Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace is a historic royal palace on the River Thames in southwest London notable for its Tudor architecture and later Baroque additions. It was built in the early 16th century and became a principal royal residence of Henry VIII.

The palace displays large Tudor interiors such as the Great Hall and the surviving kitchen complex, as well as later state apartments and formal gardens laid out from the 17th century onwards; the maze and formal Privy Garden are popular with visitors. Guided tours and audio guides explain the palace’s use as a royal household and its architectural development.

Originally developed by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey and acquired by Henry VIII in the 1520s, the palace was modified and expanded by successive monarchs, including major Baroque rebuilding in the late 17th century. Its role shifted over time from an active royal residence to a historic site and public attraction.

The palace sits on the south bank of the Thames at Hampton Court in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, roughly 12 miles southwest of central London by road and rail.

• What to see: The palace includes intact Tudor state apartments and a large historic kitchen complex; combine a visit to both the house and gardens for a full experience.
• Location access: Located beside the River Thames in the London Borough of Richmond, it is accessible by rail and river services from central London.

What to See #

• Great Hall: A grand Tudor Great Hall built for Henry VIII with a large open timber roof and original medieval features on display.
• Historic Kitchens: Extensive Tudor kitchens from the early 16th century that are conserved and open to the public, showing historic cooking and service arrangements.
• Gardens and Maze: Formal palace gardens, including the Privy Garden and surrounding parkland, and a historic hedge maze that dates to the late 17th century.