the heart of Times Square, Gulliver’s Gate. The extraordinarily elaborate world of miniatures takes up 47,000 feet of exhibition space, immersing visitors in an experience that’s one-of-a-kind. Traverse the globe, enjoying highlights like the Coliseum, the Taj Mahal, Iguazu Falls and so much more – connected by airplanes, hot air balloons, roads and train tracks. New Yorkers will also be pleased to know that there’s a full exhibit dedicated to NYC’s own finest attractions! Finally, relax on the New York Harbor aboard the CitySightseeing Ferry. The 90-minute cruise features unparalleled views of the Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge. With 2 hop-on, hop-off stops in Manhattan, it’s also a convenient and stress-free way to sightsee.
Amongst the most famous historic attractions in our care are:
Mysterious Stonehenge and Hadrian’s Wall - both World Heritage Sites.
The Home of Charles Darwin, Down House, just south of London.
1066 Battle of Hastings Abbey and Battlefield, East Sussex
Dover Castle, Kent
Tintagel Castle, Cornwall - legendary birthplace of King Arthur.
Audley End House & Gardens, near Cambridge - a superb Jacobean mansion set in beautiful gardens.
Apsley House - also known as Number 1 London
Magnificent Osborne House, Queen Victoria’s beloved seaside retreat.
Customer Benefits:
Savings
Save money with this great value pass by visiting as few as THREE attractions. So even if it is used for a weekend break - it can still save money! The more the pass is used - the greater the savings.
What is an Overseas Visitor Pass?
The Overseas Visitor Pass is a one-price entrance ticket to all English Heritage properties valid for either 9 or 16 consecutive days.
What is included?
FREE entry to over 100 stately homes, castles, abbeys, Roman and prehistoric remains. You can visit all attractions directly managed by English Heritage free of charge. Find out more about our historic attractions.
FREE or reduced price entry to hundreds of action-packed events.
FREE overseas visitor guidebook.
I can’t possibly visit 100 attractions in 9 days. Why should I buy an Overseas Visitor Pass?
We don’t expect you to visit that many attractions. The Overseas Visitor Pass is incredible value for money and you can start making savings from as few as two or three visits!
How much will I save?
You will realise what great value the pass is as soon as you make your first visit. For example, the price of the guidebook plus the combined normal adult admission price to Dover Castle; 1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield; Walmer Castle & Gardens; and the Home of Charles Darwin, Down House - just four attractions in the South East - is £54.65. With your 9 day Overseas Visitor Pass you save £29.65.
Remember, you can visit as many attractions as you like. The more you visit, the more you save!
If I stay for less than 9 days, does it still make sense to buy the Pass?
Yes, the Pass pays for itself after approximately three visits so you can enjoy savings from the first or second day of your stay!
Who can buy the Pass?
The Pass is available for overseas visitors only. Visitors may be asked for proof of overseas residency when visiting a property.
The Pass is available to groups and individuals. Groups should contact the first property they are planning to visit with a list of names of the group's members, so that we can prepare the passcards and make sure we have enough guidebooks on site.
Do children need their own Pass?
The family pass is valid for two adults and up to four other family members under the age of 19 living at the same address. Other than the family pass, there is no reduced child pass. Children under the age of five are admitted free of charge to our attractions, and children up to the age of 15 qualify for reduced entrance fees.
For how long is the Overseas Visitor Pass valid?
The English Heritage Overseas Visitor Pass is valid for a period of either 9 or 16 consecutive days.
How is my Overseas Visitor Pass activated?
The Pass will be validated at the first property you visit and it can then be used for the following consecutive 9 or 16 days.
When are English Heritage properties open?
Many properties open daily from 10.00 in summer. Nearly all are closed 24-26 December and 1 January. All sites have reduced opening times during the winter months (October to March).
The exact opening times are listed on our website as well as in the Members’ and Visitors’ Handbook, which is included free of charge with the Pass.
What documents do I need to take with me to collect the Overseas Visitor Pass?
You need to print out your booking confirmation (voucher), and take this with the credit card used to make the booking.
You must also have proof of identity with you in the form of a passport, identity card or driver’s license to authenticate that you are the rightful owner of the voucher and as proof of overseas residency. This can be a photocopy.
What happens if my Pass is lost or stolen?
The Pass is not transferable, refundable or replaceable when lost or stolen.