Balmoral visit ..anyone interested?

It did say £100 on the TV news because they interviewed people who were horrified So very mixed messages if they are not the real prices but just a special one I didn’t hear anything about a lower price so I was under the misinformation that that was the price too

No. Too far away.
Does sound good though, from the description in the Telegraph.

Diana holidayed there with her family, she hated it

And of course her late Majesty died there. ♥️

The late Queen spent her summers here walking her beloved corgis, riding ponies and picnicking with family and friends (guests reported she was happy to muck in with the washing up).

The late Queen also spent hours there with her shocked and traumatised grandsons after their mother died in such a shocking way.

She was doing what any loving grandmother would do, together with their father, giving them time, shielding them from the public gaze, preparing them for what lay ahead.

Until she was forced back to London by the Prime Minister and the young boys were made to show themselves in public. Blair, himself a father himself too. No compassion. It was a dreadful thing to do.

Here’s the library photo 1976.

“ It has long been tradition for the prime minister of the day to make an annual visit to Balmoral in September. But the famous Balmoral test – guests are expected to dress the part, speak the part and behave the part – can fox the grandest figures.

Wilson enjoyed it far more than a portly Ted Heath, who became breathless on the hills. Wilson even reverted to Boy Scout-style foraging for firewood for the barbecue.

Avid watchers of season four of The Crown will know that Margaret Thatcher failed the test – she hated the games of charades and brought unsuitable shoes. “She couldn’t get away fast enough,” noted one official. But months later a young Diana passed with flying colours, charming Prince Philip.

Margaret Thatcher hated the games of charades and brought unsuitable shoes
When the Royal family is in residence, Balmoral is closed, although the grounds and gardens are open to the public each year. But now guided “castle interior tours” will be available between July 1 and Aug 4, with groups of up to 10. Tickets are priced at £100, or £150 (afternoon tea included). The tours will end before the King and Queen arrive at Balmoral for their summer break in Aberdeenshire.”

The Telegraph today, an article about it:

“ Margaret Thatcher loathed it. Harold Wilson adored the barbecues. Diana, Princess of Wales snagged a prince there. Finally, royal watchers will be able to see for themselves, with news that visitors can tour parts of Balmoral Castle used by the Royal family for the first time this summer.

It clearly reflects the King’s desire to make royal residences more accessible to the public, along with the announcement that the newly refurbished east wing of Buckingham Palace, with its famous central balcony used for Trooping the Colour, is also being opened up for tours.

But Balmoral, which is set in the Scottish Highlands, is the real coup. It was Elizabeth II’s favourite residence, where she spent most of her summers.

What makes the 50,000-acre estate so special is its link with history. It has been the Royal family’s retreat ever since it was bought for Queen Victoria in 1852. She found the house “small but pretty” and recorded in her diary that: “All seemed to breathe freedom and peace, and to make one forget the world and its sad turmoils.”

The late Queen and Prince Philip in the library in 1976
The late Queen and Prince Philip in the library in 1976
Prince Albert considered the original property too small, however, and a new castle was soon built on the site. The tower and “pepperpot turrets” are characteristic of Scottish baronial style. The royal couple decorated Balmoral with tartans and attended highland games at Braemar – effectively creating a royal brand for Scotland.

Today, because Balmoral is private property (not the property of the Crown), it is the place the Firm relaxes most. Free from royal duties, they can ride, stalk deer or catch fish in the river Dee, which runs through the estate.

The late Queen spent her summers here walking her beloved corgis, riding ponies and picnicking with family and friends (guests reported she was happy to muck in with the washing up).

Parlour games, along with the tartan rugs, bagpipes at breakfast, draughty corridors decorated with mounted antlers and shoals of midges, are all part of the Balmoral experience. The weekend usually consisted of a formal dinner and an informal barbecue, with worship at Crathie Kirk on the Sunday.”

It sounds wonderful doesn’t it?
I’d go in a shot - if I lived nearer and could.

GrannyGravy13

The tickets are already sold out, I would love to go.

Yes, tickets all gone.
🙂

That would make a lovely birthday treat, must drop some hints to the family,

Gosh, the king is certainly making changes to how things used to be. I would visit. Might even treat myself to the deluxe tour next year.

A regular ticket gives access to the grounds and the ballroom only.

I did think I’d be interested to visit, because we lived just down the road for many years and heard lots of stories but I’m not £100-worth interested.

I don’t think ‘we’ pay anything towards Balmoral, it’s a private house. They employ lots of local people though - I once had a cleaner who also worked there.

Very limited each day for a VIP experience. Not surprised it's sold out. My husband's late uncle was an estate factor there and raising money for upkeep was important as well as maintaining jobs on the whole estate throughout the year.

Bea65

So Balmoral visits are 100 pounds and with tea 150 pounds - any takers? I would like to visit but think its quite costly when you add in train fare/petrol costs etc...and, aren't we already paying towards the costs of running the establishments?

Well actually no. Balmoral is privately owned, bought by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

And the figures you quote are for the special super de luxe tour- the very much more realistic prices are quoted upthread. (And a heck of a lot cheaper than when we visited Althorpe as a family many years ago!)

Yes, maybe one day.

No.

The tickets are already sold out, I would love to go.

Hell no, not at those prices!

The cost per person with afternoon tea is £60.
Then there are deluxe tickets for £100/150.
The area is stunningly beautiful and the castle grounds gorgeous.

I'd love to go but it's a long way from where we live.

A bit misleading Bea65.
Regular tickets are £17.50 per adult.
Family tickets are £38 - for two adults and 3 children up to age 16.
The tour is of the entire castle.