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I was recently searching the Internet trying to find a list of Henry VIII’s palaces and houses but was unable to find a complete list online. I am though lucky enough to own Simon Thurley’s The Royal Palaces of Tudor England, which includes a wonderful map showing the distribution of royal houses in 1547 (Pg. 69) and so decided to put together my own resource.

The following list, adapted from Thurley’s map, includes castles, palaces, large houses, lesser houses, hunting lodges, confiscated houses, monastic conversions and defensive fortresses and is based on the research of Simon Thurley.

It’s important to note that this is indeed a work in progress. Where something remains of the palace or house today, a link will be included. If the building is also on my Anne Boleyn list of places then the title will be linked to the relevant entry where you will find more information about the history of the property and its links to Anne Boleyn.

Eventually, I hope to provide some information about all the properties but considering that there are over 60 on the list, this may take some time.

I feel that I should also mention that the list of Henry VIII’s palaces and houses varies depending on whether you include confiscated houses that Henry owned but never used and defensive castles. It also varies depending on what year in Henry’s reign you are researching. I have in my reading seen a number of other properties listed as belonging to Henry VIII at some point during his reign and have added those at the end of the list.

Windsor Castle

Visit Windsor Castle’s official website here.

Tower of London

Visit the Tower of London’s official website here.

Whitehall Palace

Before being destroyed by fire in 1698, Whitehall had grown to be one of the largest palaces in Europe, boasting an unbelievable 1500 rooms! King Henry VIII married Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour in the palace and also died there in 1547. Today, the only thing remaining is the Banqueting House built in 1622 although there are parts of the old palace incorporated in other buildings.

Some ruins from Whitehall can be found outside the Ministry of Defense.

(Read more about Whitehall and Anne Boleyn’s connection to it here.)

Nonsuch Palace

A Tudor royal palace built by Henry VIII in Surrey. Work commenced in 1538 and was not yet complete when Henry died in 1547. The palace stood until 1682-83, when Barbara, Countess of Castlemaine, demolished it. Some elements of the building have been incorporated into other buildings but no trace of the palace remains on site today.

Loseley House’s magnificent Great Hall contains panelling from Henry VIII’s Nonsuch Palace and his banqueting tents.

Read more about Nonsuch Palace here.

Eltham

Visit Eltham’s official website here.

Hampton Court Palace

Visit Hampton Court’s official website here.

St James’s Palace

For more information click here.

Hatfield House

Hatfield House’s official website.

Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey official website

Westminster Hall

http://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/building/palace/westminsterhall/

Palace of Beaulieu (also known as New Hall)

http://www.newhallschool.co.uk/about-new-hall/history-of-new-hall-and-the-school/

Greenwich

Knole

On the outskirts of Sevenoaks is a beautiful stately home set in a magnificent deer park. In Tudor times, Knole belonged to Thomas Cranmer, the Archbishop of Canterbury who declared Henry VIII’s marriage to first wife Katherine void and his marriage to Anne Boleyn valid. Little good it did him, Henry fancied Knole for himself and in 1538 he forced Cranmer to hand it over. Portraits of Tudor monarchs, including Henry and Anne, are just some of the many treasures you’ll find here. The superb medieval deer park where Henry hunted is the only one remaining in Kent.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-knole/w-knole-history.htm

Leeds Castle

http://www.leeds-castle.com/goto.php?ref=y&sess=u0%7Cp0%7Cn0%7Cc0%7Cs0%7Cg1%7Cd0&

Woodstock

Woodstock palace was a royal residence in the English town of Woodstock. Elizabeth I was imprisoned here in 1554. Woodstock Palace was destroyed during the English Civil War and Blenheim Palace was later built on the same site.

Richmond/Sheen

Ewelme

In the 14th century, Sir John Burghersh held the Manor of Ewelme in Oxfordshire. On his death in 1491, it passed to his younger daughter, Maud, who had married Thomas Chaucer, son of the poet Geoffrey Chaucer.

Find out more about Ewelme here.

Ludlow Castle

http://www.ludlowcastle.com/Pages/history.aspx

Oatlands Palace

Ampthill Castle

Woking Palace

http://www.woking.gov.uk/woking/heritage/palace

Halnaker

Petworth

Penshurst Place

Visit Penshurst Place’s official website here.

Guildford

West Horsley

Westenhanger

Charing

Canterbury

Otford

Beddington

Rochester

Dartford

Suffolk Place

Hackney

Wanstead

Havering

Chobham

http://www.chobham.info/chobham_park_2.htm

Hanworth

http://www.s-george.org.uk/hanworth.html

Syon

Mortlake

Parlaunt

Ditton

Chelsea

Enfield

Bridewell

Reading

Langley

The More

St Alban’s

Ashridge

Dunstable

Grafton

Hertford

Hunsdon

Tyttenhangar

Esher

Wayneflete’s Tower is the only surviving remains of the late 15th century Bishops palace and later Royal Palace of Esher.

Pastscape information

Tickenhill

Fotheringhay

Collyweston

Hull

A coastal fortress built by Henry VIII between 1538 and 1544 and situated in what is now the city of Kingston upon Hull in the historic county of the East Riding of Yorkshire.

Kenilworth

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/kenilworth-castle//

York

Newcastle

Other properties not included in Thurley’s list:

Dover Castle

Baynard Castle

Palace Pendennis

Raglan Castle

Hever Castle

Farnham

Chester Castle

Pembroke Castle

References:

Thurley, S. The Royal Palaces of Tudor England, 1993.

