The Magnificent Hampton Court Palace

So that it seems the ITV drama Downton Abbey has been causing quite a stir in the US and many other parts of the world. I guess the British brand still sells! So, in line with the public's new found fascination into the British history books, I will write a few posts about some of the must see destinations across the United Kingdom.

First up - Hampton Court Palace.

The 2 in 1 Palace: It is a Tudor palace, magnificently developed by Cardinal Wolsey and later Henry VIII, alongside a baroque palace built by William III and Mary II. 

 

Hampton Court Palace is a royal palace in the Greater London area. The palace is located 11.7 miles (18.8 km) south west of Charing Cross and upstream of Central London on the River Thames. It is easily accessible from London, getting the Southwest Trains trains from London Waterloo station. The journey only takes aound 35 minutes.

View Hampton Court Palace in a larger map

It is within the M25 and about 6 miles from the start of the M3 and about 8 miles from the start of the M4.  Look out for the brown attraction signs that direct you to Hampton Court Palace.

The Palace has not been inhabited by the British royal family since the 18th century. It was originally built for Cardinal Wolsey, a favourite of King Henry VIII, circa 1514; in 1529, as Wolsey fell from favour, the palace was passed to the King, who enlarged it.
  

Table set

Medieval cooking any one?

                                           
The following century, William III's massive rebuilding and expansion project intended to rival Versailles was begun. Work halted in 1694, leaving the palace in two distinct contrasting architectural styles, domestic Tudor and Baroque.   
  

Or do you prefer fine dining?

  
The palace's Home Park is the site of the annual Hampton Court Palace Festival and Hampton Court Palace Flower Show. Along with St. James's Palace, it is one of only two surviving palaces out of the many owned by Henry VIII.

Nowaydays, it is cared for by an independent charity, Historic Royal Palaces. Although the palaces it looks after are owned by The Queen on behalf of the nation, it depends solely on the support of visitors, members, donors, volunteers, sponsors. as it receives no funding from the Government or the Crown.

Click on the table for opening times:

Ticket and prices:

Your ticket includes access to the palace, maze and gardens, plus a multi-language audio guide, costumed guided tours, children's activity trails, entry to a living Tudor world, entry to the Young Henry VIII exhibition and much more!

There is also a maze only and a garden only option.

You can find more information (here).


For more information about the Palace, you can visit the Historic Royal Palaces (website).