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Britain: Family Vacation Idea- Experience the Romance and Royal Scandal of Tudor England.  Excitement and romance await visitors who dare to recapture one of history’s most notorious and fascinating time periods, Tudor England. The Other Boleyn Girl, the bestselling and beloved book by author Philippa Gregory, has been adapted for the silver screen for a new movie.
The Other Boleyn Girl is an engrossing and sensual tale of intrigue, romance and betrayal set against the backdrop of a defining moment in history. A peak into the exquisite opulence and intriguing history of the Tudor court will inspire travelers to plan royal getaways of their own. VisitBritain, the national tourist office for England, Scotland and Wales, shows travelers how they can follow in the footsteps of the Tudors and experience royal England.
A rich and compelling novel of love, sex and ambition, The Other Boleyn Girl introduces a woman of extraordinary determination and desire who lived at the heart of the most exciting and glamorous court in Europe. Offering a new twist based on historical facts, The Other Boleyn Girl depicts the intense rivalry between Anne and Mary Boleyn. The Other Boleyn Girl is the story of these two sisters who compete for the love of a powerful king. But this is no ordinary rivalry, for both Anne and Mary are pawns of their ruthless family, and neither will find happiness with Henry. While it is Anne who eventually wins the crown, it is Mary who will find real love in a destiny of her own making.
Visitors can begin reliving this intriguing time period in Kent, England. Follow in the footsteps of one of England’s most colorful monarchs in the anticipation of the 500th anniversary in 2009 of Henry VIII’s coronation as King. While discovering the charm and beauty of Kent that captivated the King so long ago, visitors should make a trip to where the romance between Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn first began.
Medieval Penshurst Place is where Henry VIII lived while he secretly courted Anne Boleyn. See the Great Hall in its exact form since Henry’s reign, with its awe-inspiring 60-foot high chestnut roof and an ancient hearth in the center of the hall that is still lit on special occasions. Take a stroll in the lovely gardens, where the parkland was extended by Sir Thomas Boleyn to cater to the King’s love of hunting ( www.penshurstplace.com)
Also in Kent is Dover Castle, one of the largest castles in England. It was expanded by King Henry when he faced the threat of invasion from France and Spain. Today, visitors can tour the Secret Wartime Tunnels beneath the castle that were first dug during Napoleonic Wars and were used during King Henry’s reign. ( www.english-heritage.org.uk)
Nearby, travelers can experience the romance of Hever Castle, the childhood home of the Boleyn girls. King Henry frequently visited the castle to pursue his “romantic interests.” Henry VIII first fell in love with Anne at court and visits to Hever soon followed. It is easy to see why this picturesque stone castle provided the perfect setting for the courtship between the King and Anne, with its charming moat and magnificent gardens. In the castle, visitors can see an exhibition on the life of Anne in the Tudor Long Gallery, as well as the bedroom where it is believed that Henry slept. ( www.hever-castle.co.uk)
Visitors looking for a regal night’s sleep in the countryside can venture into the quaint town of Gloucestershire in the west of England and overnight at Thornbury Castle, where King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn stayed for ten days in 1535.  Guests have the opportunity to stay in the Duke’s Bedchamber, where the King and his Queen actually slept. If they prefer a room with a view, guests can stay in the Gloucester Bedchamber and wake up to the beautiful landscape of the oldest Tudor gardens in England—the Privy Garden and the Goodly Garden. ( www.thornburycastle.co.uk)
Next, bring history back to life with a trip to the London suburbs and visit Hampton Court Palace, one of King Henry’s many homes. Set in 60 acres of world famous gardens, the palace is a living tapestry of Tudor history. From the elegance of the recently restored eighteenth-century Privy Garden, to the domestic reality of the Tudor Kitchens, visitors are taken back through the centuries to experience the Palace as it was when royalty was in residence. Travelers to Hampton Court Palace also have the opportunity to see the new and fascinating Young Henry VIII exhibition. ( www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace)
In London, one of the most important Gothic buildings in the country, Westminster Abbey, is where Anne Boleyn was crowned queen of England on May 29, 1533. The Abbey has been the coronation church since 1066 and is the final resting place of seventeen monarchs. Westminster Abbey, steeped in more than a thousand years of English history, proves to be a place of regal importance. ( www.westminster-abbey.org)
If travelers are interested in discovering more about England’s dark side, then they should make a trip to the infamous Tower of London, where Anne Boleyn was executed. With its stunning riverside backdrop, the Tower has been used as a prison, palace and place of execution, arsenal, mint and menagerie. Anne had been sent there by her husband, King Henry VIII, on charges of adultery, incest, witchcraft and high treason. She was fortunate enough to be afforded a private execution, which took place on the scaffolds at Tower Green. ( www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon)
While in London, travelers can have a true royal experience by staying opposite Buckingham Palace at the Rubens at the Palace hotel, in one of the eight specially-themed “Royal Rooms” honoring past British monarchs, including Henry VIII. The cultural heritage of their reigns and others is reflected in the design and luxurious furnishings to transport visitors back in time. Each room is unique, with some featuring crystal chandeliers and canopy beds. ( www.rubenshotel.com)
Visitors can find more information about these and other vacation ideas in Britain by visiting www.visitbritain.com/movies, by emailing travelinfo@visitbritain.org or by calling toll-free 1-800-462-2748.
Content provided by VisitBritain. Images by AL Nelson-Duac. Copyright 2009.
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