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 Royal sights: Buckingham Palace & The Tower of London Buckingham Palace Buckingham Palace is surrounded by three of the Royal Parks. It has only been home to the ruling monarch since Queen Victoria. The state rooms are open to the public during August and September - even then only 18 of the 200-plus are available for viewing. At the time, the Queen herself is out as she spends her summers in Scotland. Most tourists are keen to see the Changing of the Guard – be warned, it does not happen if it is raining. There are many great works of art within its walls which belong to the Royal Family's Private Collection. At present, they are not available for public viewing. Address: Buckingham Palace, at the end of the Mall, by St. James's Park and Green Park. Tel: +44 (0) 7839 1377. Tube: Green Park/St. James's Park Tower of London A trip to the Tower of London is also worthwhile. This is where the real Royal action has taken place over the years. King Richard II was murdered here – in a scene immortalised in Shakespeare's play – as was Henry VI. On Tower Green, just outside, is where the execution of Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII's second wife, took place. Indeed, a number of the most notorious criminals in Britain's history have been held in the Tower, including Guy Fawkes, who tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Explorer Sir Walter Raleigh was sent here on three different occasions by Queen Elizabeth I. The Tower itself is approaching 1,000 years old, having been built by William the Conqueror. It is also the home of the Crown Jewels, as well as London's oldest church, the Chapel of St John. Tours are given by the world-famous Beefeater guards. Address: Tower Hill, EC3. Tel: +44 7709 0765 Tube: Tower Hill Related links:  The official site of the British Monarchy
The Tower of London
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