When you think of English history, you think of King Henry VIII. In my opinion, there is nowhere else in the London area that embodies Henry’s spirit, than at Hampton Court Palace. With a history that spans over 500 years, Hampton Court has seen kings and queens rise and fall and I truly believe it is one of England’s most spectacular royal residences. Whether you’re looking to explore the Tudors, the Georgians or even more recent royal history, Hampton Court Palace is an unforgettable destination.
History of Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court was originally built by Henry VIII’s Lord Chancellor, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, in the early 16th century. The plan was for it to be a country house for Wolsey, where he could entertain both the King and other important guests. Wolsey invested quite a lot of money in the construction of the palace, which resulted in an impressive building. In fact, Henry VIII was so impressed with it, that he took it as a residence for himself!
Henry VIII at Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court is probably most famously associated with Henry VIII. Although only parts of the palace remain from his time, there is something about the imposing facade and grandiose interiors that represent the kind of monarch Henry was.
By the 1530s, Henry was occupying Hampton Court Palace and very much used it as a place to demonstrate his power and influence. Hampton Court Palace was believed to be his favourite royal residence and he travelled there with quiet the entourage. It is said that up to 800 courtiers would travel with Henry and that the kitchens had to serve each of them at least one meal per day.
Henry is well-known for his long list of wives (some of which suffered unfortunate fates) and another interesting fact about Hampton Court Palace is that all six of his wives have been there, including Anne Boleyn. Jane Seymour, widely believed to be Henry’s favourite wife, sadly passed away at Hampton Court Palace in 1537. Some say he never recovered.
Today, you can visit the remaining Tudor areas of the palace, which include the Great Hall and the Haunted Gallery and Processional Route. While you can no longer visit his private apartments, you can see the Chapel Royal, with the vaulted ceilings he installed in the 1530s. One of my favourite parts of the palace is Henry VIII’s Kitchens, which were busy keeping his entourage and guests well fed. Inside you’ll see examples of Tudor food and find the roaring fires where 1.3 million logs burned every year.
William and Mary Apartments
The State Apartments would have been where official business took place and includes rooms such as the Presence Chamber, the Eating Room, the Privy Chamber and the Great Bed Chamber. These grand rooms are fitting for a monarch that wanted to make an impression. What I found most interesting though was the Private Apartments, which were much more humble. This is where the monarchs would have actually lived and gives an interesting insight into the daily life of the King and Queen.
The Georgians at Hampton Court
The Georgian period began in England 1714 would last 116 years. The Georgians had a significant influence on the shaping of the country and Hampton Court Palace continued to play a key role in the reign of the monarchy earlier in the period, particularly for King George II and Queen Caroline. They often entertained here in the summertime as Prince and Princess and when George II took to the throne in 1727 it remained a place they spent a lot of time. There were impressive additions made to the palace during this time, including the Queen’s Staircase, which Queen Caroline had designed by architect William Kent. I can only imagine what the Georgian balls would have been like to attend and it’s fascinating to walk through the rooms where they would have taken place.
Recent Royal History at Hampton Court Palace
In 1737, King George II decided he didn’t want to use Hampton Court as a royal residence anymore. At this point, the palace turned to grace and favour apartments, which are properties owned by the Monarch that are leased to individuals (usually rent-free) often as a result of a service they have provided to the nation. These apartments were granted by the monarch up until the 1960s, although a few residents still live at Hampton Court (imagine!).
Hampton Court was first opened to the public by Queen Victoria in 1839 and became a popular 19th century tourist destination. Today it remains a popular historical attraction and an iconic English landmark.
Visiting Hampton Court Palace Today
If you want to immerse yourself in English history, there is really no place like Hampton Court. The palace is quite interactive, which makes for a lot of fun. For example, you are able to put on Tudor-style robes for walking around and it’s common to run into actors throughout the palace (you may even see Henry VIII himself!). As well as the inside of the palace, there are also beautiful gardens to explore outside. Here, you can take a walk through the Maze, which is the oldest surviving UK hedge maze. There’s often fun events on at Hampton Court as well, so I would recommend checking out the list of events here before your visit.
Hampton Court also has some amazing gift shops, which you’ll find located throughout the palace. If (like me) you love a good historical souvenir, this is definitely the place to go shopping!
Key Information for Visiting Hampton Court Palace
1. How do you get to Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court Palace is located just outside of London and takes about 45 minutes to reach by public transport. There is no underground station at Hampton Court, so you need to either take the overground train, or the bus from one of the nearest tube stops.
The easiest route is to take the overground train from London Waterloo station to Hampton Court station, as trains depart twice every hour. From the station, it’s about a 10-minute walk to the palace.
2. When is it open?
During the summer period, Hampton Court is usually open from 10:00 to 17:30 (with last admissions being at 16:30). Hours can differ in the winter months, so I recommend checking the up to date opening times here before your visit.
3. How much does a ticket cost to Hampton Court Palace?
Entrance costs about £26 for an adult or £13 for a child. I would also recommend checking out the up to date tickets prices here before your visit.
4. How long does it take to explore Hampton Court Palace?
5. What monarchs lived at Hampton Court?
The most famous (or infamous) monarch to use Hampton Court as a royal residence was King Henry VIII. Over the years the palace was also used by Queen Mary I (also known as ‘Bloody Mary’, herself and her husband King Philip II of Spain had their honeymoon there), King James I, King Charles I, King Charles II, King William and Queen Mary as well as King George II.
6. What other historical things are there to do nearby?
The Hampton area is beautiful and worth exploring if you have time. There are some great pubs and shops to explore not far from the palace. And of course, you are only 45 minutes from central London, where there are endless historical things to explore. To help you narrow it down (especially if it’s your first visit to London) you can check out 10 Historical Things to do in London, England.
This article’s information was last updated in October 2022.