Phoebettmh Travel: (England) – Visiting Hampton Court in London

For almost 200 years, Hampton Court Palace was at the centre of English court life, politics and national history. Its most infamous resident was Henry VIII.

Today Hampton Court is an easy day trip for all visitors to London.

(England) – Visiting Hampton Court in London

Hampton Court Castle and Gardens are situated in the beautiful Herefordshire countryside between Hereford and Leominster. The Castle which dates back to 1427 is one of the most stunning Wedding Venues in the country and is also available for Corporate Events and Private Functions.

Hampton Court Castle is not a hotel but its 24 sumptuous bedrooms are available for use by those holding an event at the Castle.

(England) – Visiting Hampton Court in London

The 15th century Hampton Court Castle surrounded by 1000 acres of stunning parkland, pasture and woodlands with the river Lugg running alongside predates Hampton Court Palace by some 80 years.

The land was granted by King Henry IV to Sir Rowland Lenthall at the time of his marriage to Margaret Fitzalan, daughter of the Earl of Arundel, a cousin of the King.

(England) – Visiting Hampton Court in London

Lenthall built the original quadrangular manor house in 1427, 12 years after his Knighthood at the battle of Agincourt (1415). In 1434 he was granted licence to crenellate the house by King Henry VI.

The Castle

The Hampton Court Estate has a rich and fascinating history dating back to before the 15th Century.

(England) – Visiting Hampton Court in London

The estate was originally formed by the merging of the manors of Hampton Richard and Hampton Mappenor. It was granted by Henry IV to Sir Rowland Lenthall at the time of his marriage to Margaret Fitzalan, daughter of the Earl of Arundel and a cousin of the King. Lenthall built the original quadrangular manor house in 1427, twelve years after his knighthood at the battle of Agincourt. In 1434 he was granted a licence to crenellate the house by Henry VI.

(England) – Visiting Hampton Court in London

Sir Rowland was succeeded by his daughter who married the Baron of Burford and it was their grandson who sold Hampton to Sir Humphrey Coningsby in 1510.

Hampton remained in the Coningsby family, a prominent noble Herefordshire family, until the early 19th Century when the estate was purchased by Richard Arkwright, the son of the famous inventor. Richard Arkwright's son, John, then comissioned the remodelling of the house in the 1830's and 40's, the work being designed and carried out by Charles Hanbury Tracy, later Lord Sudeley. The Arkwrights lived at Hampton Court until 1912.

(England) – Visiting Hampton Court in London

The Gardens at Hampton Court

The Gardens at Hampton Court Herefordshire, recently completed, are one of the most ambitious garden creations of our time.

Original Victorian garden walls enclose stunning new flower gardens divided by canals, island pavilions and pleached avenues. The kitchen garden is an ornamental garden of fruit and vegetables. It is managed organically, supplying produce to the Orangery Restaurant for its seasonal menu.

(England) – Visiting Hampton Court in London

There is a maze of a thousand yews with a gothic tower at its centre. Climb to the top for a panoramic view of the gardens or descend underground to a tunnel that leads to a waterfall in the sunken garden. Beautiful herbaceous borders stretch out from a one hundred and fifty year old wisteria tunnel that leads to vast lawns and ancient trees beside the castle. Beyond the lawns are riverside and woodland walks.