HAMPTON COURT PALACE HAS A SPECTACULAR NEW LOOK
Hampton Court Palace has had a temporary facelift with a massive and spectacular portrait image of The Great Gatehouse superimposed over the main entrance.
The art work has become a visitor attraction in itself with its intricate imagery depicting the brickwork as well as the ornate windows and the actual craftsmen working on the scaffolding in the working man’s clothes of the day.
The Great Gatehouse or main entrance is expected to be closed until May 2026 but visitors can still use Seymour Gate to enter the Palace – a large entrance gate to the left of the Great Gatehouse.
In the front of the house a small display explains ‘What is Happening Here?’
It says:
Repairing the Gatehouse
Cardinal Wolsey’s Great Gatehouse is over 500 years old and requires essential conservation repairs to ensure it stands for for another five centuries. We will be replacing failed lead roof coverings, dismantling and reconstructing the Oriel window, repairing and re-pointing brickwork and making improvements to the glazed windows.
Rain, Rain Go Away
The unpredictable English weather has caused severe weathering and general decay of the building. Brickwork and impervious mortars require major conservation with glazing cracked and embedded ferramenta (ironwork which supports stained glass windows) generally decayed. This essential work will restore the Gatehouse to its grand splendour and ensure it continues to welcome visitors for generations to come.
Opening times can be fund here: Opening and closing times | Hampton Court Palace | Historic Royal Palaces
HISTORIC NOTE:
The Great Gatehouse, also known as the ‘King’s Gate’, is the main entrance to the Hampton Court Palace in the United Kingdom. The Palace itself, situated in the city of London, is one of the official residences of the Monarch.
The Great Gatehouse of Hampton Court Palace is a stunning example of 16th-century Tudor architecture, standing as a testament to the grandeur and power of the British Monarchy.
Originally constructed for Cardinal Wolsey in the early 16th century, the Gatehouse would later become the entrance to the Royal Palace during the reigns of King Henry VIII and his successors. Its magnificent design, featuring a central arch flanked by two imposing towers, was the work of renowned architect Sir Christopher Wren.
Throughout its history, the Great Gatehouse has served as a symbol of royal power and authority. It was the site of many important ceremonies, including the arrival of royal guests, the introduction of foreign ambassadors, and the passage of monarchs on their way to the palace.
During the Tudor period, the gatehouse also played an important role in the life of the court, serving as a hub of activity for the Palace’s many courtiers and officials. It was here that petitions were presented to the monarch, and where visitors could catch a glimpse of the glamorous life of the court.
With the continued success and expansion of the British Empire, the Great Gatehouse remains an important landmark, representing the unbroken chain of British power and influence throughout the ages.
Today, visitors to Hampton Court Palace can still marvel at the beauty and majesty of this magnificent structure, and feel the weight of centuries of history as they tread the same path as the kings and queens who have passed through its gates, the Great Gatehouse of Hampton Court Palace remains a fitting symbol of the strength and power of the British Monarchy.