London Royal Experience

Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style Exhibition at The King’s Gallery

This landmark exhibition is the largest and most comprehensive presentation of Queen Elizabeth II’s wardrobe ever mounted, staged to mark what would have been her 100th birthday. Featuring 200 items, nearly half displayed to the public for the first time, the exhibition traces her life through clothing, from childhood outfits and early princess dresses to her wedding and coronation gowns, formal state attire, and everyday tailored wear.

Alongside garments are jewellery, hats, shoes, and accessories, as well as never-before-seen design sketches, fabric samples, and handwritten notes that reveal the meticulous thought behind her fashion choices. Highlights include iconic designs by Norman Hartnell, Hardy Amies, and Ian Thomas, alongside contemporary responses inspired by Erdem, Richard Quinn, and Christopher Kane, underscoring the Queen’s enduring influence on British fashion.

Together, the exhibition reveals how elegance and symbolism shaped a wardrobe that supported royal duty, diplomacy, and British craftsmanship. Visitors should allow 1–2 hours to fully explore the exhibition.

Buckingham Palace State Rooms Visit

Buckingham Palace opens its State Rooms to visitors on selected dates in summer, these are the official, grand reception rooms used for royal events.

A Buckingham Palace State Rooms visit is a self-guided, timed experience (usually open July–September) where you walk through around 19 magnificent ceremonial rooms used for real royal events, including the Grand Staircase, Throne Room, Picture Gallery, White Drawing Room, and Ballroom, filled with priceless art, chandeliers, and historic furnishings; photography isn’t allowed inside, but your ticket typically includes a multimedia guide and ends with access to the Palace Garden, where photos are allowed, and the whole visit takes about 1.5–2.5 hours, with security checks on arrival and a calm, museum-like atmosphere rather than a guided tour.

A Royal Day in Windsor with River Cruise

A 40-minute sightseeing cruise from Windsor Promenade along the Thames, giving panoramic views of Windsor Castle and the surrounding riverbanks, usually heading upstream toward Boveney Lock and back.

Then with enough free time in Windsor allowing you to explore at your own pace: enjoy a riverside walk along the Thames Path, browse the shops and cafés around Windsor Royal, relax in Alexandra Gardens or Windsor Great Park, or wander across Eton Bridge to see the historic streets of Eton, with the option to visit Windsor Castle independently if you wish (admission not included) the town is compact, scenic, and ideal for relaxed sightseeing.

Price includes

3 nights dinner, bed and breakfast at the Best Western London Ariel Hotel***
Luxury coach travel including the services of an experienced tour driver
Entry to Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style Exhibition at The King’s Gallery and State Rooms
Excursions to Windsor with River Cruise
Free time in London

Fri 26th Sept 26

Morning departure from the local area, we journey to our hotel in London with comfort stops enroute.

Sat 27th Sept 26

After breakfast, we travel to London and Buckingham Palace, where we are booked to visit "Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style" at 11.00am. Later, at 2.30pm, we enjoy a visit to the State Rooms, with plenty of free time in between to relax and soak up the atmosphere. We then return to our hotel in good time for our evening meal.

Sun 28th Sept 26

After breakfast, we head to Windsor to enjoy a leisurely day, beginning with a relaxing river cruise along the Thames. There will be free time to explore the town at your own pace before we return to the hotel later in the day in time for our evening meal.

Mon 29th Sept 26

After breakfast, we bid farewell to our hosts and begin our return journey to Cumbria, stopping in London along the way to catch any sights we may have missed or enjoy some last-minute shopping before continuing home.

Friday 25th September 2026

4 days

Best Western London Ariel Hotel***The hotel, opened by Her Majesty The Queen in December 1960 provides the ideal stopover for holidaymakers and business travellers alike. Stay in one of our 184 comfortable rooms, hit the bed for a good night’s sleep, or use the free Wi-Fi to get some work done. We’ve got a contemporary bar and restaurant for you to relax in, the best place to kick start the holiday vibe.

Accessibility Features:

Lift access to rooms
Accessible room available upon request
Free WiFi

Price Per Twin or Double: £460.00 Per Person

Price Per Single Occupancy: £570.00 Per Person

Non-Refundable Deposit: £100.00 payable on acceptance of booking.

Balance payable 8 weeks before departure.

All sums quoted include taxes where applicable.

Practical Tips for Buckingham Palace

Photography

No photography or filming is allowed inside the State Rooms, to protect delicate interiors and artworks. You can take photos once you exit into the Palace Garden.

Getting Around

Wear comfortable shoes; there’s a fair amount of walking.

Security & Rules

Expect a security check on arrival. Large bags may need to be left at nearby luggage storage options.

Pushchairs/strollers are usually not permitted inside but can often be checked in and picked up after the visit.

Accessibility

The State Rooms are largely step-free and accessible, with wheelchairs/mobility aids available if arranged ahead of time.

Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.

Name	Address	Distance
Aspatria 1	Bus Stop outside Library Car Park Market Square, Aspatria CA7 3HB
Bigrigg	Bus Stop Opposite The Old Captains House Springfield Road, Bigrigg CA22 2TT
Carlisle / Lowther Street	In front of Club Britannia Carlisle CA3 8EJ
Carlisle / Wigton Road 2	Bus Stop Outside Horse & Farrier Inn, Wigton Road Carlisle CA2 7EZ
Cleator Moor Square	Cleator Moor Square, Cleator Moor CA25 5AP
Cockermouth, Aldi	Aldi Cockermouth, Low Road, Cockermouth, Cumbria CA13 4HH
Egremont	Market Place bus stop, opposite Heron Foods, Egremont CA22 2AA
Flimby, Railway Station	Bus Stop outside Railway Station Flimby, CA15 8QN
Harrington GallopingHorse	Galloping Horse Inn, 95 Main Road High Harrington, Workington CA14 4NQ
Keswick	Booth's Store, Bus Station Tithebarn Street, Keswick CA12 5EA
Maryport, Curzon Street	B&M Store, Curzon Street Maryport CA15 6DA
Penrith	Castle Gates bus stop / opposite Penrith Train Sta Ullswater Road, Penrith CA11 7JQ
Thursby	Bus Stop, Village Green Thursby, CA5 6PE
Whitehaven	Bus Stop on Lowther Street (by Wilkinsons) Whitehaven, CA28 7DG
Wigton	Bus Station, King Street Wigton CA7 9EP
Wigton Depot	Reays Coaches Depot, Strawberry Fields, Syke Park Wigton CA7 9NE
Workington	Seaton Bus Stop (opposite M&S Car Park) Workington CA14 3AB