Visiting Hampton Court Palace felt like stepping back in time. This grand palace sits by the River Thames and has been home to many famous kings and queens, including Henry VIII and William III. As I walked through the main gates, I was amazed by the castle’s walls and the beautiful poppy gardens leading up to it. This was King Henry’s most loved home, and it was one of his main homes. It was sp gorgeous and very interesting to learn and walk through everything.
The Tudor part of the palace was bold and impressive. The Great Hall, with its wooden ceiling and colorful stained glass, shows how powerful Henry wanted to look. While taking a walk through the kitchen and state apartments, I could almost hear the sounds of feasts, music, and people trying to win the king’s favor. But as I continued exploring, the palace changed. Suddenly, I was in a completely different style: neat, elegant, and bright. This part was added by William III and Mary II in the late 1600s. They wanted a more modern palace, so they hired Sir Christopher Wren to redesign parts of it in the Baroque style. The rooms here are full of marble, gold, and perfect symmetry. It feels more like a calm, royal home than a place of power.
I kept wondering what it was like to live here in the days of Henry VIII. The court must have been full of drama, with people watching their every move. In William and Mary’s time, it may have been more polished, but still full of rules and power. I loved Hampton Court. My favorite part was being in the council room; I really enjoyed learning and hearing about their conversation. It really should be the process of the council and explained a lot to me that makes since. Overall, I had a wonderful full time at Hampton Court Palace.
Theatre in London U of A 