Three Palace Pass - Tower of London - Hampton Court - Kensington Palace

Highlights

The Three Palace Past includes the admissions to the Tower of London, Kensington Palace and Hampton Court Palace. Save £7.50 per adult and £11.35 per child when purchasing all three attractions together.

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The Tower of London

The Tower spans over 900 years of British history. One of the best preserved fortified buildings in the world. It houses the priceless Crown Jewels, Royal Armouries, Yeoman Wardens and the Ravens.

Founded by William the Conqueror in 1066 and enlarged and modified by successive sovereigns, today the Tower of London is one of the world's most famous and spectacular fortresses. Discover its 900-year history as a royal palace and fortress, prison and place of execution, mint, arsenal, menagerie and jewel house.

For over 600 years kings and queens of England have stored crowns, robes and other valuable items of ceremonial regalia at the Tower of London. Since the 17th century, at least, this collection has been known as the 'Crown Jewels' and has been shown to visitors to the Tower.

Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace has been a royal residence for over 300 years, and it was here that Queen Victoria was born and spent her childhood and, recently, the palace was home to Diana, Princess of Wales. Set within the tranquillity of Kensington Gardens, this is the most intimate of royal palaces, not merely an impressive stage for the ceremonies of court life but a charming and much-loved home. The magnificent State Apartments give a glimpse of court life, with an impressive display of paintings from the Royal Collection.

Hampton Court Palace

Home to the Kings and Queens of Britain since the time of Henry VIII, Hampton Court Palace is one of the most famous visitor attractions in the country. Although perhaps best-known as a Tudor Palace, Hampton Court Palace, with its magnificent buildings, world-famous gardens and priceless art collection, continues to inspire visitors of all ages. Discover the magnificent State Apartments of Henry VIII and William III, explore 60 acres of immaculate riverside gardens and lose yourself in the world-famous maze.

Gallery

A Victorian Christmas at Kensington Palace

Christmas as we know it today started during the Victorian period.

Join us for a Victorian Christmas at Kensington Palace, the royal residence where Princess Victoria was born, grew up and became Queen.

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Enjoy beautiful seasonal decorations in the palace and gardens and join in the celebrations with carol singing evenings, talks, special tours and seasonal food and drink.

Daily between 27 December and 3 January, the palace will resound with favourite Victorian Christmas carols and festive brass music.

Included in your palace admission (don’t forget kids go free)…:

See the enchanting Kensington Palace Christmas tree and Victorian inspired Christmas decorations throughout the palace. Immerse yourself in the smell, sounds and tastes of a traditional Victorian Christmas.

Tasty Talks: Christmas Dinner Delights
2, 5, 9, 12, 16 and 19 December
Have you ever wondered where our Christmas dinner traditions come from? Hear about the origins of the Christmas pud, discover the history of roast goose and more. Enjoy a warming spiced drink from the Wassail bowl (mulled cider).
Free, ticketed on the day

Music At The Palace
27 December – 3 January
Period specialists from The Prince Regent’s Band will perform Victorian carols and Christmas music on 19th century brass instruments. Feel festive as you listen to these popular tunes that still define our Christmas today.

Or if you'd like to book something extra special…:

Victoriana: Panto and Performance
5 December, 11.00
Join us for an insight into the world of Victorian pantomime, music hall, theatre and performance. Find out more about cross-dressing actors and backstage shenanigans in an era that brought entertainment to the masses.
Part of our brunchtime lecture series.
Ticket includes a glass of Bucks Fizz and entry to Kensington Palace.
Tickets: £15/£12 HRP members

Carol Singing
8, 11 and 15 December, various times
Join us for a fun, festive evening of singing Victorian inspired carols as you explore the sumptuous State Apartments. Experience the bold and bright sounds of a brass ensemble whilst one of our expert Explainers guides you through the palace and reveals stories of Christmas past along the way.
Tickets: £15/£10 children

Christmas Eerie Evening Tour
12 December, 18.45
If you like our eerie evening tours, you’ll love this special Victorian Christmas eerie tour. Hear tales of mysterious noises and strange sights in the palaces echoing corridors after dark. Be comforted by a mince pie and mulled wine if you’re really spooked.
Suitable for 16+ year olds.
Tickets: £27.50

Remember to book in advance for the separately ticketed Christmas events. Call 0844 842 7777 today. Calls cost 5p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge.

Christmas in the Victorian era

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert influenced many aspects of British cultural life not least of which was the celebration of Christmas. Though it’s difficult to imagine now, throughout the Georgian era, Christmas was a relatively modest affair and was hardly celebrated.

Contrary to popular belief, Prince Albert was not the first royal to introduce the Christmas tree to Britain, Queen Charlotte having done so before him. However, Albert has been credited with extending the concept from the court to the British masses.

Gift-giving formed a central part of Victoria’s Christmases and she documented it enthusiastically in her diaries. Both she and Albert carefully selected gifts which would be presented on decorated tables and some of these can still be seen at Kensington Palace today. This too was emulated in wider society where gifts progressed from simple gestures such as fruits and nuts to grander tokens which had previously been exchanged at the New Year.

Centred on notions of family, feasting, entertainment and gift-giving, Christmas in the 19th century formed the foundation of our modern celebration.

Aerial view Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace, whats on and what to do

Kensington Palace - Tickets - Overview

Highlights

Explore Kensington Palace and discover

• King's gallery
• King's Staircase
• Sunken garden
• King's State Apartments
• Queen's State Apartments
• Victoria Revealed 
• Fashion Rules 

Kensington Palace London

Overview and Descriptions 

Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace unveils a palace of secret stories and public lives. Visitors arrive through beautiful landscaped gardens evoking a past when Kensington was countryside. Arrive in the entrance hall to start your journey through the magnificent Kings and Queen’s State Apartments. Filled with stories of two royal courts; the Stuarts and the Hanoverians, uncover what you would have worn, how you should behave and how to succeed in the heady atmosphere of the palaces state apartments.

Fashion rules
A new glossy and glamorous exhibition, Fashion rules - opened 4th July 2013 represents the story of the monarchy in the 20th century featuring rare and exquisite dresses from HM Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Margaret and Diana Princess of Wales, discover how the royal figures and fashions were representative of the spirit of each decade. Surrounded by contemporary photography, film and music the visitor will get a real sense of the 1950’s through to the 1990s, decades in which the clothes were worn and how they reflected and inspired everyday fashions.

Victoria Revealed
Victoria Revealed, a fascinating exhibition, set within the rooms Victoria grew up in as a child, explores her life and reign through her own words. Imagine how she felt at just 17 years old on her first day as Queen at Kensington Palace, discover her romantic side through letters and gifts exchanged with Prince Albert and take a peep at moments of family life with her children and grand-children.

More Information

Additional Information

Venue Information:
Kensington Palace State Apartments, Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX
Nearest Underground: High Street Kensington or Queensway
Bus Routes: 9, 10, 49, 52, 70, 94, 148, 390, 452

Image Credits:
HM Queen Elizabeth II
© William Hustler and Georgina Hustler / National Portrait Gallery, London

Diana Princess of Wales
© David Bailey

Princess Margaret:
Photograph Snowdon © Armstrong Jones with thanks to Camera Press

Golden Tours act as an official agent for these activities, as such you are subject to the terms and conditions of the supplier. 

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The Kings Gallery - Kensington Palace

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Kensington Palace Gardens London

The Kings Staircase - Kensington Palace London 

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