An Exclusive Tour of Royal Palaces and Regal Places

Depart U.S/Arrive London

On arrival at Heathrow Airport, a private transfer will take you to the Hyatt Regency London Hotel, our base for the first four nights of our tour. In the evening, join the group for a welcome drink and canapés, followed by dinner.

Kensington Palace & Kew Palace & Gardens

A private guided tour of the gorgeous Kensington Palace awaits this morning. The Palace, the official residence of TRH The Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, boasts the impressively manicured Sunken Garden, perfect for photographs and a favorite of the late Diana, Princess of Wales. A statue honoring the People’s Princess was unveiled here on what would have been Diana’s 60th birthday, commissioned by her two sons 20 years after her death. During our visit, there’s also time to wander through Victoria’s re-imagined childhood rooms and take in the majestic King’s State Apartments.

Afterward we get a chance to stretch our legs during a visit to Kew’s Royal Botanic Gardens, a globally-renowned institution for plant research. Exploding with color and with no less than 50,000 plants, there is a range of areas to discover including the Arboretum, the peaceful Japanese garden and the remarkable indoor rainforest climbing within the Palm House. Before leaving we also discover Kew Palace, an enchanting royal retreat nestled in the heart of the gardens, complete with an 18th-century Great Pagoda and well-preserved Georgian kitchens. This little regal residence was once home to Queen Charlotte and George III, who presided over the loss of the American Revolution during his 53-year reign.

 

Buckingham Palace, Luxury Afternoon Tea & The Tower of London

An insider’s look at royal London begins at Buckingham Palace, where our Royal Day Out ticket grants access to the magnificent State Rooms, the King’s Gallery and the Royal Mews, a rare opportunity to step inside the ceremonial heart of the monarchy. Gilded ceilings, masterworks from the Royal Collection and glittering chandeliers set the scene, while the historic state carriages at the Mews reveal the pageantry behind coronations and state occasions.

A luxurious afternoon tea is served at an iconic London venue, an elegant setting for delicate finger sandwiches, warm scones with clotted cream and preserves and beautifully crafted pastries.  A quintessential British tradition elevated to an art form.

After hours, the ancient fortress of the Tower of London opens for a special evening visit away from the daytime crowds. After an informative tour of the Tower’s exterior, the experience culminates with the Ceremony of the Keys, the traditional locking of the Tower, performed nightly for more than 700 years. It’s a private and atmospheric conclusion to a truly regal day.

Althorp Estate

Set within 550 acres of sweeping parkland, Althorp Estate has been home to 19 generations of the Spencer family since the early 16th century. One of England’s great private houses, it contains an exceptional collection of fine furniture, paintings and ceramics, widely regarded as among the most important in Europe. There is time to explore the State Rooms, landscaped grounds and to walk beside the tranquil Round Oval Lake, where Diana, Princess of Wales, is laid to rest. A powerful and reflective conclusion to a journey steeped in royal heritage and historic legacy.

Althorp Estate

Set within 550 acres of sweeping parkland, Althorp Estate has been home to 19 generations of the Spencer family since the early 16th century. One of England’s great private houses, it contains an exceptional collection of fine furniture, paintings and ceramics, widely regarded as among the most important in Europe.

Althorp holds particular resonance as the childhood home and final resting place of Diana, Princess of Wales. Her memory is woven thoughtfully throughout the estate, creating a deeply personal dimension to the visit. Alongside the elegant State Rooms, there is time to explore the magnificent parkland, remodeled gardens and arboretum, and to walk beside the tranquil Round Oval Lake, where Diana is laid to rest on a secluded island. A powerful and reflective conclusion to a journey steeped in royal heritage and historic legacy.

Blue Badge Guided Tour of Norwich & Blickling Hall

A Blue Badge-guided exploration begins at Norwich Cathedral, a magnificent Norman masterpiece reflecting Norwich’s 12th-century status as England’s second city. One of Europe’s finest examples of Romanesque architecture, its soaring spire, tranquil cloisters and luminous interior speak to centuries of ecclesiastical power and prosperity. The tour continues through Norwich itself, among the most complete medieval cities in England, where winding lanes and beautifully preserved period buildings reveal layers of mercantile wealth and civic pride.

There is time to enjoy the atmosphere of this historic city at leisure before continuing to Blickling Hall, set within magnificent gardens and parkland. One of the country’s finest Jacobean houses and once home to the Boleyn family, Blickling is celebrated for its intricate plasterwork, impressive Great Hall and superb 18th-century Long Gallery. It also houses the National Trust’s most important library collection, with more than 12,500 volumes, an extraordinary legacy preserved within these stately surroundings.

Holkham Hall & Sandringham

A private guided tour reveals the grandeur of Holkham Hall, a Neo-Palladian masterpiece set within sweeping parkland along the north Norfolk coast. Founded by the celebrated jurist Edward Coke and still home to the 8th Earl of Leicester and his family, Holkham impresses from the moment one steps into the spectacular Marble Hall, where a soaring 50-foot domed ceiling crowns a dramatic colonnade inspired by the Pantheon in Rome. The magnificent state rooms display exceptional collections of ancient statuary, original furnishings and tapestries, alongside works by Rubens, Van Dyck and Gainsborough. Beyond the house, the estate plays a vital role in coastal conservation, its vast landscapes forming an important haven for migratory birds.

At Sandringham Estate, long cherished by Queen Elizabeth II and the private country retreat of four generations of monarchs, a special-access guided visit offers rare insight into royal life beyond the capital. Afternoon tea is served before an exclusive late-day tour of the house, when only private groups are admitted. The royal connections come vividly to life, from the elegant interiors to the collection of historic vehicles in the Transport Museum. Time is also spent exploring the beautifully maintained walled and water gardens, along with a visit to St Mary Magdalene Church, where the Royal Family worships while in residence.

The Jockey Club Newmarket

An exclusive visit to The Jockey Club in Newmarket, the historic home of British horse racing, offers rare access to one of the sport’s most prestigious private institutions. During a guided tour of the elegant Jockey Club Rooms, a setting normally reserved for members and their guests, centuries of tradition and sporting excellence come vividly to life. Royal connections run deep here. King James I first established Newmarket as a racing center in the early 17th century, while King Charles II, known as the Merry Monarch, was both a passionate racegoer and jockey. 

In modern times, Queen Elizabeth II maintained a lifelong devotion to thoroughbred racing, regularly attending meetings and maintaining close ties to Newmarket, where many of her horses were trained. Horse racing remains one of the royal family’s most enduring sporting passions. Following our guided visit, lunch is served within these historic surroundings, an opportunity to savor both the atmosphere and the legacy of a sport long intertwined with the British Crown.

Highgrove Gardens, Tetbury & Westonbirt National Arboretum

Day 9: Highgrove Gardens, Tetbury & Westonbirt National Arboretum

Heading west out of our base in Windsor, we are treated to an exclusive, private guided tour of Highgrove Gardens, the organic gardens of Their Majesties. Over 30 years in the making, Highgrove has one of the most creatively inspired and innovative gardens in the country and embodies The King’s environmental philosophy, ‘it is better to work with nature than against it’. Each area has its own character and purpose and includes the Kitchen Garden, the stunning Wildflower Meadow and a National Collection of Beech trees, with Highgrove House always visible in the distance. 

Around lunchtime, we pause in the charming Cotswold town of Tetbury, where there is free time to explore and enjoy lunch independently.

Westonbirt National Arboretum is home to one of the finest collections of trees and shrubs in the world. Established in the 19th century, its sweeping avenues and rare specimens create a spectacular display in every season. A fitting complement to this morning’s private royal garden experience.

The Savill Garden, Windsor & Windsor Castle

The Savill Garden is Britain’s finest ornamental garden in the heart of Windsor Great Park. Tranquil strolls are the order of the day as we explore the oasis of designed gardens and woodland. Created in the 1930s, acres upon acres of interconnected areas include the Hidden Gardens, Spring Wood, the Summer Gardens, the New Zealand Garden, Summer Wood and The Glades. The Rose Garden is an extra special addition, opened by Elizabeth II in 2010 and perfumed with the most beautiful rose-bed scents. We are treated to a guided tour and lunch in the Garden Kitchen here. 

Our next stop is a private out-of-hours guided tour of Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world and the final resting place of Elizabeth II. Established in the 11th century by William the Conqueror, it has been remodeled by successive kings and queens and is regularly used for ceremonial and State occasions. The magnificent State Apartments are furnished with some of the finest works of art to admire during our evening tour.

Departure

A private transfer will take you back to Heathrow Airport for your return flight home.