Hampton Court Palace – History, Highlights and More

Hampton Court Palace is one of the most beautiful royal palaces, both inside and out. Now lovingly looked after by Historic Royal Palaces, it is a treasure-trove of beautiful objects, history and intrigue, and one of my very favourite palaces and castles in England.

Inside the Palace, history comes alive with rooms seemingly held still in time – the throne room awaits the arrival of the King, and a table is often set for an intimate dinner. The knowledgable staff at Hampton Court are often in costume and this makes visits especially interesting.

The History of the Palace

Hampton Court Palace was built by Cardinal Wolsey in 1514, around an existing Manor House. King Henry VIII confiscated the palace when Wolsey fell from grace, having failed to secure an annulment for the King so he could marry the ill-fated Anne Boleyn. It is said the King was playing tennis in the real tennis courts while she met her end at the Tower of London. Elizabeth 1 spent time here as a child, part of it under house arrest when her half-sister Mary was queen.

The Court of James I wintered here in 1603 to escape the plague in London and Hampton Court Palace was also the home of King Charles 1. Part of his time here was spent as a prisoner under house arrest before he was executed. Then Oliver Cromwell took up residence in this lavish palace, despite his puritanical nature. Later, Charles II would honeymoon at Hampton Court with his wife Catherine of Braganza, and then proceed to install his mistress here as well!

The court of William III and Mary II was perhaps the extravagant court to reside here. They asked Christopher Wren to redesign the castle, bringing it up to date and making it very luxurious indeed. They also arranged for the addition of many of the gardens you can still see today.

It was Queen Victoria who first opened Hampton Court Palace to the public in 1838, as an act of generosity “to all her subjects”.

Hampton Court, Hollywood and Bridgerton

Hampton Court has also been used as a location for many movies including The Favourite, The Young Victoria and even Pirates of the Caribbean! More recently, both Bridgerton and Queen Charlotte were filmed here with Fountain Court (above) used as one of the locations.

Stepping Back In Time

History truly comes alive at Hampton Court. I especially love climbing The King’s Staircase designed by Italian painter Antonio Verrio. The walls and ceilings are covered with breathtaking baroque paintings – even a clever trompe l’oeil colonnade.

At the top, you step into the Guard Chamber, its walls dramatically lined with weaponry. This room and its guards once protected the king as he held court and received visitors in the nearby Throne Room. Each room in the apartments is lavish, with crimson silk-lined walls, intricate carvings and priceless works of art. It’s easy to picture the apartments filled with a finely dressed, bustling court of favourites and courtiers.

The Queen’s apartments are equally spectacular. This is a photograph of the Queen’s Drawing Room, featuring magnificent painted decorations also by Antonio Verrio.

Of course no visit to Hampton Court would be complete without a brush with the palace’s ghostly legends. Said to be haunted by a number of spirits, including Jane Seymour and Catherine Howard, Hampton Court’s warm and welcoming atmosphere belies its spooky reputation. I have visited many times and never seen or felt anything remotely strange, but plenty of others have.

An Evening At Hampton Court Palace

In June 2023 my husband and I attended a dinner and concert at Hampton Court. We drank champagne in the Watching Chamber and then went into the Great Hall to enjoy a three course silver service dinner.

It was amazing to enjoy such a beautiful dinner in such a historic room. Not only has it been in use as a dining room for hundreds of years, Shakespeare and his troop “The King’s Men” performed A Midsummer Night’s Dream here in 1603. After dinner we went out to the courtyard to enjoy a concert by Bjorn Again, the Abba tribute band. The modern music was a real contrast to the historic surroundings!

Things To Do At Hampton Court Palace

There is so much to discover at Hampton Court Palace. You can explore the King’s Staircase, William III’s state rooms and private apartments, the Tudor and Wolsey Rooms, Cardinal Wolsey’s Closet, the Council Chamber, and the beautifully restored Chapel Royal, home to Anne Boleyn’s Book of Hours. Don’t miss the magnificent Great Hall and the famously eerie Haunted Gallery and Processional Route. Art lovers will enjoy the Cumberland Art Gallery, home to masterpieces by Rembrandt, Caravaggio, and van Dyck. You can even learn about Real Tennis, Henry VIII’s favourite game. In my experience, there’s always something new to see, no matter how many times I visit.

The Gardens

Nestled on the banks of the Thames, Hampton Court Palace is set in 60 acres of wonderful gardens. From the Kitchen Garden to the spectacular Pond Garden and Rose Garden, there really is something for everyone. If you enjoy walking, there are also over 750 acres of parkland set within a loop of the River Thames.

Every year, Hampton Court Palace hosts the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival with celebrity demonstrations, floral displays, a floral marquee and more. This year the festival runs from 1st to 6th July (the first two days are open to RHS members only). You require a separate ticket to visit the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival.

Henry VIII’s Tudor Kitchens

Be sure to visit the historic kitchens where Tudor feasts were once prepared — they managed to feed around 600 people twice a day. All of Henry VIII’s grand banquets were cooked here. When I see the limited tools and facilities the cooks had at their disposal, I am in awe of how they managed to do it!

At certain times, you can also explore the recently restored Chocolate Kitchen, built by Christopher Wren around 1690. The space was dedicated to preparing chocolate for William III and Queen Mary II. In those days, chocolate was served as a luxurious drink, an expensive luxury only the wealthy could afford, so having your own personal Chocolate Kitchen really was something else. Chocolate was prepared for the King and Queen every morning for them to have with their breakfast, although the King was said to enjoy it throughout the day too!

Visiting Hampton Court Palace with Children

As I mentioned before, there are often costumed guides roaming the castle, and many of them are great fun. On one occasion, I chatted to “King Henry VIII” for quite some time. He told me all about what life was like in the castle was like when he lived there, and how it has changed over the years. It was a fascinating conversation. although I refrained from enquiring about his wives.

There are family trails and audio guides to help make the visit more fun for kids and Hampton Court also boasts an extensive hedge maze.

In my experience, children also enjoy the Tudor kitchens.

The Magic Garden, with its mythical beasts, battlements, towers and a secret grotto is well worth a visit, but do check it is open before you go. It’s a very popular attraction at Hampton Court Palace, and you may have to queue for entry.

Dining at Hampton Court Palace

The Tiltyard Café or Privy Kitchen Café are great places for a family lunch or more substantial snack.

Ice creams and refreshments are available from The Magic Garden Kiosk in the Magic Garden during weekends, school holidays and half terms. The Wilderness Kiosk also serves snacks during half terms and school holidays. Opening times vary and the kiosks may close if the weather is poor. Ice cream carts are sometimes scattered around the grounds in the warmer weather.

You are also welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy in the gardens, although you may have to store larger bags in the lockers provided if you wish to tour the Palace.

Hotels Near Hampton Court Palace

We often stay in a local hotel near Hampton Court to make the most of our visit. Located outside the palace, overlooking the famous Maze, The Kings Arms Hotel is very comfortable and friendly. The rooms are small but well designed and the staff are friendly and welcoming.

When we are looking for a touch of luxury, our favourite place to stay is The Mitre, located just across the road from the palace gates. Parts of the building date from as early as 1655, and its beautifully appointed rooms are full of charm. Each one has a unique name that hints at the hotel’s storied past. Most recently we stayed in “The Playwrite’s Den” suite, which really comfortable and had a lot of character. If you are feeling in need of refreshment, you can sip a cocktail or enjoy a meal on the AIX Terrace, or dine indoors overlooking the Thames in their aptly named 1665 Brasserie. Their Coppernose Café is a great place for light bite or coffee and The Mitre also offers a traditional afternoon tea.

Visiting Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace is located on the River Thames to the southwest of London and is accessible by boat, car, train, bus or underground. Visit the Historic Royal Palaces website for more information including opening hours. It’s a good idea to buy your tickets in advance to avoid the queues.

This post shares my honest opinions and the advice I would give to friends. Nothing was gifted and we paid all our own expenses. Information is correct to the best of my knowledge at the time of writing, but details like opening hours, prices and availability can change. Please check official websites directly before making plans; I can’t be responsible for changes or individual experiences.