Hampton Court Palace stepping back in time.

Hampton Court Palace, where does one begin? It is like stepping back in time. When I visited this incredible place, I was rather lucky, as I had a special one off tour given by my flatmate Fenella who had studied a degree in the History of Art. Having someone with that much knowledge was a privilege in itself.

What is the difference between a castle and a palace? A castle has fortifications with which to defend itself. Its primary function is military and defence; the motte and bailey being a prime example of defence against raids from the barbarians. The motte and bailey system was brought to England by William the Conquerer in 1066, when he wanted to assert his dominance in Britain.

What is the point of having a Palace? To have a Palace in a kingdom is an assertion of "soft power" and a proclamation of that nation's confidence in the security of its boarders. It is safe and strong and confident that it will not be attacked. Having a Palace is a sign of strength that the King does not need to be defended. It is also a statement of power to impress his noblemen and foreign dignitaries.

In such terms, Hampton Court Palace was Henry VIII showing off his immense wealth. Bearing in mind the Tudor grip on the monarchy was still very weak after the War of the Roses, this was Henry VIII's way of establishing himself as King.

When one enters a Palace one must bear in mind what it must have been like in all its glory and element. For instance you could not just stroll through to the beating heart of the Palace. That was sacred and only reserved for the royal family. In Hampton Court Palace there was an upstairs and downstairs. The upstairs was reserved for the Royal family and visiting noblemen. While the downstairs were for the servants who played a crucial role in the day to day running of the Palace.

My favourite room in the entire Palace, was the chocolate making room. You won't find it in the guide book of Hampton Court Palace as it is modern addition but it is tucked away in the courtyard and the smell that draws you're attention and leaves you craving a morsel!

The tour was very special as we went to spaces that no normal tourists even bothered to glance at. That was because of our clever expert did our thinking for us. As we were walking through the hallowed and ancient hall ways I asked her what draws people to Hampton Court palace and she immediately replied ghost stories.

When we were strolling casually through the large dark corridors, I could not help wonder were we really alone in these spooky corridors? Even the most level-headed of staff at the Palace mention areas where something is 'not as it should be'. On dark winter evenings one of the surveyors will not linger alone in a certain corner of Fountain Court, having often heard 'a slight rustle' at the point where Tudor stone merges with the Baroque Palace.

My favourite ghost story is the one I find most riveting. Workmen working late into the dark night have seen fleeting glimpses of unexplained figures and heard retreating footsteps, or struggled with unlocked doors which suddenly jam, as if they were being pulled by a mysterious force.

Luckily my friend and I had a lovely visit and escaped the notice of the resident spectres (or so we thought). In my opinion, the most striking feature of the Palace are the gardens as they are breathtaking to wander through. My favourite garden is the Privy Garden as it has a secret air of exclusivity about it. When one enters the Privy Garden you are alone in its beauty and you feel as if you are not alone but walking with Henry VIII in his private garden.

When one first visits Hampton Court Palace one gasps in amazement as it is truly extensive. It simply takes your breath away. There are so many different styles of architecture and quirky delights to wonder at, and for fans of eating and festivities the Tudor Great Hall is not to be missed!