Theatre and Arts in London: Friday: Hampton Court Palace

If ever there was a place to love, this is it! All those dreamy castles, all those fairy tale houses, they can all be found here! This palace is located on the bank of the Thames, southwest and upriver of London. The water is clean and the river is narrow, so it very pleasant.

Front Gate of Hampton Court Palace

Approach over the moat

We got there around 9:30 am, and after a brief introduction by Tim and getting our Tickets, we were free to explore to our hearts content! Be still my heart!

From first courtyard looking out

first courtyard - (and that is Jane)

Chimney's all over the place! And not one the same brick design!

I started with a Great Hall with amazing tapestries and then moved throughout the Kings quarters and chapel. There was no photography allowed in the chapel - or of his crown - but it was beautiful. I actually shed a few tears just looking at it.

An original medieval Great Hall

Ceiling of the Great Hall - it was originally painted dark blue with gold trim. Imagine that flickering in the firelight!

Fireplace in the Lords waiting room, just beyond the Great Hall

Ceiling of the Lords Waiting Room

Stained Glass was throughout the Palace, many of it Modern Era but still wonderful

Tapestries, tapestries!

and more tapestries!

And this Palace has stairways all over the place! Some are highly decorated, while others are simple and elegant. There were a lot of times when I thought I would be going into a room of hallway and suddenly a magnificent stairwell was in front of me!

Private stair, shh no one is around...

Wait, where did this come from?!

I also went through the Queens Rooms before going outside, inside, then outside again.

Queens Waiting Room

Royal Dining Room, with folded napkins and Ruben's on the wall

Inner Fountain Court

Palace Lawn out back doors

That's me! See, I actually am here!

Royal Carriage on back lawn

Interior courtyard, small and private

And on the north is the famous Hampton Court maze, which although smaller than I imagined was still enjoyable to walk through, and on the south more formal gardens and lawns.