Hampton Court in the October sun

Just a couple more days before I go back to work.  Today the weather promised sunshine, unlike tomorrow so I took a trip to Hampton Court.
It's about a year since I visited the Palace itself, as opposed to the flower show that is held in the great park surrounding it.  There were several groups of school children on the train so I was going to need to be selective about where I went when! 

 walking through the entrance gate

 the light was bright in the sky as I arrived

 and long shadows were cast across the pathways

you probably remember I love the chimneys at Hampton Court, so many different patterns and styles. 

There will be lots of chimneys!

 and lots of blue sky

 top of the entrance gate

 features in the wall

 the big clock

I went up to Henry VIII apartments first ; first stop the great hall

 which has an amazing ceiling

and massive tapestries on the walls,

 and huge stained glass windows

 cloths on the long tables give facts about Tudor times

 pewter serving bowls on the table at the head of the room gave a great reflection of the ceiling and windows

 next you go into the Great Watching Chamber...

 small group of children playing Tudor games at the tables

part of a tapestry

 when I've been before there have been "live" enactments going on, this time there was one playing on a screen in this room.

I love the rick blue wall hangings.

 Georgian apartments now.

 I walked through into another room where seamstresses were working at a mattress restoration from one of the beds of a Queen (can't remember which!)

sadly we're not allowed very close...

 downstairs past the Fountain Court, a small secluded garden surrounded by cloistered walkways

 a huge ornament on the way out into the gardens..

 which I love, almost as much as inside.


the yew trees were looking magnificent..

or as Julia (WOYWW Julia) said on FB... who wouldn't want an avenyew ...

 autumn colours in the trees at the end of the yew trees


and i loved the shadows too

 intricate carvings on the top of the building

yew berries

 the fountain in the centre of the yew trees was gorgeous

 the Long Water,   always looks so different without the marquees and crossings from the Flower Show.

was quite surprised to see a large group of cygnets, large ones, with a single parent (the other was the other side of the barrier) - it seems late for cygnets.

 I walked along the length of the long flower beds, which were being tidied ready for autumn

 but there was still lots of colour

loved this iris against the pink behind

 tree surgeon at work on the yew trees..

I went through the gate that leads to the large formal Privy Garden.


a skein of geese flew overhead

followed by another

 huge dahlia in the border

 knelt down so I could get the Palace behind this flower

 the Privy Garden beds looked even more formal without any summer bedding in them, just gorgeous.

 the fountain is fabulous. 

 you can walk down the central paths but not on the grass

 turning to look back

 I had to wait until a couple noticed me trying to take the fountain without them in the way (I was particularly wanting the fabulous clouds in too)

 time for some more chimneys

 alongside the Privy Garden are a series of smaller sunken gardens.   they used to be ponds for Henry VIII to fish in.

 the lower orangery

 another huge dahlia in a dahlia border

 and some gorgeous yellow ones in the sun

 the great vine, from outside

 and inside... they have already harvested the grapes, I was expecting them still to be there!

 Aricula theatre

 back into the Palace now, this is one of my favourite staircases, so grand and sweeping.  Rather large paintings on the wall too

 back out into Clock Court 

 a school party was heading towards the Young Henry VIII rooms... I went a different way!

 through towards the Henry VIII kitchens
accompanied by sound track of a horse drawn cart delivering barrels...

 the fire was lit and lovely and warm!

caught sight of a  list of one of Henry's meals... no surprise he grew as big as he was reputed to have done!

 wine cellar

 peeked through an open doorway... in the full summer season I think there is another cafe open in here, judging by the tables and chairs

 love the flagstones


I stopped for lunch as I was hungry (it was only just 12 but thought it was also an idea to beat any crowds)

 have another chimney...

 I headed out through the entrance (err.... well you know what  I mean!)

 the sun having moved round now made it better for this shot

 headed for the rose garden, which is surrounded by walls so very sheltered and still full of colour.

skirt of a statue
reminds me of "Mr Whippy" icecream !

I like the back better than the front!

 I sat on a bench and enjoyed the flowers and the clouds.

 then I went into the vegetable garden, where there were some fabulous sunflowers

teasel

 the clouds were stunning

 large pumpkin patch

 loved this purple rose

 I walked back to the Palace the sun was shining on the brickwork

I decided to go back inside to the young Henry VIII rooms...

 two massive paintings on the walls

 wooden wall panelling

 back at the exit, coat of arms in the ceiling of the archway

 last chimneys....

 the bridge over the Thames on my way home

 row of lampposts on the bridge

 don't think I'll walk to the source of the Thames, a bit far! 

final cloud shot...

hope you enjoyed today - it was perfect for 1st October