London: The English Civil War, Charles II and Westminster｜United Kingdom

Discover the history of the Merry Monarch, Charles II, on a walking tour of London. Learn about his relationship with Catherine of Braganza, his use of the Royal Parks, and his life in the St. James' Palace and Whitehall. Along with the king's life, guests will gain a new understanding of the English Civil War and of the following Restoration Period.

Begin your tour at Green Park, which was once a swampy burial ground for lepers from the nearby St. James’ hospital. Hear how the parks were acquired by Henry VIII as a hunting ground and later bought by Charles II. Learn how he laid out the main roads in the park and commissioned Britain’s first ice house.

Continue to St. James’ Palace, which was a hunting lodge for Henry VIII. Hear how Charles II was born in the palace to Henrietta Maria and Charles I. On the day he was born, a brilliant star shone in the daytime – it is believed now to have been a supernova, but people saw it as a royal sign.

Learn how Charles I spent his final night in St. James’ palace before his execution. Hear how it was turned into a barracks during the Commonwealth period under Oliver Cromwell.

Next, visit the Royal Banqueting Hall in Whitehall, which was built during the days of James I by Inigo Jones. Admire the building’s exterior, which was originally more colorful than today, as it was made with alternating honey-colored and pinkish-brown stone, with other decorative features in white Portland stone.

Learn about the Royal Healing Ceremonies by James I, Charles I, and Charles II. Hear stories of a woman supposedly cured of blindness from the king
s blood, and a man with ulcers and sores having a blessing from Charles I and converting those sores to a bottle of medicinal drink.

Hear how Charles II used the banqueting hall to touch more than 7000 sufferers. Learn about the annual service on the 30th of January for the king’s death.

Finally, learn about Whitehall Palace, which boasted more than 1500 rooms at the height of its opulence. Discover the end of Charles II and how he died very suddenly of a stroke, aged only 56, in the Palace of Whitehall, leaving the country with no legitimate heir and once again in turmoil.

THIS TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY ENTRANECS TO SITES - IT IS AN OUTDOORS WALKING TOUR.