Designed by Inigo Jones for King James I and completed in 1622, The Banqueting House is the only complete surviving building of Whitehall Palace, the sovereign’s principal residence from 1530 until 1698 when it was destroyed by fire.
The Ceremony of the Keys is the traditional locking up of the Tower of London and has taken place on each and every night, without fail, for at least 700 years.
The royal family may have left Hampton Court in 1737 but the palace and its apartments soon found another purpose. From the 1760s onwards, the palace was divided up for ‘grace-and-favour’ residents who were granted rent-free accommodation because they had given great service to the Crown or country. They lived, often with their own small households of servants above, underneath and around the state apartments.
In the early 1080s, William the Conqueror began to build the Tower of London. From then Successive monarchs have added to the awesome fortress over the following centuries. Visiting the Tower of London could easily take up a full day and possibly another if you would like to thoroughly visit it all it has to offer.
The Ceremony of the Keys is the traditional locking up of the Tower of London and has taken place on each and every night, without fail, for at least 700 years.
The royal family may have left Hampton Court in 1737 but the palace and its apartments soon found another purpose. From the 1760s onwards, the palace was divided up for ‘grace-and-favour’ residents who were granted rent-free accommodation because they had given great service to the Crown or country. They lived, often with their own small households of servants above, underneath and around the state apartments.
In the early 1080s, William the Conqueror began to build the Tower of London. From then Successive monarchs have added to the awesome fortress over the following centuries. Visiting the Tower of London could easily take up a full day and possibly another if you would like to thoroughly visit it all it has to offer.
Designed by Inigo Jones for King James I and completed in 1622, The Banqueting House is the only complete surviving building of Whitehall Palace, the sovereign’s principal residence from 1530 until 1698 when it was destroyed by fire. It was also the site of King Charles I execution in 1649.
Originally built for state occasions, plays and masques, the Banqueting House and Whitehall are both popular destinations on the London sightseeing trail – although it’s always worth checking opening hours as it is still one of the finest banqueting venues in the capital and often plays host to royal and Government functions, as well as society events.
Be part of the 700 year old ancient ceremony!
Tickets are issued free of charge but, due to the popularity of the ceremony, it is necessary to book as far in advance as is possible.
Tickets can only be booked online.
The Ceremony of the Keys is the traditional locking up of the Tower of London and has taken place on each and every night, without fail, for at least 700 years. The importance of securing the fortress for the night is still very relevant because, although the Monarch no longer resides at this royal palace, the Crown Jewels and many other valuables still do!
The royal family may have left Hampton Court in 1737 but the palace and its apartments soon found another purpose. From the 1760s onwards, the palace was divided up for ‘grace-and-favour’ residents who were granted rent-free accommodation because they had given great service to the Crown or country. They lived, often with their own small households of servants above, underneath and around the state apartments.
Over the next two hundred years a wide variety of people became Hampton Court residents. Lady Baden-Powell, the widow of the founder of the Scout movement, had apartments within Henry VIII's kitchens.
The great experimental scientist Professor Michael Faraday (1791-1867) had a house on Hampton Court Green.
In 1838, the young Queen Victoria (r 1837-1901) ordered that Hampton Court Palace ‘should be thrown open to all her subjects without restriction.’
Conservation and restoration of Hampton Court Palace continues. The vast majority of the palace buildings are now either open to the public or used as office space and store-rooms, although a small group of grace-and-favour residencies remain.
Perhaps surprisingly, new building works are also commissioned: 2007 has seen the opening of the brand new Clore Education Centre outside the palace’s West Front.
Interpreting and explaining the palace to the visitor also remains an ongoing challenge. Hampton Court has many histories, and understanding – and finding your way around – the complex geography of the site can be challenging.
It is perhaps easiest to think of Hampton Court as the ‘story of two palaces’: a Tudor palace established by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey and made even more magnificent by Henry VIII, alongside a baroque palace built by William III and Mary II.
It is recommended you allow at least 3 hours for your visit to Hampton Court. The friendly staff in the Information Centre off Base Court can assist you in planning your time.
In the early 1080s, William the Conqueror began to build the Tower of London. From then Successive monarchs have added to the awesome fortress over the following centuries.
Visiting the Tower of London could easily take up a full day and possibly another if you would like to thoroughly visit it all it has to offer. The Tower over the years has had many different uses and passed through many different families so whether it be the uses, the history, the people or their stories which you would like to find out about the most, The Tower of London has it all.
