Explore the real-world places that appear in The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory. Each location on the map shows what happens there in the novel, the real history of the place, and what's there today. Featured locations include Hampton Court Palace, Tower of London, Greenwich Palace, Hever Castle, Whitehall Palace and 10 more.
East Molesey, Surrey — Henry VIII's primary residence and the heart of court life
Hampton Court is where the Boleyn sisters navigate the dangerous world of the Tudor court. Mary Boleyn begins her affair with King Henry VIII here, while Anne watches and calculates. The palace becomes the stage for Mary's transformation from royal mistress to outcast, and Anne's rise to queen. Scenes of feasting, dancing, and Henry's mercurial attention dominate the narrative. The tennis courts, gardens, and privy chambers witness the sisters' greatest triumphs and devastating betrayals.
Hampton Court Palace was built by Cardinal Wolsey in 1515 and taken over by Henry VIII in 1529. It became one of the largest and most impressive palaces in Europe, housing hundreds of courtiers. The palace was the primary royal residence during the Boleyn era and hosted the most lavish Tudor court celebrations.
Hampton Court Palace is now a major tourist attraction operated by Historic Royal Palaces. Visitors can explore the state apartments, gardens, kitchens, and the famous maze. The palace remains largely as it was during the Tudor period, with extensive restoration and museum exhibits.
Visit: Hampton Court Palace (historic site)
London — The fortress where Anne Boleyn is imprisoned and executed
The Tower of London becomes Anne Boleyn's final prison. After her arrest on charges of adultery and treason, Anne is held in the royal apartments within the Tower walls. Mary visits her sister, their relationship fractured by betrayal and circumstance. The Scaffold Green witnesses Anne's execution on May 19, 1536, a scene of heartbreaking tragedy where Anne faces death with dignity while Mary watches from afar, devastated.
The Tower of London was built by William the Conqueror in 1066 and served as a royal residence and fortress. By the Tudor period, it was also a state prison where high-ranking prisoners were held, tried, and executed. Anne Boleyn was held in the Queen's Apartments before her execution.
The Tower of London is one of England's most visited historic sites, operated by Historic Royal Palaces. Visitors can see the Queen's Apartments, the Scaffold Green, the Chapel of St. Thomas, and explore the Crown Jewels. The site includes extensive exhibits on Tudor history and the famous prisoners held there.
Visit: Tower of London (historic site)
Greenwich, London — Royal residence where Anne gives birth to Elizabeth
Greenwich Palace is where Anne Boleyn gives birth to the future Queen Elizabeth I, an event that devastates Henry VIII who had expected a son. Mary is present during the pregnancy and birth, witnessing Anne's triumph and the king's bitter disappointment. The palace represents Anne's greatest success and the beginning of her downfall, as Henry's affection turns to cold resentment.
Greenwich Palace was a favorite royal residence of the Tudor family, built by Henry VII. It was a sophisticated palace where many important royal events took place. Queen Elizabeth I was born at Greenwich in 1533, and it remained a significant royal residence throughout the Tudor period.
The original Greenwich Palace no longer stands, but the grounds are part of the Greenwich Park and Greenwich World Heritage Site. The National Maritime Museum and Queen's House now occupy the area. Visitors can explore the historic park, see exhibits about Tudor history, and understand the palace's layout from interpretive signs.
Visit: Greenwich Park & National Maritime Museum (historic site)
Edenbridge, Kent — The Boleyn family's ancestral home
Hever Castle is the beloved Boleyn family seat where Mary and Anne spent their childhood and youth. The castle represents security, family loyalty, and the simple pleasures of country life away from court intrigue. Mary returns here after her fall from favor, finding solace with her husband William Stafford. Anne also retreated here, and it becomes a refuge for the sisters during turbulent times at court.
Hever Castle was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn and has been the Boleyn family seat since 1462. The castle dates back to the 13th century and was modified by the Boleyns in the early 16th century. It remained in the Boleyn family until Thomas Boleyn's death in 1539.
Hever Castle is now a privately owned historic property open to the public. Visitors can tour the castle rooms, including the bedroom where Anne Boleyn was born, and explore the extensive grounds with Italian and Edwardian gardens. The castle contains Tudor furnishings and exhibits on the Boleyn family.
Visit: Hever Castle (historic site)
Westminster, London — Royal palace and center of political power
Whitehall Palace serves as another major center of court life where Anne consolidates her power and Mary watches her sister's trajectory toward queenship. Henry VIII conducts state business here, and the Boleyn sisters navigate the intricate political machinations. The palace becomes associated with Anne's queenship and her ultimate downfall.
Whitehall Palace was built by Cardinal Wolsey and taken over by Henry VIII in 1530. It became the primary residence of English monarchs and the center of royal government during the Tudor period. The palace was one of the largest royal residences in Europe.
Most of Whitehall Palace was destroyed by fire in 1698, and the area is now home to government buildings and the Banqueting House, which still stands. The Banqueting House is open to the public and offers exhibits on Tudor and Stuart history. The site remains the center of British government.
Visit: Banqueting House (historic site)
London — The grand cathedral where Anne Boleyn's coronation procession begins
St. Paul's Cathedral is the magnificent backdrop for Anne Boleyn's coronation procession through London. The scene captures the grandeur of Anne's triumph and the public spectacle of her queenship. The cathedral represents the religious and political heart of England, where Anne's fate becomes irrevocably linked to her role as queen.
St. Paul's Cathedral was the principal cathedral of London during the Tudor period. The medieval cathedral (destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666) was the site of major royal ceremonies and religious observances. Anne Boleyn's coronation procession passed by the cathedral in a spectacular display of royal power.
The current St. Paul's Cathedral was built by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire. The cathedral remains one of London's most iconic landmarks and is open to visitors. The interior contains historical exhibits and information about its Tudor-era predecessor.
Visit: St. Paul's Cathedral (landmark)
Norwich, Norfolk — The Boleyn family's Norfolk estate
Blickling Hall represents the Boleyn family's Norfolk power base and wealth. Mary and Anne have connections to this grand estate, which symbolizes their family's rise in English society. The estate provides context for the Boleyns' transformation from country gentry to major players in the Tudor court.
Blickling Hall was a significant Boleyn family property in Norfolk. The estate was owned by the Boleyn family in the early 16th century and represented their considerable wealth and land holdings. The current building dates from the 17th century but stands on the site of the earlier Boleyn manor.
Blickling Hall is now a National Trust property open to the public. Visitors can tour the Jacobean mansion, explore the extensive grounds and gardens, and see exhibits about the property's history including its Boleyn connections. The hall is set in landscaped parkland with a lake.
Visit: Blickling Hall (historic site)
Westminster, London — Cardinal Wolsey's former residence, taken by Henry VIII
York Place, which becomes Whitehall Palace, is the site of important court scenes where Mary and Anne navigate their relationships with Henry VIII. The palace transformation from Cardinal Wolsey's residence to the king's palace mirrors the Boleyns' own rise in power and favor. Court gatherings here determine the fates of the Boleyn sisters.
York Place was originally built by the Archbishop of York as a residence. Cardinal Wolsey expanded it into a magnificent palace. When Wolsey fell from favor in 1530, Henry VIII took the property and renamed it Whitehall Palace, making it his primary residence.
The site is now part of the Whitehall government complex. The Banqueting House remains from this era. While most of the original palace was destroyed, the area contains important government buildings and historical markers.
Penshurst, Kent — The Sidney family estate and Mary's refuge
Penshurst Place becomes significant as a country estate where Mary finds some measure of peace. The grand house and gardens provide a contrast to the toxicity of court life. Mary's retreat to the countryside represents her escape from the trauma of court politics and her sister's downfall.
Penshurst Place is a historic manor house dating to the 14th century. During the Tudor period, it was owned by the Sidney family and was a notable estate in Kent. The house is known for its distinctive medieval timber-framed structure and extensive gardens.
Penshurst Place is now a historic house museum open to the public. Visitors can tour the state rooms, medieval hall, and explore the historic gardens and parkland. The property offers exhibits on its history and the notable families who lived there.
Visit: Penshurst Place (historic site)
Westminster, London — The sacred heart of English royal power and burial
Westminster Abbey is where Anne Boleyn's coronation takes place, a pivotal moment of triumph celebrated with great ceremony. The abbey represents the religious legitimacy of the Boleyn sisters' positions at court. Anne's rise through this sacred space contrasts sharply with her later fate, as the abbey embodies both the heights of her power and the fragility of royal favor.
Westminster Abbey was founded in 966 and rebuilt by Henry III in the 13th century. It was the coronation church of English monarchs and the burial place of royalty and nobility. Anne Boleyn's coronation in 1533 was a major state occasion at the abbey.
Westminster Abbey remains a functioning abbey and UNESCO World Heritage Site open to visitors. The interior contains tombs and memorials of famous historical figures, including information about Anne Boleyn. Visitors can explore the Gothic architecture, chapels, and learn about its royal history.
Visit: Westminster Abbey (historic site)
Kimbolton, Huntingdonshire — Where Catherine of Aragon was imprisoned
Kimbolton Castle represents the tragic fate of Catherine of Aragon, the discarded queen whose position Mary initially took at court. Catherine's imprisonment here becomes a dark mirror to Anne's later imprisonment and execution. The castle symbolizes the human cost of Henry VIII's desires and the danger of being in his way.
Kimbolton Castle was built in the 12th century and was used by Henry VIII as a state prison. Catherine of Aragon was confined here in her final years after Henry's marriage to Anne Boleyn. She died at the castle in 1536.
Kimbolton Castle is now Kimbolton School, a private educational institution. The castle grounds and some historic features remain, but public access is limited as it is an active school. The castle's role as Catherine of Aragon's prison is preserved in historical records and local history.
London — The vital waterway connecting all of Henry VIII's palaces
The Thames serves as the vital transportation route connecting the royal palaces throughout the novel. Henry VIII travels by royal barge between Hampton Court, Greenwich, and Whitehall, often with the Boleyn sisters as his companions. The river represents both the grandeur of royal life and the constant surveillance of court, as every movement is observed and reported. Scenes of the sisters traveling by water underscore their proximity to power and their vulnerability.
The Thames was the primary transportation route for Tudor royalty. Royal barges were ornate vessels used to transport the king and court between palaces. The river was central to Tudor life and governance, with constant traffic of official boats and merchant vessels.
The Thames remains a significant London landmark, now with modern Thames river cruises available to tourists. Historic riverbanks and bridges can be explored on foot, and boat tours offer perspectives on the palaces and historic sites along the river.
Visit: Thames River Cruises (tour)
Strand, London — The Seymour family residence and secret meetings place
Durham House becomes significant as a meeting place where intrigue unfolds. The house represents the shadowy world of court politics beyond the public gaze of royal palaces. Secret conversations and clandestine meetings here drive important plot developments regarding the Boleyn sisters' fates.
Durham House was a prominent London residence on the Strand, owned by various noble families during the Tudor period. The house was strategically located between Westminster and the city of London, making it a hub for aristocratic activity.
The original Durham House no longer stands. The site is now occupied by modern London buildings. A historical marker or plaque may exist noting the location's significance to Tudor history, but there is no public access to Tudor-era structures.
Richmond, Surrey — A royal palace where the court occasionally resided
Richmond Palace is one of Henry VIII's residences where the Boleyn sisters navigate court life. The palace represents another theater of royal power and intrigue where Mary and Anne's positions are constantly evaluated and threatened. Court life here reflects the constant danger of royal favor.
Richmond Palace was built by Henry VII and was a favorite residence of the Tudor monarchs. The palace was noted for its beauty and was used for important royal functions and ceremonies. Henry VIII spent significant time at Richmond with his various queens.
The original Richmond Palace was largely destroyed during the English Civil War, though some fragments remain. The site is now part of the Richmond Green and surrounding residential area. Historic remnants and archaeological sites are marked, and Richmond offers beautiful parks for exploring Tudor history.
Visit: Richmond Green & Historic Sites (park)
Westminster, London — The seat of Parliament and royal authority
The Palace of Westminster represents the intersection of royal power and parliamentary authority. While not a primary scene location, the palace symbolizes the political machinations that affect the Boleyn sisters' fates. Parliamentary proceedings and political maneuvering here determine the legal basis for Henry's marriages and the charges brought against Anne.
The Palace of Westminster has been the seat of English Parliament since the 13th century. During the Tudor period, it was central to the governance of England and to Henry VIII's establishment of the Church of England, which was crucial to his marriage to Anne Boleyn.
The Palace of Westminster remains the home of the British Parliament. The current Gothic Revival buildings were constructed in the 19th century after a fire destroyed the medieval structures. Visitors can tour certain areas of Parliament when not in session and learn about its history.
Visit: Palace of Westminster (historic site)
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