Ever fancied being welcomed into one of the grace and favour apartments of a great royal palace?

If you ever make it to Hampton Court Palace on a trip to our shores, there is a little known privilege which can take you to the heart of the life of a courtier.

Yes: if you plan visits to all of the Historic Royal Palaces, it pays to get a membership card. Extremely reasonably priced at £43 for an adult, this will admit you to the Tower of London, Hampton Court, the Banqueting House where Charles I was executed, Kew Palace and Kensington Palace.

But flash the card at Hampton Court and ask for the Member’s Room, and you will be directed to a small but perfectly furnished grace and favour apartment.

Members can eat, prepare hot drinks, meet to chat: or just curl up with a book in one of the most ancient seats of English power.

Should you be heading in the direction of the UK, details of membership are to be found here.