I Events at Hampton Court Palace “ 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, England’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 Anne Boleyn 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, courtiers, palaces ever built. 2 3 A rising star in the 1603 1606 1689 2005 court of King Henry VIII, Staging William Shakespeare The King of Denmark – William III and Mary II Tony Blair hosts Thomas Wolsey 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 Great Hall (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 Elizabeth I, 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 tiltyard 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 medal 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 France. 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 astronomical clock 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 order. 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 Latin, 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. Antonio Verrio. Charles I loved Christopher Wren. Hampton Court and Andrea Mantegna. filled it with wonderful Around nearly every works of art. 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 Chapel 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 Orangery Garden Little Marquees: Marquees: Undercroft Watching Kitchens Gallery Drawing Gallery Eating Guard and Privy Room Banqueting Palace Palace Chamber Room Room Chamber Garden House 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 style 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 entertainment. 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 tapestries 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 architecture 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 royal court. magnificent room” hours underneath its awesome – Increase capacity with use of the John Evelyn, 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 state room 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 Yeoman 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 Renaissance kitchens in courtyards nearby Europe. 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’ lion 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.