Whether celebrating the 200th anniversary of Queen Victoria’s birth, finding out how to care for the royal horses or learning to draw like Leonardo da Vinci, families visiting the official residences of Her Majesty The Queen can enjoy a host of fun activities this May half-term.
Victoria and Albert 200: Victoria’s 200th Birthday Party
After a tour of the world’s finest working stables, families can enjoy party games and art activities and hear fascinating stories at this special birthday party for Queen Victoria’s 200th birthday. During their visit, children can dress up as a footman in replica livery, learn how to harness a horse and find out what it really feels like to ride in a royal carriage.
When: Tuesday, 28 May, 11:00–15:00
Where: The Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace
How much: £12 for an adult under 17s are £6.80 and under 5s are free. Book here.
Secret Drawing Club
Budding young artists are invited to take inspiration from the exhibition Leonardo da Vinci: A Life in Drawing and try their hand at drawing like Leonardo with the help of artists from the Secret Drawing Club, using the same materials and paper that Leonardo would have used 500 years ago.
When: Thursday, 30 May; Friday, 31 May; and Saturday, 1 June, 11:30 and 14:00
Where: The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace
How much: £13.50 for an adult £6.70 for under 17s and free for under 5s. Book here.
Victoria and Albert 200
During half-term, children visiting Windsor Castle are invited to create colourful collages of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Victoria’s birth. On 27 May, interactive storytelling sessions will give children the chance to try on replica Victorian costumes, and on 1 June families can travel back in time with Victorian falconry displays in the Castle’s Moat Garden.
During her reign Queen Victoria commissioned performances of Shakespeare’s plays to entertain the court at Windsor Castle. On 30 May, a storyteller from Shakespeare’s Globe will perform a family-friendly adaptation of The Merry Wives of Windsor in the Castle grounds, while Bach to Baby concerts will give under-fives the chance to dance and enjoy live period music.
When: From Saturday, 25 May until Sunday, 2 June daily from 11:00–16:00
Where: Windsor Castle
How much: £22.50 for an adult and £13 for under 17s and under 5s are free. Book here.