Henry VIII in London

Greenwich

The Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich was once the site of the grand Palace of Placentia, built by Henry VIII's ancestors. Henry was born at the palace in 1491 and spent much of his time there. He married two of his wives at Placentia; two of his daughters, Mary and Elizabeth, were born at the palace; and his son Edward died there.

Eltham Palace

Eltham Palace was a medieval Royal palace and Henry VIII's boyhood home. It was later owned by textile magnates Stephen and Virginia Courtauld; in 1936 they built a glamorous art deco showpiece next to the original building. Today you can see the Courtaulds' 1930s home alongside the Tudor Great Hall, which still looks as it did when Henry played there as a child.

Richmond Palace

Henry VII completed the splendid Richmond Palace in 1501 and named it after Richmond, his earldom in Yorkshire. The area around the palace later adopted the name. Henry VII died at the palace in 1509. He was succeeded by his second and only surviving son, who became King Henry VIII. Today when you visit Richmond you can take a guided tour of the ruins of Richmond Palace and learn about its history.

Hyde Park

Henry VIII acquired Hyde Park from the monks of Westminster Abbey in 1536. He had a fence put around the park and used it as a private hunting ground, where he and members of his court hunted deer. Many of the Royal Parks in central London were used by the Tudors as hunting grounds.

Richmond Park

Henry VIII is said to have watched hunting from a high point in Richmond Park, now called King Henry's Mound. Legend has it that he waited there for a smoke signal from the Tower of London to signal the death of his second wife, Anne Boleyn, in 1536. There's now a protected view from King Henry's Mound, through a specially maintained gap in the trees, to St Paul's Cathedral.

River Thames

The Tudor court used to travel between their riverside palaces in a procession of ornate barges along the River Thames. Today, you can recreate Henry's journey by taking a boat trip from Westminster to Greenwich, Richmond or Hampton Court.Or, if you prefer to explore at a more leisurely pace, why not enjoy a Thames riverside walk along one of several picturesque routes. 

Westminster Abbey

Henry VIII and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, were crowned at Westminster Abbey on 24 June 1509. Henry's father, Henry VII, is buried in the abbey's Henry VII Chapel. Two of Henry VIII's daughters, Mary and Elizabeth, are also buried at the abbey in a magnificent tomb.

Hampton Court Palace

Henry VIII took Hampton Court Palace from his chief minister, Thomas Wolsey, and rebuilt it. Henry's third wife, Jane Seymour, gave birth to his only legitimate son, Prince Edward, at the palace, and died soon afterwards. Henry married his sixth and last wife, Kathryn Parr, at Hampton Court.

Whitehall Palace

Henry VIII also took Whitehall Palace from Thomas Wolsey, and turned it into his principal residence in Westminster. On Henry's death, it was the largest royal palace in Europe, covering 23 acres. Although none of the palace survives today, you can still visit Banqueting House, a beautiful building designed by Inigo Jones during the reign of James I, which stands on the same site.

Tower of London

Two of Henry VIII's wives were executed at the Tower of London. Anne Boleyn, his second wife, was accused of adultery and treason when she was unable to provide him with a male heir. Catherine Howard, Henry’s fifth wife, was found guilty of a similar charge.

Windsor Castle

Henry VIII died in 1547. He was buried in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, beside his third and favourite wife, Jane Seymour. If you visit the chapel today, you can still see the ledger stone that marked Henry's burial, as well as a beautiful stained glass window depicting the King. In the State Apartments, you can see a suit of Henry's armour, and portraits of his family and contemporaries.