England: The Mary Rose - A Tudor Tale 7868

We depart by coach from our central London pick-up point and depart for a visit to Hampton Court Palace. The building of the palace began in 1514 for Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, the chief minister of Henry VIII. In 1529, as Wolsey fell from favour, the cardinal gave the palace to the king to check his disgrace. The palace went on to become one of Henry’s most favoured residences; soon after acquiring the property, he arranged for it to be enlarged so it could accommodate his sizeable retinue of courtiers. In later years it was much extended, in various architectural styles, but at its heart it remains Tudor, and symbolic of the enormous power that dynasty wielded.
We continue to our hotel in Winchester.

After breakfast we head for Portsmouth for a visit to the Historic Dockyard, home to the Mary Rose. Built between 1510-1511 she was for many years Henry VIII’s favourite warship, fast, well-armed and successful. She sank, not on her maiden voyage as Blue Presenter Sarah Greene mistakenly informed the nation, but on a fine summer day in 1545 as she sailed into action against the French fleet, with Henry VIII watching aghast from Southsea Castle. The raising of the Mary Rose and her subsequent restoration was a remarkable achievement, while the collection of some 19,700 genuine Tudor artefacts is unparalleled and provides an invaluable insight into 16th century life. Our visit begins with an exclusive one-hour talk on the relationship between Henry VIII and the Mary Rose. One of the first things Henry did as King was order the ship and she sank two years before his death in 1545. We will discover how the life of the Mary Rose and the tumultuous reign of King Henry VIII were intertwined throughout that time. We then enjoy a live tour of the museum by a knowledgeable member of the Mary Rose team, who will provide us with a unique insight into some of the most interesting items in the collection. There will then be free time for lunch (not included) and should you wish there will be an opportunity to view the adjacent HMS Victory, the Royal Navy’s most famous warship (admission not included).
Our afternoon visit takes us to Southampton and the Tudor House and Garden. This Grade 1 listed half-timbered building dates to Norman times and was established as Southampton’s first museum in 1912. In the 16th century it was extended and developed by Sir John Dawtrey, a major landowner, MP and Sheriff. He received large sums of money from Henry VIII to supply food for the navy and to help in the defences of the town. Money was also provided for the building, fitting out and provisioning of ships – including The Mary Rose. The house is home to an eclectic range of artefacts, covering 800 years of history, while the garden is a recreation of a Tudor knot garden.
We return to our hotel.

This morning we head east along the south coast to the Sussex town of Lewes where we find Anne of Cleve’s House. This stunning timber-framed medieval house was given to Anne, the fourth wife of Henry VIII, at the end of her short-lived marriage, although she never lived there. Nevertheless, it provides great insight into the Tudor period with well-preserved interiors including a Tudor kitchen, a light and airy parlour and a beautiful bedroom complete with four poster bed. We will learn about Sussex life in days gone by through a fascinating collection of historic domestic artefacts, then stroll through the garden, which is inspired by a traditional Tudor planting scheme and includes herbs, shrubs and fruit trees appropriate to the period.
Next we visit Arundel Castle. Set high on a hill, its aspect gifts it with spectacular views across the South Downs and the River Arun. It has been home to the Dukes of Norfolk and their ancestors since its founding in the 11th century. In the Tudor period these included Lord Howard of Effingham, who with Sir Francis Drake repelled the Armada in 1588; the Earl of Surrey, the Tudor poet and courtier, and the 3rd Duke of Norfolk, uncle of Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, both of whom became wives of Henry VIII.
Later this afternoon we visit the Weald & Downland Open Air Museum which is set in 50 acres of beautiful Sussex countryside. There are over 50 historic buildings here dating from the 13th to the 19th century, many with period gardens. These buildings were rescued from destruction and were carefully dismantled, conserved and rebuilt to their original form. Exhibits include a Tudor kitchen and Tudor Market Hall; a majestic timber framed farmhouse from Kent; a medieval shop and carpenters, plumbers and brickmakers workshops. If the Court Barn looks familiar, you’ve probably seen it on the BBC’s The Repair Shop – though usually closed to the public we may be lucky enough to sneak a peek inside.
We return to the hotel in time for dinner.

This morning following breakfast we depart for home but en-route we still have time for one final visit, The Vyne, near Basingstoke. Originally built as a great Tudor ‘power house’, The Vyne was visited by Henry VIII on at least three occasions and was later home to the Chute family for more than 350 years. Dramatic improvements and changes have made The Vyne a fascinating microcosm of changing fads and fashions over five centuries. The house is filled with the original family collection – an eclectic mix of fine furniture, portraits, textiles and sculpture. The attractive gardens and grounds feature an ornamental lake, one of the earliest summerhouses in England and woodland walks. A newly developed wetlands area with a new bird hide attracts a wide diversity of wildlife. Lunch is available here (not included).
Following our visit we head for our original pick up point.