A new layer of history for Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace, one of the most famous royal residences in the world, is to get a ‘new layer of history’ and it will end up reaching for the skies.

The palace, one of Henry VIII’s favourite homes, will see one of its most celebrated gardens reworked to add in a very modern take on a space that’s been cultivated by Queen Anne and Queen Victoria.

The Great Fountain Garden at Hampton Court is to be replanted with sustainability in mind. The work will include a national collection of Echinacea Purpurea which will grow to heights of around 1.5 metres.

King William III and Queen Mary II began laying out the Great Fountain Garden almost as soon as they took the throne in 1689. The space has been a royal favourite with Mary’s sister, Queen Anne, adding her own touches to it. Queen Victoria also loved the space and brought in bright bedding plants and herbaceous borders.

Now, in the reign of Charles III, The King’s passion for the environment will come to the fore at Hampton Court with a scheme built around sustainability.

The replanting, led by award winning garden designer Ann-Marie Powell, will include 32 flower beds across 1.5 acres and is designed to bring a wave of colour throughout the year.

It will also provide a natural habitat for pollinators and wildlife. The beds will be created with a ‘no-dig’ approach to support long term soil health. It’s part of the plan for Historic Royal Palaces, the charity which cares for Hampton Court, to be nature positive and carbon free by 2050.

The garden replanting is a key part of HRP’s Sustainability Action Plan.

Ann-Marie Powell said she was excited to be leading the project, adding ”This isn’t just about making something beautiful—it’s about creating a living, breathing landscape that connects people to the natural world, evokes the history beneath their feet, and inspires new ways of thinking about gardens today. It’s our hope that everyone who walks through this space will find something that speaks to them—whether it’s a plant they recognise, a bee at work, or just a moment of wonder.”

Alex Wigley, Head of Parks and Gardens at Historic Royal Palaces, said royal history was key to the project, noting ”This garden honours centuries of Royal horticulture while setting a bold new benchmark for sustainability. We’re building it from the ground up—protecting soil, locking in carbon, and planting for resilience. With low-water requiring species and smarter layouts, it’s designed not just to endure, but to thrive—supporting biodiversity, inspiring visitors, and helping us reach our goal of being nature-positive and carbon net zero by 2050.”

Planting begins in the autumn meaning visitors in 2026 will be among the first to experience the full effect of the new garden scheme.