Hampton Court Palace, alongside St James’ Palace, is one of only two surviving royal residences once owned by the king.

Steeped in history, it’s alive year-round with attractions. I visited in June on a sunny, quiet day, which made exploring its grand rooms and gardens feel almost like we had the palace to ourselves.

Today, DOYOUSPEAKLONDON takes you back to the era when Hampton Court was home to Henry VIII.

Hampton Court Palace on Thames

Hampton Court Palace is now a Grade I listed royal palace located in Richmond, south west of central London on the River Thames. 

Stepping into Hampton Court Palace truly feels like stepping back in time. I visited with my family, and we were thrilled to see history come alive, comparing what we’d read in books with the sights and stories unfolding before us.

The visit takes you through Henry VIII’s apartments, the Great Hall, the kitchens, and the gardens. Everything is so well presented that even the under-13s stay fascinated. History has never been this fun!

Hampton Court Palace history

The palace originally belonged to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, Henry VIII’s chief minister, who began building it in 1514. He spared no expense, creating a palace grand enough to host not just the king and his court, but monarchs from all over Europe. Basically, the ultimate royal party pad!

But in 1529, Wolsey fell from favour and handed the palace over to the king, trying to save face. Henry VIII then turned Hampton Court into a dazzling show of wealth and power.

Think lavish banquets, extravagant court life, and priceless works of art everywhere you looked!

In the following century, King William III did massive rebuilding and expansion work, which was intended to rival the Palace of Versailles.

This caused to destroy much of the Tudor palace, leaving the place in two distinct contrasting architectural styles, domestic Tudor and Baroque.

Finally, in 1838, Queen Victoria threw open the doors, making Hampton Court Palace accessible to the public.

Hampton Court highlights

The Great Hall

Hampton Court’s Great Hall has seen it all:
In 1603, Shakespeare’s King’s Men performed Hamlet and Macbeth for King James I;
In 1647, Charles I was placed under house arrest here, attempting a failed escape through the Privy Garden before his execution in 1649.
During the Commonwealth, Cromwell made the palace his home. Despite his Puritan leanings, he appreciated fine art, including the tapestries that still adorn the hall today.

The royal Kitchens

The kitchens are vast, built to feed up to 800 courtiers accompanying Henry VIII. Because a proper royal feast was serious business!

It was fascinating to hear the Hampton Court guides reveal the intricate organisation behind the palace kitchens.

It was astonishing to learn that, back in the day, the kitchens operated like a well-oiled food factory, producing up to 1,600 meals a day!

The royal apartments

Hampton Court Palace still showcases an impressive collection of furniture and art, giving visitors a vivid sense of what life was like in the age of kings.

Exploring its grand halls, kitchens, and gardens, you can almost feel the echoes of royal footsteps, and maybe even imagine yourself at a lavish banquet or sneaking through the Privy Garden.

It’s history brought to life, and a visit you won’t soon forget.

Here’s a glimpse of some of the rooms you can explore. There are plenty more to discover in person!

In particular, one room was explaining the meeting between Henri VIII and Francois I of France in 1520, called “the field of cloth of gold”.

It was absolutely thrilling to uncover all the fascinating details about this meeting!

The royal gardens

William III and Mary II crafted many of the Hampton Court Gardens’ most spectacular areas, perfectly complementing the palace they redesigned in grand Baroque style.

Visitors can stroll through the gardens and take in breathtaking views from every vantage point.

At the far end of the Pond Garden, visitors will discover a glasshouse housing the world-famous Great Vine, reputedly the oldest and largest vine in the world!

Hampton Court attractions throughout the seasons

I visited Hampton Court Palace in the summer, but it’s a stunning destination year-round.

With Halloween approaching, why not grab a special ticket to uncover the eerie stories and strange happenings that give the palace its spooky reputation?

In winter, you can glide across one of the country’s most picturesque ice rinks, as Hampton Court Ice Rink returns from 13 November!

With attractions running all year, there are countless ways to experience the palace in different seasons and settings. Check out the full programme online.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and found inspiration here. If you are about to visit Hampton Court Palace soon, please share your experience and opinion on DOYOUSPEAKLONDON’s blog!

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To go further:
Hampton Court Palace: Hampton Ct Way, Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9AU
Website

See my other recommendations for England getaways here.