Hampton Court Palace ★☆☆
The royal palace so nice Henry VIII honeymooned here twice—and then three times, and four, and five...
What began as a 13th century farm for the Crusader order of the Knights Hospitalers of St. John was later rented to courtiers.
Cardinal Wolsey acquired it, and the favors of King Henry VIII—for a while. Wolsey was the king's chief minister and closest advisor right up until he refused to help Henry get a divorce from Katherine of Aragon (Henry's first wife).
Between that betrayal, and the fact that he lived a life here that was more extravagant than the king's, Henry VIII eventually took Hampton Court (and another Wolsey palace at York) from the now-disgraced Cardinal.
Henry VIII spent the modern equivalent of £18 million ($35 million) expanding Hampton Court in the 1520 and 30s into the vast Tudor pile we know and love today. It was built in a harmonious blend of late Perpendicular Gothic and early Renaissance styles, partly expanded yet again in a baroque style by William III, with magnificent grounds and sumptuous royal apartments, banqueting halls, kitchens, and chapels.
William and Mary hired Renaissance master architect Christopher Wren to redo the east and south facades in 1689–1700.
The last king to use it as a residence was George II.
Queen Victoria fixed the place up and opened Hampton Court to the public in 1838.
The Royal Apartments and Great Hall
Much of the palace is given over to interpreting the life and times of its most famous resident, King Henry VIII. Highlights include The Chapel Royal, with its sumptuous ceiling and modern replica of Henry VIII's crown (recreated in 2007–12 using period tools and materials based on its appearance in period paintings; the original was disassembled and melted down by Oliver Cromwell in 1649).
Under the hammer-beamed roof of Henry VIII's tapestry-spangled Great Hall, during the Christmas season of 1603–04, Shakespeare and his theatrical troupe known as "The King's Men" preformed for the court of King James I.
Not that Hampton Court is all-Tudor-all-the-time.
Charles I's agent Daniel Nys went on a buying spree in Italy in 1629, shipping home tons of Renaissance master paintings that now make up the core of the Royal Collection. Many of these are now the pride of the palace's Cumberland Gallery (see below), but the amazing The Triumphs of Caesar (1485–1506), a cycle of nine large canvases painted by Andrea Mantegna for Duke Francesco II Gonzaga, are displayed in the Lower Orangery, which recreates the room in which they originally hung in Mantova.
Then there are the 17th century State Apartments of William III, filled with ornate carved wood and paintings by Verrio, many on the theme of "William the Protestant Ousted Those Nasty Catholic Pretenders and Now All Is Well Again in Britain." (Not an official title, but might as well be.) In William III's private apartments, the paintings were hung in ropes so he could swap them around with ease. All those on display were known favorites toward the end of his life, and are hung as they would have been around the year 1700.
The Kitchens
The Tudor-era kitchens were designed to feed 600 at a single sitting—they went through 1,240 oxen, 8.200 sheep, 2,330 deer, 760 calves, 1,870 pigs, 53 wild boar, and 600,000 gallons of beer each year. It remains in operation (at least at the height of tourist season), roasting meat by the open fire from April through August.
The Georgian royal Chocolate Kitchen, built in 1689 for William and Mary, is the only one of its kind to survive in the world. It had been lost for centuries and only reopened in 2014.
The Cumberland Art Gallery
The Royal Collection—installed in the recently restored, royal-blue Georgian apartment known as Kenty's Cumberland Suite—houses works by many Old Masters, including:
- Rembrandt's Self-Portrait in a Flat Cap (1642)
- Caravaggio's A Boy Peeling Fruit (c.1592-3), a simple scene and very early work by the Italian master of chiaroscuro, playing with light and shadow.
- Artemisia Gentileschi's Self-portrait as the Allegory of Painting (c.1638-9), one of the few 17th century self-portraits of a female artist, painted by one of the few notable female artists of that era, a contemporary of Caravaggio's.
- Hans Holbein the Younger's Portrait of Sir Henry Guildford (1527), a classically insightful take on the Comptroller of Henry VIII's household.
- Hans Holbein the Younger's Portrait of Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk (c.1539), decked out in lynx-lined silks.
- Thomas Gainsborough's Diana and Actaeon (c1785-8), a rare mythological scene of loose brushwork that surprisingly foreshadows Cézanne and Renoir.
- Anthony van Dyck's Portrait of Mary, Princess Royal and later Princess of Orange (c.1637), the then-six-year-old daughter of Charles I. Her son, William III of Orange, would launch the "Glorious Revolution" to overthrow his mother's brother (who was also his wife's father, because that's how royalty rolls), the Catholic King James.
- Canaletto's Venice: The Grand Canal with the Scalzi and S. Simeone Piccolo (c.1726-7) by this popular 18th century master of Venetian landscapes (canalscapes?)
Also in the palace is the Mantegna Gallery, housing the The Triumphs of Caesar, nine amazing High Renaissance works by Italian master of perspective Andrea Mantegna, painted in the 1480s and brought here in 1629.
The Gardens and maze
Hampton Court's 66 acres of formal grounds contain everything from William III's Privy Garden, designed in 1702, to Britain's oldest hedge maze, created around 1700, to a 20th century garden done in a modern, informal style.
An army of 30 full-time gardeners plus another 12 specialists keep things humming.
Check out the Tiltyard Walls, angled to that various rare shrubs and plants could survive in the microclimates created by soaking them in sun or shade as required, the adjacent kitchen garden, and the Great Vine, planted by "Capability" Brown in 1768. This is counted as "the world's largest productive vine" by the Guinness Book of Records, and still producing sweet grapes (available after the early September harvest at the gift shop).
The gardens are also renowned for their daffodils, which usually peak the last two weeks of March.
Beyond the formal semicircle of plantings at the palace's east entrance stretches the 750-acre Home Park, a deer park of ponds and trees, long avenues and the descendants of the royal herd of fallow deer nibbling the grasses.
Tickets
Hop on a train from London to Hampton Court Palace, and visit the most well-known home of infamous Henry VIII. On this Hampton Court Tour, led by a local British historian, we will both appreciate the opulence and historical significance found throughout the grounds. Together, we will inspect the impressive Tudor frontage, the Great Hall, with its remarkable hammer-beam roof, and the huge kitchens that were once used to cook meals for over 1,000 people. We will also be able to see vestiges of several of Henry VIII's six queens, further informing our understanding of the history of the place—Catherine of Aragon’s symbol, the pomegranate, can be seen above a door frame, Jane Seymour’s arms decorate a ceiling, and it is in the Great Watching Chamber that Catherine Howard’s adultery was announced, leading to her execution.
- Hampton Court Tour led by a British History expert.
- Small groups - No more than six people.
- Examines the impressive Hampton Court, as well as the history of Henry VIII and other memorable residents
- Great for families
Hampton Court Tour
On the tour, while we will discuss Henry VIII and the Tudor palace, we will also discover that there is much more to glean about British history by visiting Hampton Court. We'll start our tour by disembarking the train and crossing the River Thames, where we will discuss the importance of the river to monarchs over the centuries. Upon entering the palace, our discussion will move to how, in 1236, the Knights Hospitallers of St. John Jerusalem acquired the Manor of Hampton and used it as a grange, or center, for their agricultural estates before it was leased in 1508 to Cardinal Wolsey, Henry VIII’s Chief Minister. Wolsey carried out vast building works and turned the manor into a magnificent palace; as such, we will discuss both his architectural innovations and his life.
" Our guide's knowledge of history kept us all captivated. It felt like reading a book you didn’t want to put down."
A Royal Residence
In the late 1600s, Hampton Court was adopted by the joint monarchs, William III and Mary II. They hired the great Baroque architect Sir Christopher Wren (the subject of our Christopher Wren Churches Tour) to rebuild the King’s and Queen’s Apartments. We will see the rooms that they used for public ceremonies as well as for private moments. while discussing the functions of these rooms and the daily lives of the monarchs who used them.
Royal Opulence
The Prince and Princess of Wales, the future George II and Queen Caroline, also lived at Hampton Court and redecorated the apartments using fashionable architect and interior designer William Kent. On our travels through the apartments, we will also see great works of art from the Royal Collection, including paintings, precious sixteenth-century tapestries, and the Renaissance masterpiece by Mantegna, "The Triumphs of Caesar."
To The Gardens
Then we will move onward to the gardens, where we will discuss the history from the Tudors to today and wander through the many different areas, from the formal gardens to the orchard, from the 200-year-old Great Vine to the Rose Garden, as well as to the site of Henry VIII’s tiltyard where tournaments were held. At the end, if you still have the energy, you might like to get lost in Hampton Court’s famous maze.
Looking for more royal splendor? Try our Tower of London Tour.
For private tours we can organize a bike excursion to Hampton Court and a lesson of Real Tennis at the Royal Tennis Court. Please ask our office for more info.
FAQ
Where do we meet? Where does it end?
The walk begins at Hampton Court station and ends inside the palace grounds. Your confirmation email will have the exact meeting point details along with a map, and emergency phone number. Hampton Court is very easy to get to by train. South West Trains run direct from London Waterloo to Hampton Court. The journey only takes 35 minutes.
Can I take pictures?
Yes, photography and/or filming is permitted in all areas of the palace with the exception of the Chapel Royal, Royal Pew and Cumberland Art Gallery.
Is this tour good for kids?
Yes! We have some excellent family friendly docents who can appeal to the learning styles of children. Please book privately if you have children under 13. Feel free to provide us with information about your children such as favorite school subjects, and hobbies. This way we can match you with the best possible docent.
Will you pre-purchase tickets?
We pre-purchase tickets to Hampton Court. Your docent will have them on hand.
What if it’s raining?
Tours operate rain or shine, but in the case of inclement weather, your docent will modify the tour so more time is spent indoors. It never hurts to have an umbrella on hand.
Is Hampton Court accessible?
Hampton Court Palace is an historic building and, therefore, has uneven surfaces. We therefore recommend that wheelchair users bring their own wheelchair for comfort and ease. Most of the routes within the palace are accessible to visitors unable to climb stairs as there is a lift to take visitors to the State Apartments on the first floor. Staff and docents will be happy to help. However, many of the staircases are wide and shallow (having been built for William III who was asthmatic).
Is this a walking intensive tour?
The walk is at a leisurely pace. There are occasional opportunities to sit, use the restroom, and get something to drink if needed.
Travel independently by train from London Paddington to Windsor & Eton Central or London Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside for your morning visit (we suggest departing at around 8:45am to get the most of your day; journey to Windsor at own expense). Either station is only a short walk to the Castle entrance.
After your morning visit, take the lunchtime Shuttle to Hampton Court Palace which will deliver you to the main entrance.
Leaving Windsor Castle (visit at own expense), the medieval castle favored by reining monarchs since the 11th century you will take the short and direct Shuttle ride to Hampton Court Palace. Your journey follows the River Thames where passengers will see several notable sites.
Soon after leaving Windsor you will be driven through Runnymede where the Magna Carta was signed by King John in 1215. This riverside meadow is recognized as one of the most important events in English history as it marked the road to individual freedom, parliamentary democracy and to the supremacy of law. Today the Magna Carta is commemorated by a monument donated by the American Bar Association. Alongside the Magna Carta monument stands the John F Kennedy memorial opened by the Queen in 1965.
Approaching Hampton Court Palace you pass several Victorian reservoirs constructed to supply water to London and its surrounding suburbs, as well as passing the riverside home of David Garrick an 18th Century actor, playwright and theatrical producer. You also observe the Temple which he constructed to commemorate the genius of William Shakespeare. Finally you pass the former home of Sir Christopher Wren, the architect who is famously associated with the design of St. Paul's Cathedral in London.
The Shuttle arrives immediately outside the main entrance to Hampton Court Palace approximately 30 minutes after leaving Windsor Castle. Visit to Hampton Court Palace at own expense.
Hampton Court Palace has much to offer visitors; discover the magnificence of Henry VIII's favorite royal residence. Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the bustling Base Court and marvel at the breath-taking grandeur of Henry's State Rooms. Tickle your taste buds in the vast Tudor kitchens, stroll through over 60 acres of enchanting gardens, lose yourself in the famous maze and appreciate the beauty of one of the greatest palaces on earth.
East Molesey which is just a short walk over Hampton Court bridge on your way to the railway station which has an abundance of shops, restaurants and pubs which visitors may wish to visit before returning to their final destination later in the day at their own pace. Return to London by train from Hampton Court Station which is only a short walk across the bridge.
The morning begins with a private tour of Hampton Court before it opens to the public. An expert State Apartment Warden will give a unique insight to the waking palace taking the group through the tranquil gardens and into the courtyards and cloisters of the magnificent Tudor palace once the favourite residence of Henry VIII. The tour of Hampton Court Palace will include some courtyards and cloisters not accessible to the public during the day as well as the fascinating Tudor Kitchens where Henry’s banquets were prepared.
The most famous prehistoric monument in the world. Stonehenge stands alone in the vast empty tract of Salisbury plain. Its origins date back nearly 5,000 years. Who were the people who carried and carved these 40 ton rocks? Come and unlock the secrets for yourself. Then you will have time to enjoy a picnic style lunch at the new Visitors Centre restaurant.
Finally head for the Georgian city of Bath. Bath is a beautiful Georgian city with delightful crescents, terraces and architecture. Following our scenic drive into the heart of the city and a short walking tour with your guide, there is free time to explore. Perhaps visit the Roman Baths that were built nearly 2,000 years ago, visit Bath Abbey or simply treat yourself to an afternoon tea in one of the many quaint tea houses.
Following your Hampton Court Palace visit, hop aboard your shuttle service at 12:15pm or 1:45pm, and relax on your 35-minute journey along the Thames River to Windsor Castle.
Along the way, pass Victorian reservoirs constructed to supply water to London and see the riverside home of 18th-century actor, playwright, and theatrical producer David Garrick. As you approach Windsor, drive through Runnymede — where the Magna Carta was signed by King John in 1215.
Arrive into the center of Windsor, then head onward independently to visit Windsor Castle (own expense) — the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world, and one of the official residences of the Queen.
See where King Henry VIII wooed his many wives with fast-track entry to Hampton Court Palace. Even better, by purchasing your ticket ahead of time you'll enjoy priority entrance. Don't waste time waiting in lines on vacation!
Flamboyant Henry VIII is most associated with this majestic palace, which he extended and developed after acquiring it in the 1520s. The palace's many royal occupants have ensured the palace has fabulous furnishings, tapestries and paintings. It is set in beautiful formal gardens, which include the famous maze and the Great Vine.
Hampton Court has a designated Family Room, where parents and young children are invited to take a rest from the bustle of the palace. The play equipment is suitable for children aged under five. Family Trails guiding children around the palace are available at the Information Center.
The palace is pushchair friendly and a lift is available if you'd like to access the upper floor without using the stairs.
Hampton Court is just half an hour from Central London by direct train and is a great place to spend a relaxing afternoon out of the city!
At least three hours is recommended for your visit to Hampton Court.
Do you want to visit more Royal sites?
Upgrade to the Royal Palaces Pass, including the Tower of London, Hampton Court and Kensington Palace. Your pass comprehends one visit to each attraction and is valid for two years. You'll have plenty of time to explore the stories and intrigues at each site at your leisure, as part of you own itinerary.
Special Offer - Save up to 14% on attraction admissions by booking the Royal Palaces Pass! Special applies to adult pricing only. - Book Now!
Book in advance and jump the queue at the Tower of London, Hampton Court and Kensington Palace. Don't waste time waiting in lines on vacation! Your pass is valid for one visit to each attraction and is valid for two years. You'll have plenty of time to explore the stories and intrigues at each site at your leisure, as part of your own itinerary.
Tower of London
Home to the Crown Jewels, the Tower of London reverberates with dark secrets, where priceless jewels glint in fortified vaults and pampered ravens strut the grounds. Founded by William the Conqueror in 1066, and enlarged and modified by successive sovereigns, the Tower of London is one of the world's most famous and spectacular fortresses. Discover its 900-year history as royal palace and fortress, prison and place of execution, mint, arsenal, menagerie and jewel house.
Hampton Court Palace
Flamboyant King Henry VIII developed this majestic palace after acquiring it in the 1520s. The palace has fabulous furnishings, tapestries and paintings, and is set in formal gardens, which include the famous maze and Great Vine.
Kensington Palace
Generations of royal women have shaped this stylish palace and elegant gardens, from Queen Mary to Victoria, and more recently, Diana, Princess of Wales. Today, the palace also houses a stunning collection of fashionable formal dress worn for state and royal occasions.
Leave London’s Victoria Station by comfortable coach for a short drive to Windsor, home to the royal family for 900 years and official residence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Windsor Castle's fortified walls dominate the delightful town that has grown up around it over the years (own expense). You will see the lavishly decorated State Apartments and St. George's Chapel.
Your host will show you to the entrance, leaving you for roughly two hours to explore independently and perhaps grab lunch (own expense).
In the afternoon, your tour continues to Hampton Court Palace in southwest London, approximately one hour away. With two hours to explore at leisure, you’ll learn all about the lives of famous monarchs who’ve lived in the palace like Henry VIII, plus admire the beautiful Tudor architecture and gardens. Lose yourself in the famous Hampton Court maze or relax with a coffee in the quaint Titlyard Café (own expense). Your tour returns to London Victoria by coach, where you’ll arrive in the early evening.
Take a scenic 3-hour bike ride around the beautiful grounds of Hampton Court Palace* with this fun guided tour along a gentle eight mile (13 km) route. Start exploring the stunning Royal Bushy Park, see where Eisenhower had his WWII base and look for deer that are direct descendants from ones bred by Henry VIII.
Stop by a local pub for some refreshments (not included) before cycling to the end of the Long Water, taking in the iconic view of Sir Christopher Wren's baroque masterpiece. Travelling alongside the River Thames, arrive at the Palace's grand riverside entrance and learn about the colourful history that dates back over 500 years.
The cycle ends close to the entrance for ease of access to the Palace or train station - a blissful trip out of the city.
*Please note: Entrance fee to the Palace is not included.
Private Guided Tour of Hampton Court Palace. Follow in the footsteps of King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth. Explore the magnificent rooms and see fantastic treasures and works of art. See the huge kitchens and try out the famous Hampton Court Maze!
Hampton Court Palace is one of the best days out imaginable. We meet you at either your hotel or mutually convenient station at around 9am then travel by private car to Hampton Court Palace, sat in a beautiful location on the River Thames.
With your ticket included, we would explore all that Hampton Court has to offer. Hampton Court is famous for being a home of King Henry VIII, and we will visit his massive royal kitchens and ancient Great Hall. Then we will visit the beautiful Chapel Royal before visiting The Cumberland Gallery, which is full of paintings by some of the leading artists in Europe such as Rembrandt and Caravaggio.
The palace has been lived in for centuries, and we can see more recent periods of royal residency including the magnificent state apartments of King William III and the chocolate kitchens.
Finally, Hampton Court is surrounded by some of the most beautiful gardens anywhere, and we can have a walk in the fresh air before visiting the world-famous Hampton Court Maze.
The tour will end with us returning by car back to our starting point.
This is a totally unrushed and bespoke tour, very different from the busy and quick coach tours.
These might include Hampton Court Palace
More toursTips
Expect to spend at least two to three hours here.
Also factor in another 90 minutes total to get out here and back, as it's nearly 40 minutes from central London by public transport.
Trains (www.southwesttrains.co.uk) leave four times an hour from London's Waterloo Station to Hampton Court.
The ride takes 36–38 minutes—or 30–32 minutes it you happen to catch the express (every other train), though this requries a change at Surbiton station.
Hampton Court is the last station within Zone 6, so Oyster Card pay-as-you-go cards are valid on this train—and Oyster's daily cap for Zone 6 is cheaper than the round-trip point-to-point tickets would be, so please use it!
If, instead of a cash balance, you happen to have a 7-day Travelcard on there good only for Zone 1–2 , you will have to pay extra for this trip. Either visit the ticket office at Waterloo to get the necessary Zone 3-6 add-on tickets (£1.50 off-peak, £2.80 peak) or just top the Oyster Card off with a bit of cash to cover the full ride (£3.10 off-peak, £5.10 peak; don't worry—any unused balance gets refunded when you turn in your Oyster Card at the end of your stay in London.)
The palace is just 200 yards from the station, across a bridge.
(Alternately, you can take the District Line Tube to Richmond station then hop the R68 bus from there. However, there is little reason to do this, as it takes longer.)
Cardinal Wolsey commissioned the first Real Tennis court at the palace between 1526 and 1529, and Henry VIII kept it when he moved in.
This is not the "lawn tennis" with which you are familiar. "Real Tennis" (or "Royal Tennis") is a bit like tennis crossed with racquetball, and ricocheting the ball off the walls is part of the play. The court about half again as long as that of a lawn tennis court, and the narrow openings of the spectator's galleries serve as sort of point-scoring goals.
While the club itself remains private, the tennis pros do offer introductory lessons for non-members.More info: Royaltenniscourt.com.
Given its location outside the city, and all there is to do here, some people opt to the spend the night either right on the property of Hampton Court Palace or just across the river. Here are my picks:
- The Lion Gate Mews [££] - Nine modern, self-catering apartments sleeping 2–6 on a little courtyard right beside the Lion Gate entrance to Hampton Court Palace, at the north end of the gardens. » book
- The Kings Arms [££] - Nine traditional hotel rooms—each on an Henry VIII theme and with lovely wooden beds—in a 1709 building flanking the other side of the the Lion Gate entrance to Hampton Court Palace, at the north end of the gardens. Lovely brick-walled dining room. » book
- Georgian House Apartment [£££] - A self-catering flat sleeping eight, with a private walled garden, converted from a kitchen outbuilding built in 1718 for George I, now rented out by The Landmark Trust (4-night minimum). » book
- Carlton Mitre Hotel [££] - Thirty-six spacious, four-star hotel rooms in an 1665 structure set right on the south bank of the Thames, overlooking the river and bridge over to Hampton Court Palace. » book
Henry VIII was keen to breed the world's largest war horses, and the results were the mighty Shire Horses. (I have ridden one that belongs to my cousin Brian; they are stupefingly massive, sort of like a Clydesdale on steroids.)
The descedents of these gargantian war horses pull a tram through gardens daily from July through September, and weekends from Easter though June and again in October.
