Where did King Henry VIII live in London?

Henry was born at Greenwich Palace in 1491. He spent many years here as king, enjoying hunting in its vast grounds and watching ships on the nearby River Thames. He also built many additions to the palace, like a banqueting hall and a tiltyard for jousting. In 1536, Henry had a serious jousting accident here that legend says changed him into a furious tyrant. He never jousted again.

Eltham Palace had been a royal residence since the 1300s. Before he was king, the little Prince Henry spent his childhood here with his older brother and two sisters. It was also an important palace in his early years as king. He spent a lot of money extending the palace and building a tiltyard, chapel and new rooms. Henry was the last monarch to spend much time at Eltham, and from the 1530s, he lived elsewhere.

In 1529, Henry took Hampton Court from his former lord chancellor, Thomas Wolsey, after accusing him of treason. He transformed it into a lavish palace that flaunted his wealth and power. Hampton Court had a grand chapel, many luxurious lodgings and the largest kitchen in Tudor England. Henry also kitted it out with expensive art, including silk and gold-thread tapestries. It was his favourite home.

Looming over the River Thames since the 1090s, the Tower of London is best known as a prison and the execution site for two of Henry’s wives, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard. But it was also a royal residence. Henry renovated and updated much of the medieval palace. He stayed there on a number of occasions, including a few nights before Boleyn’s coronation and, later, before her execution.

Westminster had been the main London royal residence since 1049. Henry spent much of his early reign in this medieval palace. But in 1512, a fire ravaged the royal apartments and he had to move out. While no longer a royal home, Westminster continued to be the country’s legal and administrative centre, retaining the regal title of ‘the Palace’. It also became the permanent home of Parliament.

Bridewell was built on the banks of the River Fleet, just outside the City of London walls. It was previously a house owned by Wolsey. But after the Westminster fire, Henry needed somewhere new in London. From 1515 to 1523, he acquired Bridewell and turned it into his own palace. The City of London took over the building in 1556 and converted it into a prison, hospital and workhouse.

Whitehall was previously called York Place and was Wolsey’s main home. In 1530, after Henry had removed Wolsey from power, he took Wolsey’s glorious palace and made it his main London residence. Henry began a huge rebuilding programme that included a new turreted gateway, gardens and sports grounds, including a tennis court. He celebrated marriages here and, aged 55, he died here on 28 January 1547.