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Magical Menagerie Activity Day

Learn about the history of the Palace Gardens, where 500 years ago a medieval menagerie was home to a range of animals including lions, tigers and bears.

Magical Menagerie Activity Day

About Magical Menagerie Activity Day

Five hundred years ago, part of the Palace Gardens was a medieval menagerie – sort of like a private royal zoo. It was home to a range of animals - including lions, tigers and bears.

Animal masks

Join us in the Family Room to learn about the animals that have lived in the Palace Gardens – in the medieval menagerie hundreds of years ago, and amongst the shrubs and trees today. Take the chance to make a paper mask of your favourite animal to wear as you explore the Palace.

Garden Games

As well as the exotic animals living in the menagerie, the Gardens were also home to a tennis court, bowls, hawking, archery and other outdoor games. Come try your hand at some historic games!

Unicorn Family Trail

Celebrate the most magical animal of all – Scotland’s national animal, the mighty unicorn! Collect your copy of this special activity trail and see if you can spot the unicorns in the Palace and grounds.

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Other Events at The Palace of Holyroodhouse

Royal Rhyme Time

Selected dates between 6th January 2025 - 2nd June 2025

Join us in the historic Abbey Strand Centre for our special Royal Rhyme Time sessions for toddlers.

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Guided Looking: An Artwork Audio Described

Selected dates between 20th February 2025 - 18th December 2025

Join Fiona Johnston, audio describer, as she describes various artwork and objects from the Royal Collection at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

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Family Studio Saturdays

Selected dates between 22nd February 2025 - 21st June 2025

Studio Saturdays, at the The Palace of Holyroodhouse, are monthly hands-on artistic workshops for families who are interested in learning new ways to express their creativity.

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Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography

28th February 2025 - 7th September 2025

This exhibition at The Palace of Holyroodhouse, charts the evolution of royal portrait photography from the 1920s to the present day!

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Palace Page Turners

Selected dates between 7th March 2025 - 5th December 2025

Many authors have been inspired to pick up their pen to write about the Palace of Holyroodhouse. These sessions will explore these literary works followed by a hearty discussion!

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Snapshots: Gallery Short Talks

Selected dates between 13th March 2025 - 4th September 2025

Join us on Thursdays at The Palace of Holyroodhouse for a short talk on one of the fascinating photographs in our exhibition Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography!

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Guided Touch Tour: Palace of Holyroodhouse

Selected dates between 17th March 2025 - 19th July 2025

Join Audio Describer Fiona Johnston for a special opportunity for visually impaired and blind visitors to engage with selected features, and handle replica object in the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

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Student Sessions: Curation and Conservation

27th March 2025

Join us at The Palace of Holyroodhouse on 27th March for an exciting opportunity for students in arts, heritage and culture!

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Conservation Concerns for Photographic Exhibitions

28th March 2025

Join Ashleigh Brown, Paper and Photographic Conservator, as she delves behind the scenes and shares insights into her role as a conservator preparing for a photographic exhibition.

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Curator’s Introduction to Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography

11th April 2025

Join Senior Curator of Photographs and exhibition curator Alessandro Nasini as he discusses his personal highlights from our current exhibition, Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography!

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Drama, Dynamism and Detail: Italian Baroque Paintings in the Royal Collection

24th April 2025

Join Assistant Curator of Paintings Dr Amy Parrish on 24th April to delve into some of the extraordinary works of Italian Baroque painting contained within the Royal Collection.

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Royal Portraits in the Press

2nd May 2025

Spanning portraits of Queen Victoria to King Charles III, this lecture taking place at the Abbey Strand Centre, discusses how iconic images are published and remembered.

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Fireside Stories: Herbal Histories

9th May 2025

Join artist and storyteller Amanda Edmiston for an evening of botanical storytelling inspired by the Physic Garden at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on 9th May!

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Relaxed Morning: Palace of Holyroodhouse

19th July 2025

The Palace of Holyroodhouse offers this relaxed opening on Saturday 19th July. It's a chance to explore the palace in a calm, tranquil atmosphere.

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Physic Garden: Flower Arranging

24th July 2025

Join florist and Royal Warrant holder Lottie Longman on 24th July to explore the flowers of the Physic Garden at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, then create your own bouquet to take home.

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Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography - BSL Tour

12th August 2025

Enjoy a BSL tour of Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography at The King's Gallery, The Palace of Holyroodhouse on Tuesday 12th August!

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Relaxed Evening: Palace of Holyroodhouse

22nd August 2025

This relaxed opening on Friday 22nd August, offers a chance to explore the Palace of Holyroodhouse in a calm, tranquil atmosphere!

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Physic Garden: Floral Wreaths

3rd September 2025

Join florist and Royal Warrant holder Lottie Longman to explore the flowers of the Physic Garden at the Palace of Holyroodhouse and create your own fresh wreath!

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Sponsored Links

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Hostelworld
ATG
Edinburgh Dungeon

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