Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
indoor/outdoor playground and little zip line, as well as a slow and easy ride on the hop-
on, hop-off Kew Explorer tram (
£
4 for narrated 40-minute ride, departs on the hour from
11:00 from near Victoria Gate, 2/hour in summer).
Eating:
For a sun-dappled lunch or snack, walk 10 minutes from the Palm House to
the Orangery Cafeteria (
£
4 sandwiches,
£
8-12 lunches, daily 10:00-17:30, until 15:15 in
winter, closes early for events).
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Hampton Court Palace
Fifteen miles up the Thames from downtown, the 500-year-old palace of Henry VIII is
worth
▲▲
for palace aficionados. Actually, it was originally the palace of his minister,
Cardinal Wolsey. When Wolsey, a clever man, realized Henry VIII was experiencing a
little palace envy, he gave the mansion to his king. The Tudor palace was also home to
Elizabeth I and Charles I. Sections were updated by Christopher Wren for William and
Mary. The stately palace stands overlooking the Thames and includes some fine Tudor
rooms, including a Great Hall with a magnificent hammer-beam ceiling. The industrial-
strength Tudor kitchen was capable of keeping 600 schmoozing courtiers thoroughly—if
not well—fed. The sculpted garden features a rare Tudor tennis court and a popular maze.
The palace tries hard to please, but it doesn't quite sparkle. From the information cen-
ter in the main courtyard, you can pick up audioguides for self-guided tours of various
