Hampton Court Palace was used as a royal residence from the early 16th Century until the mid 18th Century. The most famous monarch with whom the palace is associated is King Henry VIII. The oldest part of this palace dates from early 1500s when owned by the very influential and confidant of King Henry, Thomas Wolsey. When Wolsey fell out of favour with Henry, the King took over the palace and developed it further. Sections of the 16th Century palace remain in particular the kitchens and Great Hall.

Much of Henry’s palace was demolished to make way for the new baroque palace for King William III and Queen Mary II in the late 17th and early 18th Century. The rooms of the Palace are magnificent and there furnishings and art works on display as you tour the rooms. In addition to the actual palace, there are beautifully manicured gardens and even a popular maze to get lost in!

From Hampton Court, it is about a 45-60 minute drive back into central London.