Hampton Court Palace is one of the most spectacular examples of Tudor architecture in England. After having been the scene of several important events in the history of the country and the world, the home of King Henry VIII and his daughter, Queen Elizabeth I, is a fascinating place located on the banks of the River Thames, a region surrounded by picturesque villages just 30 km from London.
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| Hampton Court Palace |
A little history
The palace has a fascinating history and owes its origins to the Knights Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem, a religious order that initially built a building for the storage of livestock and local products on the site where the palace is located. Later, a very powerful religious, Cardinal Wolsey, Archbishop of York, was given the lease, or the lease.
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| Hampton Court Palace |
Wolsey built a massive complex, transforming what was a private home into a magnificent palace fit for a bishop. This continued the construction of the great palace and added three new chambers for the use of the royal family, King Henry VIII, his Spanish wife, Catherine of Aragon, and their daughter Maria (later to be called Bloody Mary).
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| Hampton Court Palace |
Wolsey was highly envied and also criticized at court for his extravagant lifestyle, which culminated in the construction of Hampton Court Palace. According to him, this palace reflects the glory of its sovereign, Henry VIII, but the king did not see things like that. The cardinal's rise to power, with the support of Rome and the king himself, led to his tragic end. The king blamed him for the failure to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, who could not give him a male heir. This failure to achieve marriage annulment resulted in England's separation from the Catholic Church and the creation of the Anglican Church, which continues to this day.
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| Hampton Court Palace |
How to get to Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court Palace is easily accessible by train, via the line that departs from Waterloo Station in central London. Trains run every half hour and the fare is £ 5.50 each way. Upon arrival at Hampton Court station, all you need to do is follow the signs to the palace, which is only a 5 minute walk away. To buy your tickets, look for a machine at Waterloo station and you can pay by credit card or cash.
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| Hampton Court Palace |
There is also the possibility to buy tickets for Hampton Court, through our partner, Viator, one of the official distributors. Click here to view the page.
For people who speak other languages, the audio guides are a bonus, even though they are available for free as they give a good explanation of each section of the palace. Finding the place where they are delivered can be difficult, so keep an eye out for the signs that inform you where the guide's information and delivery center is, indicated by a signal from a headset. Remember to return the unit before leaving the palace to see the gardens!