Group visits guide 2018-19 Call Travel trade +44 (0)20 31666311 1 Historic Royal Palaces is the independent Tower of page 8 charity that looks after the Tower Treat your groups London of London, Hampton Court Palace, Banqueting House, Kensington Palace, to over 900 years Kew Palace, the Royal Kitchens at Kew, Queen Charlotte’s Cottage, and of secrets, stories Hillsborough Castle. We are pleased and Hampton page 14 proud to welcome group visitors and help and royal history at them explore the stories of the monarchs Court Palace and people who have shaped society in some of the greatest some of the greatest palaces ever built. This Group Visits Guide is designed to give palaces ever built. group organisers inspiration for excursions and days out and to make the process as Banqueting page 20 seamless as possible. With so much to Follow in the uncover at so many attractions your only House problem is which to choose first! footsteps of the great, good, devious How to use this guide We have designed a helpful key to assist and dastardly, taking in the planning of your group visit and Kensington page 26 to ensure your customers have a fun home memories of Palace packed day and make the most of their time at the palaces. a great day out and Look out for these icons on the Must See Attractions pages for each palace to a desire to return best tailor your group’s experience. again and again. Kew Palace page 32 Steps and uneven staircases Wheelchair access Youth groups – children, families, multigenerational friendly Hillsborough page 38 Large groups – space for large Castle group visits Small groups – suitable for groups up to 20 people at a time Private tours available on request At your service page 3 Gardens – activities for groups with Ticketing options page 4 an interest in gardens Catering page 6 Get social with us page 44 2 hrp.org.uk Call Travel trade +44 (0)20 31666311 3 At your service Historic Royal Palaces has a Sales Team to assist group organisers in planning visits to the palaces as well as advising coach and tour operators with itinerary and excursion planning. Sales support An alternative guide for Easy to get to The Sales Team can help you international students For group visits all palaces have with all your arrangements for Available at Hampton Court coach parking or pick-up and your group’s perfect day out Palace and the Tower of London, drop-off facilities. All the London including assistance with these strikingly designed, palaces can be reached by rail, planning itineraries, advance self-directed guide packs are underground and four palaces group ticketing service, suitable for ages 11+ and are by riverboat. dedicated group ticket offices available in English, French and Accessibility and on-site catering. The sales German, plus an EFL version. Our palaces welcome all visitors team can also help you promote The resource will encourage and we try to ensure that and sell your tours and group discussion and everyone’s visit is successful and excursions with supplies collaboration, change the way enjoyable. Registered disabled of free leaflets, posters and international students engage visitors are charged the relevant images which can be with heritage sites whilst ticket price and carers are downloaded from www.hrp.org. satisfying a wide range of admitted free of charge. As uk/travel-trade interests. They will provide the historical sites, our palaces do perfect activity to complement Free admission have uneven or cobbled surfaces an educational visit. Free admission is given at all and narrow staircases in places. palaces to coach drivers, full Fanfare Full accessibility information members of AGTO when Keep up with the latest news including wheelchair access and bringing a group of at least 30 from Historic Royal Palaces information on sign language paying visitors and locally through the dedicated tours can be found on our registered Blue Badge Guides. publication for the group website www.hrp.org.uk organiser. Added value Website Group discounts apply to parties Email groupsandtraveltrade@ Visit the dedicated group of 15 or more (20 or more at hrp.org.uk to subscribe. planning pages on the Historic Hillsborough Castle) and regular Royal Palaces website, www.hrp. Quick Blast! interpretation events are org.uk, for the latest information Our mid-Fanfare e-update included in general admission. and help in planning your will focus on last minute offers itineraries and group visits. Money saving catering vouchers and early news of new and group menus available in exhibitions and events. palace cafes. Email groupsandtraveltrade@ Admission voucher scheme and hrp.org.uk to subscribe. account facilities for coach and tour operators upon application. 4 hrp.org.uk Ticketing options Historic Royal Palaces have developed group friendly ticket options that allow easy access to the palaces for your customers and simplified payment terms for volume Travel Trade suppliers. Royal Pass Agency Voucher Scheme B2B login One ticket to over 900 Our Agency Voucher Scheme Our voucher scheme clients can years of royal history allows approved travel industry also benefit from our new B2B This trade only, flexible companies to submit a voucher login system which allows palace combination ticket offers for client’s admissions to the bookings to be made 24 hours a unbeatable value and is available palaces, subject to minimum day, 7 days a week for the Tower in three versions giving you spend requirements. of London and Hampton Court choice and flexibility. The passes Palace. The system will issue an A benefit of being a member are valid for two years from the e-ticket that once printed will be of our agency voucher scheme date of issue for one visit per scanned at the point of entry, means there is no need to valid palace, therefore giving the cutting down queuing and pre-book visits to the Tower traveller flexibility to plan their allowing more time for of London or Hampton Court own itinerary. customers to enjoy the palaces Palace however at the whilst also streamlining the Four Palace pass Banqueting House, Kensington invoicing process. Tower of London, Palace, Hillsborough Castle and Hampton Court Palace, Kew Palace all groups must To register your interest Banqueting House, reserve a time for entry. contact groupsandtraveltrade Kensington Palace. @hrp.org.uk Three Palace pass Online Group Ticketing Tower of London, From early 2018, groups will also Hampton Court Palace, be able to buy their tickets Kensington Palace. through a simplified online process via our website Central London pass www.hrp.org.uk. This new Tower of London, method will speed up the Banqueting House, booking procedure and offer Kensington Palace. discounts over the group Royal Passes are exclusive to gate rate. group organisers and Travel Trade clients and cannot be purchased at the palaces directly. For details of pass prices contact [email protected] 6 hrp.org.uk Call Travel trade +44 (0)20 31666311 7 Retail Catering deals therapy Our meal voucher scheme for groups Hampton Court Palace Kensington Palace Kew Palace of 15 or more (20 or more for Tiltyard Café Catering services are not At Kew Palace groups Option 1 – Morning tea or coffee available at the Orangery this can arrange refreshments Hillsborough Castle), provides great Served before 12.00hrs including season. In our alternative on-site with Kew Gardens a freshly baked muffin or pastry. catering space, the following caterers by calling meal deal options across the palaces £6.00 per person deals are available: +44 (0) 20 8332 5186. Option 2 – Light lunch throughout the day. Simply select the Breakfast A bowl of seasonal soup and rustic Before 11.30hrs bread or a freshly made sandwich, Hillsborough Castle one that best suits your itinerary! Start the day with a ‘Full English’ – both with a choice of non-alcoholic streaky bacon, field mushroom, vine Groups of 20+ may add to their drink and a slice of cake. tomatoes, sausage, black pudding visit with morning or afternoon £9.95 per person and scrambled eggs, including a tea served in one of our opulent Option 3 – Hot lunch choice of tea or coffee. State Rooms. Main course dish served from our £11 per person hot counter and a dessert pot or Morning Cream Tea Cream tea slice of cake with a choice of non- Before 12:00hrs Served at 10.00hrs alcoholic drink. Orange scented and currant scones Classic blends of tea or freshly Whether inspired by the iconic £13.95 per person served with Cornish clotted cream ground coffee, served with black ravens or the legendary homemade shortbread and scones Option 4 – Traditional Cream Tea and English strawberry jam. Served Royal Beasts at the Tower of with a range of loose leaf teas and with strawberry jam and fresh cream. A delicious homemade scone with £11.50 per person London, by the stunning gardens strawberry jam and clotted cream tisanes or coffee. and your choice of tea or coffee. £6.50 per person Traditional afternoon tea at Hampton Court Palace or the The Tower of London Perkin Reveller £6.25 per person Served at 16.00hrs sumptuous ceilings and interiors Overlooking the river Thames on the Afternoon Tea An assortment of sandwiches, an A selection of cakes, finger at Kensington Palace and New Armouries Café historic Tower Wharf, the Perkin The Snug sandwiches, homemade scones Reveller is a modern day dining hall Situated within the Tiltyard Cafe, the orange scented scone served with Banqueting House, our palaces Option 1 – Morning tea or coffee Cornish clotted cream and English with jam and fresh cream, serving delicious food made from the Snug is a cosy private area perfect for complementing classic blends of provide a unique shopping Served before 11.00hrs including a finest seasonal British ingredients.