The Crown 4-day itinerary

As the home of the British royal family, Britain’s capital is the perfect place to start this regal trip. From the gates of iconic palaces to Princess Margaret’s favourite haunts from the 1960s, London will immerse you in the world of royalty.

Dive head-first into your Crown inspired adventure at the royal epicentre, Buckingham Palace. Soak up the grand atmosphere of this historic residence on a tour of some of its most beautiful rooms, including the White Drawing Room, the Throne Room, the Picture Gallery, the Ballroom and the Grand Staircase. Tours are available from July to September, but selfies outside the gilt gates can be taken throughout the year.

Buckingham Palace also offers a wide range of lectures, talks and activities revealing the history of the royal family and art and culture through the ages, all held in the Queen’s Gallery.

Next stop is the Coach & Horses, Bruton Street - a real treat for those wanting to experience the atmosphere of a traditional British pub. Nestled in bustling Mayfair and dating back to the 18th century, it’s located on the very street where the Queen was born. One of the area’s oldest pubs, its narrow Tudor style exterior, classic pub food and wide range of ales make it a delicious stop-off if you’re seeking a true taste of British fare.

Travel time: 25 minutes on foot

If you’re an aficionado of the series, you’ll no doubt have seen the iconic crown fill your screens countless times, but a trip to London gives you a chance to admire this mesmerising regalia up close. Held in the Jewel House within the historic Tower of London since the 14th century, the British Crown Jewels include more than 140 ceremonial objects used by the royal family. Encrusted with 2,800 diamonds, the crown worn by Her Majesty for her 1953 coronation, as dramatised in The Crown, is bound to leave you bedazzled.

Travel time: 30 minutes on the Underground

Enjoy a taste of Princess Margaret’s lavish lifestyle in The Crown in an establishment visited by the fun-loving Princess herself. Little altered since Princess Margaret was known to enjoy their live music and cocktails, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club continues to welcome guests into the heart of the jazz world. Expect rich red carpets, dim table lamps and performances from some of the scene’s biggest names in addition to a dinner menu featuring caviar, lobster, risotto and steak. Served with the stage in-sight, you’ll feel every inch the princess (or prince).

Travel time: 30 minutes on the Underground

Spend a second day in London exploring more royal history and exciting filming locations from The Crown

No royal trip to London would be complete without afternoon tea. One popular venue is Fortnum & Mason, a renowned establishment that has been serving the highest-quality tea since 1926. In 2012, in homage to her 60th year as ruling monarch, the department store welcomed her Royal Highness to open the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon. A tearoom fit for royalty, it offers the ultimate afternoon tea experience. To truly feel like royalty, order Earl Grey with afternoon tea - it’s known to be the Queen’s favourite blend.

Travel time: 17 minutes on the Underground 

Follow in the footsteps of favourite characters from The Crown at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich. Used to represent Buckingham Palace in the series, the building is a marvel of 18th century architecture situated along the River Thames. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1712, it’s the crowning gem of Maritime Greenwich, an 18-acre UNESCO World Heritage Site that also features a beautifully decorated chapel, Victorian skittle alley and unmissable grounds to explore

Although not seen in the series, the Old Royal Naval College boasts the largest painted hall in Europe. Known as ‘Britain’s Sistine Chapel’, this 300-year-old landmark recently underwent an £8.5 million restoration, so there has never been a better time to visit.

Close by, you can also explore The Queen’s House. Dating back to the 1600s, it was designed by Inigo Jones and built bas an apology gift for King James I’s wife, Anne of Denmark, after he allegedly swore at her for killing one of his beloved dogs on a hunting expedition.

Travel time: 35 minutes on the London Underground

If you’re looking for a taste of maritime heritage along with your royal history, you can find it just a few steps away at the Cutty Sark. The ship has been visited numerous times by Queen Elizabeth II along with her husband, Prince Philip. Swing by for a taste of British’s marine history and even celebrate the vessel’s 150th birthday, with a range of activities from 22-24 November 2019.

Travel time: Five minutes on foot

For a slice of princess-worthy romance, you can enjoy dinner in a candlelit restaurant once loved by Princess Margaret. Re-named Maggie Jones, reportedly in homage to the royal’s preferred alias, this charming Kensington eatery offers traditional dishes in a rustic atmosphere. Complete with wicker baskets and hanging hops, it’s perfect for a romantic evening of hearty food and English charm.

Travel time: 55 minutes by Docklands Light Railway and the Underground

On the third and fourth day of your trip, why not travel in style and rent a classic car with royal history or a vehicle from your favourite Crown era? From Aston Martin to Rolls Royce, renting a classic car is sure to add regal flare to your royal adventure.

Retrace the steps of the formidable Queen Mary (Eileen Atkins) on a wander around Hatfield House. The impressive Long Gallery featured in The Crown as the hall walked by Queen Mary on her way to see The Duke of Windsor. Built in the 1600s, the house offers an insight into an extravagant era of British history. With exquisite examples of Jacobean craftsmanship throughout, it was here, in the Old Palace in 1558, that Elizabeth I was told she would ascend the throne – just another reason why the house is a must-see for history buffs.

Travel time: Just over an hour from London by car

Alternatively, pull on a traditional tweed jacket and a pair of wellington boots and try your hand at clay pigeon shooting. A classic royal pastime, Lea Valley Shooting Association in Hertfordshire offer experiences for both small groups and individuals.

Travel Time: 25 minutes by car

Dine in luxurious country style at St Michael’s Manor Hotel. With views across the five-acre grounds and the tranquil lake, the hotel’s orangery–inspired Lake Restaurant serves British cuisine with a modern twist, with dishes including fillet of beef, torched halibut or cauliflower and broccoli fritters.

Travel time: 25 minutes by car

See the very spot where Prince Philip (Matt Smith) and Princess Margaret (Vanessa Kirby) shared a private conversation in The Crown, on Knebworth House’s romantic wooden stairwell. The house itself casts a magnifying glass over 500 years of British history and culture, and entry includes an in-depth guided tour.

Travel time: 30 minutes by car

Visit one of Britain’s most picturesque cities, Cambridge, as well as one of The Crown’s most breathtaking filming locations.

Used as the backdrop for the pivotal scenes in which Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip get married, as well as the monarch’s famous televised coronation, Ely Cathedral is a must-see for any Crown fan. Built in 1083, the Cathedral is as an outstanding example of medieval monastic architecture. Explore the impressive nave, the Lady Chapel, enjoy a guided tour inside the Octagon church tower and listen to the resident choristers, a tradition since the 16th century.

Travel time: 90 minutes by car

Enjoy delightful dining at the Poets House Hotel and Restaurant. Located just five minutes from Ely Cathedral by car, the restaurant’s menu uses seasonal and locally-sourced ingredients to create delicious dishes such as charred lamb cutlets, fillet of salmon and cod loin.

Travel time: Five minutes from Ely Cathedral by car