Hampton Court

I am so glad to have chosen the castles we have visited. None have been the same and each representing a different era and style. Although many displays have been the same, I've enjoyed revisiting places and even more delighted to see new displays in offer.

I think places have had to really up their  game as I've seen more and more costumed actors and skilled people as part of displays all sharing knowledge. . I love how they are making history come alive.

It was also refreshing to see how the places are presenting historical figures from different point of view or challenging what we all 'think' we know about them.

For example, I hadn't realised that Henry the Eighth had been married for over twenty years to Catherine, a powerful ruler in her own right. Having read her story, my heart ached for her.. So many babies- all dying within weeks of birth.

The display didn't focus on what he did after he divorced her, but thats when history likes to pick up the threads and feed us juicy details.

Lilly and I totally enjoyed Queen Mary 2 bedrooms.. Far out- football arena more like! The absolute opulance is astounding. I found it pretty funny to learn these huge bedrooms were showcases only and never actually slept in. Hilarious that the most powerful richest people in the world actually slept in tiny cupboard like rooms on what could only be described as camp beds. 

Seeing the tudor kitchens 'working' made it very real for the kids. I'm going to look forward to setting projects and tasks for them about the places we see.