Fanfare: our Travel Trade newsletter

Banqueting House – back in business!

Since its closure in May 2024, Banqueting House has been undergoing a remarkable transformation. A dedicated team of conservators, craftspeople, and specialist tradespeople has been hard at work restoring and enhancing this hidden royal gem. Their efforts have focused on three key areas: climate control, accessibility, and flooring.  

A state-of-the-art heating and cooling system has been installed to safeguard the iconic ceiling paintings by Sir Peter Paul Rubens. These fragile canvas panels are highly sensitive to fluctuations in humidity. Now, a network of smart sensors will continuously monitor and adjust the environment, ensuring optimal conditions for preservation. This new system is also more energy-efficient, supporting Historic Royal Palaces’ commitment to sustainability. 

The installation of a new lift connecting the ground floor to the main hall ensures that all visitors can experience the grandeur of Ruben’s ceiling. Located in the north annexe—this lift reactivates a historic route through the building, where a staircase once stood before its removal in the 1890s.  

Banqueting House is set to open for breathtaking private events in October 2025, and watch this space for news of private tours and Summer opening in 2026 for leisure visitors and groups. 

Email [email protected] for more information.

Upcoming exhibition for 2026: Kensington Palace

In Spring 2026, Kensington Palace will host a new exhibition, marking the 150th birthday of princess and suffragette, Sophia Duleep Singh, the goddaughter of Queen Victoria. Groups will explore the lives of the many women of the Duleep Singh family through a vast array of objects, from portraiture to jewellery, as well as specially commissioned films. 

The display will be included in admission and our Early Morning Private tours. Why not combine your palace and exhibition visit with afternoon tea in the elegant Orangery, group prices available for lunch and afternoon tea.

Register your interest by emailing [email protected] and receive the full press release upon its publication this autumn.

Quickblast - Winter fun and American connections at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens

Autumn traditions, spooks and scarecrows….

Get ready for Autumn excursions to Hillsborough Castle and Gardens. Spread across the 100 acres of stunning grounds, visitors can enjoy a wide range of Halloween activities from 26 Oct – 3 November. Groups can test their skills in conker tournaments, apple bobbing and welly tossing, or challenge their sense of direction in the hale bale mazes. Great fun for multi-generational groups and those young at heart!

The ever-popular Scarecrow Trail returns to the four acre Walled Kitchen Garden from 04 October – 09 November. After the trail, warm up with a hot drink and food in the café, group menus and dining available.

Frosty Christmas at the Castle

The Castle gardens take on a magical winter glow with the arrival of The Snowman™ and The Snowdog. From 29 November 2025 – 04 January 2026, your clients will be able to follow the trail through the grounds where characters are brought to life in a heartwarming outdoor experience. Indulge in the wonder of Raymond Briggs’ classic tale. With twinkling lights, festive decorations, and plenty of photo opportunities, it’s a Christmas treat that captures the spirit of the season.

Where it all began…. 250 years of American Independence

New for 2026, discover surprising and world-shaping American connections to the Castle. To mark the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence, hear how Benjamin Franklin was the first international visitor to the Castle in 1771 and discover why he was there. Explore special loans on show in the State Dining Room and understand how the Castle remains a place where political minds meet against the backdrop of Northern Ireland’s only royal residence.

Contact [email protected]k for more information.