So we took a train from Waterloo station down to Hampton Court in the afternoon.
As we were getting off the train, I snapped this photo. The conductor said he would have to confiscate my camera, as he thought I might be a terrorist. I said he just wanted a picture of my wife.
Hampton Court, as everyone knows, was originally built by Cardinal Wolsey, but was "given" to Henry VIII when the good Cardinal was trying to keep his head. (it didn't work. There is a lesson there for all of us)
It is a spectacular place, though. They have folks dressed up in period costume and they did little performances. It was fun.
The place is huge - about 1,000 rooms. They only have about 100 open to the public. That is the "Great Room" above. Probably the biggest room outside a church at the time it was built.
Hampton Court is really two palaces. The Wolsey Palace built in the 16th century, and the William III (William of Orange, or William of William and Mary) initiated additions (such as this courtyard below) designed by Christopher Wren (of St Paul fame. Though I always wondered if he was related to Percival Christopher Wren...)
They also have a maze:
I told Doreen about the "one hand" trick, and this is indeed a one handed maze. The trick is to never remove your hand from the wall, and you will get out of the maze. IT may not be the shortest way, but you will get out.
Not all mazes are one hand mazes but this one is. The trick worked.
The daffodils were blooming while we were they. Absolutely spectacular. They had a whole field of blooms.
They had swans, too. I am not sure if these were for the kitchen (as per The Tudors) but this fellow was rather aggressive.
This is a good view of the Wren facade. A spectacular place
But we did have to use the handrail HSE all the time! You spot it, you got it!
Here Doreen is in front of one of the many gardens. 60 acres worth.
One last shot.
I have to say that the meal with J&A was spectacular. They are excellent hosts.
Did they have the "food tour" when you were there? Memorable information about how they managed to feed all the people there in Henry VIII's time.
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