Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace main gate

Hampton Court Palace is a royal palace in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Greater London. The British royal family have not lived there since the 18th century. The palace is 11.7 miles (18.8 km) south west of Charing Cross and upstream of Central London on the River Thames.

The palace was bought by the English monarchy in 1528. This was when Thomas Wolsey gave it to Henry VIII. It stayed a royal palace for the next 220 years. In its lifetime, it saw twelve monarchs on the throne, until George III stopped living in it after the death of his wife. There was a fire at Hampton Court in 1986. It is currently owned by Historic Royal Palaces, which also owns places like the Tower of London. It is open to the public. It has many gardens, and also has a maze.

Hampton Court Palace Media

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  Decorative Tudor brick chimneys at Hampton Court Palace

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  Thames riverside gate, now closed. August 2023.

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  Anne Boleyn's Gate. The Tudor gatehouse and astronomical clock, made for Henry VIII in 1540 (C on plan above). Two of the Renaissance bas reliefs by Giovanni da Maiano can be seen set into the brickwork.

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  An original Tudor roasting hearth in the Great Kitchens

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  Christopher Wren's south front (G on plan), built for William III and Mary II, viewed from the Privy Garden

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  The hammerbeam roof of the Great Hall of Hampton Court Palace

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  The Fountain Court designed by Sir Christopher Wren (E on plan): "Startling, as of simultaneous exposure to a great many eyes with raised eyebrows"

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  One of the sets of stairs at the main entrance

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  The Cartoon Gallery at Hampton Court