This weekend I made a return visit to Hampton Court Palace.
I’ve said it before that I’m lucky to live so close to so many of London’s historic venues.
I walked through the portcullis at the West Gate to enter Base Court and happened to glance up at the ceiling and the above picture is what I saw.
Looking up at the ceiling became a feature of this visit.
The room housing the Henry VIII portrait by Hans Holbein in the Cumberland Art Gallery not only had a beautiful ceiling, it had a pretty impressive frieze.
In the Georgian apartments (below) there are wonderful trompe l’oeil effect ceilings that draw the eyes upwards.
The Great Hall of Henry VIII is covered by a hammer-beam roof. This space was used by Shakespeare’s company, who performed for King James I and VI Christmas and New Year 1603-4.
Below is the Great Watching Chamber’s ceiling in Henry VIII’s apartments, Hampton Court Palace.
Above is the stunning King’s Staircase by Italian artist Antonio Verrio, leading to William III’s apartments. Below is the Queen’s Staircase that is equally decorated.
Source:
Hampton Court Palace
Images author’s own
HistorianRuby: An Historian's Miscellany 
Those are really stunning photos! Incredible what money can buy, really.
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Lucky to get a splash of magnolia paint on mine 🙂
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That sounds cheery!
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Absolutely gorgeous photos! It’s been years since I was there.
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Thanks 🙂
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It’s good to take a new angle (literally and figuratively) to notice different features. I haven’t been here since I was about 20 which is not yesterday.
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I was suggested that I lie on the floor . . . I was quite happy leaning back.
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John has done that from time to time! Or his stomach for low shots. I’m not sure I would get up again – at least not with my dignity intact.
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That’s why I said no! 🙂
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😀
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Love the ceilings lots of work has gone into them and have never looked up when you walk in so that was a surprise, I will remember to look up to the ceilings more often.
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Those ceiling are just beautiful!! The craftsmanship!!! I watched the series The Tudors over the winter and the sets were supposed to be historically accurate but they didn’t do well showcasing the ceilings. Of course, nothing could compare to the real thing!!
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Absolutely stunning.
Just the other day, I was out with some friends and we realized that not many people often look up to see the ceiling. They can be so amazing, yet often end up being overlooked.
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🙂
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Wow some really amazing ceiling! Definitely need to visit! 🙂
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🙂
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