Hampton Court Palace, Royal palace in Richmond upon Thames, London, England
Hampton Court Palace is a former royal residence in Richmond upon Thames that combines Tudor and Baroque elements across its layout. Red brick walls, decorated chimneys, and several courtyards spread over extensive gardens with fountains, hedge mazes, and trimmed lawns.
Thomas Wolsey took over the Hampton Court site in 1514 and spent seven years building a palace there; in 1529 he gave it to Henry VIII, who spent about £62,000 expanding it into one of his favourite residences. William III's rebuilding from the early 1690s to 1703 destroyed much of the Tudor palace, leaving Tudor and Baroque work side by side.
The State Apartments display artworks from the Royal Collection and are furnished with tapestries, paintings, and period furniture. The kitchens have been restored to show how meals were prepared daily for hundreds of courtiers.
Access is through several entrances, and the grounds are large, so visitors should allow time to explore both gardens and interiors. Hampton Court station is within walking distance and is served regularly by trains from central London.
The grounds contain a vine planted in 1768 that extends over 36 meters and yields black grapes each year. The gardens also hold a maze that is among the oldest surviving hedge mazes in Britain.
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