Situated at the center of Hampton Court Palace, The Great Hall is one of the best things to see, included in your Hampton Court Palace tickets. The structure of the hall is so tall that it outstretches the other buildings in the neighborhood. The construction of the hall took place to impress and showcase the powers and achievements of Henry VIII. If you visit the place today, you will be mesmerized by its grandiosity as it is so huge. This sheer size of the hall manages to gather the interest of tourists from different parts of the world.
Sprawling across an area of 60 acres of garden and 750 acres of parkland, Hampton Court Gardens is yet another wonderful thing included in the Hampton Court Palace tickets. The garden is located in the arc of the River Thames, housing the ancient puzzle maze of the world. Apart from this, you will also find three national park collections, a ground-breaking grapevine, and a large collection of wildlife. You can take a stroll along the garden to explore these beautiful sightseeing options or have a picnic with your family only after taking permission from the authorities.
Attached to The Great Hall in terms of construction, the Great Watching Chamber is one of the fundamental places of sightseeing included in Hampton Court Palace tickets. Initially, King Henry VIII built it as one of the State Apartments that can be accessed only by men of high rank. The Great Watching Chamber was the place where the Royal Guards stood to protect the entire palace and the members of the royal family from enemies. If you move a little further to the chambers, you will find a few doors at the end of the room that represent sequential chambers. This filtration system of doors is constructed in the palace so the King can only access the chambers inside the doors.
Henry VIII’s Kitchens were one of the big places in the entire Tudor England. In these kitchens, more than 200 cooks prepared around 800 meals a day to feed the hungry members of the Henry VIII family. To prepare the royal dishes, these kitchens use over 1.3 million logs every year. This place allows you to go back in time to witness the everyday hustle of Henry VIII cooks while moving along the labyrinth of kitchen spaces. You will discover everything in this kitchen, from roasting spits to boiling cauldrons. Thus, this place is perfect for Tudor cooking and entertainment in Hampton Court Palace London.
The majestic highlight of the Hampton Court Palace is the Magic Garden that lets visitors dive deeper into the insights of the palace in a unique way. The garden provides an escapade into the history, culture, and mythical legacies of the Hampton Court Palace. It showcases breathtakingly beautiful attractions, like the Dragons Nest, the drinking fountains, and plenty of other things. You will also discover the children’s playground in the garden that is created in a way to resemble a fun and tiny recreation of Court life. The obstacles, challenges, and illusions are definitely going to make this place a magical and adrenaline-rushing adventure.
Another inclusion in your Hampton Court Palace tickets is Chapel Royal. The Chapel Royal is a colorful and lively church with soothing music located at the heart of the historic Hampton Court Palace. Although the interiors of the chapel were remodeled twice, once in 1530 by Henry VIII and next in 1710 by Sir Christopher Wren, it never fails to disappoint visitors with its immaculate beauty. It remains to be an active place of worship for over 450 years, from the time when Kings and Queens used it to seek blessings from God. The chapel welcomes every visitor to attend and sing religious services at the premises.
The Haunted Gallery is the place where Henry VIII’s wife, Catherine Howard was found guilty of adultery and was ordered for execution. There were rumors that the queen broke free from the guards and found her husband to prove her innocence. Her body continues to remain in the Chapel Royal within the Towers Walls. Allegedly, people still claim that her ghost can be seen running through the corridors, screaming for mercy. Therefore, it is one of the most adventurous places to see in Hampton Court Palace London.
Included in the Hampton Court Palace tickets, Chocolate Kitchen is a tiny yet specialized series of rooms used by royal chocolate makers to prepare this luxurious delicacy for kings and queens. It was commissioned to be constructed by Sir Christopher Wren for Mary II and William III, who had a sweet tooth. Chocolates, at that time, used to be considered the King’s wealth and were consumed by the royal people in their drinks throughout the day. Hence, the Chocolate Kitchen in the Hampton Court Palace is a symbol of the wealth, power, and modernity of Mary’s and William’s court.
Tennis is the favorite sport of Henry VIII, and Royal Tennis at Hampton Court is the place where kings and courtiers once indulged in this exciting, fast-paced court. In this place, you will find several displays, like handmade balls, custom-made racquets, and life-sized character illustrations. This place is a wonderful location to learn about the favorite sport of Henry VIII and the extent of their enjoyment when they play this sport at that time.
Location: Hampton Court Bay, Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9AU, United Kingdom.
Timing: 10 am to 6 pm (Wednesday to Sunday)
Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Hampton Court Palace London is between Easter and the end of September. During this time, the attraction is in full bloom, and you can explore the entire place at its full capacity. It is also advisable to visit the place during the weekdays, particularly in the morning time to avoid crowds.