Hampton Court Palace Henry VIII exhibition

Henry VIII’s Early Reign Brought to Life at Hampton Court Palace

18th July 2024

The historic Wolsey Rooms at Hampton Court Palace have re-opened with a brand-new exhibition, ‘The Tudor World’, celebrating the early reign of the iconic Tudor king, through a vivid display of original artworks, historic objects, and interactive experiences.

Visitors to the exhibition can now step back in time to the transformative age of Henry VIII, thanks to Marcon’s completion of an impressive exhibition fit out, alongside the team at Historic Royal Palaces – the independent charity that cares for Hampton Court Palace – Designers Easy Tiger, and specialists subcontractors.

The exhibition provides an immersive exploration of the Tudor court. Original artworks, including famed historic paintings such as The Field of Cloth of Gold and rare surviving artefacts, provide a window into the lives of the ‘ordinary people’ in Tudor society, including soldiers, craftsmen, laundresses and many more. Highlights include portraits of European royalty, musicians, and jousters, brought to life through multi-sensory interactives and AV displays.

The project followed a two-stage tender process, with Marcon being engaged early, to work alongside the Client’s team, to provide the build expertise and knowledge to ensure quality throughout the historic space.

The second stage incorporated the build which included fabrication of high-quality set works cladding showcases, creating plinths, and integrating AV hardware, lighting, and graphic elements.

The project not only involved detailed coordination with multiple stakeholders, to develop designs, but as a Scheduled Ancient Monument and Grade I Listed building, Hampton Court Palace required that all materials used to adhere to its comprehensive conservation guidelines.

A close collaboration between Marcon, Easy Tiger, Historic Royal Palaces and specialists ensured all items were fully co-ordinated, resulting in a final build that met the highest-quality standards.

As Hampton Court Palace welcomes visitors to this newly transformed space, the exhibition promises an engaging and educational journey through one of England’s most fascinating historical periods.

Heritage Contract Manager at Marcon, Martin McErlean commented: “We are immensely proud to have completed the fit-out for this remarkable exhibition at Hampton Court Palace. This project was a true collaboration, requiring precise attention to detail and adherence to strict conservation guidelines. Working alongside Historic Royal Palaces, Easy Tiger, and our specialists, we have created an immersive experience that honours the historical significance of this iconic site while making it accessible and engaging for modern audiences. We wish the team at Hampton Court Palace every success with the new exhibition.”