Monday, August 1, 2011

Buckingham Palace, London


Buckingham Palace's 19 state rooms, ballroom and gardens are open to visitors during August and September while the Queen makes her annual visit to Balmoral.

The State rooms house some of the Royal family's greatest treasures including paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Poussin and Canaletto. They are also exquisitely furnished with some of the finest French and English furniture.

Visit the spectacular Palace Ballroom and see the traditional horseshoe-shaped table lavishly decorated for a State Banquet. On display you can see the silver gilt from the Grand service, first used to celebrate the birthday of George III in 1811 as well as jewelled cups, ivory tankards, chased dishes, sconces, shields and basins.

The end of the tour takes you along the south side of the Palace's gardens with views of the west front of the Palace and the lake. Audio tours are included in the admission price.
Changing the Guard is the traditional ceremony performed at Buckingham Palace involving a new guard exchanging duty with the old guard. The proper name of the ceremony is actually the Guard Mounting.

The Queen's Guard are the mounted troopers of the Household Cavalry who guard the official entrance to Buckingham Palace. They wear a full-dress uniform of red tunics and bearskins.

The new guards arrive at the forecourt of the Palace at 11:30am from Wellington Barracks. The journey takes about 5 minutes and the soldiers are accompanied by a brass band called the Guards band.

The handover ceremony is conducted on the Palace forecourt and takes approximately forty five minutes during which time the band plays music to entertain the New and Old Guard as well as the watching crowds.

Changing of the Guard Times

The Changing of the Guard takes place in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace at 11.30am every day in summer, every other day in winter, and scheduled to last about 45 minutes.
Buckingham Palace is the Queens official London residence and is used to receive and entertain guests on state, ceremonial and official occasions for the Royal Family.

The Palace is located between The Green ParkHyde Park and St. James's Park.

State Rooms, Ballroom & Gardens

Buckingham Palace's 19 state rooms, ballroom and gardens are open to visitors during August and September while the Queen makes her annual visit to Balmoral.

The State rooms house some of the Royal family's greatest treasures including paintings and the finest French and English furniture. Visit the spectacular Palace Ballroom and tour the Palace gardens with views of the west front of the Palace and the lake.

There is an entry fee and tickets are limited so you should book ahead if possible.



Changing the Guard

The Changing the Guard ceremony takes place in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace at 11.30 every day in summer, every other day in winter.

The New Guard marches to the Palace from Wellington Barracks with a Guards band, the Old Guard hands over in a ceremony during which the sentries are changed and then returns to barracks.

The ceremony lasts about 45 minutes and is free to watch.



Victoria Memorial

The Victoria Memorial is the golden statue of Queen Victoria which sits in front of the Palace facing down The Mall

The Queen's Gallery

The Queen's Gallery is a permanent space dedicated to exhibitions of items from the Royal Collection, the wide-ranging collection of art and treasures held in trust by The Queen for the Nation.

Only a small part of the collection is on display at any time so the objects on display are continuously rotated making it worthy of repeat visits.

Find out more about The Queen's Gallery

The Royal Mews

The Royal Mews houses the State vehicles used by the Royal Family for coronations, State Visits and royal weddings

The stables are also home to the horses that take part in The Queen's official and ceremonial duties.

This requires a ticket for entry.

Find out more about The Royal Mews

The nearest tube stations are Green Park, Victoria, Hyde Park Corner and St. James's Park.

Read more: http://www.tourist-information-uk.com/buckingham-palace.htm#ixzz1IMGR3nBN

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