Hampton Court Palace the magnificence
of Henry VIII's favourite royal residence.
Built by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey in 1514 but coaxed from him by Henry
VIII just before Wolsey (as chancellor) fell from favour, Hampton Court
Palace is England's largest and grandest Tudor structure. It was already
one of the most sophisticated palaces in Europe when, in the 17th
century, Christopher Wren designed an extension. The result is a
beautiful blend of Tudor and 'restrained baroque' architecture. You
could easily spend a day exploring the palace and its 24 hectares of
riverside gardens, including a 300-year-old maze.
Take a themed
tour led by costumed historians or, if you're in a rush, visit the
highlights: Henry VIII's State Apartments , including the Great Hall
with its spectacular hammer-beamed roof; the Tudor Kitchens , staffed by
'servants'; the Wolsey Closet ; the Chapel Royal ; William III's &
Mary II's Apartments , the King's Staircase and the Chocolate Kitchens ;
Mantegna's The Triumphs of Caesar ; the restored and recently opened
Cumberland Art Gallery off Clock Court; and the magnificent gardens,
including the Kitchen Garden and getting lost in the maze.
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