The Royal Month, 1 - 14 July, 2006
The Queen divides her time between Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace during the earlier part of this month prior to moving to Balmoral for the summer. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh traditionally host their annual garden parties at Buckingham Palace during July. This is also the month when The Queen makes her annual State Visit to Scotland, residing at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. She will host a garden party there on 5 July. The Duke of Edinburgh, as Patron and Honorary Fellow Companion, The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, hosts his own garden party at Holyroodhouse on 4 July.
Outside Links
Royal Insight Full list of Royal Engagements for the year compiled by the Buckingham Palace Press Office
The Prince of Wales Official weekly diary of Royal Engagements for the Prince of Wales and his family.
Royal Pageantry
Royal Summer Garden Parties
Date: 11, 18, 20 July, 2006.
Venue: Buckingham Palace.
Description: Some 8,000 people receive a Palace invitation to attend each of these parties hosted jointly by The Queen and Her Consort, the Duke of Edinburgh, a tradition begun by Queen Victoria in the 1860s. They arrive from 3pm, entering through the inner quadrangle of Buckingham Palace and walking through the Marble Hall and Bow Room to the Queen's private gardens. Two military bands play as guests walk through the Queen's lawns and tea, iced coffee, sandwiches and cakes are served. At 4pm promptly The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh lead other members of the Royal Family out towards their guests and the National Anthem is played. Guests are shepherded towards a number of lines so the Royals can meet as many as possible of those honoured with an invitation. The Royal party moves toward the Royal tea tent, and at 6pm returns to the Palace. The National Anthem is again played and guests are expected to depart. They will typically have consumed 27,000 cups of tea, 20,000 sandwiches and 20,000 pieces of cake from the buffet.
Further Information:Invitations are sent out by the Lord Chamberlain's office at Buckingham Palace. It may also be useful to contact the office of your local Lord-Lieutenant. Invitations are organized months in advance. Guests come from every walk of life. Their names are solicited from a variety of organisations with royal connections as well as individuals holding a royal position. These include Lord-Lieutenants, professional associations, government departments, local government, charities, the Armed Forces, Churches, etc., in order to reflect the largest possible cross-section of the UK community. Invitations are seen as individuals' contribution to the nation's life over recent years. Invitations - which begin with the words; 'The Lord Chamberlain is commanded by Her Majesty to invite...'- are sent out one month in advance. Only those unable to attend are expected to reply. Wheelchair accessible and facilities.
Getting There: Chauffeurs and taxis may drop guests off near to the main entrance to Buckingham Palace, in one of the streets near Buckingham Gate.
Dress: There is a strict dress code. Men wear morning dress or uniforms, lounge suits or formal ethnic dress. Ladies must wear a hat and are expected to wear conservative summer dress. Parties continue in all weathers so an umbrella may be useful.
TravelSleuth Accommodation Choice: >Goring Hotel Situated almost in the shade of Buckingham Palace, this award-winning, family owned and run hotel gains Britannia's accolade for 'Courtesy, Comfort and Cuisine', attributes that have made it a convenient favourite with four generations of royalty, nobility, and gentry who visit Buckingham Palace for royal functions, investitures, garden parties, etc. To quote the Crown Prince of Norway:- "I much prefer to stay at the Goring, I don't have a bathroom to myself at the Palace." The Palace amenities are, in fact, unlikely to equal the marble splendour of the Goring's "thronerooms". Enjoy a superbly mixed dry martini at the lounge bar before sampling the leisurely silver service and traditional English cooking at its very best in the spaciously comfortable restaurant.
Britannia Reservations
Horticultural Shows
RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show
Date: 4 - 9 July, 2006.
Venue: Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 9AU.
Description: The perfect setting for the world's largest horticultural show, featuring an exciting range of flowers, plants and gardening accessories; a stunning landscaped show and water gardens with displays from over 150 specialist nurseries and market gardeners from UK and overseas together with a Rose Festival - one of the greatest annual gatherings of roses in full bloom in the world. This is very much a fun day out as well as serious horticulture, courtesy the Royal Horticultural Society. Good restaurant, snack and bar facilities. A smart charity Gala preview evening, 3 July, (from £60 per person), with champagne, music & entertainment, and firework display, precedes the opening day.
Further Information & Tickets: RHS members only on Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday - Sunday are public days, numbers unrestricted. Book online from the R.H.S.. The RHS and BBC websites give live coverage of the show. Wheelchair accessible and facilities.
Getting there: The Palace is in outer London. Rail. Twice-hourly trains run from Waterloo to Hampton Court, (30 minutes). The Palace is a short walk from the station. Road. Situated on the A308 near the A3, M3 and M25. Parking is available. From the M25, take exit 12 (then the A308), or exit 15 (then the A312). Tube & Bus. Richmond, the nearest Underground station, is some way away, but is connected to the Palace by bus. River. In the summer, if you are staying in London and are physically mobile, we strongly recommend the delightful trip by launch up river from Westminster Pier to the Palace pier, travelling the royal barge route used by Henry VIII when he lived here.
Dress: Casual, unless you are attending the Gala Preview when you will wish to dress accordingly.
Travelsleuth Accommodation Choice: Landmark Trust Book online far enough ahead and you can live like royalty in Hampton Court Palace itself at the Landmark Trust's Fish Court Apartment, (sleeps 6), or the Georgina House in the palace grounds, (sleeps 8). Available on a weekly basis only. Early booking essential.
Britannia Reservations
Music Festival
60th Llangollen International Musical Eisteddford
Date: 4 - 9 July, 2006.
Venue: Royal International Pavilion, Abbey road, Llangollen, LL20 8SW, Wales.
Description: The traditional annual Welsh singing competition celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, attracting not only local talent, (and there's plenty of that in the Welsh Valleys), but some 2,500 overseas performers from over 40 countries, and some 50,000 visitors, making this a truly top calibre international event. There are choral recitals and traditional dance displays before judges during the day and Window on the World of Song in the evenings. Featured guest artists this year include the great Bass Baritone Bryn Terfel singing in concert with the Halle Orchestra and Catherine Jenkings with the National Symphony Orchestra. Also 250 voices from four famous Welsh choirs, the Froncysyllte, Godre'r Aran, Pontarddulais and Rhosllanerchrugog, join in song to uplift every Welsh heart from Pontyridd to Patagonia, (which as every Welshman knows, has a flourishing Welsh speaking colony). Placido Domingo made his professional debut in Britain here in 1968 and Luciano Pavarotti sang here as an unknown chorister in 1958. The event attracts a number of organizations and commercial stands as well as a flourishing fringe programme.
Further Information: Contact the Administrator, Tel: 01978 862000; Email: info@international-eisteddfod.co.uk; or the Musical director. Tel: 01978 862003; Email: music@international-eisteddfod.co.uk.
Tickets & Advance Booking: Book online or phone the Box Office at: 01978 862001; or email: tickets@international-eisteddfod.co.uk; or in person. Ground admission tickets bought at the gate gains you access to limited unreserved seating, subject to availability. Early reservations for seats and nearby car parking are strongly recommended. Wheelchair accessible with special reserved seating and Blue Badge parking. Advise Box Office when booking.
Getting There: Road from South - Exit M6 at Junction 10A for M54 and Shrewsbury and continue along M54 until it blends with the A5. You are now on Telford's historic London to Holyhead Road. Follow A4 signs past Oswestry and onto Llangollen. Approximate distance 50 miles. Road from North - From the M56 take Junction 15 onto the M53 and take the left exit from the roundabout at the end of the motorway sign-posted A55 and Queensferry. Stay on A55 until you reach turn-off sign-posted A483 Wrexham and continue on dual carriageway for approx. 15 miles. Come off at junction sign posted A539 Llangollen. The town is approx 10 miles further on.
Dress: There is no dress code.
Travelsleuth Accommodation Choice:Abbey Grange Hotel.
Just five minutes walk from the ruins of the medieval Valle Crucis Abbey founded by Madog ap Gruffudd, Prince of Powys in 1201. Restaurant and two bars with bar meals served all day. Four poster beds. From £74 for double room full breakfast and dinner.
Britannia Inn at the bottom, of the Horseshoe Pass, Llangollen, was built originally by monks from the local Abbey in the 14th century. This traditional family run Welsh inn has built up a worldwide reputation among Festival visitors for its good food and hospitality. Double room with traditional breakfast from £65.
The Llangollen town website had an accommodation list but early booking is essential. Further afield Wrexham, (12 miles), and the beautiful ancient city of Chester, (20 miles), both have good accommodation.
Britannia Reservations
Travelsleuth's Tip.Visitors should not miss the opportunity to see the starkly beautiful ruins of the Abbey of Valle Crucis; a victim of the iconaclism of Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries in 1536. The Abbot was killed, the monks dispersed and the abbey looted and wrecked. Its Welsh remoteness saved it, however, from the depredations of later builders seeking easy pickings. Much still remains to inspire by its lonely beauty, including the superb west front with its richly carved doorway and the magnificent rib-vaulted Chapter House; mute and bare reminders of the glories of so much mediaeval ecclesiastical Gothic architecture that was lost to us thanks to the turbulent events of the Henry's reign.
Climb to the ruined Castle Dinas Bran overlooking Llangollen, for unrivalled views of spectacular wild Welsh countryside beneath you from your lofty eyrie of the gaunt wind-battered stumps of the castle walls of what is aptly named "Crow's City".
An interesting and picturesque example of our more recent industrial heritage is also nearby. Take a horse-drawn barge trip along the Llangollen canal;, a peaceful journey that will take you across the 1000 ft long Pontysyllte Aqueduct, built in 1805 over the Dee Valley. Visit also the beautiful Pistyll Rhaeadr waterfall; a memorable experience.
Henry Wood Promenade Concert season 2006
Venue: Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AP.
Date: 14 July - 9 September, 2006
Description: For over eight weeks this summer, the Royal Albert Hall, London's historic and majestic musical venue, resounds to the sound of over 70 great concerts. These cover choral and operatic works of early and contemporary music, all amidst a staple diet of symphony orchestra concerts. Chamber and solo music deemed too small for the Royal Albert Hall itself finds a space in nearby Cadogan Hall, (in Pont Street, off Sloane Street), in the weekly Monday lunchtime Proms. A visit to London in the summer months without attending a Prom is a visit wasted.
In 1895, when the Proms first began, people really did walk around while the musicians played (hence "promenade"). Now "Prommers" stand in the Arena, where the stall chairs normally are, and in the Gallery "up in the Gods", and listen quietly. Experienced by 5000 people each night, the concerts often sell out, but Prommers tickets - the cheapest at just £5 - are only available on the night. If you're prepared to queue early enough for a Prommer's ticket, you're guaranteed to get in.
The BBC took over the running of the season in the 1920s and the concerts moved to the Royal Albert Hall after the destruction of the Queen's Hall in the 1941 Blitz. Once the sole prerogative of British orchestras, since the mid-1960s the world's greatest soloists and ensembles have also played the Proms. The attentive, quiet and appreciative Proms audiences are claimed, by one and all, to be unique. In addition during the last week of the Proms, a series of open air concerts are televised from London's Hyde Park, Belfast, Glasgow, Swansea and Manchester. BBC Radio 3 broadcasts every nightly promenade concert on air and online, and over half are shown live on TV.
Following the success of the Great Exhibition of 1851, (the world's first international "Expo"), in London's Hyde Park, the Albert Hall was conceived by Albert, the Prince Consort, as the centrepiece of his proposed development, (now knicknamed Albertopolis), of a range of national institutions - cultural, scientific and academic - that for the first time would be located on a single site stretching from the exhibition's site to South Kensington. The Hall is an elegant rotunda designed by Captain Fowke with Classical details in brick and terracotta, inspired by German architect and critic Gottfried Semper. It faces Sir Gilbert Scott's newly refurbished Albert Memorial in Kensington Gardens and is flanked, appropriately, by the Royal Colleges of Music and Art. Since its opening Gala concert attended by the widowed Queen Victoria in 1871, it has remained one of London's most prestigious venues for music and pageantry despite accoustical problems that took over a century to solve.
Further Information: In a widely ranging programme of music ancient and modern, we shall see performances by orchestras, soloists and choirs from London, Birmingham, Glyndebourne, Wales and Scotland in UK; Bamberg, Berlin, Budapest, Helsinki, Kirov, Paris, Salzburg and Verbier in Europe; Pittsburg, Minnesota and Philadelphia in USA.
Prom 7, (19 July), will be a special Birthday Celebration of choral and symphonic work supported by the colourful pageantry of the Trumpeters of the Scots Guards, in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen and Royal Family.
Tickets Online booking now open. Booking by mail and in person accepted from 17 June at BBC Proms Box Office, Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7. Wheelchair and guide dog accessible, (advance booking of designated spaces recommended).
Getting There: By Underground: Knightsbridge (Piccadilly Line), High St Kensington (Circle and District Lines) and South Kensington (all three lines) are equidistant to the Hall, (10 minutes walk). By bus: 9, 10, 49 and 52 pass the Hall. If you are driving, give yourself plenty of time to find a parking space.
Dress: No dress code. If you are aiming to attend the 'Last night of the Proms', book seats now. Arena Prommers pay on the night and dress in party gear.
Travelsleuth Accommodation Choice: The Gore Hotel. Situated conveniently near the Albert Hall, this is one of London's hotel gems. Dating from 1892 and still offering Edwardian elegance and hospitality, it gains the Britannia accolade for 'Courtesy, Comfort and Cuisine'.
Wake Up! Hostel. Student Prommers will find excellent and affordable accommodation and facilities at central London's famed backpacker's pad near Paddington.
Britannia Reservations
Motor Sport
The Goodwood Festival of Speed
Date: 7 - 9 July, 2006.
Venue: Goodwood Park, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0PX
Description: Royal Ascot on wheels! Billed as the world's biggest and most diverse celebration of the history of motor sport featuring the greatest competition cars and star drivers from all eras: from 19th century steam carriages to current Formula One; racing motorcycles; 2500bhp Land Speed Record cars, engineless soapbox racers; plus motor sport legends like Sir Stirling Moss OBE, 'Big John' Surtees and Mario Andretti rubbing shoulders with today's hottest properties such as Jenson Button and Colin McRae. This year's theme is "Racing for glory: 100 years of Grand Prix racing. Seven works Formula One teams are scheduled to appear. Petty and Gurney head the Goodwood list of stars and cars from USA.
Further Information & Tickets: Online booking for all Goodwood events under 'Retail' or at the gate. Excellent disabled access and facilities.
Getting there: Road. Goodwood is situated just outside Chichester, 60 miles south of London, 30 miles from Brighton and Southampton. From London take the A3.At Milford Roundabout take A286 via Haslemere and Midhurst. Before Chichester on leaving Singleton village take left turn over Downs past Goodwood Race Course then follow brown tourist board signs for Goodwood House, (approx 4 miles). Dress: The organisers expect visitors to wear smart casual clothing.
Travelsleuth Accommodation Choice: Historic Sussex Hotels Group. Three de-luxe hotels from this group vie for your custom! The sybaritic Bailiffscourt gains the Britannia accolade for 'Courtesy, Comfort and Cuisine' and is worth a visit at any time of the year.
Britannia Reservations
Equestrian Shows
The British Jumping Derby Meeting
Date: 29 June - 2 July, 2006.
Venue: The All England Jumping Course, London Road, Hickstead, West Sussex RH17 5NX
Description: Four days of international showjumping, pony shows and equestrian events kicks off the 45th international season at Hickstead.
Further Information & Tickets: Contact the Administration Office, Tel: 01273 834315.
Fax: 01273 834452. Email: office@hickstead.co.uk. Corporate hospitality, Tel: 01273 835262. Fax: 01273 835556. Email: sales@hickstead.co.uk. Book online or buy at the gate.
Although you may purchase tickets individually, we recommend annual course membership @ £135 which offers access to this and the Longine's Royal International Horse Show as well as more than 20 days of 'high goal' polo, racing, and county cricket. Enrole online.
Getting There: Nearest Airport; London/Gatwick 15 miles. Rail: Haywards Heath 7 miles, Crawley, Burgess Hill, Hassocks 5 miles. Road: Hickstead is on the main A23 between Gatwick and Brighton where many visitors stay.
Dress: Smart.
Travelsleuth Accommodation Choice: De Vere Grand Hotel. Elegant 5-Star luxury on nearby Brighton's esplanade. Closer at hand are the 3-Star Hickstead Hotel, tel: 01444 248023 ; and the 3-Star Wickwoods Country Club.
Britannia Reservations
Regattas
Henley Royal Regatta
Date: 28 June - 2 july, 2006.
Venue: Henley Reach, Regatta Headquarters, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 2LY
Description: The Royal Regatta has attracted the cream of world rowing fraternity, members of the Royal Family as well as London and Home Counties spectators every year since 1839, bar two world wars. Henley is not the most important rowing event, but it is the most fun for both participants and spectators. The Thames at Henley is beautiful and the crowd who come to watch the racing on the 2,300-yard-long course are picturesque in a rather dotty way: the ladies in flimsy summer dresses and Gainsborough hats vie for attention with their menfolk in white flannels and rowing-club blazers. Grandiose picnics in the car-park are the norm for the spectators. Fine linen tablecloths, the family silver, crystal champagne goblets, and even flowers emerge from the trunk of the Rolls. The only accessory missing is Jeeves, the butler, but perhaps the chauffeur will do his job on this occasion. This is Pimms or champagne-and-strawberries time. Prodigious quantities are consumed each day on the Champagne Lawn, the Fawley Bar and in the Phillis Court Club Enclosure. Best rowing day for spectators: Thursday. Social highlight of the week: The Leander Club Ball.
Further Information: Online or contact the Secretary, Henley Royal Regatta, Regatta Headquarters, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire RG9 2LY; tel: 01491 572153; fax: 01491 575509. No email. See also Henley tourist Information.
Tickets: Try to gain entry to the exclusive Stewards' Enclosure (for members and their guests) to mix with interesting people. Write to the Regatta Secretary requesting an application form, preferably citing some rowing experience in the past 50 years. Otherwise, choose the Regatta Enclosure.
Getting There: Nearest airport: Heathrow. Rail. London/Paddington - Henley. For details of any special trains, Tel: 08457 484950 from June onwards. Road. Drivers should leave the M4 motorway at Junction 8/9 for the A404, and then the A4130. The Regatta Committee warns drivers never to underestimate the time it will take to reach Henley by road.
Dress: Henley has its own uniquely strict dress regulations for the members enclosures which pay scant regard to modern day mores or the occasional fluke heatwave. Ladies are encouraged to wear a hat and their hemlines must below the knee; those showing the knee or wearing trousers or divided skirt are turned away from the Stewards' Enclosure. Gentlemen must wear lounge suits or flannels and club blazer with tie or cravat. If you do not wish to dress formally and think ties are for strangulation, simply find a riverbank spot close to the starting point and wear a comfortable summer boating outfit and straw hat. For ladies who wish to show off their shapely knees, there are no dress restrictions in the Regatta Enclosure.
Travelsleuth Accommodation Choice: Woodpecker Cottage. This B&B accommodation in the nearby hamlet of Warren Row, gains the Britannia accolade for courtesy and comfort. And the breakfasts are memorable! Set in a bluebell wood, with large garden and crocquet lawn, this is a haven of peace in the English countryside. Early booking is essential.
Britannia Reservations
Agricultural Shows
Royal International Agricultural Exhibition
Date: 2 - 5 July, 2006.
Venue: National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire CV8 2LZ.
Description: Known as The Royal Show, this is the largest of Britain's agricultural shows and has been held each year at this venue since 1962. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh are visiting the show on 3 July. The exhibition site is divided into areas covering everything from national and international showjumping, side saddle concours d'elegance, livestock to gardening and horticulture. Pony breeds such as New Forest, Exmoor, Fell, Dales, Connemara and Shetland are likely to be shown as well as the Cleveland Bay, Irish Draught and Haflinger. There is also a popular heavy horse championship show where the Suffolk, Shire, Clydesdale and British Percheron Societies display their different breeds.
Further Information & Tickets: Contact Ms K Starkey, Organisers' International Office, Royal Agricultural Society of England, National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park,
Warwickshire CV8 2LZ; tel: 024 766 96969; fax: 024 766 96900; email: international@rase.org.uk. Tickets are £17 per day at the gate or £14 in advance online, (concessions). Those attending more than one day should consider society membership, which may reduce costs. International visitors may register, (by 16 June), for free entry, showguide and badge allowing free entry to the Grandstand (where a daily programme of events takes place), as well as the Royal Agricultural Society of England's Membership Pavilion, where catering facilities are available.
Getting There: The National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire is close to the main motorway network with the Ml, M40, M42, M45, M6 and M69 all nearby. There are five free car parks at the showground. A regular bus and taxi service operates between Coventry railway station and the National Agricultural Centre during the Royal Show. The nearest railway station is in Coventry.
Dress: Smart on the first day, more casual thereafter, though visitors are likely to dress more smartly on the occasion of The Queen's visit. Ladies may wear hats, gentlemen country tweeds. Wear comfortable shoes as you are likely to do a lot of walking.
Travelsleuth Accommodation Choice: Chesford Grange Hotel
Macdonald De Montfort Hotel
Britannia Reservations
Ongoing Events
Royal Shakespeare Company. Stratford-upon-Avon summer season ends October.
Glyndebourne Opera Festival. 2006 Season ends 27 August.
Royal Academy Summer ExhibitionEnds 20 August. Featured, June Diary.
Travelsleuth's Diary Memo
Book now for the Glorious Goodwood Festival, (August); Gatcombe Park Eventing, (August); Burghley Horse Trials, (September).
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