KEEPING THE KIDS HAPPY IN MAJESTIC STYLE
FAMILY FUN AND FASCINATING FACTS AWAIT AT THESE HISTORIC LANDMARKS
As schools prepare to break up for the halfterm holiday, some of Britain’s most historic A royal residences will be throwing open their doors and putting on fun activities for children.
Visitors to Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Holyroodhouse – the monarch’s official residences in London and Edinburgh – as well as to Windsor Castle, where Elizabeth II was based for the last two years of her life, Hampton Court and the Tower of London can be sure their little princes and princesses will be royally entertained. Here, we take you through the fun on offer…
WINDSOR CASTLE
With much of the action of The Merry Wives of Windsor taking place close by, the castle is the perfect place for youngsters to learn about the works of Shakespeare.
Over half term, visitors can enjoy the Sonnets and Bonnets event, which includes arts and crafts activities. Children will be able to create ruffs and quills, try on replica costumes and dress up as historical figures such as Elizabeth I.
They can also enjoy a free family multimedia tour and follow the family trail around the magnificent State Apartments to learn about the Bard’s links to the castle.
This year marks the 400th anniversary of the publication of the First Folio – the first collection of Shakespeare’s plays, a copy of which is in the Royal Library at Windsor.
Over the centuries, many Kings and Queens, including those who reigned during Shakespeare’s lifetime, enjoyed performances of his plays at the castle. Daily, 21-29 October.
THE ROYAL MEWS, BUCKINGHAM PALACE
Go behind the scenes of the royal stables and see the historic carriages used by the royal family for centuries, including the 260-year-old Gold State Coach that took the King and Queen back to the palace from Westminster Abbey after this year’s coronation.
Each day, children can explore the mews on a family trail and visit the State Stables to dress up in livery, sit in a carriage and have a go at tacking up a wooden pony ready for a procession.
In the Livery Room, youngsters can also create and decorate their own bunting for a royal procession, while at weekends, families who visit Buckingham Palace can join a special tour. Family tours take place every Saturday and Sunday; craft activities are daily from 26-28 October; and family trails run daily when the mews is open from 21-29 October (excluding Tuesday and Wednesday).
HAMPTON C
