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Oldest surviving Tudor palace in England.
Travel through over 500 years of rich royal history as you explore the winding corridors, lavish State Apartments, expansive Tudor kitchens, immaculate 60 acre riverside gardens and mind-boggling maze that together form Hampton Court – the oldest surviving Tudor palace in England and one of Britain’s most glorious estates. From the early 1500s when King Henry VIII’s lavish re-decoration and extension transformed Cardinal Wolsey’s country seat into a palace more than fit for a king, through to 1996 when ferocious fires ripped through the King’s Apartments, Hampton Court has undergone a raft of changes reflected in the palace’s varied and stunning mix of Baroque and Tudor architecture.
In 1689 King William III commissioned Sir Christopher Wren to rebuild the palace. Lack of money and time prevented the total demolition of the building and Henry VIII’s Tudor palace remains to this day - a testimony to the estate’s original and most celebrated owner. For 200 years, Hampton Court formed the centre of court life, politics and national history, housing a number of reputable (and disreputable) guests including all of Henry VIII's six wives some of whom, it seems, have never left…
Watch out for the ghost of Henry’s fifth wife, Catherine Howard, who was charge with adultery and executed, but who is still said to float down the Haunted Gallery towards the door of the Royal Pew to plead with her husband for her life. As you wander around the famous Clock Court keep an eye out for the willowy ghostly form of Jane Seymour gliding over the cobbled courtyard and carrying a lit taper. Henry’s third and historically his favourite wife, died after giving birth to his only son, Edward.
The palace also houses one of the most important works of the Italian Renaissance - Andrea Mantegna's Triumphs of Caesar. This formidable sequence of nine paintings is on permanent display in the Lower Orangery.
No trip to Hampton Court is complete without a visit to the world’s oldest and largest vines, a stroll around the glorious formal and informal riverside gardens and a tour around the world-famous trapezoidal maze – part of William III's Wilderness Garden and the oldest surviving hedge maze still in use. A revolutionary audio installation brings the maze alive for visitors. Using fragments of music, snatches of laughter, the seductive rustling of fine silks and snatches of covert conversations the audio installation brings to life an age when the maze symbolised an opportunity for secrecy, subterfuge and seduction. Over a thousand self-generating sounds echo around the labyrinth ensuring no visit is ever the same.
Best for:
Henry VIII, Tudor and Baroque architecture, mazes, vines and Tudor kitchens.
Did you know?
Henry VIII’s palace kitchens occupied over 50 rooms - an area of 3000sq ft. Over 200 people worked in them, providing two meals a day for over 800 members of the court. |
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| Visiting Hampton Court Palace |
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Opening Times
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| Summer: End of Mar to Oct 10:00-18:00 | Winter: End of Oct to Mar 10:00-16:30 | Closed Dec 24-26 |
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Ticket Prices
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| £13.30 (Adults), £11.30 (Concs), £6.65 (Under 16s), £37 (Family) |
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Travel
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Railway Stations
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| Hampton Court Railway Station
(6 minutes)
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| Thames Ditton Railway Station
(24 minutes)
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Car Parking
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Alternative
Historic Buildings Near Hampton Court Palace |
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| London Sights and Attractions |
| Garrick's Temple to Shakespeare |
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Hampton Court Road,
Hampton,
Richmond upon Thames,
London,
TW12
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29 minutes distance from Hampton Court Palace
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| Octagonal 18th century temple located in idyllic grounds.
This extraordinary octagonal temple was commissioned by celebrated actor, dramatist and theatre manager, David Garrick (1717-1779) as a ...More...
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| London Sights and Attractions |
| Ham House |
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Ham,
Richmond-upon-Thames,
Richmond upon Thames,
London,
TW10
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2.9 miles distance from Hampton Court Palace
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| A total embodiment of 17th century fashion and power.
Perched on the edge of the River Thames, this 17th century Stuart mansion combines extensive formal ...More...
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Local
Sights and Attractions Near Hampton Court Palace |
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| London Sights and Attractions |
| Hampton Court Park / Home Park |
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Court Road,
East Molesey,
Surrey,
Elmbridge District,
London,
KT8
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0 minutes distance from Hampton Court Palace
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| This parkland comprises an open expanse of swaying grassland scattered with large oak trees. It covers an area of 750 acres and has remained ...More...
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Local
Event Near Hampton Court Palace |
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| London Event |
| Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink |
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Hampton Court Palace, Kingston-Upon-Thames,
Elmbridge District,
London,
KT8
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0 minutes distance from Hampton Court Palace
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| The striking Tudor façade of Hampton Court Palace provides a majestic backdrop to the open-air ice rink. It's a wonderfully traditional way to enjoy the...More...
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| London Event |
| Hampton Court Palace Flower Show |
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Hampton Court Palace, Kingston-Upon-Thames,
Elmbridge District,
London,
KT8
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0 minutes distance from Hampton Court Palace
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| Henry VIII built one of the finest gardens in the world at Hampton Court Palace, so it is only fitting that the world's largest horticultural...More...
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Local
Event Near Hampton Court Palace |
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| London Event |
| Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink |
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Hampton Court Palace,
Kingston-Upon-Thames,
Elmbridge District,
London,
KT8
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0 minutes distance from Hampton Court Palace
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| The striking Tudor façade of Hampton Court Palace provides a majestic backdrop to the open-air ice rink. It's a wonderfully traditional way to enjoy the ...More...
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Local
Leisure Near Hampton Court Palace |
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| London Leisure |
| Hampton Court, Tennis Courts |
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Hampton Court Way,
East Molesey,
Surrey,
Elmbridge District,
London,
KT8
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6 minutes distance from Hampton Court Palace
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| Set in 60 acres of beautiful gardens, Hampton Court charts the last 500 years of royal history from the time of Henry VIII. Not only ...More...
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Local
Pubs Near Hampton Court Palace |
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| London Pubs |
| King's Arms |
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2
Lion Gate,
Hampton Court Road,
Richmond upon Thames,
London,
KT8
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4 minutes distance from Hampton Court Palace
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| Once you have found your way out of the famous maze opposite, why not drop into this fine historic watering hole? It's a lovely old ...More...
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Local
Business Near Hampton Court Palace |
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| London Business |
| Hampton Court Palace |
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Hampton Court Palace,
Hampton Court,
Elmbridge District,
London,
KT8
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0 minutes distance from Hampton Court Palace
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| ...More...
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| London Business |
| The Liongate Hotel |
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Hampton Court Road,
Hampton Court,
East Molesey,
Richmond upon Thames,
London,
KT8
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4 minutes distance from Hampton Court Palace
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