Today was our Hampton Court Palace day and although I have been many many times, I always learn something new and I always enjoy my time there. It was a perfect day.
We had a two-hour private guided tour from Siobhan, who focused on the Tudor side of things - the history of the original palace built for Cardinal Wolsey, the Tudor kitchens, the Great Hall, Presence Chamber, Haunted Gallery, the Chapel Royal, the Tudor Garden with Edward VI's nursery... - and then we had free time to enjoy lunch and to visit other parts of the palace. Philippa and I visited the Young Henry VIII exhibition, the William and Mary State Apartments, the Royal Tennis Court and the Cumberland Art Gallery whose rooms are on the footprint of what was Henry VIII's apartments (there are still some Tudor doorways, stairs and a tower room). We had a fabulous time.
Fountain Court:
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- Francis I spots the wine fountain
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- Fountain Court
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- Fountain Court
The Tudor Kitchens:
Clock Court:
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- Ceiling of the Anne Boleyn Gateway
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- Our group
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- The astronomical clock
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- The part built by Christopher Wren
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- The Great Hall from the outside
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- The astronomical clock
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- The arms showing Wolsey’s cardinal hat
The Great Hall:
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- H for Henry, A for Anne Boleyn
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- H and A for Henry and Anne Boleyn
Other highlights:
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- Detail from one of the Abraham Tapestries
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- The Abraham Tapestries
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- Jane Seymour’s badge
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- The Great Watching Chamber ceiling with some original badges
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- The Great Watching Chamber window
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- Anne Boleyn
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- The Tudor Garden
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- Henry VIII
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- Catherine of Aragon
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- Henry VIII
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- The Gardens
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- The fireplace in Wolsey’s Closet
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- The ceiling in Wolsey’s Closet
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- Wolsey’s Closet
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- A Tudor Staircase
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- The Tudor Staircase
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- The Tudor Staircase
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- Royal (Real) Tennis
I'll share more photos when I get back.
This evening, we enjoyed our last dinner at the Harte and Garter Hotel here in Windsor before having time to pack for tomorrow. We leave in the morning for Hatfield House and then we make our way to Stratford-upon-Avon. For me, going to Stratford is going home, so I'm looking forward to that.
I'm having a blast. Beautiful places and beautiful people, and lots of Tudor talk. What more could I ask for?
My favourite palace.
I was there 2 weeks ago and I was stunned in silence , what a great place .
Next year I will go again ( I did my own little Henry and Anne tour this year) .
Hampton Court was a Highlight for me, only a shame the young Henry exhibition was closed because of renovations.