Hever Castle
Children will love this idyllic, fairy-tale little castle, set amid the rolling Kentish countryside. It’s all on a small-scale, too. You cross the drawbridge, under which huge carp swarm, to enter the perfect chocolate box castle, crammed full of Tudor artefacts and dummies in costume. There are also some painful-looking instruments of torture. The grounds are very child-friendly (just watch the children near the lake), with a chess board, jousting, rose garden and, sometimes, outdoor theatre. Super shops and cafes too; enjoy the cakes and feed the ducks. The church is also worth a visit, to see Thomas Boleyn's tomb and beautiful brass memorial. You can spend a day happily here, or just a few hours, soaking up the romantic atmosphere and imagining Henry wooing Anne Boleyn among the roses. Privately owned.
Hever Road, Hever, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7NG
http://www.hevercastle.co.uk/visit/opening-times-directions/
Hampton Court
Hampton Court Road, Molesley, East Molesley, KT8 9AU
http://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/
Dover Castle
Dramatic and windswept, Dover Castle’s geography serves as a reminder that it sits at the very tip of Henry VIII’s kingdom. Take the little train around the site, as the hills can be a bit of a climb, meaning you’ll only really have to walk back down hill. The keep is the main attraction, and although this has actually been restored to the time of Henry II, it is so impressive that it’s worth the visit for this alone. Be warned though, the steps into the keep are very steep and uneven, not for the vertiginous. You can just go into the ground floor if you prefer, via a wooden ramp, where displays of food preparation recreate the sense of a working kitchen. This is a site that takes you through all eras of time, right to the second world war exhibition and café. There are exciting underground tunnels that you can visit on a guided tour, although the combination of darkness and sound effects might be too much for the youngest guests. Don’t miss the beautiful little chapel, with its breath-taking interior and appreciate the wonderful views of the Channel. English Heritage.
Castle Hill Road, Dover CT16 1HU
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/dover-castle/
Hadleigh Castle
Often overlooked, Hadleigh Castle is a glorious ruin in a splendid location, overlooking the estuary in Essex. Free to visit and situated down a country lane next to a petting farm, it makes a great place for the children to roam around in warm weather. There are hills to climb, ruins to discover, wonderful views and, in the nearby country park, an Olympic bike track and iron age roundhouse. Parking can be tricky and turning is a definite challenge if you make it to the bottom of the lane, so the best place to park is at the farm and walk down. Likewise, there are no facilities at all at the castle, so food, drink and toilets are best used on the farm site. Or picnic among the ruins. Once you’re on top of the castle hill though, and it’s not too much of a climb, it’s like being on top of the world. Henry granted it to three of his wives and used timbers from its park to build his ships. English Heritage.
Castle Lane, Hadleigh SS7 2PP
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/hadleigh-castle/
Windsor Castle
Windsor SL4 INJ
https://www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/windsorcastle
https://www.windsorgreatpark.co.uk/en
Tower of London
Set on the Thames, in London’s east end, the Tower is one of the most significant historical locations of all time, let alone for Tudor events. From the prisoners who languished here, the executioner’s block, the dramatic entrances and exits, attacks and revolts, and as the departure point for every coronation, the Tower is an essential place to visit. There is plenty to keep the children busy and so much to see, but some of the towers have uneven steps, so be careful and wear sensible shoes. There is no parking but Tower Hill tube station sits almost opposite the entrance. See the Tudor graffiti carved in the stone work and the modern memorial on Tower Green, as well as the crown jewels and the little chapel of St Peter ad Vincula, where the headless were buried. The beefeaters and guides are happy to chat and answer questions. Count the ravens, but don’t take any home with you! Buy your tickets online in advance as the queues can be horrific. Historic Royal Palaces.
St Katharine’s and Wapping EC3N 4AB
http://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/visit-us/tickets-and-prices/#gs.M1gBmxs
Eltham Palace
A wonderful eclectic mix of the medieval and modern, Eltham Palace was Henry’s home as a child, along with his two sisters. Here, he was taught his lessons, and was visited by the humanist scholar Erasmus. Much of the interior was redecorated in the art deco style by the Courtauld family but the magnificent great hall, built by Henry’s grandfather, Edward IV, is still preserved in good condition with its hammer-beam ceiling and minstrels’ gallery. Explore the gardens too, especially the rock garden, which will delight children with its little streams and waterfalls feeding into the moat. There is an outdoor playground too and a greenhouse-style café. There’s a medieval dressing-up box and a place to leave buggies and prams, which aren’t allowed in the house. English Heritage.
Court Yard, Eltham, Greenwich, London SE9 5QE
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/eltham-palace-and-gardens/
Westminster Abbey
The location of Henry’s coronation with Catherine of Aragon, Westminster Abbey was part of the complex old Westminster Palace. Henry was familiar with the palace from his youth, until it burned down in 1513, and he sought another London base elsewhere. It is also the place where his father built the beautiful Lady Chapel, where Henry’s parents now lie entombed under a splendid Renaissance sculpture. Allow plenty of time to see all the royal and famous graves in the various side chapels, poets’ corner, museum, the crypt and the cloisters. Still a working church, you’ll have to fit your visit around services and beware of steps and dimly lit areas. The Abbey does not recommend visits from pre-school children.
London SW13 3PA
http://www.westminster-abbey.org/visit-us
Leeds Castle
Maidstone ME17 1PL
https://www.leeds-castle.com/home
Penshurst Place
A gem of a house set in the countryside outside Tunbridge Wells, Penshurst was used by Henry VIII as a hunting lodge, before he bestowed it on Anne of Cleves as part of her divorce settlement. After that, it passed into the hands of the Sidney family, who still own it today. The famous Elizabethan poet, Sir Philip Sidney, was born here. The house is lavishly decorated inside, capturing a sense of late medieval and Tudor life, especially in the atmospheric Baron’s Hall and crypt. The lovely pages’ room, long gallery and solar give a sense of the house through the ages, with lots to see. Children are well catered for with the adventure playground, maze, toy museum and woodland trail. There are also a couple of good eating places, serving full meals or snacks. Privately owned.
Penshurst, Tonbridge, Kent TN11 8DG
https://www.penshurstplace.com/
Look out for Amy's other booktour stops with great articles and more chances to win a copy of her book:
Amy has written for The Guardian, The TLS, The New Statesman, BBC History, The English Review, The Huffington Post, The London Magazine and other places. She has been interviewed regularly for BBC radio, including Woman's Hour, and made her TV debut in "The Real White Queen and her Rivals" documentary, for BBC2, in 2013. She also writes literary fiction and has been shortlisted twice for the Asham Award.
Her website can be found at amylicence.weebly.com/
Henry VIII is probably the most famous Tudor. He was a handsome, athletic young man; he never expected to become king and so was determined to enjoy his reign. Henry had six wives but could hate as passionately as he loved. He even had two wives executed. Henry surrounded himself with extraordinary men, including Cardinal Wolsey and Thomas Cromwell, and, during his reign, he changed religion forever in England. His son and daughters went on to be famous monarchs too.
Why did Henry have so many wives? Why was his reign so important?
Read the facts about Henry VIII in this book and make up your own mind.
Paperback: 42 pages
Age Range: 7 years and up
Publisher: MadeGlobal Publishing
Language: English
ISBN-10: 8494593749
ISBN-13: 978-8494593741
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2cCrWqG
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2iRqfGw