Tour London’s palaces with TV star Suzannah
Exclusive for MoS readers: Discover the secrets of Windsor Castle, Hampton Court and the Tower of London with the Tudor expert
THIS fascinating tour will give you a glimpse into the lives of the Royal Family both past and present. From Henry VIII to our own Queen Elizabeth, the story of the monarchy features some of history’s most captivating figures – as well as its most grisly tales.
You’ll hear about the Royals’ extraordinary lives and visit great palaces close to the Thames, including Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Banqueting Hall, Westminster Abbey and the State Apartments at Windsor Castle, where you will enjoy a private tour.
You will be joined on this two-night break by historian, broadcaster and Tudor expert Professor Suzannah Lipscomb, who will give an exclusive talk with a Q&A session, and accompany readers on a private tour of Hampton Court Palace.
‘I am a great believer in telling historical tales where they happened,’ Prof Lipscomb says. ‘The veil between the past and the present feels very thin when you are following in the very footsteps of Henry VIII at Hampton Court, or standing on the spot where Anne Boleyn met her end at the Tower.’
Readers who joined Prof Lipscomb on our first Royal palaces tour last year praised her for bringing history alive. ‘This was the best tour my husband and I have ever been on,’ one wrote. ‘Suzannah was amazing – I learnt more in her talk than all the reading
I’ve done before.’ So don’t miss your chance to join her and celebrate 1,000 years of regal history on this ultimate Royal tour.
REASONS TO BOOK Meet Suzannah Lipscomb
Prof Lipscomb will give insights into the forces that shaped the most dramatic stories of the Royals. She will also give an exclusive private talk and hold a Q&A on the eve of your visit to the Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace.
Great castles and palaces
The walls may not be able to talk but you will hear some of the astonishing true tales in the most important Royal houses across the city: Westminster Abbey, which has witnessed the coronation of every monarch since William the Conqueror; Banqueting Hall, the last remaining part of Whitehall Palace; the Tower of London, the mighty fortress that is now the permanent home of the Crown Jewels; and Buckingham Palace, the official Royal residence in London since 1837.
Visit Hampton Court
Prof Lipscomb will also join you for a fascinating private guided tour of Hampton Court, which dates from 1515 and was commissioned by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, who later gifted it to Henry VIII. Prof Lipscomb will reveal some of the stories and secrets behind this fascinating palace.
Discover Windsor Castle
Another highlight will be Windsor Castle, a Royal stronghold since just after the Norman Conquest, where you will journey through 1,000 years of Royal history on a private tour of the State Apartments at a time when the castle is otherwise closed to the public. You’ll also enjoy a glass of champagne at the tour’s close.
Stay in a historic hotel
You’ll be based at The Talbot, a charming former coaching inn in the historic Surrey village of Ripley. It has retained many of its period features from its 500-year history and was also reputedly used as a hitching post by Lord Nelson. It is said his love affair with Lady Hamilton blossomed here.