Package Deals - Kensington Palace, Magic of London & London Showboat

The birthplace of Queen Victoria, Kensington Palace was also home to Princess Diana between 1981-1997. Originally a private country house, it was adapted substantially by William III and Mary II (1689) who chose to spend winters there to escape the damp of Whitehall. Over the next 70 years it was to become the focal point of the life and government of the country. George I and George II spent vast sums of money on ornate and lavish furnishings to adorn Kensington House (as it was then known), including elaborate ceiling decorations by William Kent. The sudden death of George II in 1760 marked the end of an era. Kensington Palace was never again to serve a reigning monarch.

Early one morning in June 1837 Princess Victoria, who was occupying apartments in Kensington Palace, awoke to the news that she was Queen of England. She immediately moved to Buckingham Palace.

Kensington Palace first opened to the public in 1912 with a display of relics and objects relating to the City of London. It attracted 13,000 visitors in just one day! The museum pieces now form part of the collection at the Museum of London.

Visitors today can see the State Apartments, the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection that includes outfits from the eighteenth-century to the present day, the Orangery and sunken gardens.

A full day tour of London including the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Changing of the Guard, Thames River Cruise and Afternoon Tea at Harrods.

Highlights and Services:

- Private guided tour of the Tower of London with Yeoman Warder
- Be the first group to visit the Crown Jewels
- Further tour of the Tower by Yeoman Warder plus free time to explore
- Panoramic drive seeing the icons of London: Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, the London
Eye, Harrods and much more
- See Changing of the Guard - subject to availability
- Thames River Cruise - see St. Pauls Cathedral, the Globe Theatre and much more
- Pub lunch (food and beverages not included)
- Visit Westminster Abbey with professional guide and fast entry ticket
- Cream tea and scones at Harrods

The Tour:
THE TOWER OF LONDON: private tour
Following your coach drive past some of the captal's most famous sights like Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament we arrive at the Tower of London where your very own Yeoman Warder is waiting. Leading you into this world heritage site before it opens to the public Your Beefeater will take you on a private guided tour explaining the history behind this fortress of imprisonment and torture beofre it opens to the rest of the public. You will also be in the first group to see the Crown Jewels before enjoying some time to explore on our own discretion. Why not visit Traitors Gate, the armouries or the Bloody Tower? And keep an eye out for the famous Ravens. Tradition has it that if the Ravens leave the Tower the monarch will fall!

CHANGING OF THE GUARD*
Leaving the Tower, the coach will take you to The Mall to watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Dressed in their world famous tunics and busbies, one of the Queens Foot Guard Household Regiments march from St. James Palace to Buckingham Palace to military music .

THAMES RIVER CRUISE & PUB LUNCH
Next we enjoy a short cruise on the River Thames as we enjoy excellent views of St. Pauls Cathedral and Shakespeares Globe before heading for a traditional pub lunch on the Southbank (food and beverages not included)

WESTMINSTER ABBEY**
The afternoon begins with a visit to Westminster Abbey. With our fast entry vouchers we avoid the queues. You will be presented a unique pageant of British history - the Confessors Shrine, the burial places of Kings and Queens, and countless memorials to the famed and the great. Your professional guide will take you through this architectural masterpiece which has been the venue that has been the setting for every Coronation since 1066 and for other royal occasions, like the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana


AFTERNOON TEA AT HARRODS
You will then be heading through Knightsbridge to Harrods, one of the worlds most famous stores. Sit back and reflect on the impressions gathered during the day while being served tea and scones at the Terrace Bar and Restaurant at Harrods. Tea time includes tea, scones, jam and clotted cream. Afterwards, Harrods waits for you to be explored!