Travel
The Queens Gallery,London
A wonderful place to wander around, drool at the jewels, furniture and paintings that the Royal family owns. Great gift shop as well.
THE QUEENS GALLERY, LONDON
I go home several times a year and each time I go through London, I always visit the Queens Gallery next to Buckingham Palace. I usually do my Christmas shopping there, since the gift shop has very unusual gifts and with great prices.
The Royal family has one of the finest and most valuable collections of furniture, paintings, porcelain, stamps, curios, china, and jewels to be found anywhere in the world.
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The exhibits are changed regularly, so each time you visit the Gallery you will be seeing different treasures. It is easy to find, on Buckingham Palace Road, just right next to the Palace. I always drool at the jewelry on display, and the china dinner services. I don’t think many people know about this Gallery since it is never crowded
The story of the collecting habits of this very public family goes right back to Tudor times when it was the tradition for royal partners to exchange personal portraits upon marriage. Their taste for top rate paintings is well known and although Charles 1 lost his head eventually, he kept it long enough to accumulate a magnificent collection. George IV collected French furniture which is said to be some of the best l8th century pieces in the world. He acquired two Sevres dinner services, one of them made for Louis XVI, the other is used on state occasions at Buckingham Palace.
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Today the Royal Collection has over 5,000 paintings, 30,000 plus drawings and watercolors, and my favorite, Faberge flowers and eggs, some of which were gifts from the Tzar.
A great place to wander on a rainy afternoon. www.royalcollection.org.u.k.
If you have a London Pass, there is no admission fee. The audio guide is excellent. Go to see the Royal Mews also, since you are close by.
I usually stay at either of these hotels, part of the Red Carnation group. The Rubens, great restaurants and wonderful afternoon tea. No 41 which is next door, is another small delightful hotel part of the same group. Staying here will make your London trip extra special.
Maureen Jones
All Horizons Travel/Frosch
825 Santa Cruz Avenue
Menlo Park, CA 94025
direct line - 6509-961-2340
www.froschvacations.com