Hampton Court Palace and King Henry VIII

Hampton Court Palace, the great gatehouse

Hampton Court, a royal palace in Middlesex County, England, has been home to the British Royal Family since the 16th century. The palace is located on the banks of the River Thames. The palace was first developed by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey who was a close confident of King Henry VIII. In 1529 after a falling out with Wolsey, Henry VIII took over the property and began an elaborate building campaign. King Henry's court included over one thousand people and Hampton Court was expanded to accommodate all of them and then some. The palace became Henry VIII's principal residence.

The palace saw the dramatic events surrounding the King including the break of the Church of England from Rome and the 1534 Act of Supremacy which declared Henry as the "Supreme Head on earth of the Church of England". This was also home to the succession of Henry's wives, much tragedy, and the birth of Henry's children including future heirs to the throne, King Edward VI, Queen Mary I and Queen Elisabeth I.

The palace is surrounded by a large estate that includes many wonderful gardens. We enjoyed a tour of the palace and a canter around the grounds. Think of how the events at this place have changed the world for all of us.

The Kings Beasts

The Great Tudor Hall

The ceiling of the Great Hall.

A young and able Henry VIII played by a character actor

The Fountain Court designed by Sir Christopher Wren 

 This is fountain Court on the east front of the Palace . It was installed by William III, and is flanked by sculpted yew trees with the palace portico in the background.

 Sir Christopher Wren's south front built for William and Mary.

This is a fully working recreation of Henry VIII's Tudor Wine Fountain that has been carefully constructed from authentic materials including timber, bronze and gold leaf.

Anne Boleyn's Gate. The Tudor gatehouse and astronomical clock, made for Henry VIII in 1540. 

Anne Boleyn was Henry's second wife who he had executed

Inside looking back through the Great Gatehouse

We spotted some Royalty for sure….

Henry VIII's first building project at Hampton Court created vast kitchens capable of feeding his court of 1,000 people. This is one of 6 major cooking fireplaces.

More of the King's Beasts

The astronomical clock, made for Henry VIII in 1540.
The amazing clock shows the time of day, the phases of the moon, the month, the quarter of the year, the date, the sun and star sign, and the high water at London Bridge.
The clock continues to keep time today.