Our day trip to Hampton Court Palace was absolutely delightful! It was a short train ride from London – only 30 minutes or so. There is nothing quite like riding a train out of a big city and into the countryside. I love watching the ways that the buildings change and diminish in size; the world transforms so quickly before your very eyes. Trains do often put me to sleep, though, so I was glad to be sitting and chatting with friends.
Upon arrival we were greeted by a train station under construction, which has apparently been that way for over five years. I guess some problems permeate international boundaries and large oceans. The palace itself was a short walk from the train station tucked behind two ornate gates and a long driveway. There was a field to our right as we made our way towards the palace with poppies planted all over. Poppies have been present at several of the historical places we’ve visited, and Merritt told me that they are the flower used for remembrance of members of the British Armed Forces who died in battle.
The palace itself is grandiose and splendid! Despite knowing the era in which it was built, I was still surprised by how old it looked. Our self-guided tour, complete with audio guide, began in the Tudor part of the palace, which was built by Cardinal Thomas Wolesy starting in 1514. King Henry VIII fell in love with the palace and acquired it in 1529. My favorite area in this part of the castle was the kitchens. There were several school groups there at the same time as us, and the hustle and bustle of children and adults alike really added to the experience. In one moment I could imagine just how many bodies and how much food were put into these rooms. Of the several fireplaces, only one was lit. That fire created enough heat on its own that I can only imagine how hot it would’ve been with all of them going at once.
Over a century later, in 1689, William III and Mary II commissioned Sir Christopher Wren to build a large baroque addition to the palace. It was interesting to see the way that the architecture shifted. While it was clear that they were from two different time periods, it was clear that Wren only wanted to grow the reputation of the palace. High vaulted ceilings were present throughout, and beautiful paintings adorned the walls (though I’d imagine they had different decorations up in the 1600s).
My absolute favorite part of the palace was the gardens! I don’t think I’d ever want to live in a palace so vast, but If I did the gardens would be where I spent most of my time. We were there on a drizzly day that made me want to put on a flowy dress and frolic through the mud, though I’m sure there would’ve been hell to pay for ruining a perfectly good dress. The gardens had these large trees that had either been pruned or grew naturally in a big bulbous shape – kind of like the top half of an egg. The first branches were above head height, and the density of the foliage kept the light drizzle at bay like a natural umbrella. There was also a large pond in the garden, and some friends and I spent a long time watching the ducks. One of them even quacked at us!
The day trip finished up with lunch in the town near the palace, right near where the train station dropped us off. The train ride back was equally as lovely. Overall, the trip was the perfect start to a long weekend!
Theatre in London U of A 