To celebrate the Queen’s official 90th birthday celebrations this weekend, we have been looking at royal-related days out. In this blog you will find a number of royal palaces, parks and castles that all the family can visit for a good old fashioned regal day out.
Tower of London – Save up to 16% off tickets when you book through Days Out With Kids
There is something for all of the family at this fortress which is one of the most famous landmarks in London. The historic towers house the Crown Jewels, the prison cell of Sir Walter Raleigh (known as the Bloody Tower), the Chapel of St. John and the Royal Armouries. Pick up the Medieval Palace family trail at the Welcome Centre when you arrive to learn fun facts about the towers history and keep an eye out for the famous ravens.
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Hampton Court Palace; East Molesey, Surrey
Hampton Court was Henry VIII’s favourite royal residence, and now you can wander around the grand state rooms, discover the Tudor Kitchens and explore the stunning gardens. In the gardens you will find the famous maze where the family can get lost for hours – perfect for tiring out the little ones!
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Banqueting House; London
Whatever your age or background Banqueting House will amaze you with its fascinating history. On your visit you can see the grounds where Charles I was executed and learn all about the fire which nearly burnt down the whole house. On your visit pick up a Family Adventure Trail that you can complete as you make your way around.
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Kensington Palace; London
Pick up an interactive family trail and explore the opulent interiors of Kensington Palace. You can see The Queen’s Apartments and learn some fun facts about how the royals use to live including how many mattresses Queen Mary used to sleep on!
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Kew Palace; Addlestone, Surrey
Kew Palace is small compared to other palaces but it reveals much about its past as a royal residence. It was used by the royal family between 1729 and 1818, but these days you are able to wander around the authentically re-created Georgian rooms including the Royal Kitchens that were left untouched until 2012.
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Royal Yacht Britannia; Edinburgh
Now berthed in Edinburgh, the Royal Yacht Britannia is a unique attraction for the family to enjoy. The yacht was home to The Queen and to the Royal Family for over 40 years. On a visit you can get a real glimpse of how the royals lived and travelled for over 100,000 miles.
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Windsor Castle; Berkshire
As the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world and the Official Residence of Her Majesty the Queen, this is the perfect setting for a regal day out with the family. Covering 13 acres, you’ll discover gorgeous architecture, stunning interiors and displays for you to learn all about the history of the castle. For the children there is an audio tour where they are introduced to many magical characters who live at Windsor and there are family activity trails where they can learn more about the castle and its treasures.
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Balmoral Castle; Ballater, Scotland
Bring the family here to see the famous Scottish holiday home of the Royals. There are expansive grounds and gardens to be explored which include formal gardens, a kitchen garden and the water gardens, as well as seeing the Castle Ballroom which the royal family still use now to host dances!
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Changing of the Guards, Buckingham Palace
This traditional and colourful ceremony is full of British pageantry and lasts around 45 minutes, and it really is a must see for all the family. The guards who protect the Sovereign have carried out this duty since 1660, and during the ceremony you will see a regiment march from Wellington Barracks to Buckingham Palace and then take over the guard. This ceremony takes place every day from April- July and on alternate days throughout the rest of the year (weather permitting).
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The Sandringham House; Norfolk
Sandringham is the Norfolk retreat of the Queen and is set in a 24 hectares of gardens and parkland. The house’s main ground floor rooms are still regularly used by the Royal Family on their visits. There are exhibitions shown every year with different themes, a visitor centre that offers a range of facilities both indoor and outdoor and there are 240 acres of marsh and forest for the family to explore for free all year.
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Palace of Holyroodhouse; Edinburgh
The Palace of Holyroodhouse is the official residence of Her Majesty The Queen in Scotland. On a visit you get to explore 14 historic State Apartments and the Holyrood Abbey ruins. There are audio guides designed for families that get you hunting for the more unusual and precious items. There’s also a family room with costumes to dress up in, games to play and stories to read.
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The Royal Parks, London
The Royal Parks in London are Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Richmond Park, Bushy Park, St James’s Park, The Green Park, The Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill, Greenwich Park, Brompton Cemetery and Grosvenor Square Garden. Originally they belonged to the monarchy and were used for recreation (mostly hunting), but nowadays the public parks offer wide green spaces for the family to explore.