The King's Beasts

The King's Beasts are ten stone animal sculptures standing on stone pedestals along a bridge at Hampton Court Palace. Each figure carries shields decorated with heraldic symbols and forms a series leading toward the palace's main gatehouse.

King Henry VIII ordered these sculptures in the 16th century to represent his royal heritage through different animals. The project was part of the palace's grand transformation to display his power and lineage.

The sculptures display animals from old coats of arms that belonged to important noble families. They tell the story of connections between different aristocratic houses that were linked together through England's past.

Viewing is possible as part of a visit to Hampton Court Palace during the site's regular opening hours. It works best to arrive early in the day when the area is less crowded and you can see the details in better light.

The ten animals were later rebuilt after the original figures from the 16th century had suffered significant damage over time. The present versions follow historical records and were recreated using modern methods with more durable materials.