I know it has finished for the year but my wife is considering the tour of Buckingham Palace for next year. She just saw a television program behind the scenes and has decided it might be good to see. If you have gone on the tour, July and August I think, what did you think of it? What did you see? I remember one contributor saying they didn't think that the exhibition of Pippa's sister's dress was all that good. What think ye? Is it worth the fairly high price for tickets?
Posted by
Troy, Oh, USA
2800 posts
Nigel, the tours of the state rooms is in August and September..it's call A Royal Day Out. I haven't been this year....but a friend said it worth the time and money. They are having a special Private Evening Tour from 27 December 2011 to 29 January 2012 for £65.00.
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
i did this tour many years ago when they first started offering it. I really enjoyed it. It was interesting to see rooms and places that I never thought I'd see. I remember in particular looking out the window and the "back garden" and how beautiful it was. I bought a fine china tea "mug" that I still use for my tea. I am sure that elements of the tour change each year, but what you see is the State Rooms of the Palace where the Queen entertains. There is usually an exhibit and while the dress was on exhibit this year, next year it will be something else. http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/default.asp?action=article&ID=30#tosee Pam
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23574 posts
I would do it. It is worth it. The exhibit may be so so but that is not why you do it. We caught it by accident three years ago when in London for a birthday party and just noticed that the palace was open.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
27 posts
Nigel, I toured the Palace this summer during the Royal Wedding Dress exhibit. I thoroughly enjoyed the tour and the included audio guide. We purchased our tickets ahead of time which I would highly recommend. The tour takes you through some of the more formal rooms used for entertaining foreign dignitaries and guests as well as the Ballroom and Grand Staircase. The exhibits change year to year but I really like the two that were put on this summer--Royal Wedding and Royal Faberge. Even though the ticket prices were kind of steep, I would recommend the tour; it was a solid two hours of enjoyment, and even if you are not thrilled about the touring exhibits featured, the palace itself is cool to take a look around and learn more about. Annaliese
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
15 posts
I really my enjoyed my tour last year, purchased tickets online, tour guides helpful, very interesting.
Posted by
Boscombe, Dorset, UK
964 posts
Nigel, I went a couple of years ago and I thoroughly enjoyed it. When I went there was an exhibit of the Queen's dresses, which was excellent. But even without that, I thought it was really worth doing.
Best wishes, Maggie
Posted by
OP
Northamptonshire, England
33587 posts
Thanks to all. My wife has now committed to going next year.