London's Royal Legacy
Tuesday, 18 October 2011
The royal family of Britain is revered worldwide and is a focal point of tourism. Fortunately for tourists, London houses many royal residences, some that are no longer active and others that are. A great break away would be a visit to the capital to explore the residences up close, so why not plan a short holiday to see these fascinating London attractions up close?
Windsor Castle is particularly special because it is the largest occupied castle and the oldest in the world, as well as the official residence of Queen Elizabeth II. Situated among 13 acres, it has state apartments, furnished with Royal Collection treasures, and St George's Chapel, which acts as the burial place of 10 monarchs.
There is also Buckingham Palace, an architectural marvel and one of the residing places of the royal family. Although visitors are not permitted to venture around the entire property, certain sections are open to the public. Both Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace have a changing of the guards ceremony, complete with a marching band and horses, which is a stunning ceremony for tourists and locals alike to enjoy. Buckingham Palace is conveniently located a short walk from Victoria Station and only 10 minutes from Westminster, where you can take a ride on the London Eye and see these spectacular buildings from the air.
Also in Westminster is the famous Westminster Abbey, the wedding venue of Prince Charles and Lady Diana and, more recently, Prince William and Kate Middleton. More tragically, it is also where Princess Diana's funeral was held some 14 years ago. Although no royalty lives in the abbey, there are many buried there. In fact, not only is Westminster Abbey a marvel of construction on the outside and inside, it also houses the remains of various kings, queens, statesmen, poets, priests and soldiers. In essence, it is a testament to British history that cannot be missed.
Go a little further afield and you can walk the famous grounds of Hampton Court Palace, open seven days a week. Hampton Court Palace is, of course, the grand home of King Henry VIII, and one of the many attractions is Henry VIII's Kitchens, which were designed to feed some 600 people not once but twice a day; which makes them a little more impressive than the kitchen in an average house. So splendid are these kitchens, in fact, that they are the largest of all Tudor England, and staff still use them to prepare Tudor-style meals, something visitors can witness first-hand on their trip.
To escape the heat of the kitchens, visitors can explore the ample gardens; so large, impressive and well-maintained that Alan Titchmarsh looks like an amateur gardener in comparison. There is an impressive maze to be discovered, but with the gardens being over 60 acres and stretching all the way to the River Thames, the maze isn't the only place one can get lost. Among the large trees are fountains, 200,000 flowers and 750 acres of royal parkland. For the braver tourist, there are numerous stories of ghosts that wander Hampton Court Palace, including Catherine Howard herself, so you can go on a small ghost hunting expedition as you wander the old halls.
There is no denying London's place in history, and while the metropolis has built up in more recent times the residences of the royal family have remained, and continue to be tourist hotspots. Although it costs money to enter each one, a London Pass offers free or discounted entry to numerous attractions, as well as a 120-page guidebook and discounts in various restaurants and shops. So, pack your bags and begin your exploration of the many royal residences to be found within the capital city of England
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