Choose a hotspot from the map to discover what there is to see at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Key
Fun hot-spot
Toilets and baby changing facilities
Palace of Holyroodhouse
Interactive map for families
Café
The King's Bedchamber
The Great Gallery
Family Room
Historic Apartments
The Queen's Gallery
The Queen's Gallery
The Throne Room
Holyrood Abbey
Royal Arms of Scotland
The Royal Dining Room
Welcome Centre & Multimedia guides
Palace gardens
Toilets and Baby Changing
Palace shop
The Abbey was founded by King David I over 900 years ago. One day, King David was out hunting when he saw a stag with a cross, or 'rood', floating between its antlers. He believed this was a message from God that the place was holy so built the Abbey on the spot where he saw the holy 'rood.' Find out more about the Abbey with our activity trail . Holyrood Abbey
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Collect your family multimedia guide from here. Meet our Palace Wardens Holly and Rudy and train to be become a Junior Warden. Learn about the Palace and its most famous residents by taking part in interactive games and completing tasks to earn your very own Junior Warden badge to take home.Welcome Centre & Multimedia guides
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The Royal Arms of Scotland are carved above the entrance to the Palace. Look for the motto written in Latin. It warns 'No one attacks me without fearing the consequences'. Why not try designing your own Royal Arms of Scotland by downloading our activity sheet? Royal Arms of Scotland
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What’s on the menu? Count the chairs around the table, and guess where The Queen prefers to sit. Can you see the portrait of The Queen? The Queen is wearing the robes of the Order of the Thistle, which is the highest Order of Chivalry in Scotland. You can see the robe on display in the Great Gallery.The Royal Dining Room
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Can you spot the two thrones? What initials can you see on them? The ‘G’ is for George and the ‘M’ is for Mary. George V and Queen Mary were The Queen’s grandparents who redecorated this room almost a hundred years ago.The Throne Room
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This bedroom was created for Charles II, although he never got to use it. Despite this, the room has been decorated fit for a king with a painted ceiling and intricate plasterwork. There are beautiful tapestries and an four-poster bed which is over 350 years old.The King's Bedchamber
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This is the largest room in the Palace. It can fit ten double - decker buses in it. Discover the mystery of the 96 portraits on the walls with our family multimedia guide and search for the hidden door.The Great Gallery
Join Holly and Rudy in the Family Room while you uncover more about life at the Palace past and present. Dress up like royalty in historical costume and get hands on with new interactives and games, like Explore the Palace. Learn more about Her Majesty The Queen’s official duties and see if you can spot the hidden corgi.Family Room
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Follow the spiral staircase up to the rooms used by Mary, Queen of Scots. Look for a hidden door in her Bedchamber and see if you can spot a very famous bloodstain in her Outer Chamber.Historic Apartments
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Download a Family Garden Trail or pick one up on your visit to explore woodland paths, giant lawns and search for local wildlife. Discover how the gardens have been used by royalty past and present.Palace gardens
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Visit our latest exhibition on display in the gallery and pick up an 'Art Spy' Family Activity Bag.
Take a look at our Families What's On to discover what activities are taking place on the day of your visit.The Queen's Gallery
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The café offers drinks, light snacks and freshly prepared lunch dishes. You can find lavatories, accessible lavatories and baby-care facilities located here.Café at the Palace
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Lavatories, accessible lavatories and baby-care facilities are located in the Mews Courtyard.Toilets and baby changing facilities
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The Palace shop offers a wide range of exclusive gift items inspired by Holyroodhouse and the works of art in the Royal Collection. Discover secrets and fun facts about the Palace in Kings, Queens and a Scottish Lion available in our children's range. Palace shop
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