Welcome to Fanfare
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.
Winter Palace
From 28 November until 03 January, Hampton Court Palace will transform into a stunning Winter Palace. Visitors will enter an unforgettable new world where mythical beasts prepare for a magical festive ball. Combining live performances, puppetry and participatory activities, this new immersive experience will be the perfect addition to off season itineraries and pre-Christmas short breaks. Tickets go on sale from 27 April 2026.
More information due to be released soon...Register your interest by contacting groupsandtraveltrade@hrp.org.uk.
Be sure to include additional time to explore the palace gardens, which will be adorned with an array of stalls in our annual Festive Fayre, taking place 04-06 and 11-13 December.
Paper Dresses
New! – From 21 April 2027 – 03 October 2027, Hampton Court Palace will showcase the magnificent work of artist Stephanie Smart, who makes incredible garments from paper and thread inspired by memory, story and fashion history.
Paper Dresses will display 15 life-sized and miniature garments inspired by the extraordinary people, places and spaces linked to Hampton Court Palace and items in the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection.
Included in admission, this new addition to the visitor experience will enhance your day itineraries for 2027.
Elevated experiences
Looking to elevate your group’s palace experience? We’ve got everything you need.
Our experts have carefully curated an inspiring selection of tours and experiences across our sites, designed to suit any group size, interest, or budget. Whether it’s an exclusive private viewing of the awe‑inspiring Crown Jewels at the Tower of London, stepping back in time with a traditional carriage ride through the magnificent gardens of Hampton Court Palace, or exploring the rich American Connections at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, group organisers can choose from a wide range of tours tailored to their clients’ specific needs and interests.
Click here for more information on our private tour options.
New from 2026: For clients seeking a premium, behind‑the‑scenes experience, join Hampton Court Palace’s Head Gardener, Graham Dillamore for an exclusive tour of the palace nursery. Discover the evolution, history, and meticulous care behind the palace’s extensive and iconic gardens.
For more information, contact groupsandtraveltrade@hrp.org.uk.
For groups wishing to explore at their own pace, consider our Audio Guide options—available at no additional cost at Kensington Palace and Hampton Court Palace, and at a discounted rate for groups of 15 or more at the Tower of London. Perfect for visitors who want the freedom to dive deeper into the stories that interest them most.
After a full day of exploration, make catering simple with our Meal Deal Vouchers, available for groups of 15 or more. Choose from a light treat such as a Cream Tea or a hearty hot meal. Options and orders for vouchers can be made by contacting our caterers – hrpevents@companyofcooks.com. Your visitors present the voucher at the check-out after selecting their option then relax and recharge in our warm and welcoming surroundings. The Orangery at Kensington Palace provides a refined start or finish to any palace visit, where guests can indulge in an elegant Cream Tea or a beautifully presented Afternoon Tea in a truly sophisticated setting.
For all Group and Travel Trade options click here.
Experience a wild day out at the Tower of London
For over 600 years, animals were kept in the Tower of London’s Royal Menagerie, including lions, tigers, elephants and kangaroos!
In August 2026, this unusual part of the Tower’s history will be bought to life with our Imagining Animals experience. Lively animal themed encounters, puppetry, dance, music and performance will make this event an extraordinary new experience for groups visiting the iconic London landmark.
New for 2027, the Tower of London will unveil a powerful new exhibition in partnership with the Royal Armouries. Located in the basement of the imposing White Tower, the display will explore the chilling stories of torture and execution through a series of memorable, people-focused narratives, told through authentic, historic objects.
The experience will conclude with how the Tower’s darker tales have been sensationalised and shared over the centuries through a range of mediums including souvenirs, books, displays and television.
Offering a fresh insight to the Tower’s darker side this new display is ideally suited for educational visits, history tours and those seeking out a deeper knowledge of the Tower’s past.
Travel Trade Top Tip
Add Kensington Palace to your 2026 itineraries as our new exhibition, The Last Princesses of Punjab, opens on 26 March. Groups will gain a unique insight into Punjabi princess and suffragette icon Sophia Duleep Singh, along with the five remarkable women who shaped her life.
Click here for more information and how to book.
Tower of London
Duke and Disorderly
30 March - 30 May 2026
Imagining Animals
August 2026
Medieval Palace
Open daily
Hampton Court Palace
Easter Lindt GOLD BUNNY Hunt
21 March - 12 April 2026
Tulip Festival
From 03 April
The Big Bahooey
23 - 25 May 2026
Hampton Court Palace Festival
Until 20 June 2026 (selected dates)
Tudor Joust
11 - 12 and 18 - 19 July
Beano Havoc at Hampton Court Palace
25 July - 23 August 2026
Hampton Court Palace Food Festival
29 - 31 August 2026
Concours of Elegance
04 - 06 September 2026
Festive Fayre
04 - 06 and 11 - 13 December 2026
Winter Palace
28 November 2026 - 03 January 2027
Paper Dresses
21 April 2027
Kensington Palace
The Last Princesses of Punjab
26 March - 08 November 2026
Victoria: A Royal Childhood
Open daily
Kew Palace
Open from 28 March 2026
The Great Pagoda
Open on select dates from 07 February - 06 March 2026
Queen Charlotte's Cottage
Open weekends and bank holidays from 28 March 2026
Private tours
Available on request
Banqueting House
Open days
20 March, 03 April, 01 and 29 May, and 26 June 2026
Summer 2026 Opening
01 August - 20 September 2026 (closed Tuesdays and Wednesday)
Available for venue hire
Hillsborough Castle and Gardens
Bulbs and Blooms
14 March - 04 May 2026
St. Patrick's Weekend
15 March 2026
Royal Style in the Making
15 March 2026 - 03 January 2027
Easter Lindt GOLD BUNNY Hunt
28 March - 12 April 2026
BEANO-Hijinks at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens
27 June - 31 August 2026