Every year, thousands of visitors from all over the world Hampton Court Garden.
This has been the case since Queen Victoria opened the palace to the general public in 1838.
In this article, I explain in detail what you can see.
Hampton Court Garden: article summary
Hampton Court Garden: at a glance
Located on the banks of the ThamesVisitors come to explore the 500 years of English history present here.
Built by Cardinal Woolsey in the early 16th century, Hampton Court was proclaimed the most beautiful and flamboyant residence in the kingdom. England's answer to the French Versailles.
When the cardinal fell from grace, Hampton Court attracted the attention of Henry VIII, who brought the second of his two wives, Anne Boleyn, to the palace.
Following Henry VIII, a succession of royals marked their presence at Hampton Court by making alterations to the palace itself and to the grounds. to the 800 acres of gardens and parks that surround it.
A green setting
Most visitors pass through the gates and head straight for the estate's magnificent complex of red-brick buildings.
Here, you can spend a whole day exploring 500 years of English history, wandering through the royal apartments and great halls, admiring the art galleries and furniture along the way.
Other visitors come above all to immerse themselves in the playgrounds of these kings and queens, the gardens of Hampton Court.
A series of renovations that have changed the face of the garden
What is now known as Pond Garden was a fish farm in medieval times.
Henry VIII strutted his stuff in the heraldic Tudor-style private garden, designed for his quiet, exclusive use.
Charles I, an art collector who stayed sporadically at Hampton Court after his accession to the crown in 1625, ordered the private garden to be rebuilt in the Italian style, to better display a collection of classical statues.
In 1701, Wilhelm III and Maria II ordered a renovation with elaborate Baroque touches. Alas, William III didn't live to enjoy the transformations. In 1702, he fell from his horse and died.
Visitors to the garden now see a 1995 reconstruction of the garden designed by William III.
Hampton Court Garden: an extraordinary vegetable garden
The kitchen garden remains, as in centuries past, the most active of all the palace gardens, producing fruit and vegetables all year round.
Today, it represents around one-sixth of its original size. At the beginning of the 20th century, a large part of the space was transformed into a rose garden, filled with old English fragrant varieties.
Later, hybrid roses were introduced, the garden adopting its current geometric style.
The palace's magnificent complex of red-brick buildings is visible beyond the wall of the Roseraie.
Fresh vegetables all year round
During the royal palace era, dozens of gardeners supplied the court with fresh fruit, herbs and vegetables all year round.
Today, a team of three gardeners and seven regular volunteers work regularly at the Potager, regularly assisted by a team of schoolchildren.
Although only a fraction of its original size, a total of 254 beds receive plants and seedlings intended to provide a variety of fresh produce throughout the year.
You can find :
- Asparagus
- Rhubarb
- Cabbage
- Zucchinis
- Lettuces
- Peppers
Espaliered fruit trees along the garden walls provide nectarines, plums, apricots and peaches.
Hampton Court Garden: products for sale
In spring, garden products start appearing for sale in the souvenir store.
As the garden enters seasonal abundance, a market stall is set up every Tuesday in the garden and continues until December.
A special team of harvesting and sales volunteers arrives to help regular gardeners prepare the garden for the popular weekly sales.
Practical information
Hampton Court Palace opens daily:
- November to March 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- April to November 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Hampton Court Garden is a must-see on any trip to London. If you want to discover an exceptional garden full of fruit and vegetables, I recommend that you visit this venue during your stay in the English capital.
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