Britain’s Royal Attractions
With the celebrations of last year’s Royal Wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the building excitement over this year’s Diamond jubilee, the interest in British attractions related to the Royal family has never been higher. 2012 is a great year to come to Britain and see these royal attractions for yourself. You may be surprised at how much there is on offer across the country. From London to Scotland and many places in between, there are Royal residences and monuments to admire and many moments of history to learn about.
The best and most obvious place to go and visit Royal points of interest is, of course, the nation’s capital – London. A simple tour of central London can allow you to take in many sights related to several members of the Royal Family. Starting in Kensington Gardens, you will find Kensington Palace, an understated, red brick property within the park that has been an official residence since the 17th century.
It was Diana’s home and the scene of the much-publicised outpouring of grief, and it has since been passed on to her children. Nearby is the recently added Diana Memorial fountain. From there, you can either head the short distance into Kensington—past the stunning Albert Memorial and Royal Albert Hall—to enjoy the historical artefacts of the Victoria and Albert Museum, or you can take the tube into Westminster.
Westminster is home to the Abbey within which the Royal Wedding took place, so is a great chance to share in the family’s current history and see the venue for yourself. The Abbey is open to the public at a cost, but is worth the price.
After the Abbey the Queen’s own residence, Buckingham Palace, is just a short walk away. A quick trip through the beautiful St James’ Park will lead you onto the mall, where thousands will gather come June and up to the gates where you can watch the infamous Changing of the Guard. Occasionally during the summer some the state rooms will be open to visitors so you can an even better look in to the life of the Queen.
Finally, you have the Tower of London, on the Themes, the home of Beefeaters, crown jewels, executions and even the ghost of Anne Boleyn.
There are, of course, many royal attractions in other parts of the country. Windsor Castle is a popular tourist spot, with its grand architecture and history. Once the recent Queen’s childhood home, a fire in 1992 has left it uninhabited and used primarily for tourism. In Norfolk, you can visit Sandringham – the Queen’s country retreat often used at Christmas – or you can alternatively go and see Hampton Court Palace in Surrey or Balmoral, the Queen’s Scottish residence in Aberdeenshire.
Whether you choose to stay in the capital or head further afield, plenty of attractions related to the Royal family can give you a sense of the history and culture of one of the most recognisable heads of state in the world.
