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Home , Antonio Verrio, Hampton Court Palace, Jean Tijou, Kensington Palace, Kew Palace, Palace

I Events at Hampton Court

“The King’s Court should hath the excellence. But Hampton Court hath the pre-eminence.” John Skelton, one time tutor of Henry VIII, 1534

II 1 A setting for stately spectaculars For centuries, Hampton Court cardinals, artists and dignitaries Whatever your occasion, you will Palace has boldly and with the grandeur and majesty of enjoy first-class, personal service magnificently played host to gala Hampton Court. from a dedicated manager able celebrations, festive banquets to advise and help you choose Today, your guests can step and historic meetings. the perfect space for your event. Beyond onto this inspiring stage and We will attend to every detail, ’s most famous kings experience the soaring state because we want to ensure your and queens, from Henry VIII and rooms, grand staircases, cobbled guests experience the to William III and courtyards and gorgeous astonishing potential of this Mary II, dazzled audiences of gardens of one of the greatest unforgettable venue. brilliant ambassadors, , ever built.

2 3 A rising star in the 1603 1606 1689 2005 court of King Henry VIII, Staging William Shakespeare The King of – William III and Mary II Tony Blair hosts acquired and his company James I’s brother-in-law build magnificent state a heads of ‘The King’s Men’ – is entertained at the rooms for holding court government Hampton Court in 1514. perform plays in the palace. The royals and receiving dignitaries. conference in the unforgettable His country manor soon (see p12) enjoy theatre, dining palace’s Great Hall for King James I. and, given the Dane’s (see p12). evolved into a magnificent reputation, plenty events since setting for resolving of drinking. historic business and 1514 pursuing pleasure too. 1516 1546 Thomas Wolsey The last of Henry VIII’s (the future Cardinal) great ‘revellynges’: six days entertains Henry VIII of banquets, hunting, and his Queen Katherine masques and celebration of Aragon for dinner at follow the ratification of a the palace. peace deal with French ambassadors.

1530s 1562 1604 1662 Early 1700s 2012 Henry VIII makes Under , the James I calls the Newlyweds Charles II Queen Anne meets Champion cyclist Hampton Court a sporting palace remains a centre Hampton Court and Catherine of with her Privy Council Bradley Wiggins is playground. A is for diplomatic meetings. Conference, which Braganza arrive at the in the Cartoon Gallery presented with the gold built and jousts and grand The Treaty of Hampton commissions the palace for a celebration (see p19) during the for winning the tournaments are held Court is agreed, lending King James Bible. with councillors of early part of her reign. men’s time trial event where the King support to the Huguenot state, foreign ministers, as Hampton Court distinguishes himself. cause in . peers and lords and Palace serves as a 2012 ladies of the court. Olympic games venue. 4 5 A captivating spirit

The compelling character King Henry VIII enjoyed Henry VIII’s this palace to the full. He extraordinary of Hampton Court is woven jousted, feasted, hunted invisibly throughout its and entertained here. watches over the myriad stories and tangibly Matrimonial adventurer palace’s central into its historic fabric. that he was it’s also courtyard, still in where he divorced once More than any other working . Its and married twice. monarchs William III complex gears and and Mary II shaped the gilded dials depict a palace that survives medieval world in today. Many of the which the sun grand South Front orbits the earth. rooms they built serve as beautiful event spaces (see pp22-29 and pp34-36).

A food factory for the Henry VIII’s second wife hungry Tudor court, (of six), Anne Boleyn the palace kitchens was a glamorous (see p15) went through addition to the King’s 1240 oxen, 8200 sheep, court. She spoke French 2330 deer, 760 calves and , wore French and 1870 pigs annually styles and was a (all washed down with talented dancer. 600,000 gallons of beer). A wealth of creative genius has shaped the palace. . Charles I loved . Hampton Court and . filled it with wonderful Around nearly every works of . Gerrit van corner lays another Honthorst’s painting masterpiece by history’s (hanging in the artistic and architectural Queen’s Staircase) heavyweights. depicts Charles as Three hundred courtiers Apollo, the Greek god packed the stunning of the sun. Royal to attend a magnificent christening ceremony for Prince Edward, the future King Edward VI. 6 7 Great Hall The Great Tudor Cartoon Queen’s Mantegna The King’s King’s Garden Little Marquees: Marquees: Watching Kitchens Gallery Drawing Gallery Eating Guard and Privy Room Banqueting Palace Palace

Chamber Room Room Chamber Garden courtyards grounds

p12 p13 p14 p15 p18 p20 p21 p24 p26 p28 p32 p36 p37 p37 Capacity Capacity Capacity Capacity Capacity Capacity Capacity Capacity Capacity Capacity Capacity Capacity Capacity Capacity 1,200 3,000 Reception400 Reception250 Reception150 Reception150 Reception300 Reception150 Reception200 Reception60 Reception200 Reception250 Reception300 Reception80 Reception Reception 270 180 100 100 200 80 40 150 150 220 50 600 1,500 Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Lunch Lunch Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner 220 24 360 1,000 Dancing Dancing Reception Dinner and Dinner and and dinner 250 dancing dancing Theatre

Spectacular spaces. All yours. Magnificent. Secluded. Historic. Functional. Versatile venues to suit any occasion. Call us on 020 3166 6507 to arrange a site visit.

8 9 Henry VIII’s Apartments

Majestic Dramatic Prestigious

10 11 The Undercroft Capacity 250 for reception 220 for dancing 180 for dinner Available for evening hire

The space It was once Henry VIII’s beer cellar. Today, the atmospheric Undercroft complements the majestic hall above, offering the perfect venue for dancing and after-dinner . Together with the Great Hall, the two spaces make a magnificent setting for an unforgettable event.

Capacity The space Features A palace story “Hampton Court is as 400 for reception It is simply one of the most – Commissioned by Henry VIII, William Shakespeare and his noble and uniform a pile, Great 270 for dinner spectacular spaces in Britain. The Story of Abraham company of actors ‘The King’s and as capacious as any Available for evening hire England’s last and greatest cost £3 for less than a square Men’ performed here more than medieval hall, this magnificent yard at a time when a family once for James I. The King used Gothic can venue is where royal residents could survive on £5 a year the Great Hall to host some of have made it … The Hall dined with courtiers, entertained – A special venue for music – with the most expensive and great hall is a most dignitaries and danced, laughed its wonderful acoustics and a elaborate theatricals ever staged and celebrated until the early dais that makes a natural stage at an English . magnificent room”

hours underneath its awesome – Increase capacity with use of the , diarist, 1662 hammer beam ceiling. Great Watching Chamber (see p14)

12 13 Capacity The space Features 150 for reception Adjoining the spectacular Great Hall (see –  Fantastic golden ceiling and the 100 for dinner p12), this warm and spacious Triumphs of Petrarch tapestries Available for evening hire has a history of entertaining. When survive from Henry VIII’s time James I’s courtiers had finished dancing – Welcome your guests via the they would pile into the Great Watching grand Queen’s Staircase Chamber to eat. Wonderful for receptions, – Henry VIII’s of the the chamber welcomes round table or Guard ‘watched’ the court from banquet-style arrangements for dinner. here, controlling access to the King’s apartments beyond

Great Watching Chamber

Tudor kitchens

Capacity The space Features 150 for reception Rustic ovens, slab stone floors and a – Mingle in the charming 100 for dinner great roasting fireplace characterise the passages and red Tudor brick largest surviving kitchens in courtyards nearby . Here, bustling teams of cooks – A roasting fire, lit during churned out two meals a day for events, adds to the atmosphere Henry VIII’s 600-strong royal court. – Costumed food historians An unusual venue and a palace favourite. available to entertain guests with stories of Tudor recipes and cooking 14 15 Impressive Stately Entertaining

Georgian Rooms

16 17 Capacity 300 for reception 200 for dinner Available for evening hire

The space King William III intended this long, oak-panelled room for his personal use, before deciding to display an awesome set of ‘cartoons’ by the Renaissance master Raphael. Today, guests enjoy the wonderful 17th-century copies of Raphael’s originals, as well as views of fountains and colonnades in the courtyard below.

Features – This large reception space easily links to the grand William III’s Apartments (see p22) to accommodate even larger numbers Cartoon – The impressive cartoons (working drawings) that currently occupy the gallery are probably by painter Gallery Henry Cooke

A palace story William III wished to be seen as a modern-day Hercules. In Fountain Court, just below the Cartoon Gallery, this is powerfully illustrated as carvings of Hercules’ skin drape over each round window and arches are topped with characterful heads of classical gods and mythic creatures.

18 19 Capacity The space Features Capacity The space Features 150 for reception One of the palace’s most imposing, – Offers guests spectacular 200 for reception Highlighting the gallery are its – Nestled in a quiet corner of the palace, 80 for dinner this room is decorated with the lavish views of the 1200m tree-lined Available for evening hire nine spectacular canvases the gallery offers easy access to the Available for evening hire paintings of Antonio Verrio. Long Water depicting The Triumphs of lush gardens of Mary II Commissioned by Queen Anne, the – Overlooks the beautiful East Caesar, a set of paintings among – Mantegna’s paintings portray Julius artist depicted her husband George, Front and Great Fountain the most famous and important Caesar arriving ‘triumphantly’ in ancient Prince of Denmark, in heroic naval guise Garden in European art history. Created with captured jewels, women and Anne herself being crowned by the – The Queen and her ladies-in- between 1484 and 1506, the and elephants gods Britannia and Neptune. waiting would retire here to works have been at the palace for play cards nearly 400 years. A popular space for drinks receptions. Queen’s Drawing Room Mantegna Mary II’s Apartments Gallery

20 21 Magnificent Wondrous

William III’s Apartments

22 23

(c) HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012. Trust /

Capacity The space Features A palace story 60 for reception Observing royal protocol, – Glorious views over the Privy One of the room’s paintings King’s 40 for dinner William III would dine here in the Garden (see p28) depicts a portly, well-dressed 24 for reception presence of important courtiers. – Furnished with torcheres man with dark hair and a cane. and dinner The King sat and ate at a large (stands), pier glasses (mirrors) This was James I’s jovial brother- Available for evening hire table while everyone watched. and pier tables in-law, the King of Denmark. Eating Today, the luxurious King’s – Perfect for an intimate dinner Christian IV visited the palace in Eating Room is popular for or reception 1606, bringing his reputation for drinks receptions and dinners hard drinking and sometimes Room where hosts aim to impress. bad behaviour at court.

24 25 Capacity The space Features A palace story 200 for reception Nearly 3,000 , bayonets, – Spectacular views of the Privy Garden below The King’s Guard Chamber is one of the King’s 150 for dinner muskets and pistols adorn the (see p28) baroque rooms designed and built by Available for evening hire walls of this striking space, – A team of conservators take four years Sir Christopher Wren for William III. The originally decorated this way for a painstakingly cleaning each piece of armour chambers were designed for the court military-conscious King William III. – As guests climb the spectacular staircase they protocols in place for meeting the King. Guard Guests will enjoy the grandest of join and Julius Caesar vying Access to each successive room was entrances as they climb one of the for a seat beneath the gods’ banquet on the granted according to a person’s status. palace’s true treasures – the ceiling above Chamber remarkable King’s Staircase.

26 27 “Hampton Court, Capacity Hampton Court, the 250 for reception The Orangery words … give off ring 150 for dinner

after ring of sound, booming, sonorous; The space and Privy and pictures rise - This long graceful room was originally designed as a private summer afternoons, greenhouse for King William III. Garden boats, old ladies The Orangery opens onto the holding their skirts up, immaculate Privy Garden, where guests can wander among the one urn in winter, pyramid yews and round-headed some daffodils in holly trees. March...”

Virginia Woolf, from The Waves Features – A fantastic venue for summer drinks receptions – Just as monarchs did, guests can arrive by river and through the fabulous gilded screens by French master blacksmith

A palace story The Privy Garden has a long history. Henry VIII created legendary heraldic gardens here. Charles I added many statues. added even more, shocking his puritan supporters who disliked the naked classical figures. Today, the garden is accurately restored to its baroque style of 1702, during William III’s reign.

28 29 Garden Serene Spacious Room Versatile

30 31 “I’ve often thought I should like to live at Hampton Court … it is such a dear old place to ramble in the early morning before many people are about.”

Jerome K Jerome, Three Men in a Boat

Capacity The space Features A palace story 300 for reception An all-purpose venue, nestled – Private paved terrace leads King Henry VIII established Garden 220 for lunch, dinner within its own private walled guests to the stunning Hampton Court as his own and dancing garden, the Garden Room is surrounding gardens ‘pleasure palace’ in the . 250 theatre style perfect for conferences, – Delegates can enjoy archery, Facilities were created for all Available for day and evening hire awaydays and corporate parties. football and other team-building sorts of activities including Room Light and airy, the venue includes activities in the nearby Tiltyard, hunting, jousting and playing Wifi access and offers easy once Henry VIII’s tournament tennis. There was even a access to the gardens for team- and jousting venue bowling alley. building activities. – Beautiful wall of French doors open out into the private walled garden

32 33 Little Intimate Peaceful Banqueting Picturesque House

34 35 Capacity The space Features Capacity The spaces Features 80 for reception From the terrace of this hidden –  Built by King William III for his personal Marquees: Marquees: By special permission, –  Purpose-built structures can be 50 for lunch and dinner gem guests will enjoy stunning entertaining Palace Palace marquees can be raised positioned to take advantage of Available for day and evening hire views of the Tudor and Baroque –  Idyllic private walled garden and easy courtyards grounds throughout the palace’s unforgettable vistas of Hampton Court palaces merging together. Inside, access to other areas, including the complex of charming –  Gardens run down to the 1,200 for 3,000 for the venue’s main room offers picturesque Pond Gardens courtyards or within its and feature sparkling fountains and reception reception spectacular decoration, with – Just as guests of the King once did, immaculate gardens and glorious displays of over 200,000 600 for dinner 1,500 for 18th-century paintings and yours may wish to make an entrance and grounds. With 750 acres flowering bulbs 360 for dinner dinner by Antonio Verrio, as well as arrive by river of tranquil rolling and dancing 1,000 for dinner beautiful views of the river. parkland available, and dancing Hampton Court offers a wonderful backdrop for large-scale events. Little Banqueting Marquee House sites

36 37 Space specifications

Great The Great Watching Tudor Cartoon Queen Anne’s Mantegna King’s Eating Hall Undercroft Chamber Kitchens Gallery Drawing Room Gallery Room Capacity Capacity Capacity Capacity Capacity Capacity Capacity Capacity

Reception400 Reception250 Reception150 Reception150 Reception300 Reception150 Reception200 Reception60

270 Dinner 220 Dancing 100 Dinner 100 Dinner 200 Dinner 80 Dinner (Available for evening hire) 40 Dinner (Available for evening hire) 180 Dinner (Available for evening hire) (Available for evening hire) (Available for evening hire) (Available for evening hire) 24 Reception (Available for evening hire) and dinner (Available for evening hire)

– Great for prestigious dinners – Great for dancing and – Great for receptions or dinners – Great for special drinks – Great for larger receptions – Great for drinks receptions – Great for drinks receptions – Great for intimate dinners and banquets, concerts and after-dinner entertainment – Available from: 18:30 in receptions – Available from: 18:30 in – Available from: 18:30 in and private viewings – Available from: 18:30 in dinners – Available from: 18:30 in summer, 17:30 in winter – Available from: 18:30 in summer, 17:30 in winter summer, 17:30 in winter – Available from: 18:30 in summer, 17:30 in winter – Available from: 18:30 in summer, 17:30 in winter – Good access to kitchens summer, 17:30 in winter – Good access to kitchens – Kitchen not easily available so summer, 17:30 in winter – Good access to kitchens summer, 17:30 in winter – Good access to kitchens – Nearest toilets: Fountain Court – Good access to kitchens – Nearest toilets: Fountain Court food must be via hot box – Nearest toilets: Base Court – Nearest toilets: – Good access to kitchens – Nearest toilets: Fountain Court – Disabled access via lift – Nearest toilets: Fountain Court or Base Court – Nearest toilets: Fountain Court Fountain Court or Base Court – Nearest toilets: Fountain Court or Base Court – Disabled toilets on same floor – Disabled toilets on same floor – Disabled access via lift – Disabled access via lift – Disabled access via lift or Base Court – Disabled toilets on same floor – Disabled toilets on same floor – Disabled toilets on same floor – Disabled toilets on same floor – Disabled access via lift – Disabled toilets on same floor

King’s Guard Orangery and Garden Little Banqueting Marquees Chamber Privy Garden Room House Getting here Capacity Capacity Capacity Capacity Capacity By car By train River launch Marquees: Palace The palace is on the Train service is half-hourly Independent river launch courtyards A308 and easily reached at Hampton Court Rail operators serving the Reception200 Reception250 Reception300 Reception80 by road from , station, only a short walk palaces have a variety of 1,200 Reception Heathrow and from the palace. Journeys boats for private hire – our 150 Dinner 150 Dinner 220 Dinner, dancing 50 Dinner and lunch 600 Dinner surrounding areas by from London Waterloo team can provide more (Available for evening hire) (Available for evening hire) and lunch (Available for day and 360 Dinner the M4, M3 and M25 take just 35 minutes details on request. evening hire) and dancing 250 Theatre style motorways. One mile via Wimbledon and from Kingston-upon- Clapham Junction. (Available for day and Marquees: Palace evening hire) grounds Thames, is just 15 miles Adams – Great for dinners and – Great for summer receptions – Great for conferences and – Great for intimate lunches 3,000 Reception from London’s West End. Gate receptions – Available from: 18:30 in dinner dances and special dinners 1,500 Dinner Garden Kingston – Available from: 18:30 in summer, 17:30 in winter – Available for day and evening – Available for day and evening Room Gate summer, 17:30 in winter – Good access to kitchens hire hire 1,000 Dinner Parking is available within Seymour – Good access to kitchens – Nearest toilets: Base Court – Catering provided by in-house – Catering kitchen on-site and dancing the grounds. Gate – Nearest toilets: Base Court – Disabled toilets on same floor supplier – Disabled access via lift – Fully accessible and excellent – Great for large-scale events – Disabled toilets on same floor facilities on-site and increasing the capacity of Contact us Vine – Equipped with AV facilities the palace Gate including screen and projector, – Bespoke structures built for T. 020 3166 6507 every event Wi-Fi available Little E. [email protected] Banqueting – Events requiring use of the House palace will be evening only, www.hrp.org.uk/HireAVenue when it is closed to the public Hampton Court Palace KT8 9AU 38 39 Giving history a future Historic Royal Places – Palace Icons By hosting your event at Every year, we entertain and engage venues to exclusive exhibition Hampton Court Palace you’re not millions of visitors. Every day we are openings and supporters’ dinners. only contributing to the upkeep forming new relationships, as we For more information please and protection of this magnificent help people explore the stories of contact us on 020 3166 6321 or building and its splendid grounds, the five famous royal palaces in our email [email protected]. but also to the conservation care. At our We look forward to hearing of four other very special business is very much about Historic Royal Placesfrom – Palace you. Icons historic buildings. welcoming people, and creating surprising, enriching experiences Historic Royal Palaces is the they will never forget. Corporate gifts independent charity that looks If you are looking for an unusual after the of London, So, whether it is sponsoring a and unique gift for your guest, Hampton Court Palace, blockbuster exhibition, lending may we suggest that you look to the , support to an -winning Historic Royal Palaces for inspiration. Palace and Palace. outreach or education programme All our products are inspired by our Our aim is to helpHistoric everyone explore Royal or gettingPlaces involved – Palacein one of our Icons five magnificent palaces, so we the story of how monarchs and corporate partnership schemes, you know you will find just the right gift people have shaped society in five can be sure we will welcome your for your event, whether you are of the greatest palaces ever built. employees and clients with the same searching for one special present panache we do our visitors and Your event directly supports this or entertaining a large number guests, while offering you exclusive mission, as we raise all our own of guests. benefits and opportunities not funds and on the support found anywhere else. If you would like help in choosing Historicof our visitors,Royal members, Places donors, – Palace Icons gifts, our experienced team can sponsors and volunteers in our We have designed partnership discuss individual requirements. continuing work to conserve packages to help you access the We pride ourselves in offering these palaces and their stories royal palaces in ways that will best high quality products, unrivalled for future generations. meet your company’s aims. But you customer service and working will also receive a highly individual with all our customers’ varied range of benefits, tailor-made to suit In good company requirements to provide the your interests. We can inspire your Historic Royal PlacesWe are pleased– Palace to invite youIcons to complete gift service. employees with exclusive events, discover some of the benefits of private views and volunteering Please visit our website corporate partnership with opportunities. And we can help you www.historicroyalpalaces.com Historic Royal Palaces. build client relationships and extend or contact us on 020 3166 6857 your networks in a variety of ways – or [email protected] from the use of our breathtaking

Tower of Hampton Banqueting Kensington London Court Palace House Palace A hidden gem of a palace tucked away Breathtaking fortress Hosting magnificent One of London’s Where style meets among beautiful royal and iconic symbol of most desirable venues power, this elegant royal and unforgettable gardens a world city events since 1514 and home to the retreat enchants and irreplaceable surprises Rubens’ ceiling SteersMcGillanEves Design SteersMcGillanEves 40 41 Contact us to arrange a site visit T. 020 3166 6507 E. [email protected] www.hrp.org.uk 42