Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court Palace
Experience the public dramas and private lives of Henry VIII, his wives and children in the world of the Tudor court. Admire Henry’s Great Hall and Tudor kitchens. Discover the spectacular baroque palace built for William III and Mary II and explore Hampton Court Palace’s outdoor spaces and 60 acres of magnificent gardens.
Hampton Court Palace was a royal residence from the 1520s when King Henry VIII took over its development from Cardinal Wolsey, and its many royal occupants over the years have granted the palace its stunning furnishings, tapestries, and paintings. Hampton Court Palace also contains an important part of the largest private collection of art in the world, the Royal Collection, which is the property of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. This collection is on full display and contains material from the 16th, 17th, and early 18th centuries.
In 1689, Sir Christopher Wren demolished large parts of the Tudor palace and began building a new palace for King William III and Queen Mary II, but by 1760, George III became king and abandoned Hampton Court as a royal residence. In 1838, Queen Victoria opened the gardens and state apartments to the public free of charge. It is no longer free (see ticket information) but is well worth a visit. The Hampton Court Palace estate includes 60 acres of formal gardens, requiring 200,000 flowering bulbs each year and another 40,000 plants grown in the nursery.
Closed Now!10:00 - 18:00
- Wednesday10:00 - 18:00
- Thursday10:00 - 18:00
- Friday10:00 - 18:00
- Saturday10:00 - 18:00
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