Hampton Court

Anna’s friend Dorina and her boyfriend Neno came to London for a couple of days, on holiday from New Zealand. It was lovely to see new faces from back home, and we all went to Hampton Court Palace for a nice Saturday outing.

Originally a farm owned by the Knights Hospitaller, King Henry VIII took an interest in the property after being entertained there once. Thomas Wolsey, then Archbishop of York and Chief Minister to the King, took the lease in 1514 and rebuilt the manor house. However, when he was unable to procure the Pope’s consent to Henry’s divorce, he was stripped of his office and property. Henry thereby ‘acquired’ the Palace, where he added the Great Hall and Royal Tennis Court.

Over time, parts of Henry's additions were demolished, and Sir Christopher Wren built new extensions. Kings and Queens lived in and out of the Palace over the following centuries.

It was a nice sunny day, and we all enjoyed exploring the Palace and grounds. There were lots of guides in themed outfits, and we watched several boisterous demonstrations of Tudor music (including a couple of cheeky songs on a hurdy-gurdy) before heading out to conquer the world-famous Hampton Court Palace Hedge Maze, with its 800 m of paths.

Finished the evening with a walk through Notting Hill, and a few beers at a local pub.