Tudor Destinations in London

[Norbert]

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'm sorry to tell you that a lot of the Tudor royal palaces have ben changed dramatically by later monarchs and many lost in the Civil War. St James's Palace was built by Henry VIII and was the seat of the court after Whitehall was lost in a fire. The palace stands at the side of The Mall near Buck House but is not open to the public. The trip by boat to Hampton court is very nice BUT most of the Palace was rebuilt by Wren for William III. However you can see the Wolsey apartment,tennis court,Banquetting House, Tudor kitchens etc. and you will get a flavour of the magnificence of their court. A gatehouse remains of the Palace at Richmond ( now made into private houses) but it's a long journey and not much is left. Wren rebuilt the palace at Greenwich as a home for retired sailors. Windsor is  surprisingly an ugly town and the castle was redecorated in 19c by George IV. The greatest monument to the Tudors would be Henry VII chapel in Westminster Abbey and St George's at Windsor. Interestingly part of Whitehall Palace still stands behind the facade of the Ministry of Defense near the Houses of Parliament ( but only to be seen once a year).

[Norbert]

A complete set of Tudor portraits can be seen at the National Portrait Gallery which is free..it's at the side of National Gallery in Charing Cross Rd. Also in the basement of Somerset House is a wonderful film showing the buildings on the site and shows how the original palace of the protector of E VI would have looked.

[helenazar]

The trip by boat to Hampton court is very nice BUT most of the Palace was rebuilt by Wren for William III. However you can see the Wolsey apartment,tennis court,Banquetting House, Tudor kitchens etc. and you will get a flavour of the magnificence of their court.

 

And don't forget the long gallery where Katherine Howard's ghost roams (Haunted Gallery) ;-). Actually, even though Hampton Court has been majorly rebuilt, you can still use your imagination and get the feel of how it looked in the 16th Century. Ask the docents about what each wing used to be in the time of Henry VIII, and you can get a relatively clear picture. They are very knowledgable and eager to talk about it!

A complete set of Tudor portraits can be seen at the National Portrait Gallery which is free..it's at the side of National Gallery in Charing Cross Rd.

Yes, absolutely, the NPG is a must-see! There you will encounter a lot of familiar portraits commonly used in various Tudor/English history books. It's a real treat to see the originals!

[Margarita Markovna]

One of the great, and unique, things about London is that most museums are free. It's not like that here at all!

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'm sorry to tell you that a lot of the Tudor royal palaces have ben changed dramatically by later monarchs and many lost in the Civil War. St James's Palace was built by Henry VIII and was the seat of the court after Whitehall was lost in a fire. The palace stands at the side of The Mall near Buck House but is not open to the public. The trip by boat to Hampton court is very nice BUT most of the Palace was rebuilt by Wren for William III. However you can see the Wolsey apartment,tennis court,Banquetting House, Tudor kitchens etc. and you will get a flavour of the magnificence of their court. A gatehouse remains of the Palace at Richmond ( now made into private houses) but it's a long journey and not much is left. Wren rebuilt the palace at Greenwich as a home for retired sailors. Windsor is  surprisingly an ugly town and the castle was redecorated in 19c by George IV. The greatest monument to the Tudors would be Henry VII chapel in Westminster Abbey and St George's at Windsor. Interestingly part of Whitehall Palace still stands behind the facade of the Ministry of Defense near the Houses of Parliament ( but only to be seen once a year).

Is Richmond where the American University is?

[Norbert]

I'm afraid i have no knowledge of any American University in London. You can get to Richmond by tube but most of the palace was destroyed in the Civil War. However the gate house stands but it is divided up into private homes. However There are numerous Tudor manor houses throughout the realm. Hatfield is a great barn of a place and was built in the reign of James I but is regarded as late Tudor being rather outdated for it's period. It has the Royal nursery in the garden and the oak of QE1. Burghley House is far finer and is in the charming town of Stamford . Montacute, Longleat and Knole are sumptuous palaces  and worth seeing. Eltham Palace in the suburbs still exists but was rebuilt for a millionaire in 30's and is a interesting mix of Tudor and Deco interiors. I suggest you try and get hold of a "National Trust Handbook" which will give you a potted history, directions and opening times. Also "English Heritage" have some Tudor buildings in their care.

[Kimberly]

Hubby and I toddled off to Hampton Court Palace yesterday. Himself is not interested in "dead people" (history), but wanted to see the Astronomical Clock......it was covered up and having conservation work done on it as indeed was Anne Boleyn's gateway. Very disappointing. It is a palace that is definately in two halves, Tudor and Baroque as mentioned here before by Norbert. Henry VIII's State Apartments are magnificent, especially the Great Hall and the Great Watching Hall with its beautiful ceiling incorporating his arms and badges with those of Jane Seymour. The Haunted Gallery was smaller than I imagined and looked like it had just had a lick of "Dulux" Magnolia paint!!.
All in all, it was a lovely day out but quite expensive.

[Norbert]

Did you ever go ?Margarita Markovna