Buckingham Palace

As the home of the Queen, the palace is usually closed to visitors, but you may view the interior for a brief period each summer while the Windsors are away on their holidays. You'll be able to see the State Rooms, still used to entertain dignitaries and guests of state, and part of the gardens. There is also a café. The 2012 special exhibition is 'Diamonds: A Jubilee Celebration', which examines the many different ways in which diamonds have been used, re-cut or incorporated into new settings by British monarchs over the past 200 years. On show are a large number of the Queen's personal jewels, including jewellery made from the largest diamond ever found, the Cullinan Diamond, which weighed 3,106 carats in its rough state when it was discovered at the Premier Mine near Pretoria, South Africa, in 1905. Reunited are seven of the nine principle stones cut from the diamond, which are set in brooches, a ring and a necklace (the two remaining principle stones form part of the Crown Jewels). The Cullinan Diamond is noted for its exceptional purity and blue-white colour. When it was first discovered it was thrown out of the window of the mine manager's office because it was thought to be a worthless crystal. In 1907 it was presented to Edward VII, travelling under police protection to Sandringham, where the king was celebrating his 66th birthday. It took months to cut and polish the stone; the first blow broke the knife.

At any time of year, you can visit The Queen's Gallery to see her personal collection of treasures, including paintings by Rubens and Rembrandt.