Nonsuch Palace from a print by George Hoefnagel, 1582
Surrey History Centre ref. PX/49/3

Nonsuch Palace got its name because it was said to be unique in Europe as an experiment in early Gothic architecture.

Henry VIII began building in 1538 after destroying Cuddington village, its church and mansion.  It was finished by 1580 and lived in by Queen Elizabeth I.  Demolition started in 1682.  Nothing remains, but we know what it was like from excavations and pictures.

Further information on Nonsuch is available on the Epsom and Ewell History Explorer website. Click on the following link to go directly to the page on Nonsuch Palace.

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