Your exclusive members magazine
Welcome
Welcome to your digital edition of this summer's Inside Story magazine from Angie Faires, Head of Marketing and Membership.
Welcome…to our sizzling summer issue! With Beano’s Dennis the Menace and Gnasher gracing our cover, you can tell immediately that this Inside Story is not short on fun - jump to Beano: A summer of havoc and hijinks. We have plenty more grown-up treats as part of our exciting Members’ Week, celebrating 20 years of your incredible support. Enjoy double discounts, half price entry for friends and family, exclusive events, offers and prizes as we say ‘thank you’ - we couldn’t do it without you.
If your summer thoughts are turning to tennis, come and experience the ‘Real’ thing in a taster session with the experts, on the historic real tennis court at Hampton Court - jump to Anyone for (real) tennis? Fancy something more leisurely? Explore nature and the wildlife of Home and Bushy Parks, or book a magical twilight bat walk - jump to Parklife. Discover the exotic animals, real and imaginary, that once lived at the Tower - jump to The 'must-see' menagerie.
Off on your holidays soon? Imagine how it felt to paddle in a crinoline, while reading about our monarchs who did so love to be beside the sea - jump to Oh, one does like to be beside the seaside! Interested in volunteering with us? Jump to Three cheers...for our volunteers! to find inspiration.
Have a super summer!
Angie Faires
Head of Marketing and Membership
In this issue
Making the most of your membership
Tips to help you enjoy your membership, at our palaces and gardens, and at home.
News
Every issue, we bring you the latest developments from across the palaces.
Feature highlights
The ‘must-see’ menagerie
More popular than the Crown Jewels, the Tower of London menagerie became the main draw for visitors. Project Curator Emma Shepley traces its history from royal status symbol to tick-the-box tourist attraction.
Image: Nero, a lion from Senegal, one of the residents of the Tower Menagerie in 1814 © Royal Armouries Museum/Bridgeman Images.
Oh, one does like to be beside the seaside!
Sand between the royal toes, posh ices on the prom...Ever since trailblazer, George III, our kings and queens have enjoyed splashing out at the Great British seaside. Assistant Curator Myles Campbell dives into the history.
Image: William Powell Frith's painting of Ramsgate Sands, 1851-4 © Royal Collection Enterprises Ltd 2026 | Royal Collection Trust.
Beano: a summer of havoc and hijinks
Dennis and his Beanotown pals get caught up in time travel trouble at Hampton Court Palace and Hillsborough Castle and Gardens this summer. This special feature is packed with puzzles and comic-style challenges to get young mischief-makers ready for a blamtastic summer adventure.
A Beano Studios Product © DC Thomson & Co Ltd (2026).
More in this issue
Scroll across to read more of the latest features.
Celebrating 20 years of membership
Join us for Members' Week!
This year, we’ve marked a major milestone: 20 years of the Historic Royal Palaces membership scheme. To celebrate two decades of incredible support, Members ’ Week is our way of saying thank you.
Thank you
As a member, you help us care for six extraordinary palaces and share the stories that shape us all.
Contact and credits
Published by Historic Royal Palaces, Hampton Court Palace, Surrey, KT8 9AU.
In-house editor Clare Murphy
External editor Sarah Kilby
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Unless otherwise stated, all images are © Historic Royal Palaces.
Contact us: [email protected]