Hampton Court Palace

Henry VIII had many homes, but this one positively oozes historical drama. Shakespeare performed here and Cromwell made it his home after the Civil War. The ghost of Henry's fifth wife, Catherine Howard, who was executed for adultery at the Tower of London, is said to shriek around in the Haunted Gallery. Bluff King Hal is always a favourite monarch with children, who are fascinated by his large girth, eccentric ways and six wives, but although Henry VIII has a reputation as a tyrant, Hampton Court was for the most part a pleasure palace. Archaeologists recently found the remains of a wine fountain in the largest of the courtyards, and a lovingly crafted four-metre-tall reconstruction started serving wine from spring 2010. In Henry's time, there were tournaments and feasts, musical entertainment, plays, dances and more. The world famous gardens are truly wonderful, with the maze taking centre stage in any child's itinerary. It's the oldest in the country, having been planted between 1689 and 1694. The various Tudor and Baroque buildings sprawl across six acres, with costumed guides adding a lively dimension to the state apartments, courtyards and cloisters. Rooftop Tours are available to families with children of 12+, which must be booked in advance. They don't come cheap at £35 a head, but what teenager could resist a licensed clamber on such a huge roof?. Themed activities are plentiful during the school holidays, and on selected bank holidays and weekends Tudor cookery demonstrations take place in the huge kitchens, where children love the bubbling cauldrons and game bird carcasses.