16 October 2017
16 October 2017
Updated 25 March. In line with Public Health England guidance, we have taken the decision to close all six of our palaces and gardens until 31st May. We will be reviewing this and will keep you updated. Please read our statement for further information. Read our statement
Kicking off 2018 with a host of thrilling events, fascinating exhibitions and educational family-friendly activities, there’s something for everyone this new year across the spectacular Historic Royal Palaces.
Hampton Court Palace will host live cooking demonstrations and the return of the much-loved Lindt Gold Bunny Easter Hunt, whilst Kensington Palace will have plenty on offer for the little ones over half term. At the Tower of London hear storytellers and poets confess their innermost secrets in the atmospheric chapel of St Peter’s ad Vincula with “Confessions at The Tower of London”. This intimate performance is inspired by the anniversary of Guy Fawkes’s infamous confession at the ancient fortress. Meanwhile, the Banqueting House will be giving visitors the chance to unleash their competitive spirit with a fun-filled session of board gaming in one of the oldest gaming dens in the country.
Highlights
The Gaming Den
21 January, 14:00-17:00, 18:00-21:00
Banqueting House
Head to Banqueting House on Whitehall and enjoy a session of board gaming in one of the oldest gambling dens in the country – used by King James I himself! Grab a drink, roll a dice and unleash that competitive spirit as the on-hand gaming gurus teach the rules to both historical and modern games. With participants attempting to win favour in the royal court, the stakes are bound to be high!
Tickets: £10, suitable for persons aged 18+
Confessions at the Tower of London
31 January, 19:00-20:45
Tower of London
On the anniversary of Guy Fawkes’s infamous ‘confession’, hear live storytellers and poets confess their innermost secrets in the atmospheric chapel of St Peter’s ad Vincula. Inspired by the story of Guy Fawkes’s interrogation at the Tower, this intimate performance explores the themes of coercion and free will.
Tickets: £25.00 / £22.50 HRP members, suitable for persons aged 18+
Lindt Gold Bunny Easter Hunt
24 March – 14 April
Hampton Court Palace
The Lindt Gold Bunny Easter Hunt will return to Hampton Court Palace again for 2018. Hiding in the palace and gardens will be the Lindt Gold Bunny, with new stories to be discovered with every bunny found, before the chance to claim a delicious chocolate prize.
Included in palace admission.
Events
Life in the Medieval Palace
2 January - 9 February, 11:00-12.30 and 13.30-15:30
Tower of London
Travel back to 1299 and enter the Medieval palace of King Edward I, Hammer of the Scots, in this live performance drama. Discover a world of chivalrous knights and beautiful ladies, troublesome lords and royal prisoners. There are money problems at home, too, as the King leads his armies off to war.
Included in palace admission.
Ghost Tours
7, 14 & 21 January (Adult Ghost Tours) / 7 January (Family Ghost Tours)
Hampton Court Palace
Take in some of the palace’s most ghoulish locations on one of these exclusive out of hours Ghost Tours, complete with suitably spine-tingling commentary. A special family-friendly version is also available for children over the age of 8. . Participants will be able to hear from 500 years of chilling tales, such as the Tudor royal nurse whose spirit is said to stalk her former apartments, and the mysterious figure ‘Skeletor’ caught on CCTV in the palace in the dead of night.
Tickets: Adult Ghost Tours: £27.50, Family Ghost Tours: Adults £14 / Children £7
Story Time
7 January, 4 February, 4 March
Hampton Court Palace
Suitable for children aged between 3-7 years, ‘Story Time’ is a great way to enjoy some of the little ones’ favourite stories within the comfort of Hampton Court Palace. Each of these special story-telling sessions includes themed toys to help bring the magic of the stories to life. Sessions are available on a drop-in basis, enquire at the Information Centre for further details.
Included in palace admission.
Twilight Tours
Selected Sundays to 2 April, 19:00-20:30
Tower of London
The Tower’s Yeoman Warders give an exclusive twilight tour of this infamous palace and fortress. Take in world-famous sights such as Traitor’s Gate, the scaffold site and the Bloody Tower, and be appalled and amazed by tales of prisoners and past residents.
Tickets: £27.50 / £25 HRP members, suitable for persons aged 12+
Nightwatchers
Selected dates in February, 18.00, 18:30, 19.00, 19.25, 19.50
Tower of London
Enter the shadowy world of state surveillance in this immersive experience at the Tower of London, where messages and phone calls lead participants around one of history’s most notorious prisons. Consider this an induction into the art of covert investigation, but in a climate of global insecurity, who watches the watchers?
Tickets: £20 / £18 HRP members
Tiny Explorers
7, 10, 21, 24 & 28 February & 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21 & 24 March
Kensington Palace
These multi-sensory storytelling sessions for under 4’s will transport little ones into a magical world of stories. Each session involves music, movement, messy play and more, and separate sessions designed especially for different development levels are also offered to suit babies not yet walking and walkers under 4.
Tickets: £6 per child
Heavenly Hampton
10 - 18 February
Hampton Court Palace
Head to Hampton Court Palace this half term for live interpretations for all the family to enjoy. Discover the story of Katherine Parr’s secret romance and wedding to Thomas Seymour, and enjoy family participation activities running throughout the day such as learning traditional dances.
Included in palace admission.
Tiny Explorers
8, 10, 22 & 24 February, 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22 & 24 March
Hampton Court Palace
These multi-sensory storytelling sessions for under 4’s will transport little ones into a magical world of stories. Each session involves music, movement, messy play and more, and separate sessions designed especially for different development levels are also offered to suit babies not yet walking and walkers under 4.
Tickets: £6 per child
Great Palace Quest
10 - 18 February
Hampton Court Palace
The Great Palace Quest is a time-travelling voyage of discovery exploring Hampton Court Palace in search of the Palace Quest code word. The quest will involve participating in puzzles, games, crafts and meeting characters from the past.
Included in palace admission.
Defend the Tower!
Daily 19 February – 31 March
Tower of London
England’s greatest medieval fortress is under attack! Relive the life and death struggles to overcome its mighty defences in this live performance drama. Join the garrison and defend the Tower against its three greatest threats.
Included in palace admission.
Funtastic Sundays
25 February & 25 March
Kensington Palace
Perfect for children aged between 0-13 years, the last Sunday of each month sees Funtastic Sundays taking place at Kensington Palace. These fun-filled activity days for families include the chance to try out the palace’s activity bags and trails, enjoy Story Time or take part in special creative workshops.
Included in palace admission.
Cooking for the Court
30 March – 2 April
Hampton Court Palace
Over the Easter weekend, visitors to Hampton Court Palace should head to the Tudor Kitchens for a chance to join the King’s Cooks and discover the truth behind Henry VIII and his legendary appetite. With the palace’s historic chefs providing live Tudor cookery demonstrations, uncover the secrets behind creating a dish fit for a king!
Included in palace admission
All events and materials are included in the general admission ticket price for each palace unless otherwise stated. All events are subject to change, please check www.hrp.org.uk for up-to-date information on prices, opening times and details on event booking. For further information about events and listings please contact the Historic Royal Palaces Press Office on 020 3166 6166 or email [email protected]