Hampton Court: Henry VIII’s Royal Residence

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The western façade of Hampton Court was built in the Tudor style, with its red brick, rows of rectangular windows, set of chimneys, and elaborate rooftops featuring gables. The façade features handmade bricks, tiles, stone, timber, and lead. Vitrified bricks form the large crisscross pattern that decorates the palace courtyard. At the center of the building is Anne Boleyn’s gatehouse, with an elaborate octagonal Tudor wine fountain on the right. Mistervlad/Shutterstock

Famous for being Henry VIII’s residence, Hampton Court Palace is located in Richmond, a borough of London. The palace’s rich history and succession of owners make it a showcase for a unique blend of architectural styles.

Originally, Hampton Court belonged to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, Henry VIII’s administrator, who bought the property in 1514. In 1529, the king removed the cardinal from Hampton Court, and Henry lived there with his wives. The palace then became an official residence for future royals, and the owners improved Hampton Court according to the tastes and fashions of their time.