A Backpacker’s Guide to a Tour of the Hampton Court Palace

Posted by scarlettnicholls on August 19th, 2019

Situated on the southwest side of London, the historical grandeur of Hampton Court Palace sits on the northern bank of River Thames. Established in the year 1514, this magnificent structure was built as the home of Cardinal Wolsey, and presented later to Henry VIII, whose 6 wives lived here. Out of them, the spirits of the 3rd and 5th are rumoured to haunt the grounds even to this day. 

Currently, the palace is open to the public and serves as a fantastic place to spend some quality time with friends or family. It offers a number of fun things for visitors to enjoy, including flower shows, royal feasts, bicycle tours, overnight stays, fishing and more. Also, popular rewards program site http://www.freetravelcoupons.co.uk is presently offering a chance to win free travel coupons. 

So if you’d like to visit the Hampton Court Palace soon, here’s a short guide explaining details to the attractions that you can expect here while finding your way around: 

The Great Hall & Apartments of Henry VIII 

The palace’s State Apartments serve as a highlight for anyone who’s visiting for the first time. Start your tour from Buttery, and head towards the richly embellished Great Hall and Great Watching Chamber. There’s also the Processional Route and King’s Council Chamber connecting the rooms. Make sure to use your free travel coupons to get the most out of your visit. 

The Chapel Royal 

Having been in use for over 4 centuries now, the Royal Chapel of the palace features an exquisite ceiling fashioned out of timber & plaster. Another notable marvel of this section is the Royal Pews, whereupon sits a replica of the Crown of State of King Henry. 

The Clock Court 

Standing in the centre of the Hampton Court is the Clock Court, which houses the breathtaking astronomical clock that was made in 1540 for Henry VIII by a French clockmaker named Nicholas Oursian. This beautiful timepiece is over 15 feet across, consisting of 3 copper dials that indicate the day, month and hour, as well as the sun’s position and zodiac signs. 

The Maze 

Practically the best place in London to lose yourself in, the Maze of Hampton Court Palace grounds feature flora planted in 1689, and covers an area of over an acre. This unique trapezoid maze has paths extending to over half a mile, segregated by extremely dense and tall but neat hedges. 

Excited already? Then pack your bags and get ready to have a fun and indelible experience with your loved ones. And don’t forget to grab your free travel coupons prior to that.