Tudor Destinations in London

I'll be studying this summer in London and was wondering if anyone has information about visiting Tudor palaces/houses there. My class will likely go to Hampton Court Palace. Last year I went to Westminster Abbey and don't want to pay the fee again this year, since I've seen it already. I've also been to the Tower of London, which was almost disappointing because the place where Anne Boleyn (and others) were executed was covered over with an unsightly tarp (some archaeologists are working on it), but I do recommend it to people just because the Beefeater tour was so lovely.

Suggestions?

I took a boat down the Thames to Hampton Court, which took several hours but was worth it because this was the route they took in the 16th century. It gave you a good idea of the trip :-)

Make sure to visit  the Windsor Castle, including St George's Chapel where Henry VIII and Jane Seymour are entombed. If you get the chance, definitely visit Hever Castle.

P.S. You will have a great time this summer, Margarita! Make sure you visit Oxford if you can, one of the most interesting and historical places in England! Lots of Tudor stuff there too, not to mention all kinds other "ghosts" of the past :-). Wonderful place.

If you have free time, Warwick Castle is fabulous too (not in London but easy to get to). Then there is Greenwich in London.Hope you have a wonderful time and that the weather is kind to you !

 Expand a little outside London on your weekends. I second Hever Castle (one of my favorites)  and I also like Leeds Castle a lot (Henry VIII) visited quite often. It had beautiful black Swans. I also recommend you visit a few of the Cathedrals that are very old and see for yourself how and what part they played in Henry VIII's  reign. It would forever mark the Protestant/Catholic problems that surfaced in the plots to put a Catholic on the throne or keep a Protestant in place. I liked Winchester and Canterbury for a look around and right across the border in Wales there are ruins that testify to the dissolution of the Monasteries that are worth seeing. The train system in England is wonderful and very cheap I thought.

Leeds Castle is fascinating. Windsor is wonderful and part of the state apartments still dates back to the time of the Tudors. There are some fascinating paintings on display from the Tudor period. The National Portrait Gallery in London has an entire area of display on the Tudors and it is a free gallery. They also have Education Officers. I would imagine if you approached them in plenty of time they might even have somebody speak to your students as they have private seminar rooms. You would have of course to organise a specific time and perhaps pay a fee for their services. 

If you can travel, come to Winchcombe and visit Sudeley Castle, home of Kate Parr. It is a really pretty little castle and the gardens are particularly lovely in the summer

Thanks for your suggestions, everyone! I'm going to try to visit places outside of London, but I'll be alone so I'll have to take safety and time into consideration. The boat to Hampton Court Palace sounds like a great idea; I don't know how my class is going there (probably train) but it'll probably be by train. Once I'm familiar with it, though, I'll try to take the boat.

I went on a Tudor tour of my own in 2003.  As a huge Anne Boleyn fan, I strongly recommend Hever Castle.  Hampton Court is wonderful and is easily accessible via train, but I'd recommend the many tour boats that run from London via the Thames. Sudeley Castle was great as well, but definitely further away.  Windsor is fascinating but less "Tudor", although St. George's Chapel is amazing and Henry VIII and many others are buried there.

The one place not mentioned so far that I enjoyed was Hatfield House, just north of London in Hertfordshire.  The tree where Elizabeth I received the news of becoming queen is still there, as is the Old Palace where she stayed those many years as a youth.  You can only see the inside of this building during an evening dinner that you can attend, which is supposedly in the Tudor tradition as well.  The Jacobean main house is beautiful too, built by the Cecil family. From their website.... The main entrance to Hatfield Park is opposite Hatfield station with a 5 minute walk to the house. The fast train from Kings Cross to Hatfield takes 25 minutes. There are London Underground links with this mainline at Finsbury Park (Piccadilly and Victoria lines).

I'm soooo jealous.  Enjoy your trip and report back to this armchair traveler!

By the way, as a 40 year old woman, I travelled alone to most of these places.  It was just fine.  I felt very comfortable using all types of transportation mentioned here and people were very helpful when I asked for help, mostly on the tube.  Just be smart and  I'm sure you will have a safe trip!

The main thing with any group is insisting that they stay together and not dawdle. Having time wasted by thoughtless members in a group is unforgivable. Hatfield of course would be wonderful. Just a reminder that the boats up to Hampton Court are effected by the tide and the Thames. Do check this all out or you will be severely disappointed. The train station is an easy walk away.

Thanks for your advice, everyone. Does anyone know what the dinner at Hatfield would cost? That sounds awesome.

I felt very comfortable using all types of transportation mentioned here and people were very helpful when I asked for help, mostly on the tube.

Last year when I was babysitting, someone ALWAYS helped me carry the stroller up and down the stairs. Everyone I met was so polite.

Hey Ritka, go here and click on "hospitality" and then click on "Banquet".
http://www.hatfield-house.co.uk/

Is there a photo of the oak tree at Hatfield? That's one place I regret I never made to, and the next time I am in London, I am definitely going!

I found this postcard from the late 19th century of the Elizabeth oak, but I would like to see a current photo if anyone can find one.

Hey Ritka, go here and click on "hospitality" and then click on "Banquet".
http://www.hatfield-house.co.uk/

Thanks!

There seems to be some kind of guided tour, 10 pounds for an adult, Wednesdays-Fridays during certain times.