England's most famous royal palace, and the official residence of Queen Elizabeth II, Buckingham Palace opens the doors of its State Rooms to the public every summer. Originally acquired by King George III for his wife Queen Charlotte, Buckingham House was increasingly known as the 'Queen's House' and 14 of George III's children were born there. On his accession to the throne, George IV decided to convert the house into a palace and employed John Nash to help him extend the building. Queen Victoria was the first sovereign to live here (from 1837). The State Rooms are now still used by the Royal Family to receive and entertain guests on State and ceremonial occasions. Visitors can admire some of the more unusual gifts received by the current Queen, including drawings by Salvador Dali, an embroidered silk scarf from Nelson Mandela and a grove of maple trees. Decorated in lavish fashion, the rooms include paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Canaletto, Vermeer and Poussin, sculpture by Canova, exquisite examples of Svres porcelain, and some of the finest English and French furniture in the world. The Ball Supper Room, the setting for a host of sparkling events in the history of the palace, 29-acre gardens and annual exhibitions are all also available to visitors.
Chesterfield Mayfair
35 Charles Street, W1J 5EB
Guests who've stayed at this four star hotel in Mayfair consistently tell us how much they love the charming old... More
Flora London Marathon 2009
Starts - Greenwich Park,
26th April 2009
Every April, 30,000 runners flood the streets of the capital to do battle with themselves and... More
Buckingham Palace Summer Opening
Buckingham Palace, SW1A 1AA
1st August 2009 - 27th September 2009
For two months in the summer visitors have the chance to look round... More
The Christmas Shop
Hay's Galleria, 55A Tooley Street, SE1 2QN
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St James's Park
Park Office, The Store Yard, Horse Guards Approach, SW1A 2BJ
Colourful, central park with thriving bird population and lake
St James's Park with Green Park,... More
Once Buckingham Palace's resident chapel, the Queen's Gallery was opened in 1962 and holds regularly changing exhibitions. It allows the general public glimpses of rarely ... More
A landmark triumphal arch set opposite the Duke of Wellington's residence at Apsley House, Wellington Arch was built in 1830 to commemorate the victories won ... More
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For two months in the summer visitors have the chance to look round Buckingham Palace and admire the interiors of this principle royal residence. The ...More
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For two months in the summer visitors have the chance to look round Buckingham Palace and admire the interiors of this principle royal residence. The ...More