The telegraph article was a fun read. One property mentioned in the article that hasn't been brought up on this thread is <u>Ightham Mote</u>.

From the article:
<i>... Ightham Mote, a moated manor house in Kent, Dr Starkey's favourite Tudor property. For part of Henry's reign it was owned by one of his courtiers, Sir Richard Clement, and much of the Tudor fabric and atmosphere survives. "The interior there will take you nearer to a senior gentleman's house in the Tudor period than anywhere else," reckons Starkey. </i>

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-ighthammote

Friends of mine actually live in Sevenoaks, so perhaps I can ask them to drive me there for a visit next time.

Interesting article about Chelsea flower show and Queen Elizabeth 1 perfume. Also mention about Hampton Court flower show.

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standa...ess/article.do

If I could pull off a visit to London during mid-July, that would be wonderful - Hampton Court Flower show plus an opera at ROH!

I'm not too sure that Philip actually came to England (must have made marriage to Mary a bit difficult) and there is a painting of Philip and Mary together (the paintings are together you understand) which makes Philip look like some sort of short legged goblin. Is there a link to a painting of Elizbeth and Philip?

For completeness' sake: did anyone mention Richmond Palace? There are a few pieces of it left. And Richmond is a nice stop on your way to Hampton Court Palace. We did it on a London Walks' excursion. Loved the boat trip on the Thames from Richmond to HCP, arriving just as Henry VII did on his barge.

has anyone mentioned the new elizabethan garden at Kenilworth Castle?

the idea is that it's based on the garden that Dudley had designed for Elizabeth when she came to visit.

ok, topping yet again...

ttt

The Inner Temple Gardens are to be opened on Sundays instead of just Mon to Fri.....really interesting place

http://www.timeout.com/london/around...ardens#details

my first reaction was "they are charging £3 to get in on sundays when during the week you can get in for free?" but then i saw it was for the NGS and there will be plant stalls, teas etc.

and the atmosphere of the Temple is something that should be experienced by everyone who visits London.

Hello Annhig.......I agree with what you say.....the area around the strand and Fleet Street is in my mind the most interesting in the whole of London.
I worked in that area for twenty years and whilst I hated my job I loved my lunch hours which were a constant stream of visits to old churches, roman ruins, buildings of note, famous pubs, obscure museums, old fashioned alley ways, hidden gardens, homes of the famous,theatres, book shops, etc.
A visit to the Temple is like stepping back in time...so much history.
When I worked in a solicitors office in Lincolns Inn I had frequently to visit barristers chambers in all the Inns of Court but always found both the interior and exterior of the buildings in the Temple to be fascinating. In some cases the interiors were like a"crazy house" you would find at funfairs.The stairs and landings, with the passage of time, would be all crooked and leaning in different directions.
Best pubs in London to be found in this area.
I dont live in London anymore but when I did I always got my tea at Twinings opposite the Law courts. I wonder if it is still there.Also an interesting pub nearby is the Deveraux. You could spend the night there if you had too much to drink. I wonder if they still let out rooms.......happy memories of my wanderings amidst the watering holes and historical sites around the Temple.

''(All we know for sure is that he was very active on the Cambridge road running past Audley End a couple of miles west.)''

That's my drive home from work every evening (can't face the M11 twice in one day!). I haven't run into Dick yet, but see Audley End every evening. Very picturesque - especially when they are playing cricket by the lake, or have the illuminated boat on the water. I also second the recommendations for Saffron Walden - a lovely town.

To bring this thread full circle, James Frain (who played Cromwell in The Tudors) grew up in the same town as me and was in the same school year. We both went to school out of town, and used to get the train in the mornings......

There is also a thread on slowtrav that may be of interest:

http://slowtalk.com/groupee/forums/a...873#3091066873

I know this post is old, but I have found it so helpful for planning my possible London trip. I hoping someone will be able to answer my question.

I would like to see the tombs of King Henry the VIII, his wives and his children. I know Ann is buried in the chapel that's part of the Tower of London, but I can't find anything on their website about the chapel. Is it possible to get into the Chapel of St. Peter ad Vincula and see the plaque?

Are King Henry and Jane Seymour's tombs accessible? Queen Elizabeth I??

Thanks for your help in advance!

Henry VIII and Jane Seymour are in St George's Chapel, Windsor, and Elizabeth I at Westminster Abbey:

http://www.findagrave.com/php/famous...e=pr&FSctf=257

Yes, you can easily go in St Peters ad Vincula.

YK, We were at FulhamPalace a few months ago. Very little remains of it's Tudor features but that said it is a lovely few hours away from the center of London. Very easy to get to on the bus , lovely walk along the Thames and some interesting exhibits inside the palace itself and the grounds would be lovely in spring and summer.

I have some pictues I'll see if I can post a link for your

Here is a link to a few pictures of Fulham, mostly of the grounds and nearby church

http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/..._photos_button

Should you find yerselves at Fulham Palace please make the short trip to St Mary's Church nearby (at the end of the bridge). It's where Cromwell's mob thrashed out the new constitution (known as the Putney Debates).

It's not a well known part of English history and deserves a few visitors (entrance is free - but it is a working church, so be prepared for services etc there, and stick a few bob in the poor box)

CW , is that the church in my pictures? It was at the end of the bridge but I thiught it was called All Saint's. Couldn't go in , a service was in progress and I didn't want the roof to fall in