LONDON CALLING

With the coronation of King Charles III now a memory, it seems a trip to London reinforces a thought to visit some of those centuries-old palaces and churches to see first-hand where it all happened just a few months ago.

THE PALACES
Start your royal tour at the iconic Buckingham Palace, the King’s official London residence. See the terrace where he and other Royal Family members waved to the enormous crowd following the coronation. Be sure to time your visit for the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Dates vary, so check the schedule (Info: changing-guard.com/dates-buckingham-palace). If you plan your trip well in advance, you can look at life inside Buckingham Palace with tickets to visit the State Rooms, the public rooms where the Royal Family receives and entertain guests on official occasions. They are open for guided tours on select dates during winter and spring and for ten weeks in the summer. Highlights of the tour include the crimson Throne Room and the grand White Drawing Room with its secret door in which the Royal Family can enter and leave from the Palace’s private areas

Another special royal site in London is Kensington Palace and its gardens. It was where Queen Victoria, born in 1819, lived as a child and was told she was now Queen at age 18 in 1837. The entry includes access to the rooms where she was raised. You can also see the current “Crown to Couture” exhibit, which runs through October 29th and pairs historical fashion and modern red-carpet couture. It features more than 200 objects, including 18th-century court dresses and today’s red-carpet couture from such celebrities as Lady Gaga and Lizzo.

GOLD COACHES & MORE
The Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace is where you can view the carriages that transported King Charles to and from the coronation, including the magnificent Gold State Coach. The Royal Mews was built in the gardens of Buckingham Palace from 1822 to 1825 and houses not only the carriages but also the coaches and cars used by the Royal Family. It is also a working stable where you’ll find some of The Royal Mews staff homes. You can explore independently but take the free guided tour to get the most out of your visit.

CORONATION CENTRAL
Westminster Abbey is a magnificent church where coronations take place is a must-visit. See the Coronation Chair in St. George’s Chapel, the Royal tombs, the magnificent fan-vaulted Lady Chapel, and Poets’ Corner, where more than 100 poets and writers are buried or have memorials.

HISTORIC STAY
Today, St. Ermin’s modern touches make it warm and welcoming with such excellent features as a complimentary wine and canopies hour Monday through Thursday, a lovely Afternoon Tea in the Tea Lounge, and an extensive buffet breakfast at the Caxton Grill that can be included as a package. Caxton Grill is also a top spot for dinner, offering a menu featuring local ingredients, including those from the hotel’s rooftop garden and bee terrace. If traveling with kids, the spacious Family Suite can easily sleep five and includes two bathrooms. In addition, kid-friendly amenities like a Kid’s Concierge, spy kit, and the hotel’s bedtime story make the youngest guests feel welcome.

For more on London, log on to visitlondon.com or visitbritain.com 

GET GO CITY LONDON
Bypass lines, enjoy some savings, and access such royal sites as Westminster Abbey and Kensington Palace and a list of other top London attractions with a Go City All-Inclusive Pass or Go City Explorer Pass. (Buckingham Palace tickets and The Royal Mews are not included.) The Go City All-Inclusive Pass provides unlimited access to included sites for one to 10 days. With the Go City Explorer Pass, you decide how many attractions you want to see—from two to seven—within 60 days. Some attractions do require reservations. Info: gocity.com