Inspired by the discovery of the remains of a 16th century conduit (or fountain) during a major archaeological dig at Hampton Court Palace in 2008, the new fountain’s design is based on detailed historic research into wine fountains that were commonly used during festivals and celebrations by Henry VIII (reigned 1509 - 1547).

Taking shape in Hampton Court Palace’s largest inner courtyard, known as Base Court, on the site of the excavated Tudor conduit, the new wine fountain will act as a magnificent centrepiece to the courtyard, whilst also serving a functional purpose – it will run with red and (chilled) white wine on weekends and bank holidays (beginning 1st May), enabling visitors to raise a glass to Henry VIII and his magnificent Tudor palace!

Standing at over 4 metres tall, the fountain is constructed from authentic materials including timber, lead, bronze and gold-leaf, and like the recently discovered Tudor conduit, sits upon an octagonal base. A major source for the fountain’s design is the Field of the Cloth of Gold painting, created in the 1540s for Henry VIII and displayed at Hampton Court Palace. The painting depicts his meeting with the French King, Francis I, at Guines (near Calais) in 1520. Both kings sought to out-do one another with cultural displays and entertainments, and as shown in the painting, Henry VIII built an elaborate ‘pop-up’ palace with two large wine fountains for his courtiers to enjoy. Contemporary accounts of the these fountains have provided further details of their features that have been recreated on the new fountain, including the motto faicte bonne chere quy vouldra (‘let he who wishes make good cheer’), classical friezes and the appearance of Bacchus, god of wine.

Since some of the more detailed and intricate elements of the fountains cannot be seen very clearly in the painting, the Tudor palace itself has also been used as design inspiration – the new fountain features 40 gilded lions’ heads copied from the terracotta roundels that decorates the outer walls of the Tudor palace, 8 brass taps based on a surviving Tudor tap at the palace, the classical friezes taken from The Family of Henry VIII portrait (c. 1545) on display at Hampton Court, and 4 mottos spelt out in gilded lead lettering, inspired by the palace’s Chapel Royal.

The wine fountain will provide a new focal point to the Base Court, as part of independent charity Historic Royal Palaces’ long running ambition to bring the atmosphere back to this historic courtyard and restore it as the heart of Henry VIII’s best known and largest surviving palace. In Tudor times, Base Court acted as an open-air hotel lobby, where King Henry’s guests were welcomed and received by court officials. Over the course of the 20th century, however, the courtyard became increasingly sedate. In early 2009, following extensive archaeology, the courtyard was resurfaced, with Victorian lawns removed, lost historic paths and cobbling restored, and the remains of the newly discovered conduit carefully protected beneath the courtyard, enabling visitors to enjoy it once again as a bustling hub of activity.

Dr Kent Rawlinson, Curator of Historic Buildings at Hampton Court Palace commented: “Hampton Court was a ‘pleasure palace’ for Henry VIII, where guests were entertained with spectacular revels and festivities, and wine and beer were drunk in enormous quantities, as evidenced by the great cellars that still survive here. Now with the restoration of Base Court, and the introduction of our magnificent wine fountain, palace visitors can join a centuries-old tradition and raise a glass to King Henry at his famous royal residence.”