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Published: September 22nd 2010
Kensington Palace
This was where we discovered the stories of the 7 princesses.Hello Everyone!
We have visited different places each day these past few days, all of which have the letter P in them! Sunday, we visited Kensington Palace and Clink Prison Museum. Monday we went to Platform 9 3/4, and Tuesday we went to the Palace of Westminster and saw the Perfectly timed clock, Big Ben!
Sunday: One of the many palaces here in London is Kensington Palace, which is where 7 different princesses have lived. I am not sure what the palace is currently used for except for a tourist attraction, but I got the impression that it was used for something else as well, I just don't remember what it was. Anyway, this used to be a royal residence, and it is located near Hyde Park. There is currently an exhibit there that is about the 7 princesses who previously lived there. It was an interactive exhibit requiring the visitor to discover the names and stories of each of the 7 princesses. We received a map at the beginning of the self-guided tour through the palace, and a booklet that said a bit about each room and princess. The map showed the rooms that we would be walking
Clink Prison Museum
Ben with a ball and chain through, and each room had a title of its own. The rooms where we had to discover who the princess was were marked with a crown on the map. Some of the princess's stories were very sad, such as the princess who had a stillborn child and then died 5 hours later. Apparently, London ran out of black cloth because of all the mourning following that tragic event. Other princesses were presented joyously, such as the princess who loved collecting trinkets and items from all over the world. In each room that we had to discover the name of a princess, there was a book with a poem about the princess. Sometimes, it revealed the princess's name, and other times it just told us more about her story. The most recognizable name from the list of princesses that lived there was Princess Diana, who moved into the palace after marrying Prince Charles. It was a really fun exhibit because there was the aspect of discovery, but there were also actors and actresses walking around pretending to be working in the palace that we could talk to for more information. They were "experts" on the history of the palace and princess'
Clink Prison Museum
Oh no! My head is on an executioner's block! stories. Overall, it was very fun for me, and I think Ben found a few things to enjoy about it too. 😊 Oh, but of course they didn't let us take pictures... *rolls eyes*
After visiting Kensington Palace, we went to Clink Prison Museum, which I figured Ben would enjoy. Personally, I found it kind of scary and creepy, but it was interesting because we learned about the things they used to do to prisoners and the devices they used. We even got to hold and touch some; such as stocks, a ball and chain, and an executioner's block. We were able to take pictures here, so I have posted a couple for you to enjoy.
Monday: On Monday, we didn't want to do a whole lot since the previous few days were so busy. We decided to make a trip to King's Cross station to take pictures of ourselves at Platform 9 3/4! For those of you who are scratching your head right now, the platform is where Harry Potter got on the train to his school, Hogwarts. For those of you still scratching your head, google "Harry Potter". 😊 We took the tube to get there
Platform 9 3/4
Ben flying into the platform! (remember, that is the subway), and the station is rather large because many tube lines and the national rail all intersect here. After we found our way to the national rail station, we followed the signs to platforms 9 and 10. We walked all the way down platform 9 and didn't see it. So, we walked all of the way down platform 10, and still didn't see it. So, we decided to ask someone. There was a staff member that we walked past on our way down platform 10, so we decided to ask him. We walked up to him, and before we even said anything, he said "It's on platform 8" and smiled. We thanked him, thinking that it must have been so obvious that we were out of place! we made our way to platform 8, and found Platform 9 3/4 in a little nook on the side of platform 8, between platforms 8 and 9. That is not the right place for it to be! Anyway, we took pictures of each other mimicking Harry Potter. It was very fun, and totally worth it!
Tuesday: We finally made it to Westminster on Tuesday! It was so cool
Platform 9 3/4
I am gonna join Harry Potter! to see the sites that we have been looking forward to since we arrived in London! We bought our tickets for a tour the Houses of Parliament, which is also known as the Palace of Westminster. When you see pictures of London and Big Ben, this is the building that Big Ben is connected to! It was an official royal residence for 500 years, but now is used for governmental purposes. We learned a lot about the history of the palace, but also learned about their governmental system. They have two houses, sort of like the House of Representatives and the Senate for the United States, except that the houses each contain hundreds of people! The houses are called the House of Lords and the House of Commons. Anything that is approved by them must be signed by the Queen. Although it wasn't always that way. Anyway, after we got our tour of the Palace of Westminster, we took pictures outside of it and of Big Ben. The clock tower is so tall, and so elaborately decorated from bottom to top! The bell in the tower is actually "Big Ben" but obviously the tower has adopted the name over time
Big Ben
That's it! The real thing! as well. It was really neat to see the actual "Big Ben" that we have seen pictures of since we were kids!
Well, that's all for now! Miss you all very much!
Michelle and Ben
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anonymous
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Yay it is BIG Ben with 'Big Ben'!