Explore the stories of the Tudor Court
Groups to Hampton Court Palace can now explore a stunning new display that will introduce them to the transformative age of Henry VIII’s early reign, set within the newly reopened Wolsey Rooms. Revealed through original artworks and historic objects – including famous ‘History paintings’ like The Field of Cloth of Gold – your clients will discover the people of the Tudor court: soldiers in Henry’s army, the craftsmen who made his palaces, and the influence of the wider world. Alongside four surviving history paintings, visitors will see portraits of European Kings and Queens, sailors and soldiers, musicians and jousters, and displays of rare surviving artefacts from the Tudor era.
This exciting new display is a permanent addition to the offering at Hampton Court Palace and included in palace admission. Email [email protected] for further information.
An Irish point of view!
From London to Ireland, visitors to Hillsborough Castle and Gardens will be able to discover Life Through a Royal Lens, Hillsborough’s first exhibition. This must-see display documents the British Royal Family’s ever-evolving relationship with the camera over the last 200 years.
Discover how photography has been used to create an image of duty and stability throughout the centuries and how advances in technology and media have allowed the Royal Family to connect at a more personal level with a wider global audience. Learn how the choice of photographer, photo composition, clothing, and environment throughout the photo series provides insightful cultural commentary on the social climate at the time each photo was taken.
This thought-provoking exhibition will be included in castle and gardens combination tickets and will provide additional insight into the lives of the Royal Family as your groups explore the castle State Rooms including the lavish Throne Room.
Annual events to look out for
Spring Spectacular at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens
From 09 March – 06 May the gardens and grounds at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens will be awash with colour as tens of thousands of tulip and daffodil bulbs come into bloom.
The castle gardens are already beautiful in Spring, but this floral extravaganza is the gorgeously scented icing on the cake!
Gardening groups and general flower flowers are welcome to come and see if they can identify all 59 daffodils bred in Northern Ireland.
One day only! On a selected date in March, the castle hosts an Early Spring Daffodil show where breeders will descend on Hillsborough to exhibit hundreds of rare and unusual daffodil blooms. Stay tuned for what date it will be in 2024!
Tulip Festival at Hampton Court Palace
From April - May each year, the gardens and courtyards at Hampton Court Palace become a kaleidoscope of colours as thousands of tulips bloom! A special trail guides visitors around the stunning displays, revealing the history of the tulips, believed to date back to Mary II (1662-1694). Our expert gardening team are also be on hand to provide tips and information to keen gardeners during their visit.
Planning for 2025? We've got you covered!
Opening May 2025, visitors to the Tower of London will be able to experience the Medieval Palace and Cradle Tower as they have never experienced it before! Your clients will be transported to the medieval period through colour, sound and innovative story telling, and bringing to life the fascinating characters who lived and worked here. For the first time, visitors will not only experience the stories of the kings who built and inhabited these spaces, but also of the queens who ruled with them and the household who served them.
From March – November 2025, visitors to Kensington Palace will see a selection of spectacular outfits, from glamorous debutant dresses to rare survivals like Queen Elizabeth II’s childhood clothes, underwear to outerwear, items in near perfect condition to conservation challenges. We will display the very best of the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection, with some of the objects on public display for the first time. Exploring dress codes gives us a unique insight into the stories of famous members of the British royal family, the trusted few who worked alongside them, and officials from national and international governments. We reveal the dazzling public side of royal and court life as well as uncovering some surprising and poignant personal stories of both following and breaking the rules of dress.
A new perspective at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens - Opening in March 2025, this exhibition in the Stable Yard Gallery at Hillsborough Castle will explore the intimate relationship between fashion designer and royal client, revealing the process behind the creation of some of their most important couture commissions. The exhibition will feature three spectacular royal dresses never displayed in Northern Ireland before, alongside original sketches, fabric swatches, embroidery samples, letters, unseen photographs and film footage.
All exhibitions will be included in palace admission. Email [email protected] for more information.