This week I spent a couple of days staying at the Leicester Arms Hotel in Penshurst, in order to visit Hever Castle (childhood home of Anne Boleyn, later given to Anne of Cleves) and Penshurst Place (where Henry VIII used to stay when he was visiting Mary Boleyn, and possibly Anne, later). I've wanted to visit Hever Castle for years, and both places were so worth the long journey. The surrounding countryside is so beautiful, and the weather was perfect.
I went with my sister, Julia, and writer friend Gemma Lawrence; if you haven't read her wonderful Tudor and other historical fiction, you really ought to. :)
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Hever Castle
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| In the 'morning room' |
Gemma knows more about the Tudor period than anyone I've ever met, so having her company around these places was such a treat, and made it all mean so much more—especially when she pointed out where such and such a scene in one of her books took place.
Probably the bedroom Anne and Mary slept in as children
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| Anne Boleyn's Book of Hours |
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The room in which Henry VIII would have stayed when he visited. Not all of it dates back to this period, but the ceiling is the oldest part; I liked looking up at it and thinking, this is what he would have seen....
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| The Long Gallery, created in 1506 by Thomas Boleyn |
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| Elizabeth Woodville |
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One of my favourite women of history, Margaret Beaufort |
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Henry before he ate all the pies
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| Henry VII |
The Rose Garden
Penshurst
Where the term 'the dole' comes from. 😉
Penshurst Place
The Baron's Hall, that dates back to 1341. Totally amazing, none of these rather crappy photos even begin to do it justice.
The Minstrels Gallery ~ imagine looking down from it, and seeing Anne dancing with Henry....
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| Anne Boleyn finally deigned to make an appearance :) |
Thank you, Terry, for these wonderful pictures and the blog post that makes me wish we were there again right now!
ReplyDeleteYes... as always, would be nice to have had one more day :)
DeleteBrings back happy memories. We visited earlier in the year, and I agree, they are well worth the long trip.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it, Linda! Would love to go again :)
DeleteAbsolutely LOVE seeing these photos! Looks like a wonderful visit. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lisette! Pretty damn amazing places.... just frustrating because I wanted to actually look back in time, too....!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos. Hever Castle has always been a place I've wanted to visit, will have to add Penshurst and Penshurst Place too!
ReplyDeleteOh, you must! And Penshurst is only about 10 miles away - the two of them made for a good day, though v tiring!
DeleteSuch a lovely place. It's seeing your photos and pictures of these wonderful historic houses that make me miss England. There's so much history. Of course there is here as well, but it's on a much smaller scale. I used to love visiting the stately homes of great historical figures when I was a child...sigh. I'd so like to do that again. Just beautiful, Terry. And great that Gemma could join you and Julia there too!
ReplyDeleteI know, there's something about it, isn't there? Thinking, that person actually stood here and saw this....
DeleteIt was more a case of Julia came along with Gemma and me, to be truthful - we'd talked about doing this one day, for some time, and then I asked Julia if she would like to come too - since she has been Gemma's proofreader for a while now!
I've long wanted to visit Hever. I did get there once, but so late in the day I only saw the outside. Must go back and do it properly.
ReplyDeleteYou should, it's so worth it - and do see Penshurst while you're there!
DeleteI am very fond of Penshurst Place which I visited frequently with my History class but I have still not been to Hever Castle! one day..
ReplyDeleteI hope you get there, and thanks for taking a look, Liz xx
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