A confession. Once upon a time, we lived just across a park and around the corner from a Palace.
Not just any old Palace, but Hampton Court Palace. A Palace that I have never (up until now) been inside… A bit shameful really, considering we lived in that area for almost 15 years. Thankfully Grandad and Granny K. rectified that when we were at home, and we spent a fantastic day there together. Granny K made me feel much better about this fact however, considering she has lived in the area all her life, and she hadn’t actually been inside for a proper viewing up until this point either!
Having spent the last few years visiting Danish and German Palaces and Castles, it was so nice to visit one of our own, and one belonging to one of our most famous historic characters at that. Entrance wasn’t that cheap at around £77 for all of us, but as I imagine it will probably be around another 15 years before I visit again, I think it was worth it for a day out in such historic surroundings. Not that I actually paid, you can’t pay for anything when my Father’s around – one of his more annoying habits!
If you are about to visit Hampton Court Palace, I can assure you, you won’t be disappointed. It is magnificent, all of it. Every single ancient corridor, famous portrait, haunted gallery, and historic chamber.
There’s currently an exhibition in the stunning Queens State Apartments – “The Wild, the Beautiful and the Damned“, dedicated to “the beauty, and the lives and loves of the courtesans and libertines who lived and died in the Stuart Court“. The Seven Year old, (who, as I have mentioned before, is addicted to a certain children’s history programme), has a particular fondness for Charles II (“the Party King”!!) and insisted we went to have a look. She proudly read to us each and every description board, which I was slightly worried about given the somewhat debauched subject matter, but struggling with the beautiful calligraphy, she thought “whore” said “where” so there were no awkward questions there thankfully. Although I did get asked what exactly was the point of a codpiece later that day. Quite!
The vast Royal Kitchens were also a huge favourite, and I think The Small People could have happily spent the whole day in here imagining life in days gone by, with the addition of some Tudor cloaks picked up along the way to help them get into character. (You will see quite a few adult visitors proudly wearing these, and taking it all very seriously. Try not to laugh won’t you!).
And there are other people wearing slightly more impressive costumes, playing the part of historic figures who once frequented the Palace. Of course The Small People spent the whole day hoping to see Henry the 8th himself, and up until the last-minute he hadn’t been spotted. But thanks to Small Boy needing an urgent toilet trip, we came back out across the courtyard to spot “The King” himself in all his finery, and it completely made their day.
The King consulted the audience as to what would be an ideal gift for his current wife, and Small Girl gave him some very helpful advice “Rubies – they are nice” she bellowed at the top of her lungs… “Yes, good idea” came the reply “I like red!…” I thought she was going to laugh her head off, but thankfully she didn’t become another statistic, and lived to see the rest of the Palace, including the Maze (which is included in the price of the ticket)…
If Jim’ll Fix It was around when Granny K was little, her letter would have asked to visit Hampton Court Maze, so it was nice for her to finally achieve this ambition, even if we did get separated from Grandad and Freddie (my two-year old nephew) half the way around. I then spent the rest of the maze worrying that they too had gone off in different directions and Freddie was navigating it on his own, but thankfully all was well!
A walk across the bridge to Pizza Express afterwards for some hefty pizzas, (and a well-earned Peroni or two for Grandad), and it was mission accomplished. A wonderful and highly recommended day out…Thanks so much Dad!
Pia says
haha – i love the fact that you went straight from ancient palace decadence to good old Pizza Express :))
bavaria says
I know :) It’s years since I have been in a Pizza Express, but I was actually very pleasantly surprised! Kids loved the icecreams too :D
Trish says
It’s always the case that you do more sightseeing on a proper holiday than when you are at home. We visited Hampton Court when Rory was little but I can’t remember much about it now, which is a terrible admission!
bavaria says
Terrible isn’t it… Go back if you get the chance, I would be interested to hear whether it’s changed much! :) Thank you x
Helen says
Isnt it funny i lived in london for some years but never did any of the tourist stuff. L♡V your daughter enthusiam for a certain history programm isnt it just great i L♡V the vikings song from that show. Looks like you had a wonderful day and glad you got to see something so special that was on your doorstep
bavaria says
Thanks Helen… I love it, it might actually be one of my favourite programmes too! :) It was nice to finally visit Hampton Court :)
Midlife Singlemum says
I went to Hampton Court as a child. My mother cried when they had that fire that destroyed so much history. And as for you never having been inside before – I feel like that about Kew Gardens. I really must go one of these visits to London.
bavaria says
Aha, now Kew is a place where I did spend A LOT of time…. My Sister even got married there last year! You must go, I am sure you will love it! :)
Midlife Singlemum says
Cool!
Kelloggsville says
Ps St Paul’s up the dome and the whispering gallery is quite incredible…do go sometime.
bavaria says
Something else on the Must Do list!
Kelloggsville says
When I mean HCP to you this afternoon I hadn’t read this! OH and I sat outside a restaurant ‘over that bridge’ and had a lovely meal. It wasn’t a Pizza Express though, but it is at least 11 years ago lol. I loved Hampton Court Palace, it gave me the shivers in the long Gallery that Catherine Howard ran down crying. I grew up reading Jean Plaidy. It realised all my dreams being there. I really should go back.
bavaria says
You must, you must… I thought the actors were amazing, and really helped you envisage what it was like all those years ago. Just an incredible place! Love how you mentioned it earlier before reading this too, how funny! :)
Very Bored in Catalunya says
You sound like your having a great time back in Blighty. Will you be going to any Olympic events?
bavaria says
Thank you, we had a brilliant time. Back in DE now though, just got lots of posts to catch up on! Would have loved to have seen some events though, especially the men’s beach volleyball ;)
spudballoo says
Ooooh well I wonder if we were neighbours at some point because I lived across the park from 2000-2003 in Teddington! I did manage to go to HCP twice though. Not bad. Mind you, I worked within spitting distance of St Paul’s Cathedral for about 12 years before I actually bothered going in to it….
bavaria says
Do you know, I think we might have been!! I miss it so much at times! Well done you for going twice though, make me feel even worse why don’t you! :D I too worked around the corner from St.Pauls for many years. I didn’t go in it once either :/