Hampton Court Palace Guide

Hampton Court Palace Highlights

The Chapel Royal at Hampton Court Palace which has been in continuous use for over 450 years. The magnificent vaulted ceiling was installed by Henry VIII in 1535-6.

© Historic Royal Palaces/newsteam.co.uk

• Tudor Kitchens
  From 1529 the kitchens comprised 55 rooms, covered 3,000 sq ft, were staffed by 200 people providing 600 meals twice a day for the Royal court. What's more, King Henry VIII's court would have drunk an incredible 600 gallons of ale every year.
  See: Tudor Cookery information and events.
• Great Hall (Henry VIII's State Apartments)
  England's last and greatest medieval hall. This was the staff dining hall but was decorated with tapestries as visiting ambassadors would walk through to meet the King.
• The Chapel Royal
  A beautiful chapel in continuous use for over 450 years. When Cromwelllived at the palace he removed the ornate stained glass. (You can see where this would been if you use the access lift.) Queen Anne later put a wooden alter in front of the removed windows.
• Hampton Court Palace Gardens
  Relax in over 60 acres of beautiful gardens that run down to the River Thames, featuring sparkling fountains, glorious displays of over 200,000 flowering bulbs, and 750 acres of tranquil royal parkland. Look out for the Privy Garden -- King William III's garden restored to its 1702 glory, and The Maze -- the most visited attraction in the gardens with around 350,000 people getting lost in the maze every year. It takes an average 20 minutes to reach the center.
• Costumed Guided Tours
  Guided tours are included in your Hampton Court Palace Admission ticket. No need to book.
• The Triumphs of Caesar
  This set of paintings is one of the most famous in the whole history of European art. By Italian artist Andrea Mantegna, the paintings were purchased by King Charles I and brought to England in 1630.

  Official Website Links

  • Palace Daily Program
  • Palace Visit Planner
  • Top Ten Things to See and Do
  • Palace Highlights
  • Palace FAQs

• Hampton Court Palace Introduction
• Getting to Hampton Court Palace
• Hampton Court Palace Opening Hours
• Hampton Court Palace Ticket Information
• Hampton Court Palace Family Activities
• Hampton Court Palace Access Information
• Hampton Court Palace Highlights