Insights and behind the scenes from our palaces
Protecting wildlife and their habitat at Home Park
22 November 2024
Park Ranger Eleanor Evetts explores the importance of nature conservation efforts at Home Park at Hampton Court Palace.
The Extravagant Funeral of Henry VIII
16 February 2024
Curator of Historic Buildings Alden Gregory explores the elaborate hearse created to mark Henry VIII’s death, and how it links to the King’s use of temporary architecture during his life.
Saving our Baroque Box Hedging at Hampton Court Palace
15 February 2024
Senior Gardener Amy Borthwick explains a new 'Box Battle' going on deep within the Privy Garden of Hampton Court Palace, and the plans to save it.
The King’s Favourite: George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
01 February 2024
In the ruthless world of the Stuart court, royal favour was everything. No one knew this better than George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, whose rise to power was built on the love and patronage of James I.
Elizabeth I: History's Healthiest Monarch?
15 January 2024
Elizabeth I was top of the Tudor tree when it came to health and fitness. Always a resourceful woman, she chased away ‘melancholy’ with a whole host of entertaining pursuits.
The Wedding of Captain Scott and Kathleen Bruce at Hampton Court Palace
04 January 2024
Assistant Curator Minette Butler explores how Captain Scott's wedding to his beloved wife Kathleen Bruce at Hampton Court Palace intertwines with the aftermath of his ill-fated expedition to reach the South Pole.
A Short History of the Jewel House at the Tower of London
11 December 2023
Tom Drysdale, Archivist and Curator of Architectural Drawings at the Tower of London, explores the fascinating history of the world-famous Crown Jewels exhibition.
A Christmas Pudding Recipe with a Victorian twist
06 December 2023
Richard Fitch, Historic Kitchens Manager at Historic Royal Palaces, reimagines a Victorian recipe that you can make at home just before Christmas day.
400 Years of William Shakespeare at Hampton Court
06 November 2023
On 8 November 1623, John Heminges and Henry Condell, completed the collected works of William Shakespeare – now known as the ‘First Folio’. Here, we explore how this period was brought to life at Hampton Court Palace this summer, using research into the playwright’s palace connections.
A Year in the Life of a New Yeoman Warder
27 October 2023
By tradition, only 422 people have ever held the role of Yeoman Warder at the Tower of London. Here, Yeoman Warder Simon Towe, who joined the ranks of the Yeoman Body in November 2022, shares an eventful first year in his new life.