The nursery that Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn prepared for the male heir that they so desperately wanted and never had is among “lost” 16th-century buildings of Hampton Court Palace whose site archaeologists hope to find and excavate.

Bringing the Tudor palace into the 21st century with new electrics and wifi access is enabling archaeologists to step back in time with a major excavation that begins this autumn.

They hope to discover vital evidence of private apartments that were demolished in the 17th century by Sir Christopher Wren in building his baroque palace directly on top of their foundations. Little is known about the original designs.

An excavation will go under Wren’s palace, into the ground floor of what was once the Tudor queen's state apartments, where the nursery was constructed.

Archaeologists want to study a layer of Tudor rubble over which Wren built new apartments. Even tiny fragments could offer vital clues.

Daniel Jackson, curator of historic buildings at Hampton Court Palace, said: “It’s an incredible opportunity to learn about the history of the palace. We are so excited. It’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to excavate Hampton Court as it’s a scheduled monument. This gives us a chance to record some really exciting archaeology. Some of the most exciting lost buildings at Hampton Court are going to be at the bottom of our trenches.”