Whether you've learned about this famous palace from history texts, Shakespeare, or the Showtime series Tudors, one thing remains consistent about the Hampton Court Palace: it has seen scandal after scandal. When most people think of the palace, Henry VIII, his six wives, and 118 turbulent years of the Tudor dynasty come to mind; yet, you'll find more wonderful things about the palace than stories of Henry VIII. I recommend a picnic in the gardens, meandering in the maze, wandering through the elaborate palace and hearing the unbelievable palace stories from costumed guides. For any and every age, the palace has something fun and wonderful to offer.

Before visiting the Hampton Court Palace, consider what type of tour you're most interested in. Guides in costume lead tours through palace on a regular schedule. Children especially love getting to see the historical characters in person. No need to buy an extra ticket, just show up for a scheduled tour and join in. I tend to prefer touring the palace alone with an audio guide if want to take my time and hear more in-depth information about the palace.

The Hampton Court Palace consists of kitchens, the Great Hall, William III apartments, the Georgian Apartments, and the Chapel Royal. I was astonished to hear that the Tudor kitchens had at least 200 cooks, comprised of 55 rooms, and covered 3,000 square feet. I was also amazed to hear about some of the famous residents and guests of the Hampton Court Palace, including: "Bloody Mary" the queen who executed over 300 protestants, James I who commissioned the "King James Bible," and Charles II who had no fewer than 14 illegitimate children.

My favorite stories come from King Henry's wives—whose ghosts are rumored to haunt the castle. After twenty years of happy marriage, Henry and with his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, had failed to produce a male heir. Henry began having affairs with court attendants and eventually fell in love Anne Boleyn, an attendant who refused to sleep with him unless he married her. Seeing as he was already married to Queen Catherine and divorce was illegal at the time, such this was a pretty tall order. But old Henry persevered. After a seven year battle and excommunication for the pope, Henry VIII had the Church of England verify his annulment to Queen Catherine and was free to Mary Anne Boleyn.

After only 3 years, Henry VIII heard false rumors of Anne Boleyn's adultery, incest, and plot to murder the King. She was taken from Hampton Court Palace to the London Tower and executed; look for her portrait in the gallery. Ten days after her execution, Henry VIII married Jane Seymour, his 3rd wife who gave birth to Henry's male heir, Edward, and died shortly thereafter.

After mourning, Henry remarried but soon annulled his marriage to Anne of Cleves because he found her utterly unattractive. Sixteen day later, Henry married Kathryn Howard, a young girl who found the fat, gouty, and aging king decidedly unattractive so she had affairs outside of her marriage. The king ordered her executed and then married his 6th and final wife, Katherine Parr, who outlived him and remarried after his death.

Getting able to actually walk through the palace and explore the grounds will bring you closer to the long legacy of the Tudor Dynasty, King Henry VIII's madness and the rich history of this area. There's no better way to learn the stories than by experiencing them in person. Take time to wander the extensive gardens and bring some snacks for a picnic. If you want to follow the Tudor legacy further, you can continue your historical journey in one of the many London castles and palaces.