Just as it always would have been, Hampton Court Palace is a large and thriving community. While now very few residents share it with its institutions and day visitor areas, the sense of a secret life beyond the public gaze survives – of doors leading to invisible staircases, of figures disappearing up a staircase with a briefcase or basket. The two Landmarks within the palace precincts (a self-contained eighteenth-century house and an apartment off Fish Court) allow us, on behalf of Historic Royal Palaces, to offer our visitors a chance to become part of this life, to go past the security barrier and make yourselves at home in a palace. You are free to explore the magnificent gardens and most of the courtyards early and late. You can visit the public rooms of the palace during opening hours as often as you like, and the friendliness of the palace staff will help you feel even more part of the scene. It will be an unforgettable experience.

The Georgian House is an imposing building just north of the palace. It looks like a garrison commander’s house, but was in fact a kitchen built in 1719 for George, Prince of Wales. Its near-twin at St James’s Palace is thought to be by Vanbrugh.

Later it became two houses, for the Clerk of Works and the Gardener. You can stay in the eastern one, with a private walled garden into which the morning sun shines. The main rooms are handsome, the attics have a fine view of the palace roofs, and in the kitchen is a huge blocked arch, once a royal cooking hearth.

Sleeps: 8