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We publish our Travel Trade newsletter three times a year, with the latest news on current exhibitions and inspiring itineraries to upcoming events.
Please contact the team at groupsandtraveltrade@hrp.org.uk if you would like to subscribe.
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The Tulip Festival will be returning to Hampton Court Palace in April 2026
Gardens Galore
The gardens of Hampton Court Palace have enchanted royalty and visitors for centuries. Combine a tour of the palace and formal gardens and discover their evolution from the time of Henry VIII to Charles II and Queen Anne with our Palace Accredited guides. Go behind the scenes with a nursery and gardens tour with the palace’s Head Gardener. Alternatively, exclusive to small groups, assist the gardening team in preparing for the annual Tulip Festival.
Combine your visit to Kensington Palace with a tour of Kensington Gardens and explore the grounds royal evolution, from Henry VIII’s hunting ground to Queen Caroline’s additions of the Long Water, Broad Walk, and Round Pond. Don’t miss the Sunken Garden, created in 1908 in Edwardian style.
Hillsborough Castle’s gardens offer your clients the opportunity to enjoy ornamental grounds, peaceful woodland, meandering waterways and picturesque glens. Explore the gardens top attractions, with members of the gardens team, including the royal residences’ Gardens Manager.
Contact us on groupsandtraveltrade@hrp.org.uk for more information on our Garden history tours and booking information.
Hillsborough 250
In 2026, we will commemorate the 250th anniversary of American Independence with a special display and a series of tours at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens. Over its 275-year history, the castle has welcomed a diverse array of guests, from politicians to royalty. Yet, its important connection to the events leading up to the American Revolution remains less known.
In 1771, Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers, visited Hillsborough Castle to meet with Wills Hill—the castle’s builder and Secretary of State for the Colonies. They discussed American affairs and found common ground; Franklin even praised Hill as an excellent host in a letter to his son. However, this goodwill was short-lived. Hill later resigned and blamed Franklin for his political troubles, describing him as “one of the most mischievous men in England.”
Starting April 2026, we will highlight this historic meeting with a small curated display of letters, portraits, and other artefacts in the very rooms where Franklin and Hill debated America’s future. Our popular US history tours will also return for a limited run to celebrate the occasion.
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of the Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation
New product! Tower of London River Cruise
Take your group visit to the Tower of London to the next level with a luxurious 40-minute river cruise along the iconic River Thames.
Departing from Tower Bridge Quay, located just a 5-minute walk from the Tower of London exit, your clients will glide past the city’s most famous landmarks whilst immersing themselves in history through captivating storytelling told through the onboard expert narrators. Hear fascinating tales not just of the Tower, but also of St. Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster, and more.
Enhance your experience by including a range of refreshments, from tea and coffee to a glass of English sparkling wine.
Booking is easy:
- Agency Voucher Scheme clients can book the Tower + Cruise combination ticket via the B2B portal when selecting Tower of London admission.
- Group organisers can book directly via our official website or contact Woods Cruises directly for a more bespoke experience.
The Silver Raven is available for exclusive private hire, offering a truly unforgettable experience tailored to impress. Craft a bespoke evening for your clients beginning with an after-hours tour of the legendary Tower of London away from the crowds.
Following this, guests will step aboard The Silver Raven for a luxurious cruise along the River Thames and enjoy panoramic views of London’s most celebrated sights—from Tower Bridge to the London Eye.
Email groupsandtraveltrade@hrp.org.uk to discuss incorporating the cruise into your Tower of London visit.
The Last Princesses of Punjab
From the 26th March 2026, Kensington Palace will open a new exhibition, The Last Princesses of Punjab, marking the 150th birthday of princess and suffragette, Sophia Duleep Singh, the goddaughter of Queen Victoria. Groups will explore the lives of the many women of the Duleep Singh family through a vast array of objects, from portraiture to jewellery, as well as specially commissioned films.
The display will be included in admission and our Early Morning Private tours. Why not combine your palace and exhibition visit with afternoon tea in the elegant Orangery, group prices available for lunch and afternoon tea.
Tickets for the exhibition are now on sale and can be purchased via our website here.
Travel Trade Top Tip
Until 04 January 2027
We are delighted to announce that Hillsborough Castle’s Royal Style in the Making exhibition has been extended. Discover how the British fashion industry has crafted the iconic style of the British royal women. This display is included in castle and gardens ticket.
Tower of London
Christmas at the Tower of London
28 November 2025 - 04 January 2026
BEANO - Mischief at the Tower of London
14 - 22 February 2026
Hampton Court Palace
Indian Army at the Palace
Until 01 February 2026
Festive Fayre
05 - 07 and 12 - 14 December 2025
Christmas festivities - Tudor cookery and festive music
05 - 07, 12 - 14 December 2025
20 December 2025 - 04 January 2026
Tulip Festival
April 2026
Tudor Joust
11 - 12 & 18 - 19 July
Kensington Palace
Dress Codes
Until the 30 November 2025
Victoria's Childhood Christmas at the Seaside
03 December 2025 - 04 January 2026
The Last Princesses of Punjab
Opens 26 March 2026
Kew Palace
Open daily
Until 28 September 2025
The Great Pagoda
Open daily until 28 September 2025
Queen Charlotte's Cottage
Open weekends and bank holidays until 28 September 2025
Private tours
Available on request
Banqueting House
Available for private events from October 2025
Open in Summer 2026 for leisure and group visits
Hillsborough Castle and Gardens
The Snowman™ and Snowdog
29 November 2025 - 04 January 2026
Bulbs and Blooms
14 March - 04 May 2026
Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt
28 March - 12 April 2026
BEANO-Hijinks at Hillsborough Castle
27 June - 31 August 2026
Royal Style in the Making
Until 04 January 2027