A Traditional Royal Christmas

royal chritmas card

A Very Merry Christmas Card from the Royal Family

All families have their own Christmas traditions. Whether it’s baking gingerbread cookies, taking part in carol singing or simply getting together to watch your favourite holiday movies.

But have you ever wondered how the Royal family celebrate the lead up to Christmas?

Read on to hear some of the better known Royal family Christmas traditions. You can learn more about the secretive ones on London Magical Tours’ award winning London Christmas Lights Tours.

 

Present exchange

When do the Royal Family exchange gifts? Clue: It’s not Christmas Day!

One of the most famous Royal family traditions was introduced by Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria. In line with German tradition, the Royal family actually exchange their gifts on the 24th of December, Christmas Eve. The gifts are then laid out on tables for each family member to open after tea time (that’s after dinner for our non-UK cousins).

 

church

Christmas Day service – At Sandringham

The monarch traditionally spends Christmas at the residence known as Sandringham, a countryside estate in Norfolk. The invited Royal family members visiting that year are then given an allocated time to arrive at Sandringham: the youngest member arrives first and the eldest member last. Once everyone has arrived, the final touches are put on the Christmas tree, a tradition also made popular by Prince Albert.

 

king charles christmas speech

The Kings Christmas Speech. Credit BBC

Christmas Day begins with the Sandringham Christmas Day service, where the Royal family attend mass and step out of the St Mary Magdalene Church to greet the public.

To conclude Christmas Day, King Charles will continue the tradition of broadcasting a speech to the country and across the Commonwealth. As the speech is pre-recorded, the royal family will watch it together after their Christmas lunch. In previous years this has include prawns or lobster for starters, a turkey with all the trimmings as the main course – and Christmas pudding with brandy for dessert.

 

For more information on London Magical Tours’ luxury London tours,  as well as this year’s Christmas tours, visit the London Magical Tours website: https://www.londonmagicaltours.com

 


Spring 2023: Visiting the United Kingdom

As February 2023 draws to a close, there is a sense of excitement as we wave goodbye to the colder winter months and welcome the sunshine and first blossoms of spring.

Today in the UK it is Shrove Tuesday, otherwise known as Pancake day! As the start of Lent begins officially tomorrow Wednesday 21st of February, here on the London blog we are taking a closer look at just what Spring has in store for our London visitors!

Looking at the best places to visit during Spring 2023? Well look no further, below are some of our favourite destinations!

Looking for the best places to visit during Spring 2023? Well look no further, below are some of our favourite destinations!

Baker Street:

With the recent BBC television series Sherlock, there has been demand to visit Baker Street home of Arthur Conan Doyles detective Sherlock Holmes. For  visitors of London who are keen Sherlock Holmes enthusiasts or are just simply looking for a London adventure, the Private Sherlock Holmes Tours are a real treat this spring season.

Hampton Court Palace:

First time visitors of London are usually keen to visit Buckingham Palace and rightly so! But did you know that just 1 hour from central London is another historic palace? Hampton Court was the home of King Henry VIII and today visitors from all over the world come to visit its grounds. Spring time at Hampton Court is just spectacular, with its gardens starting to blossom and its Maze proving a grand adventure for adults and children alike! London Magical Tours offer a fantastic day out with their Hampton Court Palace Private Tours

Exploring the United Kingdom as we welcome the Spring has never felt better!

Exploring the United Kingdom as we welcome the Spring has never felt better!

Greenway House:

Exploring Englands’ countryside has to be up there with one of the best things to do during the spring and summer months. Often referred to as “the loveliest place on Earth’ – Greenway House, located in Devon in the South of England, is the beloved former holiday dedicated to one of the world’s best selling novelists, dame Agatha Christie. New for 2023 is the  The Magical Agatha Christie Tour (12 hours) and offers the complete full day experience which is not to be missed.

The All Lawn Wimbledon Tennis Tour:

Get ready for Wimbledon with a visit to the All Lawn Tennis Club this Spring 2023

Get ready for Wimbledon with a visit to the All Lawn Tennis Club this Spring 2023

Nothing is as quintessentially British as Wimbledon in the sunshine. Get ready for the tennis season 2023 by exploring Wimbledon. Why not venture on your very own Wimbledon Tennis Tour, that includes visiting the surrounding town of Wimbledon Village, the Tennis Championship grounds and even make time for a traditional British meal.

Stonehenge:

Exploring the countryside during Spring 2023

Exploring the countryside during Spring 2023

Stonehenge is arguably the most important prehistoric site in the United Kingdom. Just how was this feat achieved, a perfect circle with stones weighing up to 50 tonnes, all without machinery? Visiting the plains of Wiltshire is a sure way of welcoming in the spring sunshine! Take on Stonehenge with your very own Private Stonehenge Tour this spring.

Make the most of your next   trip to London!

Make the most of your next trip to London!

We hope you have enjoyed reading about our favourite places to visit during Spring 2023 and look forward to your visit! 

We would love to see how you welcome in this spring –

Tag us in your next social media post @londonmagicaltours using the hashtag #londonmagicaltours

 

 


The Magic of London

A young girl appears to lose her pet dog in central London. But all may not be as it seems ….

Filmed as part of our Magic of London series, simply click on the video link below to watch the short video in Full HD:

Our special thanks to Fortnum and Mason, Piccadilly Arcade, the Royal Albert Hall and all of the London Magical Tours team who helped with filming.

Are you thinking of visiting London soon? Why not treat yourself to our range of Private London Tours, all of which are available with complimentary pickup and return to your central London hotel. The difference is indeed Magical!




Blessings from Her Majesty

We are delighted to share a lovely letter that our director Ana Cartland recently received from Her Majesty The Queen in response to the wonderful works of art made by the young visitors on our tours during 2016.

Earlier this year Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her 90th birthday and London Magical Tours helped mark the special occasion by showing Her Majesty some of the many wonderful examples of art work made on our London tours for children.

Our expert team of family friendly guides love to interact with young visitors, not just teaching them about the history of London and England but also making it a fun and memorable experience. Our specialist children’s program focuses on the use of art and colour to help with learning – many wonderful examples are frequently published on the blog.

We are delighted to share The Queen’s response below:

 

queen-elizabeth

 

A big thank you to all our young visitors who submitted entries. We would like to wish Her Majesty continued health and many happy returns from everyone at London Magical Tours.

Let the planning for the 100th birthday celebrations begin!

 


Things To Do: Halloween and Bonfire Night 2016

We are very much looking forward to what London has to offer over the next few months.

With Halloween and the Bonfire Night festivities on the way, here is a round up of our favourite upcoming events that should not be missed if you’re visiting London.

 

Halloween 2016: Monday 31st October 

pumpkins-985x575

 

Get your face paint and fancy dress on – Halloween in London is easily one of the best nights out for kids and adults alike. There are loads of great things to do from:

– Picking your own pumpkin and carving it into a scary face down at Strawberry Farm

– Exploring the witches den and creating your own potions in Hyde Park’s Education Centre at the family-friendly open day.

– Getting make up tips so that you can perfect your ‘scary face’ at the London Dungeon.

 

Young visitors learning about London on a private tour

Young visitors learning about London on a private tour

 

Bonfire Night 2016: Saturday 5th November

Bonfire night, otherwise known as “Fireworks Night” or “Guy Fawkes Night”, is the anniversary of the 5th November 1605, when Guy Fawkes’ plot to blow up the House of Parliament came to a spectacular end. In London and throughout the UK, we celebrate the occasion by lighting the night with spectacular firework displays!

 

bonfire

 

London Magical Tours’ London Night Tours are an experience not to be missed and are a great way of viewing London with children this Halloween and Guy Fawkes night.

As night falls over London, the city’s old Victorian lamps become lit. From the bright lights of the West End, to illuminated icons like Waterloo Bridge and the spectacular Houses of Parliament: discover the best of London with your own professional tour team. Come and join us!