Filed under: architecture, Attractions, parks, royal wedding, top-feature
12 Royal Places in London to Celebrate the Royal Wedding
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you likely heard the big news from Britain that Prince William will be marrying the now soon-to-be Princess Kate. It’s no surprise that William has finally made the announcement – he’s been seeing Kate since 2003 and she’s been seen at many “official” affairs over the years. He’s always been a favorite of the British public, perhaps partly due to his boyish good looks or perhaps a diversion of energy from the loss of Princess Diana.
The announcement says that the Royal wedding will be sometime mid-2011, and no doubt the preparations are already well underway – a royal wedding in the UK is no small affair! There are rituals, traditions, and of course a spectacle to be produced. But you don’t need an invitation to the private dinner – here are twelve “royal” places in London you can celebrate the Royal wedding.
Tower of London
The Tower of London (map) is probably a great place to start – this is where you’ll find the crown jewels; many mistakenly assume they’re in one of the museums. I think perhaps the reason is because of the name – the actual name of this site is Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress, which explains more about what you can expect here. The jewels are only a part of this exhibit, and by that I do mean only a brief part – you only see them while standing on a moving walkway. Perhaps the most enjoyable part of this stop is the tour and chatting with the Beefeaters, the official guards of the crown jewels. They also seem to embrace their role as ambassadors of tourism.
Westminster Abbey
Where else to head next than Westminster Abbey (map), which will likely be the venue for the Royal Wedding itself. Westminster Abbey is one of London’s most popular attractions, and once you’ve been in you’ll see why. It’s just next to Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, and this has been the official venue for many royal coronations, weddings, funerals. There was a church on this site from the 900′s, but it is believed the church we see today is from the mid 1200′s. Be sure to take your time during your visit here – there are a lot of rooms and hidden places to explore, and it all can be a bit overwhelming.
Buckingham Palace
One of the most stunning places you can go in London is, without question, Buckingham Palace (map). It’s a functioning palace, so it isn’t like one of those fairytale castles like you see in Europe. However, what you will see is some of the world’s most beautiful (and probably priceless) interior furnishings. From the dining ware to the furniture and decor, this building is steeped in history, with every single piece and nook and cranny having its own story to tell.
Royal Mews
The Royal Mews (map) is the royals’ old stagecoach house. It’s a must see for horse-lovers, but anyone can appreciate the exquisite designs of the carriages. It’s a simple museum, but I expect it will become more popular in hopes of spotting perhaps a royal wedding carriage?
The 8 Royal Parks
Last but not least, we have my personal favorite of the list, the eight Royal Parks of London. It may be grey and rainy at times in London, but that makes for lush green parks, and the city is very good about having immaculate lawns as well as promoting its open spaces with special events. No small feat considering they cover over 5,000 acres. The parks started as “deer parks” – royal hunting areas. The Monarchs of the later centuries decided they should be more formal gardens, and installed the fountains and sweeping avenues. But during all this time, these were not public parks – the first Royal park didn’t become open to the public until 1845.
Here’s the official list – no doubt one will be close to your accommodation, so you can pop in for a stroll either on the way into town or on your way home from a day of Royal sightseeing:
- Bushy Park (map) – see if you can spot any deer!
- The Green Park (map) – unlike the other parks, this is a more dense meadow with no ponds or streams.
- Greenwich Park (map) – well known for the view alone, which is superb.
- Hyde Park (map) – next to Kensington Gardens, this park is huge. Great to circle the entire park for some fresh air.
- Kensington Gardens (map) – where you’ll kind Kensington Palace and a number of public art sculptures and installations.
- Richmond Park (map) – one of the largest parks in Europe, and a great place to combine with a trip to Kew Gardens.
- St James’s Park (map) – the oldest of the Royal Parks
- The Regent’s Park (map) – great to sit in the sun on a clear sunny day
Photo Credit: Rev Stan
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