HAMPTON COURT PALACE

MAGNIFICENT HAMPTON COURT

The Hampton Court Palace is home to King Henry VIII and over 500 years of fascinating history.

The palace is located at Surrey, KT8 9AU.

The trip here, was worth while as I got to know the history of this great Tudor King Henry VIII's favorite royal residence.

HAMPTON COURT PALACE

Walk around the palace one can discover Henry VIII State Apartments where he transformed Hampton Court from a courtier's country home into a magnificent royal residence. Much of his majestic Tudor palace still survives today, and it amount the most important of its kind in existence.

One can step back and marvel at the breathtaking splendour of the state rooms including the Great Hall, the Chapel Royal and the infamous Haunted Gallery.

Henry VIII wasn't the only Monarch to leave his mark on Hampton Court, William III and Mary II commissioned Christopher Wren to transform the palace in the elegant baroque fashion. However, Wren's grand designs were never completed leaving us with a palace of two halves; one Tudor, one baroque. Some people called it a “palace with two halves”. Here, one can explore the opulent King's and Queen's ceremonial state apartments and wander through the comparative intimacy of the Georgian Rooms. Come and decide which half you prefer.

OLDEN DAYS CHARACTER AT THE PALACE

Get your chance to explore The Tudor Kitchens – what tickled a Tudor's taste bud? View the fascinating, practical side of royal life in the enormous Tudor Kitchens, which are the most extensive surviving 16-th century kitchens in Europe today. You can smell the boiling beef, hear the bubbling cauldrons and fee the heat of the fire.

Peep into Young Henry VIII permanent exhibition – just to explore the stereotypes that have over shadowed the true characters and stories of Henry VIII. Cardinal Wolsey and Katherine of Aragon for centuries.

BEAUTIFUL 20TH CENTURY GARDENS

The 20^th Century Garden is quiet and secluded garden was originally a horse paddock and was transformed in the 1970s for training gardening apprentices. Today, it is planted with ornamental trees, shrubs and hornbeam hedges. The Garden is every body's favorite including me – I really love the gardens – where one can relax over 60 acres of enchanting gardens, which run down to the River Thames, featuring sparkling fountains, the beautifully restored 18th-century Privy Garden and the magnificent maze. Without ado, I try my luck on the maze located at The Wilderness – searching my way forward surrounded with tall clipped hedges in geometric patterns and intertwining paths. Today the Maze is the only part of this layout remaining.

One can also eat inside or out on the sunny terrace, and enjoy a wide range of refreshments from morning coffee, salads, sandwiches and hot meals to afternoon tea.

There is plenty of space to picnic in the Tiltyard gardens. Do not miss the larges and oldest grapevine in the world at 229 years of age! It is situated at the Great Vine Garden.

GREAT VINE GARDEN

Other gardens worth visiting are – The Pond Gardens, Rose Garden, Lower Orangery Garden, Home Park, Knot Garden, Gardens Exhibition, Banquenting' House, Great Fountain Garden and Royal Tennis Court. There are also Summer horse carriage rides in the Palace Gardens.

POND GARDENS

The custom guides presence here, brings everyday history and enchanting stories of Hampton Court Palace to life.

JULY 17, 2007