Only one of two of Henry VIII’s Palaces still to survive, you’ll find Hampton Court Palace on a bend in the Thames some 11 miles west of London.
Built for Cardinal Thomas Wolsey in 1514, the King acquired it in 1529 to compliment a growing number of royal residences that stretched from Richmond to Greenwich. He vastly extended the Palace (although not quite on the scale of Whitehall) and further large additions were made by King William III in the 1600s. Today Hampton Court Palace presents the face of an imposing Tudor building on three sides, with a far more delicate baroque frontage at the rear which overlooks the extensive formal gardens – rather a surprise when you see it for the first time!
Contained inside Hampton Court Palace’s walls are at least half a day’s worth of attractions including the private chambers of Henry VIII and William III (the former containing impressive tapestries while the latter has spectacular friezes on the walls and ceilings) and, mostly surprisingly, the Tudor kitchens. Occupying an entire range running almost the entire length of the Palace, these facilities would put the largest five star hotels to shame – conspicuous consumption doesn’t quite cover it! As you walk around it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that you might meet members of Henry VIII’s Court, or perhaps even the King himself…
As well as the indoor attractions, Hampton Court Palace also boasts extensive gardens. There’s an enormous formal Tudor garden as well as some smaller ornamental examples, an area of large walkways leading to a lake lined with clipped yew trees and of course the famous maze, which isn’t looking quite at its best given that we’re entering the autumn season.
Tickets for entry are priced at £16.95 for adults, £8.50 for children and concessions at £14.30. This venue should definitely be on the to-do list of international visitors, and if you’re a Londoner it has lots to offer you too…
About Pete Stean
