Kew Palace: Summer Evening Tours

18th May 2008 until 28th September 2008
Kew Palace, Kew Gardens, Richmond upon Thames, Richmond upon Thames, London, TW9 3AB
Telephone: 0844 482 7799
Probably least well known of London's royal palaces, Kew Palace is particularly noted as having been the palace to which "mad" King George III fled for peace and to recuperate - in the latter case, without success. Set, as you might have assumed, in Kew Gardens, Kew Palace becomes really quiet after the main crowds have left the gardens on a summer's evening. For the first time this year, you can visit the palace's attics, where the Royal family's servants lived. Newly discovered early 17th century hand painted decorations and witch marks remind us of its past occupants. Kew Palace was originally built as a Dutch merchant's house and the palace, which is much more reminiscent of a small manor house has recently been extensively restored. Amongst the displays are small personal items and toys - such as jigsaw puzzles and a doll's house - which belonged to George III's children. At the end of the 90-minute tour, visitors are offered wine and some small nibbles to eat.

Visiting Kew Palace: Summer Evening Tours:

Cost: £25
Time: Tours: 17:00 - 18:30, Twice monthly, Sundays Only.
         Palace: 21 Mar - 28 Sep 2008 Mon 11:00 - 17:00, Tue to Sun 10:00 - 17:00

Nearest Underground Stations:
Kew Gardens Tube (11 minutes)
Gunnersbury Tube (20 minutes)

Nearest Hotels: Stay at Quality Crown Hotel Hyde Park and travel by District Line tube from Paddington Station to Kew Gardens, which involves one change of train at Earls Court station. From there, it is a brisk but reasonable walk to Kew Gardens.