Hampton Court Palace, located in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, is a royal palace with a rich and fascinating history spanning over 500 years. Originally built for Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, a favorite of King Henry VIII, in 1514, the palace was later seized by the King and became one of his primary residences. Henry VIII embarked on a massive rebuilding and expansion project, transforming Hampton Court into a magnificent Renaissance palace.
Over the centuries, the palace has witnessed numerous significant events and hosted many notable figures. It was the birthplace and childhood home of Edward VI, and the site of the birth and death of Henry VIII’s third wife, Jane Seymour. The palace also served as a residence for other monarchs, including Elizabeth I, James I, and Charles I.
During the Georgian period, parts of the palace were divided into “grace-and-favour” apartments, given to individuals who had served the monarchy or the country in some notable capacity. This practice continued until the early 20th century. Today, Hampton Court Palace is open to the public and is cared for by the independent charity Historic Royal Palaces.
Hampton Court Palace is widely regarded as one of the most haunted places in England. One of the most famous ghostly residents is Catherine Howard, the fifth wife of Henry VIII. In 1541, Catherine was accused of adultery and placed under house arrest at the palace. Legend has it that she escaped from her guards and ran down the gallery, now known as the Haunted Gallery, screaming for the King to spare her life. She was captured and dragged back to her rooms, and 3 months later, executed at the Tower of London. Visitors and staff have reported hearing Catherine’s anguished screams echoing through the gallery, and some have even claimed to see her ghostly figure running and begging for mercy.
Another well-known apparition is Sybil Penn, also known as the Grey Lady of Hampton Court. Sybil served as a nurse to Prince Edward and Elizabeth I, and died of smallpox in the palace. Her ghost is said to haunt various areas of the palace, particularly the Clock Court and the State Apartments. In 1829, her tomb was disturbed, and shortly after, strange noises and sightings of a woman in grey were reported by the Ponsonby family, who lived in the palace at the time.
The ghost of Jane Seymour, Henry VIII’s third wife, has also been spotted in the palace. Jane died shortly after giving birth to Prince Edward in 1537. Her spirit has been seen carrying a lighted candle on the Silverstick Stairs, near the room where she passed away. Other ghostly encounters include the sighting of a “Cavalier” figure, believed to be one of two ill-fated men whose skeletons were discovered during drainage works in the palace.
Visitors and staff have also reported cold spots, unexplained scents, and feelings of unease in various parts of the palace. Some have even fainted or fallen ill in the Haunted Gallery. Hampton Court Palace continues to captivate visitors with its rich history and tales of supernatural occurrences, cementing its status as one of the most haunted locations in the United Kingdom.
