My British Holidays – Hampton Court Palace
I have spent quite a bit of time in London and never fail to be fascinated by how much there is to see and do. It is quite difficult to pin any one thing down as my favorite thing to do in the city but on our recent holiday I discovered a very strong contender. Maybe it’s because I am a fan of British history and an even bigger fan of The Tudors, but I found Hampton Court Palace to be one of the most beautiful places in London.
Yes, it’s the history – Hampton Court Palace was the home England’s most famous (and infamous) monarch, King Henry VIII – but it’s also the architecture and glorious gardens which make a day spent here, well worth your time. Located in the London Borough of Richmond, it meant a tube ride from our location in West Kensington and a thirty minute bus ride from Richmond station, but well worth the journey. The travel time is another good reason for you to give yourself a full day at Hampton Court palace; we did not, and I regret that now but I had no idea I would get so immersed in its charm.
If you are not familiar with Hampton Court Palace, the most helpful piece of information to know is that there are actually two different parts of the palace: the original palace built for Henry VIII and the addition designed by Christopher Wren for King William III.
I’m going to use photos to tell the story of this day because there are some fantastic ones. (I would recommend clicking on the photos to view them full size. This post doesn’t do them justice.)
Gates at Hampton Court Palace
Entrance to Henry VIII's Hampton Court Palace
Courtyard inside Hampton Court Palace
The Great Hall
The amazing hammer-beam ceiling of the Great Hall
About the Great Hall:
It was built by Henry VIII for Anne Boleyn and is the last medieval Great Hall left in the world. It was a photo of this hall that I saw online which was the motivation behind my visit. It did not disappoint. These shots were taken, I’m embarrassed to say, through very misty eyes.
The King's Fleet
King Henry VIII
Catherine of Aragon
Anne Boleyn
Ol' Henry in the flesh
Rose garden
A lovely place for a sit down
Front of Christopher Wren's addition
Courtyard
Staircase in William III addition
Mural on staircase
Ceiling mural
Side garden of Wren addition
Gorgeous!
Sculptured garden
Another sculptured garden
At a loss for words? I know the feeling. When asked what I enjoyed the most about our holidays in the U.K., Hampton Court Palace tops my list.
How breathtakingly beautiful, the history, the architecture, the lushness of the gardens, another place in time, preserved for all to salivate over.
Thank you for sharing, it’s such a rare treat to have a fly on the wall look, inside these old treasures of England.
Comment by Josephine — August 4, 2010 @ 5:45 pm
Simply gorgeous! I hope to get a chance to see it for myself someday
Lovely post and I learned a lot too ! Always a bonus !
Comment by Hanna — August 4, 2010 @ 5:46 pm
How I LOVE Hampton Court!! The architecture, the gardens, Cardinal Wolsey, such a treasurer trove of history.
Your photos are beautiful. I went there ten years ago, and I would really like to go back there some in the not too distant future.
Comment by Melanie — August 4, 2010 @ 7:24 pm
Hampton Court is only 30 minutes away from my home in England and holds a very special place in my heart. Love it!
Comment by Limey — August 4, 2010 @ 7:34 pm
Thank you for posting this! wow
Stephen Fry was just talking about Henry VIII on QI.
Oh to be in England!
Comment by Dean Measor — August 4, 2010 @ 11:33 pm
Great photos and descriptions. Are you sure about the great hall being the last medieval hall? Westminster Central Hall and the great hall at Penshurst Place are contenders.
One area of Hampton Court that I love are the restored Tudor kitchens which are best visited in cold weather when they have the great fires burning in the kitchen hearths.
Another tip I would suggest is making a complete day of it by visting the nearby Kew Gardens which are the most important botanical gardens in Britain.
Comment by Bill P — August 5, 2010 @ 6:30 pm
Sorry, I should have added “built for an English king.”
Comment by smittenbybritain — August 5, 2010 @ 8:00 pm
Hampton Court was the very first place Tony took me to right after I first moved to England to be with him. It’s his favourite place, too! We visited several times after that. It’s not too far from [what was] his parents’ favourite restaurant, La Vecchia Roma. Oh my, I must have eaten there a hundred times in the 18 months I lived there.
On our way back now tomorrow, for good. Wonder where our first Day Out will be this time? I don’t care because I love them all.
Comment by Denise LeCroy — August 7, 2010 @ 11:38 am
The chapel at HCP is one of my absolute favourite spots on this earth. It’s too bad they don’t allow photography inside!
Comment by Lisa — August 8, 2010 @ 5:07 pm
I can understand completely – I also loved Hampton Court Palace. I had several of those “oh my gosh I can’t believe I’m actually here!” moments on my visit. I must say that I was completely fascinated by the big clock as well…..I still blather on about it to anyone who will listen. Which gives me an idea for a blog post…..
Comment by Valerie — August 16, 2010 @ 4:17 pm
Wow I have never been to Hampton Court Palace. I absolutely love historic buildings. I remember when I was young I would spend minutes staring at old coins and pictures from the past my family thought I was just going through a phase but I still enjoy history as much now as I did then so thank you I will visit Hampton Court Palace.
Comment by Carolyn Harris@Isle of Wight Accommodation — August 28, 2010 @ 12:47 pm