London: Secrets of Hampton Court Palace Guided Tour – London, United Kingdom

EXPERIENCE:

This is a private tour, just for you, so can be tailored exactly to your requirements. You can say in advance, or even on the day, what interests you most – whether it be tapestries, art and magnificence or simply the strange and amusing tales of a Royal Court. The tour on request can be designed to suit children.

Step back in time to 1540, imagine the colors, sights, sounds and smells. What was it really like to live, work and eat at Hampton Court and how did people dress? The Great Hall has hardly changed since Henry’s time, show off his wealth and power. Visit the Haunted Gallery, where you might see the ghost of Queen Catherine Howard, as well as original paintings from the Royal Collection. The beautiful Chapel Royal has the finest 16th century ceiling in England, studded with blue and gold, while the King’s colorful royal beasts can be seen outside in a charming Tudor Garden.

A story of two amazing palaces, a Tudor palace made famous by Henry VIII, alongside a 17th century Baroque palace built by William & Mary, with stunning gardens. Why did the British come to have a Dutch king in 1688 and what was he doing at Hampton Court? Find out more about William of Orange, see fabulous interiors including royal bedrooms and look out onto his magnificent Privy Garden as you explore the palace inspired by Versailles!

Join a tour with Siobhan Clarke, who has a BA in History and a Teaching Certificate. She has worked at Hampton Court for 20 years and is passionate about sharing her knowledge of the palace and making every visitor experience the best it can be – inspiring and fun. Siobhan is a Member of the Institute of Tourist Guiding. She has featured on BBC radio and PBS television’s ‘Secrets of Henry VIII’s Palace’ and is the author of four books on Tudor history and art. She also lectures for the US Smithsonian and the UK Arts Society.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

See the Tudor and Baroque State Apartments of Henry VIII and William III
Learn about King Henry’s decline from athletic prince to bloated tyrant
Dig deeper and find hidden stories of ghosts, executions, and history
Get the most out of your tour with a published historian as your guide

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