Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace is a Grade I-listed royal palace in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. The palace, which sits along the River Thames, is managed by Historic Royal Palaces, a charity responsible for preserving several unoccupied royal properties.

Construction of Hampton Court Palace began in 1514, commissioned by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, a powerful minister under King Henry VIII. However, Wolsey fell out of favour in 1529 and subsequently gifted the palace to Henry VIII to regain his standing. The palace quickly became one of Henry VIII's favourite residences. He expanded it to accommodate his large court, adding features like the vast kitchens to serve his retinue.

The palace underwent significant changes in the late 17th century under King William III, who aimed to transform it into a grand palace rivalling the Palace of Versailles. This led to the destruction of much of the original Tudor architecture, replacing it with Baroque elements. However, the project was incomplete in 1694, resulting in a unique blend of Tudor and Baroque architectural styles united by pink bricks and a vaguely symmetrical layout.

Hampton Court Palace was the site of numerous significant historical events, especially during the Tudor era. It was here that Henry VIII's much-desired male heir, the future Edward VI, was born in 1537. The palace was also the setting for the fall of Catherine Howard, Henry VIII's fifth wife, who was arrested here for adultery. The last monarch in the palace was George II in the 18th century.

After George II, the palace ceased to be a royal residence. It was later used to house grace-and-favour residents who were granted rent-free accommodation as a reward for services to the Crown. The palace was opened to the public in the 19th century and is a major tourist attraction today.

The palace is set within extensive gardens, which have evolved significantly over the centuries. The current layout of the gardens largely dates back to the late 17th century, featuring elements inspired by the gardens of Versailles. Key features include the Great Vine, the world's largest grapevine as of 2005, and the famous Hampton Court Maze.

Hampton Court Palace hosts various cultural events, including the Hampton Court Palace Festival and the Hampton Court Garden Festival. In 2015, the palace celebrated the 500th anniversary of its construction with a series of special events and exhibitions.

Today, Hampton Court Palace houses a significant collection of art and historical artefacts from the Royal Collection and the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection. The palace is a vital link to England's royal past, offering visitors a glimpse into the grandeur of Tudor and Baroque architecture and the history that shaped the nation.

The palace is often used as a filming location for a variety of movies and television shows, including The Private Life of Henry VIII, Three Men In A Boat, A Man For All Seasons, Vanity Fair, Little Dorrit, John Adams (2008), The Young Victoria, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, The Theory of Everything, Cinderella, Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again!, The Favourite, Belgravia, The Great, and Bridgerton. It also appeared in scenes for the spin-off series Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.