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.
& Mary
The permanent re-presentation of the Queen’s State Apartments, opening in April 2027, will transform the palace’s oldest rooms into an immersive experience centred on Queen Mary II and her overlooked role as a sovereign queen. Visitors will encounter her life within her original rooms through layered storytelling that explores her identity, personal reflections, female relationships, and global and colonial connections. Her story will be brought to life through personal objects, including jewellery, her Bible, toilette set, and her collections of Japanese lacquer furniture and Chinese porcelain. Informed by detailed curatorial research, the apartments will be reimagined as intimate, atmospheric interiors—visually rich with period appropriate colours, patterns, and textures. Sensitive interpretation, including graphics integrated into reproduction furniture, tactile elements, and evocative audio visuals, will deepen engagement. The result will be a compelling and memorable visitor journey lasting approximately 25-30 minutes.
Meanwhile, the Pigott Gallery exhibition, open until November 2027, offers a distinctly different experience where visitors will descend via the back staircase, from the formal spaces of queenship into Mary’s inner world and imagination. An immersive experience—without traditional object displays—explores how Mary found respite and escaped the pressure of rule through letter-writing, reading and theatre. Her letters to her female network sit at the heart of this narrative, revealing her friendships, imagination, and emotional life in her own words. Evocative settings - her library, water gallery, garden, and shell grotto - create a sensory contrast to the historic rooms above and a setting for the content. This immersive audiovisual experience take visitors through intimate moments bringing Mary’s letters to life, and bring visitors into her imaginative world.
Prisoners at the Tower
Opening in 2027, visitors come face to face with the Tower’s darker histories in a chilling new display. Human stories of torture and execution will be brought to life in the basement of the iconic White Tower, a place where torture may have happened. In partnership with the Royal Armouries, this new display will include real historic objects, such as the block and axe, long associated with the execution of Lord Lovat in 1747 – Tower Hill’s last beheading. Storytelling will centre the people, including Father John Gerard who was tortured before escaping, Queen Anne Boleyn, tragically beheaded at the Tower and buried in the Chapel, and Josef Jakobs, a German spy and the last person to be executed at the Tower of London.
The Art of Royal Dress: a new exhibition by Stephanie Smart
In April 2027, Hampton Court Palace will unveil a new exhibition created in collaboration with fine artist Stephanie Smart, known for crafting intricate garments from paper and thread inspired by memory, storytelling, and the history of fashion.
The exhibition will feature 15 life‑sized and miniature paper garments, each drawing on people, places, and moments connected to Hampton Court Palace. These works will sit alongside pieces from the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection and explore the rich history of silk design, manufacture, and trade in Whitchurch, Macclesfield, and London.
Dr Eleri Lynn, Chief Curator and fashion historian, writes: "Hampton Court Palace has been the home of royal dress for centuries. Silk was brought from Spitalfields, worked by seamstresses, and worn by kings, queens, servants and courtiers. Today, many of the same functions remain in the form of the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection and the Royal School of Needlework, whose influence and work can be seen in Stephanie Smart's reimagining of historic dress. This exhibition captures the beauty and craftsmanship of centuries of royal dress with surprising, intricate paper dresses, but also honours the thousands of skilled hands that created them, and creates them still..."
The exhibition will be included in admission to Hampton Court Palace and will take place in the Georgian Story apartments.
Interested in the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection? Find out more here.
2027 at Kew Palace
Next season offers an enriched programme designed to deepen visitors’ engagement with Kew Palaces' history and atmosphere. Guests can experience our Historic Kitchen demonstrations delivered by our specialist historic cookery team, alongside our highly regarded daily Hidden Spaces tour. Complimentary Curious Kew talks led by costumed hosts are available throughout the site, supported by volunteer‑led walking tours that guide visitors from the Royal Kitchens to the original 18th‑century Ice House within Kew Gardens. Mid‑season, the distinguished string quartet Saraband will return for another performance, offered free of charge to all attendees. For guests seeking a bespoke experience, private tours may be arranged upon request, providing an exclusive and personalised exploration of the palace’s most significant spaces.
Kew Palace is open to visitors April – September each year and included in admission to Kew Gardens.
Don't forget to include a visit to the Great Pagoda in your visit, also included in gardens admission however a small fee is required if you wish to enjoy the stunning views on offer from the top of the monument.
Kew Palace
Seasonal highlights across the palaces
Autumn
Prepare for a spooktacular Halloween across our historic sites. At Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, visitors can enjoy classic seasonal fun with engaging scarecrow displays, welly tossing, and winding mazes, alongside a full programme of nature trails, craft workshops, a pumpkin patch, and lively storytelling throughout the week.
At Hampton Court Palace, the atmosphere turns thrillingly eerie as ghostly spirits roam the corridors and mysterious figures lurk in shadowy corners, creating an unforgettable experience for brave visitors Offer your clients a thrilling adventure with our exclusive evening palace ghost tours.
Meanwhile, at the Tower of London, guests can immerse themselves in chilling sights and sounds, weaving through cobbled paths and ancient battlements while encountering ghosts tied to the Tower’s dark and fascinating past.
Winter
A festive line-up for Christmas experiences across historic sites offers engaging, story-led activities for all ages. At Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, The Gruffalo’s Child brings a much-loved tale to life through an immersive family trail in the “deep dark wood”. The Tower of London celebrates with The Spirit of Christmas, a Victorian-themed event featuring traditional music and a performance of A Visit from St. Nicholas. Meanwhile, Kensington Palace marks 190 years since Princess Victoria’s 1836 Christmas with atmospheric displays inspired by her countryside celebrations.
Highlight of 2026: The Winter Palace: A Christmas Beast Ball. Running from 28 November to 03 January and included in admission to Hampton Court Palace, this brand-new offer transforms the historic palace into an enchanting world. Groups can wander through the palace’s spectacular State rooms to discover breathtaking installations, meet friendly puppets and gentle mythical creatures as the story is woven through live performance and music.
Winter Palace Hampton Court Palace Festive Fayre
All events are included with palace admission
The Gruffalo’s Child: 28 November – 3 January 2027 Hillsborough Castle and Gardens
The Spirit of Christmas: 27–31 December Tower of London
Victoria’s Countryside Christmas: 25 November – 3 January 2027 Kensington Palace
Winter Palace: A Christmas Beast Ball: 28 November to 03 January 2027 Hampton Court Palace
Elevate your 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 Shire horse 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 expert Gardens Team for an exclusive tour that includes the palace nursery in our Horticultural History Tour. Discover the evolution, history, and meticulous care behind the palace’s extensive and iconic gardens and how the team are adapting to combat climate change through sustainable planting and care, ensuring the gardens can be enjoyed for generations to come.
Catering for groups
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. Brunch and lunch options are also available on request.
Audio Guides
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.
Tower of London
Imagining Animals
19 - 31 August 2026
Halloween at the Tower of London
24 October - 01 November 2026
The Spirit of Christmas
27 - 31 December 2026
Medieval Palace
Open daily
Hampton Court Palace
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
Halloween at Hampton Court Palace
24 October - 01 November 2026
Festive Fayre
04 - 06 and 11 - 13 December 2026
Winter Palace
28 November 2026 - 03 January 2027
Paper Dresses
April 2027
Kensington Palace
The Last Princesses of Punjab
26 March - 08 November 2026
Victoria's Countryside Christmas
25 November 2026 - 03 January 2027
Victoria: A Royal Childhood
Open daily
Kew Palace
Open from 28 March 2026
Hidden Spaces Tour
Daily (16:00 - 16:30)
Royal Kew Tour
Daily (14:00 - 14:30)
Georgian Kitchen demonstrations
May - August 2026 (select dates)
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
Summer 2026 Opening
01 August - 20 September 2026 (closed Tuesdays and Wednesday)
Classical DJ
15 - 16 August 2026
Available for venue hire
Hillsborough Castle and Gardens
Royal Style in the Making
15 March 2026 - 03 January 2027
BEANO-Hijinks at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens
27 June - 31 August 2026
Halloween at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens
24 October - 01 November 2026
The Gruffalo's Child
28 November 2026 - 03 January 2027