Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace | Everything You Need to Know

Twelve miles south-west of central London, on the north bank of the Thames, stands a palace that encompasses the entire drama of Tudor England. Cardinal Wolsey built it. Henry VIII took it — and expanded it, feasted in it, brought each of his six wives to it in turn. When William III and Mary II arrived in the 1690s, Christopher Wren was commissioned to make it rival Versailles, and while the money ran out before the full plan was realised, what exists is still magnificent: a building that is half Tudor palace, half Baroque royal apartments, set in sixty acres of formal gardens beside the river.

Hampton Court is today managed by Historic Royal Palaces and is one of the most complete and rewarding heritage experiences in Britain. The Tudor kitchens — the largest surviving Tudor kitchens in the world — once prepared meals for a household of nearly a thousand people. The hedge maze, planted in 1690, is the oldest surviving hedge maze in the world. The Great Vine, planted in 1768, is still producing grapes. And the whole extraordinary ensemble is open to the public. This guide covers everything you need to know before you go.

Where Is Hampton Court Palace?

Hampton Court Palace is located at Hampton Court Way, East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 9AU, on the north bank of the River Thames approximately twelve miles south-west of central London. The main entrance is across the bridge from Hampton Court station.

Nearby landmarks include Bushy Park (adjacent), the village of Hampton and Kingston upon Thames (around twenty minutes by car or train). For navigation, any map app using the postcode KT8 9AU will bring you to the main entrance.

Opening Hours

Hampton Court Palace is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM, with last admission at 4:30 PM. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and on 24–26 December.

As a working historic site, some rooms and routes may periodically be closed for conservation work or events. As hours and access can vary, always check the official Historic Royal Palaces website before visiting for the current schedule and any route closures.

How to Get to Hampton Court Palace

By train. The most popular option. South Western Railway trains run from London Waterloo to Hampton Court station (a 35–40-minute journey), with trains approximately every 30 minutes. The palace is a five-minute walk across the bridge from the station.

By river. Seasonal riverboat services operate between Richmond or Kingston and Hampton Court Pier — a scenic approach with the palace visible as you arrive. Check Thames River Boats for current schedules.

By bus. Routes 111, 216 and 411 stop near the palace, connecting from Kingston upon Thames and Richmond.

By bike. Cycle racks are available near the main entrance; the palace is accessible via riverside cycle routes from Kingston and Richmond.

By car. On-site parking is available at an hourly rate (typically £5.50 for up to four hours, £11 for all day). Parking fills quickly at weekends and during school holidays — public transport is recommended.

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The Best Time to Visit

Spring (March to May) is one of the best times to visit Hampton Court — the gardens are at their most vivid, with tulips and spring blossom, and the crowds are smaller than in summer. Summer (June to August) is the busiest season, with the gardens in full bloom, the maze and Magic Garden at their peak, and outdoor events including the annual Hampton Court Palace Festival. Autumn (September to November) brings quieter days and beautiful foliage colour in the Wilderness area. Winter (December to February) is the calmest period, with festive seasonal events adding a particular charm.

For any season, weekday mornings (arriving at 10:00 AM) are the quietest and most rewarding. Weekends and school holidays draw significant crowds. Check the official Historic Royal Palaces website for seasonal events, family trails and special tours before your visit.

Tickets and Costs

Entry includes access to all open public areas: the Tudor and Baroque State Apartments, Tudor Kitchens, Chapel Royal, the Maze, the Magic Garden and all 60 acres of gardens. Booking online in advance is recommended to secure your time slot and to benefit from online pricing.

Ticket Type	Off-Peak Price	Peak Price
Adult (18–64)	£28.00	£30.90
Child (5–15)	£14.00	£15.50
Under-5	Free	Free
Young Person (16–17)	£14.00	£15.50
Senior (65+)	£22.50	£24.70
Full-time Student (18+)	£22.50	£24.70
Disabled Visitor	£22.50	£24.70
Disabled Carer	Free	Free
£1 Tickets (Universal Credit/Pension Credit)	£1.00	£1.00

Peak times are weekends, bank holidays and special events; off-peak is weekdays. Historic Royal Palaces members enter free (pre-booking required). Groups of ten or more receive a discount. As prices are reviewed periodically, check the official website for current rates before booking.

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What to Expect

Hampton Court Palace rewards a full day — most visitors spend three to four hours, and families or garden lovers can easily fill much longer.

The Tudor Kitchens are among the most vivid experiences — six rooms of the largest surviving Tudor kitchens in the world, still furnished with period equipment, with audio and display bringing to life the staggering logistical operation of feeding Henry VIII’s court of nearly a thousand people three times a day. The Great Hall, Henry’s magnificent feasting hall with its hammerbeam roof, is the grandest surviving Tudor interior in Britain. The Chapel Royal, with its fan-vaulted ceiling, is still used for services.

The King’s and Queen’s Baroque Apartments, redesigned by Wren for William III and Mary II, contrast sharply with the Tudor sections — formal, symmetrical, painted ceilings, fine furniture — and tell the story of a very different moment in English royal history.

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The gardens — sixty acres of them — include the formal Privy Garden, the Pond Gardens, the broad river walk and the remarkable Great Vine: planted in 1768, still producing Black Hamburg grapes each autumn, the oldest grapevine in the world. The Wilderness area is a more relaxed, naturalistic space. The Hampton Court Maze, planted in 1690, is the oldest surviving hedge maze in the world — genuinely disorienting and genuinely fun for all ages. The Magic Garden is an excellent family play area with themed climbing structures and interactive features.

Seasonal exhibitions and events are held throughout the year — check the official website for what’s current during your visit. Facilities include the Tiltyard Café and Thistle Café, a gift shop, accessible restrooms and free Wi-Fi.

Safety and Accessibility

Safety. The palace is well staffed and family-friendly. Take care on uneven cobbles in the historic courtyards and follow signage for any areas temporarily closed for conservation. As a busy tourist site, keep valuables secure.

Accessibility. Free wheelchair hire is available at the main entrance (first come, first served). Ten Blue Badge parking bays are bookable in advance. Ramps and lifts are available in most areas, though some historic sections have steps or cobbled surfaces. Accessible toilets are in the Base Court and near the Tiltyard Café. A free digital British Sign Language guide and audio-described tours for visually impaired visitors are available. Assistance dogs are welcome throughout.

Families. The Magic Garden, the Maze and seasonal family trails make this one of the best family days out in the London area. Under-5s enter free.

Where to Stay Near Hampton Court Palace

Staying near Hampton Court places you in the green, leafy stretch of the Thames corridor — quieter than central London, but well connected by train back into the city.

A few areas worth considering:

• Hampton & East Molesey — the most immediate option, close to the palace and the Thames. A quiet, residential feel with the river on the doorstep.
• Kingston upon Thames — twenty minutes by train or by riverside walk, a characterful market town with a wide range of accommodation, excellent independent dining and a vibrant shopping area.
• Richmond — similar distance, one of south-west London’s most attractive towns, with Richmond Park and the Thames.

The palace is popular with day-trippers from London — weekend accommodation nearby books up quickly during the main visitor season.

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A Brief History of Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court’s story begins in 1514, when Cardinal Thomas Wolsey — the most powerful man in England after Henry VIII himself — began building a grand private residence on land he had leased from the Order of St John. By the early 1520s it was the finest private house in the country.

In 1529, facing disgrace after his failure to secure Henry VIII’s divorce from Catherine of Aragon, Wolsey gifted the palace to the king in a last attempt to retain royal favour. It was not enough — Wolsey died the following year. Henry immediately set about expanding his new acquisition, adding the Great Hall, the Chapel Royal, the Tennis Court (which still exists) and the vast kitchens. He spent more time at Hampton Court than at any other palace, and most of his six wives came and went through its gates.

In the 1690s, William III disliked the old palace at Whitehall and commissioned Sir Christopher Wren to rebuild much of Hampton Court in the Baroque style — an English answer to Versailles. The project was never fully completed, but what exists — the Baroque King’s and Queen’s Apartments — is a superb set of formal royal interiors. After 1737 the palace was no longer used as a royal residence. Queen Victoria opened it to the public in 1838.

A detail that fixes the scale of Tudor hospitality: the kitchens were designed to produce around 1,200 meals twice daily — breakfast and dinner — for the entire royal court. The accounts survive. They record, among other things, the delivery of 1,240 oxen and 8,200 sheep in a single year.

Nearby Attractions

Hampton Court’s Thames-side location opens up several excellent options for extending your visit.

Attraction	Why Visit	Distance
Bushy Park	A 1,100-acre royal deer park with the Diana Fountain — beautiful and free	Adjacent
Kingston upon Thames	Historic market town with excellent shopping, dining and Kingston Bridge	~20-min walk or train
Richmond Park	Britain’s largest urban park — red deer, ancient oaks, panoramic London views	~20-min drive
Kew Gardens	Royal Botanic Gardens, UNESCO World Heritage Site	~20-min drive
Twickenham	Home of English rugby, with Marble Hill House and the riverside	~10-min drive

A natural pairing: Hampton Court Palace in the morning, lunch by the river, then a walk through Bushy Park to see the deer in the afternoon.

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Practical Tips for Your Visit

• Book online. Online tickets are cheaper than at-gate prices and secure your time slot.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes. The cobbled courtyards and 60 acres of gardens require sturdy footwear — not heels or thin soles.
• Pack a compact travel umbrella. The gardens are fully exposed and London’s weather is reliably unpredictable.
• Bring a reusable water bottle. Exploring 60 acres is thirsty work — refill stations are available.
• Overseas visitor? The UK uses Type G plugs — a UK travel adapter is essential for charging your devices.
• Allow time for the maze. The hedge maze takes longer than you expect — a joyful detour.
• Check conservation closures. Some rooms periodically close for restoration — verify on the official website before you visit.
• Photography is permitted for personal use. Tripods and selfie sticks are not allowed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the opening hours of Hampton Court Palace?

Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM, with last admission at 4:30 PM. Closed Mondays, Tuesdays and 24–26 December. Check the official Historic Royal Palaces website for current hours and any conservation closures.

How much does it cost to visit Hampton Court Palace?

Adult tickets are £28.00 (off-peak weekdays) and £30.90 (peak weekends). Children (5–15) pay £14.00–£15.50. Under-5s enter free. £1 tickets are available for those on Universal Credit or Pension Credit. Historic Royal Palaces members enter free. Check the official website for current rates.

Is Hampton Court Palace suitable for children?

Yes — the Magic Garden, the hedge maze and seasonal family trails make it an excellent family day out. Under-5s enter free.

Are there any discounts available for Hampton Court Palace?

£1 tickets for those on qualifying benefits (Universal Credit, Pension Credit). Historic Royal Palaces membership includes free entry. Senior, student and disabled concessions are available.

How long does a visit to Hampton Court Palace take?

A typical visit lasts three to four hours; families and garden enthusiasts easily spend a full day.

Is photography allowed at Hampton Court Palace?

Yes — personal photography is welcome. Tripods and selfie sticks are not permitted.

Are there guided tours available at Hampton Court Palace?

Yes — audio guides in multiple languages and themed tours are available. Check the official website for the current tour programme.

What’s the best way to get to Hampton Court Palace from London?

Take a South Western Railway train from London Waterloo to Hampton Court station (35–40 minutes), then walk five minutes across the bridge.

Is Hampton Court Palace wheelchair accessible?

Yes — free wheelchair hire, Blue Badge parking, ramps and lifts, accessible toilets and a digital BSL guide are available. Some historic areas have steps or cobbled surfaces — check the official accessibility page.

Are there dining options near Hampton Court Palace?

The Tiltyard Café and Thistle Café are on-site. Kingston upon Thames and the surrounding area offer a range of cafés and restaurants a short walk or drive away.