Hampton Court Palace

Whilst in London we decided to pop down to Hampton Court Palace as it's a place myself and Jo had always wanted to visit.  It's really two Palaces in one, A Tudor Palace magnificently developed by Cardinal Wolsey and later Henry VIII, alongside a Baroque Palace built by William III and Mary II.

It's fascinating to think that you are walking in the footsteps of Henry VIII and other important historical figures.  As well as Henry VIII, William III and Mary II other Monarchs associated with Hampton Court are Queen Mary I (r1553-8), James I (r1603-25), Charles I (r1625-49), Charles II (r 1630-85) and George II (r1727-60).  When Oliver Cromwell emerged as the Lord Protector of England he moved into Hampton Court where he used the former Queens bedroom for himself, travelling down from London to spend quiet weekends here.

Anyway it's a fabulous place to visit, full of history and interesting stories (if you just ask the guides - they are a minefield of extra information such as the forgotten Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn motif on the eaves of the great hall.  Henry VIII had asked that all references to Anne was removed after he had lopped orf her head but they missed a wooden carved H and A motif in the roof).

The imposing and spectacular entry to Henry VIII's Hampton Court Palace.
It was on this space in front of the Palace that 'Sir' Bradley Wiggins was presented with his Gold medal in the cycling.

The tree lined River Thames is on the right.  In these trees were wild and naturalised Parakeets!

This is the first 'Court' just through the main entrance and is called Base Court.

Another view of base Court with the roof of the Main Hall visible on the left

Throughout the Palace are small streets and alleyways.  The building to the right of Jo is part of the large network of kitchens

One of the large kitchens.....there was a lot of mouths to feed

Lot's of little garden spaces are scattered about.  Here we are still in the Tudor part of the Palace

A view of the second palace, the 'extension'.  The Baroque style Palace built by William and Mary.

Part of the roof space in the Main Hall of the Tudor part of Hampton Court.
In the roof space were small figurines looking down from the eaves and is where the term 'Eaves dropping' came from as the Court used to be rife with gossip and rumours and was a reminder when you looked up that you never knew who was listening.

Some more stylish Tudor roofing

Jo, admiring some of the Baroque style painting

Just some of the armoury.  All of which are still useable today.

A 'walking' room next to the garden

Strolling part of the extensive gardens

Jo, captured in a quiet reflective moment

This shot taken across one of the small garden enclosures clearly shows the newer building joining the older Tudor original

A heron in a reflective pose..

Still in the garden where statues and fountains share space with Ewe trees and manicured lawns..there is even a maze.  There is also the original 'Real' tennis court where Henry played.

Hold on...isn't that...