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Discover our virtual palaces

We are lucky enough to look after extraordinary palaces, spaces and objects in our palaces. We look after Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Kensington Palace, Banqueting House, Kew Palace and Hillsborough Castle and Gardens in Northern Ireland.

Between them, the six extraordinary historic buildings in our care have witnessed 1,000 years of history. They have survived many tumultuous moments in the past. 

Take a look at some highlights and stories that we can share with you during these challenging times. 

Virtual Tower of London tour

Lucy Worsley's Royal Palace Secrets

Take a tour of our palaces with Lucy Worsley in the programme Royal Palaces Secrets, available in the UK on BBC iplayer and in the US on PBS.

Behind the scenes

Beyond Palace Doors

Our palaces are full of hidden secrets. Take a peek behind the scenes in our video series.

Take a virtual 360 tour

Take a virtual tour around Hillsborough Castle and Gardens

Palace stories

Read stories from our curators about our palaces and the people who lived in them.

Detail of 'The Apotheosis of James I' in Rubens' ceiling at Banqueting House, showing King James I being carried to heaven. Cherubs and angels surround the King as he looks upwards with tears in his eyes

Blog: Shakespeare, Plague, and Christmas at Hampton Court

With a rather different sort of festive season upon us, curator Brett Dolman reflects on James I and VI’s first Christmas at Hampton Court Palace in 1603.

Henry VIII (1491-1547) June 1526-June 1527, by LUCAS HORENBOUT (C. 1490/5-1544)

Blog: Portraits and Lies: Deciphering Personality from Tudor Portraiture

Curator Brett Dolman reflects on how portraiture has moulded our understanding of the past.

Portrait of Princess Elizabeth (I) Attributed to William Scrots

Blog: The Tudor Times, 17 November 1558

It’s a momentous day for England, as the passing of Queen Mary ushers in a new ‘Elizabethan’ age. Our Tudor correspondent Tracy Borman takes up the story.

More stories

Revisit past exhibitions and rooms

Portrait of Queen Victoria on a green background
Things to see Highlights

Victoria: Woman and Crown

Explore Queen Victoria’s private life behind her carefully-managed public image in this major new exhibition at Kensington Palace.

Closed 5 Jan 2020

Kensington Palace

Included in palace admission (members go free)

Learn more
The Lost Dress of Elizabeth I exhibition, showing curator Eleri Lynn looking at the Bacton Altar Cloth in a case. The Rainbow Portrait hangs in the background of the green exhibition space.
Things to see Highlights

The Lost Dress of Elizabeth I

See the Bacton Altar Cloth, a rare survival of Elizabethan dress worn by Elizabeth I, and the iconic Rainbow Portrait at Hampton Court Palace.

Closed 23 February 2020

Hampton Court Palace

Included in palace admission (members go free)

Learn more
The Tudor Great Hall at Hampton Court Palace, showing the Abraham Tapestries and the room set out for day visitors.
Things to see

Great Hall

Experience the splendour of the Tudor court in Henry VIII's Great Hall, complete with his magnificent tapestries.

Closed

Hampton Court Palace

Included in palace admission (members go free)

Learn more

Browse more history and stories

Anne Boleyn

How did Anne Boleyn become queen and why did Henry VIII execute her?

Sophia Duleep Singh

The Indian Princess who fought for women’s rights

John Blanke

A black musician at the Tudor court