Zoom Rental | Treason & Tragedy: Death on Tower Hill
2025-04-02 12:00 - 2025-06-30 12:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom Recording, Virtual, New York, NY, 10036, United States
Paul Delaroche, The Execution of Lady Jane Grey, 1834. The National Gallery, London. The 9-day Queen was executed inside the Tower on Tower Green.
While the Tower of London may be infamous for its executions, the majority of beheadings actually took place just beyond its walls, on Tower Hill—a site steeped in political turmoil, betrayal, and bloody justice. In this gripping tour, Rob Smith will unravel the dramatic stories of those who met their fate on this notorious execution ground. Tower Hill became the final stage for some of the most high-profile figures in British history, many of whom had once wielded great power, who found themselves condemned as traitors. We will explore the fate of Simon of Sudbury, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who was dragged from the Tower and beheaded by enraged Poll Tax rebels in 1381. Another infamous figure to fall on Tower Hill was Thomas Cromwell, Henry VIII’s once-trusted advisor and architect of the English Reformation. The site also witnessed the beheading of Lord Lovat (Simon Fraser) in 1747—the last man to be publicly executed on Tower Hill. His execution, witnessed by a large crowd, marked the end of an era. This virtual tour will bring to life the gripping stories of those who faced the executioner’s axe—tales of ambition, treachery, courage, and vengeance—while also exploring the historical significance of Tower Hill. Hear about the shadowy events that shaped British history.
Tickets: $30 members*; $40 non-members
*Membership discount applied automatically when logged into your Royal-Oak.org account

Zoom Rental | Discovering Devon: National Trust Treasures
2025-05-01 12:00 - 2025-06-30 12:00 | Zoom Recording, Virtual, New York, NY, 10036, United States
The Stables at Knightshayes, Devon ©NT Images Mel Peters
Journey through some of Devon’s most captivating National Trust properties, each with its own unique story. From grand estates to hidden collections, history comes to life at every turn. Stephen Benton leads this virtual tour where we start with Lydford Gorge, where dramatic waterfalls and ancient woodlands create a truly magical landscape. And we will soak in the Jazz Age elegance of Coleton Fishacre, the dreamy 1920s retreat of the D’Oyly Carte family, containing Art Deco interiors with windows emphasizing sea views. Nearby is Greenway, Agatha Christie’s beloved holiday home perched on the river, filled with her literary history (and rentable as an NT cottage!). We will hear tales of seafarers at Buckland Abbey, once home to Sir Francis Drake, and explore Killerton, a stunning Georgian home with lush gardens and the Trust’s fashion collection—once gifted away for the sake of political beliefs. We will marvel at the rare Gothic Revival splendor by Victorian visionary, William Burges, at Knightshayes—a complete country gentleman’s dream—surrounded by gardens containing one of the most varied plant collections in England. Finally, we will step inside the granite walls of Castle Drogo, a unique early 20th-century house designed by renowned architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. We will end our tour with a look at a world of feathers and shells featured at A la Ronde, a 16-sided 1790s house.

Tickets: $30 members*; $40 non-members
*Membership discount applied automatically when logged into your Royal-Oak.org account

Zoom | Essex: England’s Quiet Corner
2025-05-28 17:00 - 18:00 | Zoom Meeting
Bourne Mill, Essex ©National Trust Images/Megan Taylor
Join Royal Oak for a captivating digital tour of Essex, a county rich in history, natural beauty, and architectural treasures. Led by tour guide Rob Smith, we will explore this southern, low-lying region, home to one of England’s longest coastlines, ancient forests, and charming villages. We will explore Colchester, Britain’s oldest recorded town, where significant Roman ruins—including a Roman wall—offer a glimpse into the past. Nearby, picturesque Bourne Mill, originally built as a fishing lodge, was later transformed into a 72-bucket watermill that produced the high-quality woolen cloth for which 17th-century Essex was famous. Just a short walk away, visitors will find some of the area’s most celebrated inns and pubs. We will venture to Paycocke’s House, a stunning Tudor merchant’s home adorned with intricate woodcarvings and paneling—an enduring testament to the wealth generated by Essex’s prosperous cloth trade. However, no area highlights the outstanding natural beauty of Essex as Blackwater Estuary. This important coastal area is the oldest recorded battlefield in England. Copt Hall Marshes are a remote producing farm along the estuary with an incredible breeding area for birds and waterfowl. Northey Island, a remote tidal island—the single largest block of saltmarsh in Blackwater—is the closest you will get to true Essex wilderness and home to many protected bird species. Travel with us digitally as we explore this quiet county, highlighting incredible areas of natural beauty.
Tickets: $30 members*; $40 non-members
*Membership discount applied automatically when logged into your Royal-Oak.org account

Zoom Rental | Essex: England’s Quiet Corner
2025-05-29 12:00 - 2025-06-30 12:00 | Zoom Recording, Virtual, New York, NY, 10036, United States
