Hampton Court

Not the Palace, the one in Herefordshire. Semi-ruined it was bought in 1990s for 11 million by the archetypal rich American. He spent 10 years and 12 million on the restoration (not very suthentic!) but sadly died of a heart attack before moving in. Then bought by an elderly couple from Isle of Man who had nade their fortune from sweetie shops. They opened the fabulous garden and grounds to the public in 2000 and the house, very much like a Holywood set really, in 2009. The owner, very spry in his 80's, likes to wander round and see if everyone is having a good time - they were!