There are plenty of great activities on offer throughout April at Historic Royal Palaces. At the Tower of London, Power House opens on the top floor of the iconic White Tower whilst over at Kew Palace visitors will be amused by the satirical caricatures of King George III and will have a chance to delve into the secrets of the palace with one of our unique evening tours.
Celebrate Mothers Day weekend by indulging your mum with beautiful floral arrangements inspired by ‘myths and legends’ at Hampton Court Palace’s annual Florimania extravaganza. At Kensington Palace we'll show you how to create your very own pretty white paper roses, similar to those that adorn the rooms in our magnificent State Apartments as part of the Enchanted Palace experience.
If you are looking for a gift for your mum, why not give her five royal palaces for Mother’s Day? Historic Royal Palaces annual membership is the most cost-effective way to visit our palaces, giving unlimited free entry to all five palaces for a whole year! Prices start at only £43.00 for individual membership. Visit www.hrp.org.uk for information.
EXHIBITIONS
NEW
Power House (in partnership with the Royal Armouries)
Tower of London
Opens 2 April (Press preview 13 April 2011, 18.00-20.00)
Discover the stories and personalities behind the major organisations of state, who took care of Royal business behind the mighty Tower walls, from 1100 to the present day, in a new permanent exhibition opening on the top floor of the White Tower.
The exhibition will showcase the roles of the major organisations that provided the bedrock of England’s power throughout the centuries. Great institutions include the Ordnance Office, Ordnance Survey, the Royal Mint, Record Office, the Jewel House, Menagerie and Royal Observatory. Power House will also put the spotlight on other Tower of London functions, ranging from royal residence to state prison.
The Enchanted Palace
Kensington Palace
Daily until 3 Jan 2012
Kensington Palace, former home to some of Britain’s best known royals including Queen Victoria and Diana, Princess of Wales, is currently transformed into the Enchanted Palace. An interactive visitor experience combining contemporary art installations, fashion, and live performance, it is an innovative response to a £12 million major renovation project currently underway at the palace.
The experience features stunning displays of courtly costume created by leading British designers Vivienne Westwood, Paul Costelloe, Bruce Oldfield, Zandra Rhodes, and Boudicca. Whilst visitors journey through the historic State Apartments, they discover the stories of Kensington’s seven princesses who once lived there. Dresses that once belonged to and were worn by Princess Margaret and Diana, Princess of Wales are also displayed alongside the fashion installations.
From May 2011 (to January 2012), the Enchanted Palace will once again evolve to include installations from new collaborators. Details to be announced soon.
RE-OPENING!
Kew Palace
Daily from 2 April
Kew Palace, once home to George III and his family, opens its doors for the 2011 season! The tiny royal palace in the heart of Kew Gardens will welcome visitors coming to discover its secrets and stories and uncover more about Britain’s longest reigning male monarch.
Among the many items relating to George and his family on display at the palace we will be showcasing, especially for the 2011 season, an exhibition of caricatures depicting the King and his family in various topical situations of the period. Among them caricatures from the artist James Gillray who ensured the phenomena of this form of satire was well fed throughout the late 18th century.
EXHIBITION
Fit for a King (in partnership with the Royal Armouries)
Tower of London
Daily
Discover 500 years of spectacular arms and armour worn by kings and royal princes in this stunning exhibition in the White Tower. Learn about the personalities, power and physical size of England’s kings, from the Tudors, and the notorious Henry VIII, to today’s royal family.
Escape from the Tower app
Tower of London
Meet the prisoners (virtually of course!)
Bring your iPhone or iPod Touch to the Tower and you can help the virtual prisoners escape from the real locations they were held. Can you help four worthy prisoners escape from the infamous Tower of London be re-enacting their real-life events?
Play Escape from the Tower, our exciting new free app for iPhone and iPod Touch, and re-enact some of the Tower’s most famous escapes during your visit.
Players who complete all four missions can register their score and will be eligible for entry into a prize draw to win free entry to all the palaces!
Escape from the Tower app is free and available for download on iPhone and iPod Touch only. The app can be downloaded at home or on site at the Tower wi-fi hotspot in front of the Tower shop at the main gate.
EVENTS
Tudor cookery
Hampton Court Palace
1-3 April, 22-25 April, 29 April – 2 May
Which recipes rumbled a Tudor tummy? Come in from the cold, be warmed by the fire in our Tudor kitchens and experience for yourself first-hand the smells and sounds of 500 years ago as our intrepid team of Tudor cooks experiment with recipes, ingredients and cooking methods to prepare a feast fit for a king.
TOUR - LIMITED TIME ONLY
National Garden Scheme evening tours
Hampton Court Palace
27 April
Experience the magnificent formal gardens of Hampton Court on this tour which takes place after the palace is closed to the public.
Tickets £8each* **
To book tickets call 01483 211 535 or visit www.ngs.org.uk.
Advanced booking essential
*Ticket price does not include entrance to Hampton Court Palace
**Ticket price includes a glass of wine
EASTER HOLIDAYS
Dark tales of the Tower
Tower of London
1-21 April
Soldiers, prisoners and courtiers invite you to share their experiences, if you dare! Live costumed interpreters bring the mighty fortress to life and will keep children enthralled as they uncover tales from the Tower of London’s past.
MOTHER’S DAY
Florimania – myths and legends
Hampton Court Palace
1-3 April
Indulge someone you love on Mothering Sunday weekend and take them to see the beautiful flower arrangements by the Surrey arm of NAFAS (National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies) in the stunning apartments that once belonged to Mary II. Afterwards stroll through the breathtaking formal Privy Garden or wonder through the Wilderness where spring time bulbs will be making an appearance.
Enchanted white paper roses making
Kensington Palace
3 April, 10.00-16.00
Impress your mum with a beautiful bouquet handmade by yourself this Mothering Sunday. These charming white paper roses are a design feature of the Enchanted Palace, so this Mothering Sunday come to Kensington Palace to make your own white paper roses as a gift.
EVENING CONCERT
A special operatic performance by Susan Nataly
Banqueting House
4 April at 19.00
Susan Nataly, soprano, sings especially for you from opera to songs from the shows under the magnificent Rubens ceiling. Accompanied by Geoffrey Burford on the piano. After the concert supper will be served in the Undercroft, former drinking den of James I.
Tickets £25 each. Advanced booking is essential. To book tickets call 020 3166 6153 or purchase in person from Banqueting House
EASTER HOLIDAYS
The secret garden
Kensington Palace
9-21 April, 11.00-16.00
Make your own enchanted animal mask and help us create a secret magical garden using craft materials and your imagination. Inspired by the Enchanted Palace and recommended for children aged 5-13 years it’s an ideal way to entertain the kids this Easter.
TOUR - LIMITED TIME ONLY
Sunday evening tours
Kew Palace
10 & 17 April
Delve into Kew Palace’s secrets with a guided tour allowing you to experience the palace after hours. The tour includes wine and nibbles in the Undercroft.
Tickets £30 each. To book call 0844 482 7799 . Advanced booking essential.
EASTER WEEKEND
Colonel Blood and the great Crown Jewels robbery
Tower of London
22-25 April
It is 1671. Will the sinister Colonel Blood and his gang pull of the greatest heist of all time? Enter the world of Charles II, the Merry Monarch. Will you help or foil the dastardly Colonel Blood and his gang as they attempt to steal the Crown Jewels? Lively fun for all the family with re-enactments from live costumed interpreters.
A son and heir?
Hampton Court Palace
22-25 April
Expect merrymaking and celebrations on a grand scale as the King waits to find out if at last he has been granted his dearest wish, a baby boy to succeed to the throne of England. Henry VIII’s Kitchens will be at full swing, preparing for the happy event! Live costumed interpreters will bring the palace to life this Easter and there is even the chance to meet the King himself.
Q&A SESSION
An audience with King James I
Banqueting House
26 April, 18.30-20.00
The year is 1625… James I, son of Mary, Queen of Scots, is granting an audience in his recently completed Banqueting House. A firm believer in the divine right to rule, and consequently often in dispute with Parliament, James is a man of firm opinions. A pretentious academic but an able theologian, James ordered a new translation of the Bible – which came to be known as The King James Bible or Authorised Version. Whatever your thoughts on the King, this is your chance to ask everything you ever wanted to know.
Following a drinks reception, our costumed interpreter will explain how he created his James persona. Don’t miss this unique event!
Tickets £12/£10 Historic Royal Palaces Members.
To book tickets call 0844 482 7799 or online at www.hrp.org.uk
This event includes a drinks reception.
EASTER & MAY BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND
Courtly love
Hampton Court Palace
29 April - 2 May
Henry VIII has found the love of his life. Join the happy King as he shows his mastery of the rules of courtly love and chivalrous romance, to win the heart of Jane Seymour. Whilst the King works up an appetite wooing the young Jane, his cooks are preparing a feast for him in the Tudor Kitchens. Live costumed interpreters will bring the palace to life this Easter and there is even the chance to meet the King himself.
