You will begin the day with a guided panoramic tour of London, passing through some of its most iconic landmarks while becoming familiar with the city from the comfort of your vehicle. Along the way, you will pass through Parliament Square and observe statues dedicated to historical figures such as Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi and Winston Churchill, before continuing to Trafalgar Square, where you will see Nelson’s Column, erected in honor of his victory at the Battle of Trafalgar.
The tour will continue through classic central areas such as Piccadilly, Hyde Park Corner and Kensington, allowing you to recognize different sides of London while your guide provides context about each area. With this introduction, you will head towards the outskirts to approach two key sites of British royal history: Hampton Court Palace and Windsor Castle.
Upon arrival at Hampton Court Palace, you will be welcomed by an expert palace host, an exclusive Golden Tours service, who will provide an introduction and guide you to begin your visit. From there, you will explore the State Apartments and the Tudor kitchens, and learn about the palace’s evolution from its construction in 1515 by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey to its transformation under Henry VIII, when it became a symbol of power and prestige in the English court.
During the visit, you will discover how William III and Mary II promoted a transformation with a Baroque palace commissioned to Sir Christopher Wren, and how later Queen Victoria opened the site to the public. You will walk through the vast kitchens where staff worked tirelessly to supply the royal table and finish in the gardens, where you can explore the outdoor spaces and try to lose yourself in the oldest surviving maze in the world. To complete the experience, you will be able to use a free audio guide available on site and expand the information as you move through the palace.