The ladies of Huntingdon, Cambrige and Bedford know a thing or two about dressing up and to cater to their needs the shops of Anne Furbank in the village of Buckden offer expensive clothing, tastefully arranged in a series of elegant showrooms next to the George Hotel.

Across the road from the George sits Buckden Palace in whose tower the hapless Katharine of Aragon was incarcerated from 1533 to 1534 when her husband Henry VIII sought to find a solution to his marital problems.  A walled knot garden is kept locked but if you knock at the door of the main house they will hand you the golden key allowing Joy and me to enter this special place wherein is planted a pomegranate tree in honour of the Spanish Queen.

A pot of mint tea in George Hotel completed an enchanting morning.  We will return to walk in the steps of Queen Katherine and explore the Palace and it’s grounds.