Led by veteran Blue Badge Guide and London author Diane Burstein, West End theatre fans will be able to discover the area’s historic theatrical past, taking in the sites of famous theatres along the way.

The tour starts south of the river in what was once the Capital’s main centre for music hall and variety. Discover how the Old Vic’s formidable manager Lilian Baylis bought Shakespeare and the classics to South London, before seeing the Young Vic and the National Theatre via some atmospheric Georgian backstreets. The walk then ventures across the Thames to Covent Garden, the heart of the West End’s Theatreland.

Featured sites in the Walking Tour include London’s oldest playhouse, the theatre which was once the home to actor and composer Ivor Novello, the theatre which played host to London’s shortest lived play and the site of the theatre where a bag of sweets gained you admission. The tour covers London’s theatrical history from court masques to the present day.

Tours are on a Sunday at 2.30pm and last two hours. Dates are 17 April, 22 and 29 May, 12 and 19 June, 3 and 10 July, 14 August and 11 and 25 September and tickets cost £9.50 each. Book by emailing walkingtours@solttma.co.uk or diane@secretlondonwalks.co.uk or calling 020 7557 6700.

LINKS

Diane Burstein’s website

SOLT website: Walking Tours

The first buildings at Hampton were acquired by the Knights Hospitallers Of St John Jerusalem in 1236 but Henry VIII remains the Palace’s most famous occupant and by the time Henry had finished his renovations it was one the of the most modern, sophisticated and magnificent in the world.

Sir Christopher Wren, under the instruction of William III, developed the second part of the palace in the late 1600′s and transformed the east and south facades of Hampton Court with the grand and elegant baroque exteriors that dominate the Formal gardens today.

When visiting Hampton Court do not miss the Tudor Kitchens – a living monument to 230 years of royal cooking. The kitchens were designed to feed at least 600 people twice a day and are still regularly used to prepare Tudor meals.

Hampton Court also boasts amazing gardens; the park covers 750 acres, the formal gardens 60 acres and the actual palace buildings 6 acres. Do not miss the restored Privy Garden and the famous Maze!

Everyday at the palace its history and stories are brought to life by costumed guides.

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Disabled access:
Hampton Court Palace is a historic building and, therefore, has uneven surfaces. However, many of the staircases are wide and shallow (having been built for William III who was asthmatic). Most of the routes within the palace are accessible to visitors unable to climb stairs as there is a lift to take visitors to the State Apartments on the first floor. Please ask a warder for assistance. However, for evacuation reasons, due to the size of the refuge areas, only six wheelchairs are permitted on the first floor at any one time. As a consequence, visitors may occasionally have to wait or visit an alternative part of the palace.

Hours:
Open Daily 9.30am-4.30pm
Closures:24th -26th December
Last Admission3.30pm

Children:
Child ages:5-15. Children aged 4 and below are free

Pickup:
Please take your voucher/confirmation to the Group Ticket Office entrance along with photo ID for fast track entrance to Hampton Court Palace

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The State Rooms form the heart of the working palace and are lavishly furnished with some of the greatest treasures from the Royal Collection – paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Poussin and Canaletto; sculpture by Canova; exquisite examples of Sevres porcelain; and some of the finest English and French furniture.

The Garden: Described as a ‘walled oasis in the middle of London’, the Palace’s garden is home to thirty different species of bird and more than 350 different wild flowers, some extremely rare. Visitors end their tour with a walk along the south side of the garden, with splendid views of the west front of the Palace and the famous lake.

Special exhibition: The special exhibition at the Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace will give visitors a lively insight into the principal national and ceremonial events in the royal year. The Queen’s Year will include displays of ceremonial robes, gifts, uniforms, dresses and jewellery, as well as archive photography and film to evoke the many and varied aspects of the sovereign’s work. The exhibition will illustrate the pageantry, tradition and ceremony of the State Opening of Parliament, the historic Garter Day ceremony at Windsor Castle and Trooping the Colour, as well as investitures, garden parties and State Visits

Book tickets to Buckingham Palace

MORE INFO

Disabled access:
Please contact our reservations team for more information.

Hours:
Open daily at: 2.30pm Monday to Sundays from 1 August to 25 September 2011

Children:
Child Policy: children under 5 are Free of charge

Pickup:
Please take your voucher/confirmation along with photo ID, credit card used for purchase to the pre-booked Desk located located at Buckingham Palace. Please note security checks are in operation.

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