Learn more about the favourite game of Henry VIII
Learn about the favourite game of Henry VIII at the Royal Tennis Court, where kings and their courtiers once enjoyed this fast-paced, exciting sport.
The display in the viewing gallery includes handmade balls, life-sized character illustrations and custom-made racquets.
Tennis and the Tudors
As a young man, Henry VIII was athletic, graceful and loved sports, especially tennis. He was a keen and talented player who spent hours on court.
In 1519, the Venetian Ambassador wrote: 'it was the prettiest thing in the world to see him play; his fair skin glowing through a shirt of the finest texture'.
Henry's second wife Anne Boleyn was gambling on a game of tennis when she was arrested to be taken to the Tower of London. She even complained that she couldn’t collect her winnings!
History of the Royal Tennis Courts
The first tennis court at Hampton Court Palace was built for Cardinal Wolsey between 1526 and 1529.
The current tennis court was built for Charles I in 1625. Three of its walls date from this period and the external wall to the right of the viewing gallery is one of Cardinal Wolsey's originals.
When
Open
Ticketing information
Access to the spectator viewing area is via the East Front Garden.
Included in palace admission (members go free)
Buy Hampton Court Palace ticketsLearn more about the long history of real tennis in this short film.
The Real Tennis Champions Trophy takes place at Hampton Court Palace every summer, supported by Mitsubishi Electric.
Visiting the courts
The Hampton Court Palace tennis club is for private members. Non-members and visitors are permitted into the viewing gallery to watch a game.
The club may close at short notice for private events and maintenance. However, it is a very active club, with many members, so your chances of seeing a game in play when the viewing gallery is open are very high.
Try your hand at real tennis
The club offers an introduction to the game, and if you like it you can apply to be a member.
Visit The Royal Tennis Court websiteHistory of real tennis
Real tennis is the original indoor racquet sport from which the modern game of tennis is descended. It only acquired its 'real' tag at the end of the 19th century to distinguish it from the new-fangled 'lawn' tennis.
One of the first English guides to tennis in 1553 claimed, 'this game has been created for a good purpose, namely, to keep our bodies healthy, to make our young men stronger and more robust, chasing idleness, virtue’s mortal enemy, far from them and thus making them of a stronger and more excellent nature'.
EXPLORE WHAT'S ON
- Things to see
Henry VIII's Kitchens
Transport yourself back to the heyday of Tudor feasting and entertainment in Henry VIII's Kitchens at Hampton Court Palace.
- Open
- Hampton Court Palace
- Included in palace admission (members go free)
- Things to see
Haunted Gallery and Processional Route
Walk Henry VIII’s route from his private apartments to the Chapel and see the infamous Haunted Gallery in the State Apartments.
- Open
- Hampton Court Palace
- Included in palace admission (members go free)
- Things to see
The Chapel Royal
Walk in the footsteps of kings and queens and see Anne Boleyn's Book of Hours, in the Chapel Royal.
- Open Wednesday - Saturday
- 10:00-16:30
- Hampton Court Palace
- Included in palace admission (members go free)
BROWSE MORE HISTORY AND STORIES
Henry VIII, Terrible Tudor?
Who was the real Henry VIII?
Anne of Cleves
‘I like her not.’ The wife rejected by Henry VIII
Catherine Howard
A young woman whose marriage to Henry VIII would end in tragedy
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