� IN FOCUS l LONDON AND THE HOME COUNTIES Kew Orchids Festival to celebrate Colombia


Meghan’s wedding dress to go on display


Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse will host an exhibition of the wedding outfits of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Visitors will be able to see Prince Harry’s Blues and Royals frockcoat uniform, and Meghan Markle’s wedding dress. Designed by Clare Waight Keller


for Givenchy, the dress has a five- metre-long veil embroidered with every national flower from all 53 countries of the Commonwealth. Also on public display for the first time will be the diamond and platinum bandeau tiara, lent to the bride by Her Majesty The Queen. A Royal Wedding: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be part of a visit to Windsor Castle from October 26 to January 6, and part of a visit to Edinburgh’s Palace of Holyroodhouse from June 14 to October 6, 2019. royalcollection.org.uk


Super Break adds extra NYE packages


Super Break has added more New Year’s Eve packages in London to its festive range. There are fresh options for


New Year’s Eve City Cruise packages which offer views of the capital at midnight from the Thames. There are two- and one-night breaks which include theatre tickets to see Mamma Mia! The Musical. The short-break specialist


also features two-night packages which include a party at Planet Hollywood, with a meal and entertainment. superbreak.com/agents


16 TravelGBI | October 2018


Colombia’s rich biodiversity and culture will be celebrated at Kew Garden’s 24th annual Orchids Festival (February 9- March 10, 2019). The Princess of Wales


Conservatory will feature orchid displays representing aspects of Colombian wildlife and culture. The festival will showcase some of Kew’s scientific work with Colombia and there will be a programme of events and activities featuring Colombian music, dance and cuisine. ◗ The Temperate House will host theatrical performances by Theatre-Rites, to bring to life the story of the venue’s plants (October 20-28, 2018).


Putting the finishing touches to an orchid arch The Temperate House,


Theatre-Rites in the Temperate House


the world’s largest surviving Victorian glasshouse, recently reopened its doors after a five- year restoration. kew.org


St Albans poppy installation marks war centenary


Blenheim plans busy calendar for 2019


Blenheim Palace has a packed events calendar for 2019, with many annual shows proving popular with groups. The Oxfordshire Food Festival


(May 25-27) is now in its fifth year and will have 120 stallholders. It is followed by a flower show,


DID YOU KNOW


ZSL London Zoo’s first festive


light trail will feature illuminated animal sculptures and light


tunnels (November 22-January 1)


featuring gardening celebrities and experts (June 21-23). An exhibition about Turner


(February-April) will focus on the artist’s interest in architecture, with works from the Ashmolean Museum, Tate and private collections. The BBC’s Countryfile Live


returns in the summer (August 1-4) with group rates for groups of eight or more. The birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, the palace houses an antiques collection and tapestries. The park and formal gardens offer more than 2,000 acres of parkland landscaped by Capability Brown. blenheimpalace.com


A ‘Poppy Field’ installation will be at St Albans Cathedral (October 26-27) as part of the ‘St Albans Remembers’ programme commemorating the anniversary of the Armistice. Created by Peter Walker, artistic director at Lichfield Cathedral, the installation will feature projections tailored to St Albans Cathedral, including names of local soldiers who served in the armed forces. It is accompanied by a sound artwork which includes readings of First World War poems by Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne. stalbanscathedral.org


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