If you’re looking for ghosts, England’s Hampton Court Palace is one of the most haunted places in the British Isles.
Located southwest of central London next to the River Thames, Hampton Court Palace has a colorful history and many legendary ghosts.
Hampton Court was originally the property of the Order of St John of Jerusalem, linked to the famous Knights Templar featured in books such as The DaVinci Code.
Cardinal Wolsey, a favorite of Henry VIII, took over the site in 1514 and turned it into the finest palace in England.
Wolsey, a Catholic priest, lived at Hampton Court with Joan Larke, his “non-canonical” wife with whom he had two children. However, by 1519 this relationship became a liability for Wolsey, so he hastily found a husband for Joan. If Joan haunts the palace, she’s seen only briefly.
In 1528, when England was in turmoil over King Henry’s interest in Anne Boleyn, Wolsey gave Hampton Court to the king as a gift. (About a year later, Wolsey was arrested and then accused of treason. He died shortly afterward.)
Henry finally married Anne Boleyn in 1533 and then had her executed in 1536. Her apartments at Hampton Court Palace were still under construction when she was beheaded. She’s among the palace’s many ghosts.
Henry’s other wives — all of whom might make an appearance at Hampton Court Palace when you’re three — were Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard, and Catherine Parr. His mistresses included Elizabeth Blount Tailboys Fiennes and Mary Boleyn Carey Stafford.
Hampton Court Palace is haunted, indoors and out. The palace’s “haunted gallery” is well known for its ghosts. Though Anne Boleyn is one of the palace’s most famous spirits, Hampton Court Palace is just one of the locations where Mistress Anne is seen wearing a blue or black gown.
Other wives, ghostly dogs, hidden rooms, disturbed graves and disembodied hands are among the many tales of haunted Hampton Court Palace.
Trivia: George II (for whom the song “God Save the King” was written) was the last British monarch to reside at Hampton Court, and died there in 1760.
Tour Hampton Court Palace’s legendary halls and learn more of its eerie ghost stories in this 9-minute video.
You can spend the night in an apartment (sleeps 6) in Fish Court, the service wing of Hampton Court Palace. This part of the palace was begun by Cardinal Wolsey and was expanded by Henry VIII. Generally, you’ll need to make a reservation at least a year in advance. For more information, see the Landmark Trust webpage for Fish Court in Hampton Court Palace.