Tower of London
'Crown of Thistles: The fatal inheritance of Mary Queen of Scots'
When: 3 September doors 18.30 for 18.45 start
Where: Tower of London, New Armouries, meet at West Gate
Tickets: £20 including drinks reception
Book online or call 0844 482 7788 (phone lines open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
A former winner of the Biographers Club prize, Linda Porter, whose first two books, Mary Tudor: The First Queen and Katherine the Queen: the Remarkable Life of Katherine Parr, were both published to great acclaim. Linda's third book Crown of Thistles: The fatal inheritance of Mary Queen of Scots will be published this summer and members can join us for the book launch at the Tower of London.
New member tours of the Tower of London
Dates: 6 and 24 July, 10 and 22 August and 2 September all starting at 17.45
Price: FREE for new members
Please meet outside the Welcome Centre at the Tower of London. If you would like to attend one of these tours please contact the membership office on 020 3166 6327.
Ceremony of the Keys
Dates: 14 July (fully booked) and 18 August starting at 21.30 prompt
The event is free but we ask for a donation of £5 on the night towards conservation costs.
The Ceremony of the Keys is the traditional locking up of the Tower of london and has taken place on each and every night, without fail, for at least 700 years. we have a very limited allocation of places so book early to secure your place. Please be there promptly at 21.30 as latecomers will not be admitted. This event is held entirely outside so please bemindful of the weather!
* For the Ceremony of the Keys tickets please call 020 3166 6327.
Hampton Court Palace
Summer Roof Top Tour dates released!
When: Every Saturday and Sunday (apart from 4 August)
27 July - 15 September, 14.00 and 16.00
Where: Hampton Court Palace, meet in the Members' Room
Tickets: £25
Book online or call 0844 482 7788 (phone lines open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
One of the highlights of each summer is the opportunity to get up on the roof of Hampton Court Palace and have a palace experience like no other. These tours show the palace off to absolute best advantage and there is an expert guide to lead the group round making sure the occasion is as spectacular as the views!
Terms and conditions
Roof top tours are only suitable for children 12 years or over. Sensible, closed toe shoes must be worn – admittance may be refused if unsuitable footwear is worn. Please note these tours are weather permitting, in the event that a tour has to be cancelled we will try to reallocate places where we can.
Baroque Gardens and the Little Banqueting House tour
Dates: 8, 15, 22 and 29 August starting at 14.00 please meet in the Members’ Room at 13.50
Price: £10
Either book online or call 0844 482 7788 to book your ticket.
Get in touch with the lesser known Baroque palace with a tour of the gardens and the beautiful little Banqueting house – usually closed to the public. Take a stroll past the East front with its fabulous baroque façade, down to the long water and walk down to the Tijou screens. Once inside the haven
that is the little Banqueting house you will discover more about fabulous Verrio paintings and get to know Verrio as ‘principal Gardiner and Surveyor to the King’ in 1684!
Members summer party in the Garden Room, Hampton Court Palace
Date: 11 August starting at 15.00
This event has now been cancelled and we'll be contacting those who booked a ticket to process a full refund. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused.
Meet a State Apartment Warder in the Members’ Room
Date: 18 July, 17 August and 12 September – tours start at 11.00 and 15.00 respectively.
Price: FREE for new members
(suitable for children of all ages)
Members are lucky enough to have the services of a State apartment warder for one day a month in the Members’ room to show new members around, answer any questions or tell you about the ghosts and characters inhabiting the palace.
The warder will be located in the Members room and run two exclusive tours at 11.00 and 15.00. Each tour will give you an experts’ guide of what there is to see and do at each palace. If you would like to attend one of the new member tours please contact the membership office on 020 3166 6327.
Lunchtime lectures
These monthly lunch lectures have grown in stature and popularity each month. The staff who have hosted the lunches have really enjoyed meeting you all and it is nice to see some familiar faces at each lecture.
Price:£6, including a light lunch buffet. Either book online or call 0844 482 7788 to book your ticket.
26 July Clore centre at Hampton Court – Mark Meltonville on Kew Kitchens.
21 August Clore centre at hampton Court – Jo Cooper, State apartment warder on Elizabethan and Jacobean drama.
Book club
The book club is now entrenched in our monthly member event calendar and we have had some brilliant debates over the course of the year. We always welcome new members – even if you haven’t managed to read the book in question.
Our summer meeting dates are:
17 July
NO MEETING IN AUGUST
The meetings start at 18.30 and are held in the Clore centre at Hampton Court Palace. Please email members@hrp.org.uk if you would like to be part of the group and receive emails about the books we are discussing.
Banqueting House
The Banqueting House often closes at short notice for functions and events, so please check the times before your visit by calling +44 (0)203 166 6154/5.
Performing the masque
Evening talk with Past Pleasures Ltd
Date: 22 July starting promptly at 18.30
Price: £10
This summer sees the Banqueting house come to life with the sights and sounds of the court masque, in an installation/performance that will recreate the lavish entertainments of the early Stuart court. Three costumed interpreters, each in character as 17thcentury performers, will demonstrate and discuss the music, dance, sets and costume of these masques. This event includes a drinks reception.
Kensington Palace
Fashion Rules – opening event for members
Date: 15 July, doors open at 18.45 for a 19.00 start
Price: £10 including a drinks reception (fully booked)
What could be nicer than spending a summer evening at Kensington Palace talking about frocks over a glass of wine? Well that is just what we have in mind. With two modern, royal Dress experts – Sarah Gristwood and Jane Eastoe.
Garden History Tours
Dates: 26 July, 30 August and 27 September at 12.00 and 14.00
Price: FREE
Please telephone 020 3166 6327 if you would like to attend one of these tours.
Learn about the recent transformation of the palace gardens, its diverse history and the significance of the setting of Kensington Palace and its location within the parks.
Kew Palace
Please note than on a normal visit to Kew Palace entrance to Kew Palace is free as part of the membership subscription. However entrance to Kew Gardens is not included and must be paid for at the published rates.
Curious Kew Palace
Dates: 25 July and 15 August starting at 18.45 (Members should meet at Kew Green Gate).
Price: £15
Either book online or call 0844 482 7788 to book your ticket.
For the palace lovers amongst you we have some lovely evening events looking at Kew Palace with new eyes (and ears) to listen to curious and quirky tales of the foibles of the royal family. There will also be some unexplained goings on in the palace! Ramble alongside Georgian ghosts and enjoy a glass of wine in the glorious gardens.
