Hampton Court Palace case study

A vision for engaging Tudor history

In a remarkable three-year project, Kingston University and Hampton Court Palace redefined how visitors connected with Tudor history. Supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), this partnership aimed to immerse the public in Henry VIII's world, creating a better visitor experience and historical understanding.

Historian and renowned TV presenter, Susannah Lipscombe, was the research curator for this pioneering KTP project. Her role was to redesign Hampton Court's Tudor areas, creating the “Henry VIII: Heads and Hearts” experience. Through detailed displays, costumes, audio guides and a dedicated website, Lipscombe’s work engaged visitors directly with the events during Henry VIII’s reign.

The KTP introduced a range of interactive elements to deepen visitor engagement:

• Immersive media: Texts, publications and audio guides transported visitors to the world of Henry VIII.
• Digital interaction: A “I am Henry VIII” Twitter feed made history accessible and interactive.
• New costumes: Visitor costumes and Tudor-inspired uniforms were introduced to enhance the atmosphere.

Council Chamber multimedia display: For the first time, visitors could explore the historically significant Privy Council Chamber through a multimedia setup, delving into the period’s political debates.

To support the research community, Lipscombe assembled an interdisciplinary advisory panel and hosted a conference on Henry VIII, co-sponsored by Kingston University. Public talks, a published book on Henry VIII, and a professional paper enhanced the project's reach, linking public history with academic research.

Boosting visitor engagement and revenue

The KTP initiative was a major success:

• Visitor growth: In 2009, visitor numbers rose by 43%, with an additional 115,287 visitors in the final project year.
• Economic impact: Domestic visitor numbers surged, stabilising income and supporting community engagement.
• Industry recognition: The AHRC recognised this work by awarding it the prestigious KTP Award for Humanities for the Creative Economy in 2012.