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London

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Why you can trust SCMP

1 Hampton Court Palace

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In 1514, Cardinal Wolsey began work on what he intended to be the largest private residence in England. Along the way he upset King Henry VIII and felt it prudent to hand over the house as a gift. Henry spared no expense in completing the construction and named it Hampton Court Palace. Five of his wives shared his luxurious home and the ghosts of two, Jane Seymour and Catherine Howard, are said to haunt the grounds. Tour the magnificent state apartments, explore the riverside gardens and lose yourself in the famous maze. The Hampton Court Palace Festival is a firm fixture on the summer social calendar. Entry: #12 adults ($170), #7.80 children (www.hamptoncourt.org.uk)

2 Kew Gardens

Richmond Lodge and Kew Palace formed the basis for the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, which opened to the public in 1841 (228 Kew Rd, Richmond; admission #7.50; www.kew.org).

Worth visiting in any season, the world heritage site contains more than 40,000 species of plant and 9,000 trees from all over the planet. Glasshouses contain an astonishing array of tropical plants, and nearby an 18th-century Chinese pagoda disorientates you further. Listed buildings and wildlife add to the gardens' atmosphere. Use the Kew Explorer, a hop-on, hop-off road train for an overview. Across from the park gates is the Maids of Honour Tearooms, which has been serving cakes and pastries since 1863.

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3 Renting a cabin cruiser

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