In this article, I present Hampton CourtKing Henry VIII's famous London residence.
Here you'll find
- A presentation of Hampton Court Castle
- What you can see on your visit
- Easy access
- Practical information: prices, opening hours, reservations
- Things to see and do in the area
- And much more!
If you're looking for information about Hampton Court, you'll love this article.
Follow the guide!
Hampton Court: article summary
Hampton Court: Henry VIII's castle of many secrets
Hampton Court Castle is a majestic royal palacein the Tudor style, to discover during your visit London.
It was the favourite palace of King Henry VIIIiconic and controversial figure of the monarchy, who now rests in the chapel of St Georges du Windsor Castle.
And there are plenty of surprises in store! I'd like to introduce you to its history, figures and what you can do there.
Hampton Court Castle presentation
Hamtpon Court is a state palace, built in 1514. From Henry VIII in the 16th century, to George II and Queen Caroline in the early 18th century, it was home to British sovereigns.
A visit here means plunging into the fascinating history of the english monarchyas is the case with other emblematic monuments in the city, such as Buckingham Palace.
In the space of just 3 hours, we show you the the best of the historic center of London (must-sees + secret spots) with a French-speaking guide just for you.
You'll discover an example of the Tudor stylecharacteristic of late British medieval architecture, and decorative wonders masterpieces, tapestries, sculptures, furniture, etc.
The kitchens are impressive - not surprising when you consider that Henry VIII was a real glutton, the great hall will take your breath away with its dimensions and medieval ceiling. the gardens surrounding the palace are the perfect backdrop for a royal stroll!
Facts and figures about Hampton Court
- The park extends over 300 hectares
- At its peak, over 800 meals a day were prepared by 200 employees in the château's kitchens!
- Queen Victoria opened the castle to the public in 1838
- It is the largest palace in Tudor style from England
- Many scenes from the Netflix series Bridgerton were filmed here!
What can you do when you visit Hampton Court?
Hamtpon Court Castle is a visit you won't regret, as there's so much to see and do here.
Discover the splendor of the palace's interior
As you enter the castle, you'll quickly be captivated by immensity of certain rooms, such as its Great Hall, and by the decorations of Henry VIII's first state apartment or of all the state/private apartments of William III.
Visit royal chapelthe scene of many historic events, is well worth a visit, as is Art galleries where real treasures are on display.
Visit the kitchens
A visit to the kitchens is always a great moment, making it easier to appreciate the scope of the work done by cooks and housekeepers in those days.
The installations and staging offer a quick trip into the pastwith fun activities for young and old alike.
Learn about the myths and legends of Hampton Court
Did you know that this palace was a haunted place ? That you could cross paths with the ghost of Henry VIII? Or that of Catherine Howard, one of his many wives, whom he had beheaded for adultery?
A visit to the castle takes you through the haunted gallery and with a guide, you'll get the chance to hear tasty (and terrifying?) local anecdotes.
Attempting to extricate yourself from the outer labyrinth
A maze of 1.2 hectares is outside, where you can enter and try to leave. Rest assured, no one has ever got stuck in this labyrinth of plants, known as one of the oldest in Europe!
Explore the vast gardens
Outside, you can stroll through the immense park of more than 300 hectares, discover the superb gardens adorned with fountains and statues, and even discover the world's largest the world's largest vineyard250 years old!
How do I get to Hampton Court?
The Palais is located at the following address, southwest of the Grand London in the Richmond district upon Thames : Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9AU
You can reach him using :
- Visit train from Waterloo Station to Hampton Court stop
- Buses 111, 216, 411, 461 or 513 from nearby Kingston
- By carvia the M25 (exit 10 or 12) / via the A3 (exit A309), with the possibility of parking in the pay parking lot (£1.60 / hour)
Hampton Court: prices, opening hours and practical information
Here's what you need to know to make your visit to Hampton Court as convenient as possible.
Rates and booking
- Adult ticket (over 16): from 30 euros
- Child ticket (5 to 15 years): 16.51 euros
- Student/senior discount (over 65): 26 euros
By booking online, you choose the date of your visit that suits you best, and you'll receive your tickets instantly on your mobile devices. Simply present them at the entrance.
You'll enjoy a guided tour with a professional in costumeand a French audio guide.
Opening hours
Daily, 10 am to 5:30 pm.
Visit 2 h 30 / 3h for an all-round visit, but it's possible to spend the day there without any worries.
Practical information
The tour may seem long for children, but the costumed guides do their utmost to make it as fun as possible!
What to see and do in the area?
Hampton Court Castle is off the beaten track. In fact, you will certainly be tempted to return to the London's main districts after the visit.
However, on site, remember to :
- Enjoy the Magic Gardenin the palace gardens, to let your children stretch their legs
- Take a nature break in the Bushy Park neighbor, 2e the city's largest royal park, to see the many deer on the loose!
What to do in London in 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, a week?
Whatever the length of your stay, I invite you to download my special London guide.
It's free and in PDF format.
All you have to do is tell me below which e-mail address you'd like to receive it at.
EDIT: you can't enter your email?
Take the quiz at the top of this article and you'll be able to register your email address to receive the special London guide!
Leave a Reply