Discover the sunken gardens created for Henry VIII and transformed by Mary II
The Pond Gardens are a highlight of the Hampton Court Gardens, especially in spring and summer when vibrant displays of tulips and summer planting fill the space.
These gardens were originally fish ponds made for Henry VIII. In the 1690s, Mary II transformed the Tudor pond yards into sunken gardens to display her rare and exotic plant collection.
In the summer, Mary displayed her citrus fruit trees here. In the winter, the plants were sheltered from the weather nearby in innovative heated glass cases made by the Dutch carpenter Hendrick Floris.
In the early 20th century, gardeners created the Dutch-style garden that you see today with its tiered paths, topiary hedges, statues and bedding.
The 18th-century lead statue of Venus in the garden was discovered in 1982 in 'Mrs Grundy's gallery' – a private room in the palace used by a prudish housekeeper to hide paintings and sculptures which she felt were unsuitable for the public!
When
Open
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Included in palace admission (Members go free)
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- Things to see
Privy Garden
Explore the Privy Garden, now restored to its former glory and complete with its intricate Tijou Screen.
- Open
- In line with palace opening hours
- Hampton Court Palace
- Included in palace admission (Members go free)
- Things to see
The Rose Garden
Discover an abundance of colour in the grounds of the historic Tudor buildings at Hampton Court Palace.
- Open
- In line with palace opening hours
- Hampton Court Palace
- Included in palace admission (Members go free)
- Things to see
Hampton Court Gardens
Take time to explore and relax in these world-renowned gardens and find our free entry Garden Open Days dates.
- Open
- In line with palace opening hours
- Hampton Court Palace
- Included in palace admission (Members go free)
BROWSE MORE HISTORY AND STORIES
The Field of Cloth of Gold
Henry VIII's historic meeting with his great rival François I in 1520 was a defining point in his reign
Katherine Parr
The remarkable life of Henry VIII’s last Queen
Elizabeth I
From Tower prisoner to English Queen
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