Log In
Register
Home
Topic RSS
2:54 pm
December 5, 2010
Offline
I was just thinking about my visit to Hampton Court in October. To be honest, I think Historic Royal Palaces have over-commersialised everything. For example, I found that the exhimbitions were all too simple, yet were so large in number. I think the historical atmosphere has been lost quite a lot since my last visit fives years ago. However, I stood for ages facinated by 'The Family of Henry VIII' which aroused some strage glances…
In comparison there are, in my opinion, better preserved historical places, I adored the atmosphere of Westminster Abbey which I hadn't visited for four years. There was a overwhelming sense of spiritual presense and I just started crying randomly in the middle of the Cloisters and then again in the Chapter House.
Any opinions? 
I wish to confess to you and tell you my secret, which is that I am no angel. -Queen Elizabeth I
4:11 pm
August 3, 2010
Offline
I see what you're both saying…but still, both places are (in my opinion) completely worth going to. Both lost some historical aspects, sure, but when I walked through the lovely English gardens at Hampton Court I closed my eyes and just imagined it was 500 years before…
"Grumble all you like, this is how it's going to be"
5:56 pm
December 5, 2010
Offline
I do love the places, I just think they overcharge ridiculously. I'd rather have them under the care of someone like English Heritage and just have a nice little coffee house and a gift shop. I think I'd prefer them to be kept simple, but to have the historical aspects intact. I found the audio guides and exhibitions all too much. I think I'd feel closer to the past without the, that's all.
I wish to confess to you and tell you my secret, which is that I am no angel. -Queen Elizabeth I
6:05 pm
November 18, 2010
Offline
It's been so long since I went to any of them. At least 15 years, and Before Kids…I dread to think how much they cost now to visit.
It's always bunnies.
8:34 pm
January 9, 2010
Offline
Probably an absolute bomb – and its coming up 15 years since I was last there too 
7:00 am
December 5, 2010
Offline
I adore English Heritage. They are all so simple, yet so beautiful. I don't see why people find them boring, it's a favourite hobby of mine. Just wish half of them wouldn't close in winter. One can get such a great historical conversation out of the tour guides too. And cheap!
I wish to confess to you and tell you my secret, which is that I am no angel. -Queen Elizabeth I
7:51 am
August 3, 2010
Offline
Oooh I agree about English Heritage/only little coffeeplace and giftshop, Bethany! It's gotten way too commercial and I also agree that I'd feel closer to the past-which is why we're there to begin with–if the audio tours and large, modern exhibits were nixed.
"Grumble all you like, this is how it's going to be"
10:20 pm
August 12, 2009
Offline
I agree with nixing the modern exhibits that you have to plod all the way through like a herd of cows. I disagree with cramming as much as possible into “wasted space”. I'd rather see things a bit more simple and less modern crowding, as that would give me more of a feeling I was stepping into the past.
"Don't knock at death's door.
Ring the bell and run. He hates that."
4:54 am
August 3, 2010
Offline
I agree, Carolyn. I think, in regard to the exhibits, even the most avid history fans get a little bored (so imagine all the semi-interested-in-history people…). That being said, I went to a good exhibit in Washington DC in November, which I liked merely because, here in the US, there isn't a ton of Tudor things like that off of the Internet. But in the country of Anne and the Tudors, the palaces can do better, I think.
"Grumble all you like, this is how it's going to be"
