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30 July, 2013

Photo Diary: An Afternoon at Hampton Court Palace

Comments : 1 Posted in : Food, London on by : Reema Tags: , , , , , ,

Last week’s royal baby frenzy has definitely captured my interest in all things British and regal.

A visit to a beautiful and historical palace, combined with the idea of a picnic lunch in the gardens was enough to get me on a train to Hampton Court Palace while the sun was still shining!

Here are some  snapshots:

Tudor entrance

Hampton Court Palace was built in Tudor times (15oos), during the reign of King Henry VIII, who is undoubtedly the palace’s most famous and controversial resident.

Baroque Palace

King William III decided to rebuild half the palace in Baroque style in the 16o0s. It was intended to rival the Palace of Versailles in France. Hmmm.

Gardens

Hampton Court is surrounded by 60 acres of immaculate gardens leading down to the River Thames. The gorgeous trees, flowers and fountains made me forget that I was still in London! Quiet, peaceful and so beautiful!

The best part: you can pack your own picnic and bring it to the palace gardens (with a ticket, of course!).

A sunny spot by the pretty flowers will do just fine – thank you!

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Image by Hina Siddiq

 

Post picnic, the girls decided to tackle the world-famous maze at Hampton Court.  Here we are looking happily lost in the maze!

 

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Took us some time to find the centre but we did get there in the end. 

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Meanwhile, the boys went on a horse carriage ride around the palace gardens. We caught them later eating ice cream!

icrecream

 

With picnic, maze and ice cream out of the way, it was finally time to enter the regal world of past kings and queens!

We explored the Tudor kitchens, State Apartments, the Royal Bedchambers and the Chapel Royal.

We even found a very furious Henry VIII blitzing through his Tudor palace looking for Anne!

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Image by Hina Siddiq

 

And soon, it was time for afternoon tea and scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam. 

 

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Image by Hina Siddiq

A perfect end to a fabulous afternoon at the palace.

Living in London, we are constantly surrounded by history. It doesn’t take much to get caught up in the daily grind and overlook the beauty and stories around us.

My afternoon at Hampton Court Palace has definitely inspired me to learn and DO more to appreciate the city I live in.

I think this book is a good start, don’t you? 😉

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Image by Hina Siddiq

 

1 COMMENT

One thought on : Photo Diary: An Afternoon at Hampton Court Palace

  • veena Kalra
    August 2, 2013 at 3:50 pm

    Wow! Bright and beautiful pictures!

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