On Friday, Jess and I went to Hampton Court Palace. This was another major visit for the bucket list. It's an amazing Tudor palace hidden away in Surrey. The story goes: Cardinal Wolsey built up the majority of the palace during the height of his power (and while still in the favor of King Henry VIII). Of course things turned sour, as they often did with good 'ole Henry, and when Wolsey was unable to obtain a divorce certificate for the King from the Pope (he was trying to divorce Katherine of Aragon), Wolsey fell from his favoritism. And, long story short, Henry VIII took the palace from him, made it even fancier, and later on Wolsey was accused of treason (but died before he was taken to imprisonment ... in the Tower of London I suspect?).
The palace was INCREDIBLE. The buildings themselves were elegant, but also stately and cold, while the gardens surrounding them were lush and welcoming. The tour of the palace was also very welcoming. For a visit that could be rather boring, we were pleasantly surprised by how carefully and thoughtfully the tours were organized. Plus I seriously could not handle the historical re-enactments of Tudor characters.
We visited the Tudor Kitchen, Henry VIII's apartments, Queen Mary's apartments, the Chapel Royal, the Hedge Maze, the Rose Garden, Formal Garden, Vineyard, Privy Garden, among many many other things. We were lucky it was an absolutely gorgeous day.
Jessica with a Tudor-era Yeoman (aka McSteamy)
Me with McSteamy
Henry VIII and Kathryn Parr
We solved the Maze!
Lining up to greet the King and Queen
Grand Hall
Largest vine in the world apparently?
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