Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace was, among others things, the childhood home of Queen Victoria and home of King George and Queen Mary (first and only truly joint monarchy). 

Kings Staircase.

Not the best women fashion.

The ceilings are always the best.

There was an exhibition of Princess Diana's fashion.

Queen Victoria's doll house

The exact place where Victoria first laid eyes on Albert.

Buckingham Palace

Last weekend I got a ticket to visit Buckingham Palace (the gallery, mews and state rooms). I got there a bit early (you have timed entry) so stopped for a cup of tea and something to eat. It turned out to be the most expensive cup and tea and biscuits I have ever had. And the biscuits weren't even very big!

The gallery is nice but I am just not that into historical art. Especially as I had no idea why I was looking at Venetian art at an English palace.

Some of the sketches of the theatre parts were interesting.

You are supposed to spend about 1 hr 15 mins around the gallery. I was bored within 10 mins. Though it took another 5 mins to find the way out.

The next stop was the Royal Mews. Which apparently doesn't actually house any horses. There are the carriages, though they all looked the same to me and the numbers on the information had no relation to the numbers on the audio guide. 

The only one with real information was the jubilee carriage. From what I can gather, most of it is made from old material but is newly built.

Jubilee carriage.

Distinct lack of horses

The only horses were plastic!

The main carriage (the name I forgot) was very dramatic, and I think used for the coronations.

A lot of gold leaf.

Neptune.

I managed to spend about 20 mins there before I ran out of things to do and had a while before my next entry so went for lunch before the state rooms. 

On entry they had 3 metal detector to get about 250 people through every 15 minutes. So chaos. 

Once I got in, it was better. You can't take any photos inside, but it was the only bit worth seeing. Though I would have liked some more information about what was going on. 

From the gardens.

Overall it was a giant disappointment. Windsor was so much better, with more information and much better organisation. 

Through the garden on the way.

The day was not helped by mass chaos at the tube so it took me ages to get home on the overground. Hoping this weekend will be better. I'm back in the centre of London but this time on a food tour. :)

Hampton Court

On Sunday we headed to Hampton Court, which is just down the road from me. It was the end of half term down here so there were people in costumes and various little events around the palace. 

Music

And Dancers

The great hall

:(

Playing the lute

Henry VIII

The palace was on one of Henry VIIIs haunts, as well as William III and a George (though I don't remember which one). And it's huge! We gave up on the audio guides. (I have a year pass now so will head back and do it in sections.)

GIANT fireplace

Paper decorations

And paper costumes.

Courtyard fountain.

Such a poser! :)

and for scale....

weapons.

Dangerous room

Tiny chair and giant canopy.

Painting.

Dad looking for wine in the wine fountain.

The gardens are also massive (going to have to head back with a picnic in better weather). The weather was nice but a bit cooler than the previous days. 

Main walkway

"Canal" which goes nowhere.

Palace from the back gardens.

The palace also has the largest vine in the world. Though taking a photo didn't work out so well.

It's huge. Trust me.

After dinner we had some fun. Dad loves doing face masks (mom, not so much but we convinced her). Dad wanted to try to black head peal-off one.

Applying.

Setting

Mom had great fun pealing off Dad's mask (which did not come off as easily as mine had last time I used it) and was a little disappointed she had not also picked a peal-off one.

After the masks can the eye care. They look unimpressed but honestly they love it! :)