The Palace of Holyroodhouse and The Queen's Gallery

The Palace of Holyroodhouse
Canongate
Edinburgh
Lothian
EH8 8DX
Scotland

Website

www.royalcollection.org.uk

E-mail

familylearning@royalcollection.co.uk

Telephone

020 7766 7300

All information is drawn or provided by the venues themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.
The Royal Collection 2011 © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
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The Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence in Scotland of Her Majesty The Queen, stands at the end of Edinburgh's Royal Mile against the spectacular backdrop of Arthur's Seat. This fine baroque palace is closely associated with Scotland's rich history.

The Palace is perhaps best known as the home of Mary, Queen of Scots, and as the setting for many of the dramatic episodes in her turbulent reign. Mary was married at Holyroodhouse and witnessed the brutal killing of her secretary Rizzio by her jealous second husband, Lord Darnley, in her private apartments. The Palace briefly served as the headquarters of Bonnie Prince Charlie during the 1745 uprising.

The Royal Apartments reflect the changing tastes of successive monarchs and are renowned for their fine plasterwork ceilings and magnificent furnishings, particularly the unrivalled collection of Brussels tapestries. One of the most famous rooms in the Palace is the Great Gallery, hung with Jacob de Wet's portraits of the real and legendary kings of Scotland.

Today the State Apartments are used regularly by The Queen and other members of the Royal Family for State ceremonies and official entertaining.

The new Queen's Gallery hosts a programme of changing exhibitions from the Royal Collection.

Venue Type:

Gallery, Historic house or home

 Opening hours

The Palace of Holyroodhouse

November - March
09:30-16:30 (last admission 15:30)

April - October
09:30-18:00 (last admission 17:00)



The Queen's Gallery

November - March
09:30-16:30 (last admission 15:30)

April - October
09:30-18:00 (last admission 17:00)

The Palace of Holyroodhouse
2 April and 25-26 December.

The Queen's Gallery
2 April and 25–26 December.

The Palace and Gallery may be closed on additional dates due to royal events. Please check before planning a visit.

 Admission charges

Standard admission includes an audio guide.

The Palace of Holyroodhouse
Adult £11.00
Over 60/Student (with valid ID) £10.00
Under 17 £6.65
Under 5 Free
Family (2 adults, 3 under 17s) £29.25

The Queen's Gallery
Adult £6.00
Over 60/Student (with valid ID) £5.50
Under 17 £3.00
Under 5 Free
Family (2 adults, 3 under 17s) £15.50

Joint Palace of Holyroodhouse and The Queen's Gallery
Adult £15.50
Over 60/Student (with valid ID) £14.15
Under 17 £8.80
Under 5 Free
Family (2 adults and 3 under 17s) £40.80

1 YEAR PASS! Enjoy free re-admission for a year if you buy your tickets directly from us. Simply ask us to stamp your ticket on your first visit or ask a staff member for more information.

The Royal Collection, one of the finest art collections in the world, is held in trust by The Queen as Sovereign for her successors and the nation. It is on public display at the principal royal residences, The Queen's Galleries in London and Edinburgh, and is shown in a programme of special exhibitions and through loans to institutions around the world.

Collection details

Fine Art, Decorative and Applied Art, Architecture

Key artists and exhibits

  • The Royal Collection includes paintings, drawings and watercolours, furniture, ceramics, clocks, silver, sculpture, jewellery, books, manuscripts, prints and maps, arms and armour, fans, and textiles.
Resources listed here may include websites, bookable tours and workshops, books, loan boxes and more. You may need to scroll down or click on headers to see them all.
 Boxes, objects and other kit

Palaces and Homes

http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/default.asp?action=article&ID=55

Pupils looking at people’s lives and lifestyles can explore the Palace as a home and a working place. Pupils use a handling collection including domestic Victorian objects in the Education Rooms followed by a guided tour of the Palace.
By drawing comparisons with their own homes, pupils consider what life was like at the Palace over 100 years ago as well as exploring its present day role as The Queen’s official home in Scotland.

How to obtain

For further information and to book, please call 0131 557 2500.

 Face to face resources

An Introduction to the Palace of Holyroodhouse

http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/default.asp?action=article&ID=55

Pupils learn about the Palace of Holyroodhouse’s history, from its foundation in 1128 to the present day. Find out who has lived here and explore the lives of some of the Palace’s most famous residents. The visit, which includes an introductory session in the Education Rooms and guided tour of the Palace, can be tailored to reflect the individual needs of your group. Ask for details when booking. An art activity is included for Primary 1 – 7 pupils. We also offer audio descriptive and touch tours of the Palace for blind and partially sighted pupils.

How to obtain

For further information and to book, please call 0131 557 2500.

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