Hampton Court Palace Facts for Kids

Hampton Court Palace main gate

Hampton Court Palace is a royal palace in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Greater London. The British royal family have not lived there since the 18th century. The palace is 11.7 miles (18.8 km) south west of Charing Cross and upstream of Central London on the River Thames.

The palace was bought by the English monarchy in 1528. This was when Thomas Wolsey gave it to Henry VIII. It stayed a royal palace for the next 220 years. In its lifetime, it saw twelve monarchs on the throne, until George III stopped living in it after the death of his wife. There was a fire at Hampton Court in 1986. It is currently owned by Historic Royal Palaces, which also owns places like the Tower of London. It is open to the public. It has many gardens, and also has a maze.

Images for kids

Decorative Tudor brick chimneys at Hampton Court Palace
Anne Boleyn's Gate. The Tudor gatehouse and astronomical clock, made for Henry VIII in 1540 (C on plan above) Two of the Renaissance bas reliefs by Giovanni da Maiano can be seen set into the brickwork.
Christopher Wren's south front (G on plan) built for William and Mary viewed from the Privy Garden.
The Fountain Court designed by Sir Christopher Wren (E on plan): "Startling, as of simultaneous exposure to a great many eyes with raised eyebrows."
One of the sets of stairs at the main entrance
The Cartoon Gallery at Hampton Court
William III's close stool.
Queen Mary II's Bedchamber, also known as Queen Caroline's State Bedchamber.
Stained glass windows in the Great Watching Chamber.
The Privy Garden
One of the Palace's sunken gardens. In the background is William III's Banqueting House (H on plan) of 1700.
The King's Beasts, on the bridge before the Great Gatehouse
Flowers and trees in the Great Fountain Garden
Shaped trees in the Great Fountain Garden
Rose garden of the Palace

Hampton Court Palace facts for kids

Images for kids

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