In collaboration with Historic Royal Palaces, discover England's most idyllic property
A 'Must View' property with period features
The palace was so beautiful that when it was finished Henry VIII politely 'asked' Cardinal Wolsey to give it to him, which he did.
A 500 year old pleasure palace
Historic Royal Palaces
Explore the rich history and unexpected stories of some of the UK's most famous palaces
See the collectionStep inside a Grand Design
Hampton Court was a palace, hotel, theatre and vast leisure complex
The King's Bedchamber
Sleep like royalty in this custom designed bedroom
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James Thornhill won the commission to decorate the Queen's Bedchamber in 1715. He was already on his way to becoming the leading English artist of his day, famed for his work at St Paul's Cathedral in London, and the Painted Hall at the Royal Naval Hospital in Greenwich.
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Thornhill went on to become the first English-born artist to be knighted in 1720.
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The scene shows cavorting gods and gods from Roman myth re-imagined through a renaissance lense.
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This ceiling, in the tradition of the expansive and exuberant interior decoration of the early 18th century, tells the ancient myth of Aurora's abduction of Cephalus.
The Wolsey Closet
Explore panel by panel
The Drawing Room
The perfect space for hosting 2 or 200 hundred guests
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In the centre is Queen Anne, depicted as Divine Justice, identifiable by the sword and scale
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She is being crowned by Neptune the Roman god of the sea and oceans, and Britannia
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Surrounding her are more figures from Classical mythology, such as the Three Graces
Unique ceiling feature in the Baroque style
Painted on the ceiling of her drawing room, Queen Anne is depicted as Divine Justice, subtle right?
View AllThe Party Palace
Hampton Court was perfect for late night dancing, political discourse and leisurely life by the Thames
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At the top floats the 'top table' of Zeus, Hera, Rhea and Kronos. They are attended by cup bearers including Ganymede and probably Hebe
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Here is Iris, otherwise known as the Rainbow, with her husband Zephyros, the West Wind. Verrio’s winged goddess on the King’s Staircase, is also carrying a small pair of scissors and a handful of hair, taken from a mortal's soul
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In a roundal at the top you can see the Zodiac signs, Taurus, Pisces and Cancer
The Kitchen
Complete with Tudor kitchen equipment and a built in fireplace
Making a grand entrance
A good host always makes an entrance
Look around the palace
The palace has been added to in two main styles: Tudor and Baroque.
Leaving a legacy
Some of the famous residents left their mark on the building
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The ceiling is believed to have been designed by William Clement, with the richly ornate decoration completed by John Hethe and Henry Blankston
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William and Mary had the Chapel remodelled and repaired from 1689-1700, with a new organ installed.
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In the Victorian period, a major restoration programme was completed in 1845-47, which addressed the Chapel roof.