Highlight for 2025 - Dress Codes
Open until November 2025, visitors to Kensington Palace will be able to explore the codes and conventions of royal clothing, and the powerful impact fashion can make when boundaries are pushed and dress codes evolve.
Dress Codes reveals hidden treasures of the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection, including a dress worn by fashion legend Dame Vivienne Westwood when she collected her DBE for services to fashion in 2006. The black polka dot draped gown was one of the designer’s own creations, with a train referencing traditional court dress. The deconstructed design and styling represented Westwood’s rule-breaking values and politics.
Dress Codes at Kensington Palace
The Tower Remembers 2025
See a new special commemorative display of ceramic poppies installed at the heart of the Tower of London to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
The display will see nearly 30,000 of the original poppies, made for the 2014 installation, ‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red’, return to the Tower, marking the sacrifices made by so many during the Second World War.
Annual events to look out for
Spring Spectacular at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens
From March - 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.
Spring Spectacular Tulip Festival
Permanent and long term exhibitions to note
- Open until 28 September 2025, visitors can explore the forgotten story of Indian Army soldiers who camped at Hampton Court Palace in the early 20th century, through a new exhibition of previously unseen objects, photographs, film and personal stories.
- Discover the intimate bond between royal clients and fashion designers in Royal Style in the Making at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, on display in the Stable Yard until January 2026
- Opening May 2025, visitors to the Tower of London will transported to the medieval period through colour, sound and innovative story telling, as the Medieval Palace is re-imagined to bring to life the fascinating characters who once lived and worked there.
- Now open at Hampton Court Palace, groups can discover the oldest rooms at the palace and meet the ordinary men and women who enabled the Tudor court to exist and flourish. Discover the remarkable story of an ambitious royal dynasty through rare and important 16th century artworks and historic objects, as well as interactive displays.
All exhibitions and displays are included in palace admission.
Indian Army at the Palace Royal Style in the Making The Medieval Palace The Tudor World at Hampton Court Palace