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Hampton Court

Hampton Court Palace, in Surrey, was originally the home of Henry the Eighth's Lord Chancellor, Thomas Wolsey. Wolsey, a tradesman's son, rose to great heights of influence and wealth. Henry's aristocratic councillors resented the influence of someone so "low born" and eventually managed to oust him. Wolsey had been trying to obtain dispensation from the pope for Henry to divorce Catherine of Aragon. When attempts failed Wolsey's jealous enemies saw their chance and persuaded Henry that the blame should lie with Wolsey. This was not an age of meritocracy. I once said on this page that Wolsey was the son of a butcher, but after reading J.J. Scarisbrick's book on Henry it seems that this was probably a rumour put about by jealous aristocratic councillors to try and undermine their enemy. In 1529 Wolsey was sacked, and then arrested a year later for treason. Fortunately he died quietly before he could be taken to the Tower. All of Wolsey's possessions passed to the king, including his magnificent palace at Hampton Court. Henry then had Hampton Court lavishly extended. Between 1531 and 1536 the Great Hall was built, the work continuing by candle light, such was the urgency of the king's desire to get it finished. The Chapel Royal, the Great Watching Chamber, the Great Kitchen,and the Close Tennis Court followed, resulting in the building we see today.

The magnificent building at Hampton Court reflects powerfully on the nature of Henry the Eighth's reign. Henry, to obtain his divorce from Catherine of Aragon, ended the authority of the pope in England. To reflect the increased status he aspired to Henry used palaces as symbols of his new role. As Scarisbrick writes: "During these years architecture was the hand maid of politics; for the monarchy which had been transfigured by the assumption of the Royal Supremacy was now housed in the hitherto unequalled splendour of palaces designed for imperial kingship." (Henry Vlll P529)

The palace remained a royal residence until 1737 when George the Second stopped visiting Hampton Court following the death of Queen Caroline. In 1838 Queen Victoria opened Hampton Court to the public and it has been visited by hundreds of thousands of people a year since then. The palace is closed from the 24th to the 26th of December. The Wilderness, Tiltyard and Rose Garden are open all year round, dawn till dusk.

 

Every day there are free presentations by costumed guides in the State Apartments. Free audio guides are also available. Hampton Court also has the world's oldest hedge maze still in use, originally planted in 1700.

The gardens are stunning, combining meadow areas, open lawns with strikingly shaped yews, and formal gardens. Some of these gardens reproduce the knot designs of Tudor times, using patterns of low hedge.

Henry the Eighth was a great lover of tennis, and the oldest tennis court in the world can be seen at Hampton Court.

Opening Times: are as follows: For the palace and maze 30th March to 25th October 2008 10am to 6pm, last admission 5pm, last entry to the maze 5:15pm. From 28th October 2007 to 29th March 2008 10am to 4:30pm, last admission 3:30pm and last entry to the maze 3:45pm. The Formal Gardens are open in Summer 10am to 7pm and at other times 10am to 5:30pm. The Informal Gardens are open in Summer 7am to 8pm and at other times 7am to 6pm. Home Park opens at 7am daily.

Directions: From the M25 leave at junction 10 and follow the A307, or junction 12 and follow the A308. Direct train services run from Waterloo, and the station is only a two minute walk from the Palace. Click here for an interactive road and satellite map centred on Hampton Court. Hampton Court looks spectacular from above, so switch to satellite view and zoom in. Tudor gardens were designed to be viewed from balconies. Henry the Eighth would have appreciated a satellite view.

Access: as an historic building there are uneven surfaces within Hampton Court, but most of the palace is accessible to people who cannot climb stairs. There is a lift to take visitors to the State Apartments on the first floor. Manual wheelchairs are available for use within the palace. There are adapted toilet facilities at a number of locations. The video at the start of Henry the Eighth's State Apartments is signed and captioned. Braille guides are available from the Information Centre in Clock Court. Carers of people in wheelchairs are admitted free.

Contact:

phone: +44 (0) 870 752 7777

Web: www.hrp.org.uk