Coombe Conduit

Coombe Conduit is a surviving part of the Tudor water system that supplied Hampton Court Palace for roughly 350 years. Springs on Coombe Hill fed the conduit houses and underground chambers, from which water travelled through lead pipes towards the palace. The system is now thought more likely to date from Henry VIII's occupation of Hampton Court than from Cardinal Wolsey's earlier building works, and it continued supplying water until 1876. The small brick structures conceal an unexpectedly practical piece of royal infrastructure. Reviewers praise the volunteers' explanations and suggest allowing time to understand how the linked chambers worked. Visits take place on selected opening weekends, so check the dates before arriving at the entrance on Coombe Lane West. Steps lead into the grounds and down into the chambers, with sloping ground and slippery or uneven surfaces making the site unsuitable for wheelchair access. There are no facilities on site.