This Easter weekend sees the doors to Kew Palace re-opening for its fourth consecutive season and this beloved home of King George III, Queen Charlotte and their princesses will offer free* entry for kids throughout the summer.

Each room of this small palace has been faithfully restored to the way its royal inhabitants once would have known it.  Ornately decorated and furnished rooms and unique, personal objects including jigsaw puzzles and a dolls house that belonged to George III’s children, a waistcoat worn by the King and the chair in which Queen Charlotte died can all be seen during an immersive journey into the fascinating story of Kew Palace.

Kew Palace is a moving window into George III’s domestic family life in the late 18th century.  Don’t miss the opportunity to walk through the hallowed corridors of a palace that became a retreat for the ailing King during his ‘madness’ and a virtual prison for his elder unmarried  daughters.
Other highlights not to be missed:

Sunday evening tours
Sundays from 26 April - 27 September 2009
These twice monthly exclusive tours offer visitors a unique opportunity to experience the magic of Kew Palace after hours. Explore the story of this royal palace, the setting for many personal family dramas and King George III’s sanctuary during his bouts of illness. A palace expert will also take visitors into Kew Palace’s fascinating attics, where the royal family’s servants lived amongst labyrinths of rafters. Not usually accessible to the general public, visitors will be able to see recently discovered, early seventeenth century paint decorations and ‘witch marks’.

Tickets cost £22 per person and include wine and nibbles.  Tours take place the last two Sundays of each month, start at 5pm and last approximately 90 minutes. For details and tour bookings, please call 0844 482 7777. Advance booking is essential.

Queen Charlotte’s Cottage
This rustic cottage in the grounds of the palace was created for King George’s wife, Charlotte, and was the site of many happy times for the family.  Once upon a time its walls rang with laughter as the royal family enjoyed informal picnics and afternoon teas away from the hustle and bustle of public life.   Step inside this hidden gem and discover this quaint 18th century retreat.  Queen Charlotte’s cottage is open the Easter long weekend, the May bank holiday weekends and every weekend from 30 May (see further information for details).