London's Historic Royal Palaces are exploring two important periods in their history in 2005. Four hundred years since Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament, The Tower of London - where Fawkes was imprisoned and tortured - will be commemorating the discovery of the attempt.

Highlights include:

· The Tale of Guy Fawkes - costumed interpreters recreate the plots of 1605 to use 36 barrels of gunpowder from the Tower of London to blow up King James I (May 28-30 and July weekends)

· Master of the Sword - weapons from 1605 will be demonstrated in a fully armed tournament (August 1-31)

· Guy Fawkes Succeeds! - What would have happened if the gunpowder plot had been successful and an explosion had set the City of Westminster alight? (November 5-6)

The Tower opens daily, adults from £13.50. Tel: 0870 756 6060.

King Henry VIII's palace by the River Thames at Hampton Court will be examining the Grace and Favour period and the Palace Community in 1900. Costumed interpreters will portray ladies and workmen through the changes following the Victorian era and the increased tourist trade to Hampton Court Palace (March 25-April 3). A new exhibition: "Suffragettes, Soldiers and Sevants" (opening March 2005 for one year) will see a real Grace and Favour apartment opened so that visitors can see what life was like upstairs and downstairs in this time of transition. Open daily, adults from £11.80. Tel: 0870 752 7777.

Website: www.hrp.org.uk