I am very happy to say that I have just added the 16th Tudor/Anne Boleyn place to my On the Tudor Trail list! It is none other than Henry VIII’s pleasure palace- Hampton Court.
Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court Palace is undoubtedly one of my favourite places in the world! Although physically, little of Cardinal Wolsey’s and Henry VIII’s Hampton Court survives today, as it was either demolished, modified or modernised, you can still get a feel of what Henry’s beloved palace would have looked like when it was at the centre of court life and politics.
The Great Hall with its splendid hammer-beam roof and priceless tapestries, the Great Watching Chamber where courtiers dined and waited for access to the King, the Haunted Gallery where Catherine Howard is said to have made a final plea for mercy and the Chapel Royal all have the ability to transport you back in time. I have never felt so close to the Tudors as I have when I’m at Hampton Court.
Of course, we cannot forget to mention the extensive Tudor kitchens, base court and clock court that all offer a glimpse into daily life at court in King Henry VIII’s reign.
Although Henry VIII’s and his queen’s apartments were destroyed in the late 17th century you can still feel the presences of his queens and almost see them walking the grounds.
Anne Boleyn would have visited Hampton Court on a number of occasions and indulged in Henry’s magnificent palace that when completed consisted of pleasure gardens, tennis courts, bowling alleys, a hunting park and even a multiple garderobe. This was a palace built to impress and after almost 500 years its wonders do not cease to amaze.
Hampton Court is an essential part of the Tudor journey a place so special that one visit will most definitely not be enough!
Hampton Court Gardens
For more information visit:
http://www.hrp.org.uk/hamptoncourtpalace/
Source
Thurley, Simon Hampton Court Palace- Official Guidebook 1996.
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