Located about eleven miles from the center of London, along the Thames River, Hampton Court Palace dates back to 1236. Most of the present structure, however, was conceived by Thomas Wolsey, Archbishop and later Cardinal of York. Wolsey designed Hampton Court to be an ideal cardinal’s residence, in the grand Italian renaissance style, with classical detailing and large palatial rooms. He was so successful with his design that his master, King Henry VIII, appropriated the palace shortly after it was completed. It was at Hampton Court that Henry married his third wife, Jane Seymour, where she gave birth to the future King Edward VI, and where she died shortly thereafter. Her ghost is said to still haunt the palace. Subsequent monarchs added their own touches to the palace, most notably William and Mary, who in 1689 employed Sir Christopher Wren to revamp the structure. Queen Victoria opened the palace to the public in 1838. You can see some of Cardinal Wolsey’s original furnishings as well as the palace’s extensive 18th century art collection, the most notable of which are the elaborate friezes. Also worth viewing is the Royal Chapel with its intricate paneling and vaulted wooden ceiling. The 50-acre grounds are almost as spectacular as the house itself. Particularly noteworthy is the giant hedge maze. Planted in the late 17th century, this intriguing living puzzle covers over a third of an acre and features half a mile of paths.