Ampthill Castle
Uncovering the ruins of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon’s first home in Bedfordshire.
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DigVentures is crowdfunding a dig to unearth the royal home of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon.
Join the digBeneath Ampthill Park lie the ruins of a royal castle – the first home Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon shared.
This 15th-century palace witnessed pivotal moments in English history, including the 1533 divorce proceedings that altered the nation’s course. By 1649, the palace was demolished, and the site was later transformed in the 18th century by the renowned English landscape architect and gardener Capability Brown into a park spanning over 150 acres.
Previous excavations have uncovered the remains of an Early Medieval settlement, Late Medieval stone foundations, and evidence suggesting the palace ruins lie near Katherine’s Cross, a monument erected in the 1770s. Recent geophysical surveys indicate the presence of substantial outbuildings, possibly including stables connected to Henry VIII’s palace.
What can we learn about life in this Tudor palace? And can we help reveal a clear picture of Henry and Catherine’s first home for the first time in nearly 500 years?
Ampthill
Ampthill Great Park, UK, Ampthill
Events (3)
Take part in archaeology events happening around our dig at Ampthill.
Reports (1)
Read about everything we've found at Ampthill, from Project Designs to Final Reports
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