The minister for arts, heritage and tourism had a “wonderful” time when he visited Hampton Court Palace on Wednesday.

After his tour around the grounds, Michael Ellis said the site was “stunning” and “so well maintained”.

He said: “It’s a beautifully kept area and I can see why it attracts so many visitors every year.

“It’s important that this part of our ancestry is preserved for future generations.”

Visitor numbers to the palace are expected to reach 1 million this year.

Among the Palace’s attractions is its flower show, “one of the most successful in the country”, and its “amazing” music festival.

Mr Ellis added: “It’s also great for the local economy, has a fantastic school’s programme and is committed to improving access.”

With help from the Richmond Alzheimer’s Society, a dementia-friendly heritage guide launched at Hampton Court last year.

The minister said: “They are all about improving access and are an exemplar for how to run a heritage site.

“There is something for everyone, the gardens, the world class art- and they put on re-enactments.

“There was a dance re-enactment which was performed for the first time in 500 years during my visit.”

Mr Ellis praised the conservators, “working behind the scenes” with centuries old tapestries and the guides who are “deeply committed to their work and so knowledgeable and friendly”.

Building of Hampton Court Palace began in 1515 for Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, a favourite of King Henry VIII.

However, in 1529 he fell out of favour with the King, who seized the Palace for himself.

It is one of only two surviving palaces- the other is St James’s Palace- owned by Henry VIII.