Where: Queen Victoria Street, EC4
What: The college of arms or heralds college deals with all matters relating to heraldry, genealogy and state ceremonials. In simple terms, family crests. It is the official repository of the coats of arms and pedigrees of English, Welsh, Northern Irish and Commonwealth families and their descendants.
The college consists of three Kings of Arms (Garter, Clarenceux, and Norroy & Ulster), six Heralds and four Pursuivants. appointed by the Sovereign. It sits within a building, Derby House, that was reconstructed atter the Great Fire of 1666 and was presented to the College by Queen Mary I (Mary Tudor) in 1554.
Nearest underground station: Blackfriars, Mansion House
Opening times: The panelled Earl Marshal’s Court is open 10 am. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Admission charges: Free access to the wood panelled entrance room. Tours are availble by arangement to view the records room and other parts of the building, but these are subject to a fee.
Website: college-of-arms.gov.uk