Hampton Court Palace

Description

A tale of two histories, Hampton Court Palace was originally designed by Cardinal Wolsey, a favourite of Henry VIII’s, before being developed by the King himself. Expanding on the Tudor splendour, Sir Christopher Wren added a touch of Baroque grandeur for William III and Mary II in the 17^th century.

Opulence and beauty greet you in every room as you stroll through this historic palace. See if you can find the entwined initials of Henry VIII and his ill-fated second wife Anne Boleyn in the Great Hall, or spot Catherine Howard’s terrified ghost running along the Haunted Gallery to plead her innocence to Henry.

Sneak into the vast kitchens where extravagant Tudor meals such as roasted swan and poached dolphin, and wander through the Chapel Royal, developed in to its current beauty in 1710 by Christopher Wren for Queen Anne. Continue in the Baroque period by walking through the beautiful and theatrically designed State Apartments.

When you’ve marvelled at the masterpieces of artists Holbein, Van Dyke and Caravaggio, head out in to the 60 acres of stunning formal garden and see if you can escape the oldest surviving maze in the world.

Food Festival, 24-26 August
The annual Food Festival is back for 2024, and there will be more delicious street food to graze on than ever before, plus amazing pop-up bars serving tasty tipples, refreshing craft beers and exquisite wines. With over 150 fantastic brands and producers filling the palace grounds, you'll be able to get your hands on everything from mouth-watering cheeses and sausages to brownies and churros. The Food Festival is included in palace admission, so you can explore the home of Henry VIII at your leisure before, or after, a little indulgence!