DIY school trip

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Last year, Little One’s class at school was doing a project on the Tudors (from King Henry VII to Queen Elizabeth I). In support of this, they organised a trip to Hampton Court Palace. Unfortunately there was a bug going round at the time, Little One caught it and although she seemed fine in the morning, she was sick after getting on the bus, before they had set off, and she had to be sent home. Even worse, the friend she was sitting next to also started feeling sick after seeing what happened (as is only natural), but the teachers didn’t want to risk any sickness so they took her off the bus and sent her home too, and she missed the trip as well! I felt really bad about that so I thought maybe we could go there ourselves – after all, none of us had ever visited – and take the friend along. So after the pantomime was finally done and we had free time again, we arranged a day out. We were actually super-organised, and managed to get there just as they were opening the gates in the morning. And we stayed until they were closing at 5 pm, so we certainly got our money’s worth! It’s an interesting place because it’s so big and includes several different periods. Part of the original palace was replaced by newer more fashionable parts, but it was too expensive to remodel the whole thing so older parts were just left as they were. We spent ages looking around Henry VIII’s apartments, William III’s apartments, and Georgian apartments used by George I and George II. There are huge formal gardens too, obviously not at their best on a bitterly cold day at this time of year, but nevertheless we did have a walk around – we had to go outside to eat our packed lunch anyway! Then there is the stunning astronomical clock (in the photo), kitchens including a bespoke chocolate kitchen, a tiltyard (originally for jousts), kitchen garden, woodland garden, the maze made famous by Jerome K. Jerome in ‘Three Men in a Boat’ (possibly my very favourite book) and a big adventure playground. It was a great day out! If Little One hadn’t been poorly we would never have gone, so it was a blessing in disguise I suppose. I think she probably got more out of our day than she would have from a hurried visit with a busload of excited children and overstressed teachers, too. I would recommend a visit. Have you ever been? All rights reserved. © Text and image copyright Fleur 2023.