What would the queen have thought?

I'm writing my blog entry today whilst sitting on a bank overlooking a big depression in the ground. This hole has the rather gruesome and intriguing name, Bloody Hollow. It is located in the grounds of one of Britain's important historic buildings, the Tudor palace, Hatfield House.

It was here that on November 17th 1558, the princess Elizabeth whilst sitting under an oak tree in the park, either eating an apple or reading a book, learnt that she was to be Queen of England. I bet that was quite a day!

When I was young visiting a historic building like a palace or castle involved a pricey guidebook, maybe a Walkman with a pre recorded tape and guides that were invariably over 65 and looked accusingly at anyone that might stand too close to a rope.

Nowadays things are very different. The tourist market has had a influence as has the escalating price of maintaining these attractions. Family attraction is now the buzz phrase; a great day out for all the family.

Bloody hollow, an old quarry, is now an adventure playground, currently surrounded by parents watching their children climb, swing and zip. A stones through away is the park farm a new attraction that also provides opportunities for tractor rides and a chance to feed a goat or sheep.

Located in the palace courtyard is the restaurant and obligatory gift shop. In addition there is a toy shop, garden shop, an olde sweet shoppe an art gallery and an antique shop to name just a few.

The place is quiet busy so all these attractions seem to be drawing in the public. The most interesting part, the historic house is closed on Tuesdays. So no one is here to see that, in fact judging my the crowds most are here for the bloody hollow adventure playground! You wouldn't even know the historic house was here!

I wonder what Queen Elizabeth I would have thought of all us commoners hanging out in her garden. I reckon like another famous English queen, she would not be amused!

Comments

  1. A N Other21 August 2012 at 18:07

    Mmmm Ed is no historian, Henry VIII was succeeded by his son Edward VI, but he died at 15 and they tried to get Lady Jane Grey as queen, just nine days then Mary Tudor became queen and was succeeded by Liz I!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ed Vogue21 August 2012 at 18:15

      A N Other. Thankyou for the correction I will revise the blog, obviously Elizabeth already knew that her dad had died in January the previous year.

      Delete
  2. A N Other22 August 2012 at 10:20

    Mmmm still problems as her Dad died some 11 years before! Perhaps Ed should have bought one of those shiny expensive guide books that are full of accurate facts.

    ReplyDelete

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