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About
FOUNTAIN COURT
The Fountain Court we see today was preceded by Green Cloister Court dating from the reign of Henry VIII. This had itself once been an earlier Tudor Knot Garden: a formal garden of herbs and shrubs laid out in intricate patterns.
Fountain Court, as seen recently in Bridgerton, forms an important part of Christopher Wren’s baroque remodelling of the palace for William III and Mary II (1689-1702) which he began designing in 1689.
CHRISTOPHER WREN
Wren’s works at Hampton Court Palace include Fountain Court, which held private and state apartments for both the King and Queen, the Lower Orangery, and the grand colonnade in Clock Court, providing a grand entrance to the King's Apartments.
Work on Fountain Court began in 1689 when the Tudor private apartments were demolished and foundations were dug. The construction process was initially very fast paced, but after a deadly collapse took the lives of two workers in early December 1689 it slowed considerably.
The new construction was still ongoing in 1694 when another tragedy brought a near complete halt to the works, the death of Mary II. On Mary’s death, most work on the palace was halted and it was not until 1699 that William III decided to restart the construction works.
COURTIERS AT FOUNTAIN COURT
The new palace included lots of room for members of William III’s court. The most important courtiers were given the most space. The King’s favourite, Lord Albermarle, was assigned eight rooms and four closets directly adjacent to the King’s own private apartments, and a further seven rooms on an upper floor.
Other members of the court had to make do with much smaller apartments, often in the older Tudor parts of the palace.
Guide Prices
Included in palace admission (members go free).
Book Tickets Online
Map & Directions
Road Directions
By Car:
The palace is located on the A308 and is well signposted from all the major local roads. From the M25 take either exit 10 on to the A307 or exit 12 on to the A308. From the A3 and then the A309.
Car Parking
Limited parking is available. During our busy periods it is advisable to consider other means of travel.
Accessible parking
There are 9 disabled parking bays available on site. Parking on site is free for Blue Badge holders.
On-site
£1.60 per hour (car parking bays fit a standard car only). Pay for your parking with cash or card.
Public Transport Directions
By Train:
South West Trains run services direct from London Waterloo to Hampton Court. The journey takes only 35 minutes and the palace is a 2-minute walk across the bridge from the station. Hampton Court station is in zone 6. Oyster cards are accepted on this route.
By Bus:
From Kingston - 111*, 216*, 411*, 461, 513 From Richmond - R68* *These services accept Oyster cards, LT cards, bus passes, Travelcards, Freedom Passes and Saver Tickets.
By Minibus/coach:
Drop-off and collection points: - Hampton Court Green (500 metres from entrance). - Hampton Court Station Coach Park (200 metres from entrance).
By River boat:
From Richmond or Kingston with Turk Launches (April - mid September) and from Westminster with Westminster Passenger Cruises (April - September).
On-site
£1.60 per hour (car parking bays fit a standard car only). Pay for your parking with cash or card.
Nearby
Hampton Court Green (500 metres from entrance) - £1.50 per hour Hampton Court Train Station (200 metres from entrance) - For information about prices, please visit the National Rail website.
Accessible by Public Transport.
