Raphael Kessler

Hampton Court Palace is a royal palace in Richmond, alongside the Thames. Although it has not been inhabited by the royal family since the mid-eighteenth century, it was home to a number of grace and favour residents until recently.

Henry VIII took the original palace from Cardinal Wolsey in 1529 and increased and remodelled it, including personalising many aspects. It was then extended significantly by William III in the following century, after the Glorious Revolution. It had been the intention to demolish the existing palace, however the royal finances were not up to a complete rebuild, so they had to be satisfied with a massive addition instead.

The styles are quite different, particularly regarding the art work.

The gardens around the palace are fabulous and filled with ornate topiary, beautiful flowers and water features.