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.
(England) – Visiting Hampton Court in London |
Adjoining the castle, in a grand conservatory designed by
Joseph Paxton, is the Orangery Café. Here delicious lunches and teas can be
enjoyed.
(England) – Visiting Hampton Court in London |
The garden shop, in the garden bothy, sells plants from the
garden, homemade produce from the castle kitchens and local crafts and gifts.
(England) – Visiting Hampton Court in London |
(Hampton Court, London
Toolkit, London Pass)
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