Hampton Court Palace Tours

Hampton Court Palace Tours

Hampton Court Palace tours, tickets and day trips from London — compared in one place, with hours and prices checked against Historic Royal Palaces.

Hours, prices and access verified by the Hampton Court Palace Tours team — last checked 11 August 2026.

60 acresof riverside gardens
36 minfrom London Waterloo
From $43palace entry
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Updated: 11 August 2026
Hand-picked

Top Hampton Court Palace Tours for 2026

The three highest-rated ways in — the palace’s own ticket, a guided day with tea included, and the best-reviewed private guide on site.

Hampton Court Palace Entrance TicketBest Value

★ 4.3 · 573 reviews

Hampton Court Palace Entrance Ticket

Admission includedFree audio guideMaze & gardens

Walk in through the Great Gatehouse and the whole palace opens up in front of you. Your Hampton Court Palace ticket covers everything on site: Henry VIII's Great Hall, the largest surviving Tudor kitchens in the world, the Baroque State Apartments, all 60 acres of gardens, the Great Vine glasshouse and Britain's oldest hedge maze. A free audio guide comes with entry, and costumed interpreters bring the Tudor court to life through the day at no extra cost. Best for independent visitors who want to set their own pace, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before you travel.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

From $43per person
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Hampton Court Palace Guided Tour. Full day Entry & Afternoon TeaTop Rated

★ 4.9 · 319 reviews

Hampton Court Palace Guided Tour. Full day Entry & Afternoon Tea

Guided tourFull-day entryAfternoon tea

This is the guided tour that bundles everything: a full Hampton Court Palace tour, full-day admission and afternoon tea beside the river, all at a per-person price. You'll meet your guide at Hampton Court station and walk over the bridge together, so even the approach is narrated. Around three hours cover the Tudor courts, the Great Hall, the kitchens, the state rooms and Hampton Court Park, finishing with freshly baked scones, cake and a choice of teas. Your full-day pass stays valid afterwards, so you can wander back in for the maze at your own pace.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

From $226per person
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Private Guided Tour of Hampton Court PalaceBest Seller

★ 5.0 · 290 reviews

Private Guided Tour of Hampton Court Palace

Private tourGhost tour optionWheelchair accessible

Explore the palace with a private guide who spent eighteen years working inside it as a state apartment warder, so you hear what life behind the ropes was really like. Choose your theme when you book: the ghost stories of the Haunted Gallery, LGBTQ+ history at the Tudor court, the Grace and Favour residents, or a route pitched at children. The flat group rate covers up to ten people, which makes it excellent value for families and friends travelling together. You'll meet at the West Gate, with morning or afternoon starts and palace admission paid separately.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

From $247per group
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Book with confidence

Trusted by Thousands of Visitors

Everything you need to choose well, in one place.

🎟

Best Guides

Former palace warders, Blue Badge guides and a published architectural historian — the people who lead these tours have worked inside Hampton Court Palace for years.

🛡

Book With Confidence

Almost every tour here can be cancelled free up to 24 hours before you go, and you pay the same price you would booking direct.

✂

Experience of a Lifetime

Five hundred years of Tudor and Baroque history, the world’s largest surviving Tudor kitchens and 60 acres of gardens — in a single day out from London.

✓ Free cancellation on almost every tour✓ Licensed, palace-accredited guides✓ Prices checked against Historic Royal Palaces
Tripadvisor Travellers Choice
Visit England quality assured
✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on almost every tour listed here.One private vehicle transfer is non-refundable — its card says so above.
Every option

All Hampton Court Palace Tours & Tickets

Entry tickets, private guides, day trips from London and a grounds bike ride — with what each one includes stated plainly.

Hampton Court Palace Entrance TicketBest Value

★ 4.3 · 573 reviews

Hampton Court Palace Entrance Ticket

Admission includedFree audio guideMaze & gardens

Walk in through the Great Gatehouse and the whole palace opens up in front of you. Your Hampton Court Palace ticket covers everything on site: Henry VIII's Great Hall, the largest surviving Tudor kitchens in the world, the Baroque State Apartments, all 60 acres of gardens, the Great Vine glasshouse and Britain's oldest hedge maze. A free audio guide comes with entry, and costumed interpreters bring the Tudor court to life through the day at no extra cost. Best for independent visitors who want to set their own pace, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before you travel.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

From $43per person
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Hampton Court Palace Guided Tour. Full day Entry & Afternoon TeaTop Rated

★ 4.9 · 319 reviews

Hampton Court Palace Guided Tour. Full day Entry & Afternoon Tea

Guided tourFull-day entryAfternoon tea

This is the guided tour that bundles everything: a full Hampton Court Palace tour, full-day admission and afternoon tea beside the river, all at a per-person price. You'll meet your guide at Hampton Court station and walk over the bridge together, so even the approach is narrated. Around three hours cover the Tudor courts, the Great Hall, the kitchens, the state rooms and Hampton Court Park, finishing with freshly baked scones, cake and a choice of teas. Your full-day pass stays valid afterwards, so you can wander back in for the maze at your own pace.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

From $226per person
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Private Guided Tour of Hampton Court PalaceBest Seller

★ 5.0 · 290 reviews

Private Guided Tour of Hampton Court Palace

Private tourGhost tour optionWheelchair accessible

Explore the palace with a private guide who spent eighteen years working inside it as a state apartment warder, so you hear what life behind the ropes was really like. Choose your theme when you book: the ghost stories of the Haunted Gallery, LGBTQ+ history at the Tudor court, the Grace and Favour residents, or a route pitched at children. The flat group rate covers up to ten people, which makes it excellent value for families and friends travelling together. You'll meet at the West Gate, with morning or afternoon starts and palace admission paid separately.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

From $247per group
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Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - Secrets of Henry VIII

★ 5.0 · 141 reviews

Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - Secrets of Henry VIII

Private tourHenry VIII & six wivesUp to 10 people

Follow Henry VIII through the rooms where his reign actually unfolded, with a private guide who has published four books on the Tudors. You'll trace the court he built here, the wives who lived in it, and the politics that turned in the Great Hall and the state apartments — travellers describe it as being dropped into royal intrigue rather than walked past display cases. The flat rate covers up to ten people, with morning and afternoon starts available. A natural choice for Tudor history enthusiasts; palace admission is paid separately.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

From $247per group
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Private tour with an accredited expert guide Hampton Court Palace

★ 5.0 · 106 reviews

Private tour with an accredited expert guide Hampton Court Palace

Private tourAccredited guideUp to 15 people

Spend two hours with an accredited White Badge guide who has lectured at Hampton Court Palace since 2008, and the depth shows within minutes. You'll cover the state apartments, the Tudor kitchens and wine cellar, the formal gardens and the hedge maze, pitched at whatever level of knowledge you arrive with. Travellers describe being met exactly where they were, with the dull stretches skipped and the good parts lingered over. The flat rate covers up to fifteen people, so larger families and groups do particularly well here. Palace admission is paid separately.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

From $398per group
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Hampton Court Palace 3hr tour: Henry VIII's & William III's intriguing Palaces

★ 5.0 · 98 reviews

Hampton Court Palace 3hr tour: Henry VIII's & William III's intriguing Palaces

Private tour3 hoursTudor & Baroque

Three hours is enough to do both palaces properly, and that's exactly what this private guided tour gives you: Henry VIII's Tudor courts and William III's Baroque apartments, at a pace that leaves room for every question. Your guide is well known to the palace staff and visibly at home in the building, which comes through in the stories you'll pick up along the way. The flat rate covers up to five people, making it a natural fit for a couple or a small family. Please note it isn't suitable for wheelchair users, and palace admission is paid separately.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

From $315per group
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Hampton Court Palace Private Guided Tour

★ 5.0 · 60 reviews

Hampton Court Palace Private Guided Tour

Private tour2 hoursRoute built for you

Spend two unhurried hours with a private guide who has worked at Hampton Court Palace for over fifteen years, covering both halves of the building — Henry VIII's Tudor courts and the Baroque apartments Christopher Wren raised behind them. You shape the route yourself, whether that's the six wives, the daily mechanics of court life, or the hauntings people quietly hope to hear about. Because the rate is flat for up to ten people, a family or group of friends splits it comfortably. Meet at the West Gate; entry to the palace is paid separately.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

From $240per group
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Private Guided Tour Secrets of the Six Wives Hampton Court Palace

★ 5.0 · 37 reviews

Private Guided Tour Secrets of the Six Wives Hampton Court Palace

Private tourThe six wivesFamily friendly

Divorced, beheaded, died — this private tour turns the rhyme into a room-by-room walk through the palace, following Henry VIII's six marriages through the courts and apartments where they actually happened, and the children who came afterwards. Your White Badge guide has lectured here since 2008 and keeps the thread clear enough for older children to follow, while staying detailed enough for anyone who has read the histories. The flat rate covers up to fifteen people, so it works well for families visiting together. Palace admission is paid separately.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

From $398per group
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Hampton Court Palace Half Day Trip from London with Tickets

★ 4.3 · 29 reviews

Hampton Court Palace Half Day Trip from London with Tickets

Day trip from LondonReturn coachTicket included

The easiest Hampton Court Palace day trip from London if you'd rather not think about trains at all. Return coach transport leaves from near Victoria at 9:15 with your palace entrance ticket included, and sets you down close to the gates. You'll have three hours on site, comfortably enough for the state apartments, the Tudor kitchens and a walk through the formal gardens. The visit itself is self-guided with the free audio guide, so it suits travellers who want the logistics handled and the day left open.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

From $109per person
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Private Tour of Hampton Court Palace with Award-Winning Architectural Historian

★ 5.0 · 20 reviews

Private Tour of Hampton Court Palace with Award-Winning Architectural Historian

Private tourArchitecture focusAward-winning guide

If the building itself is what draws you, this is your tour. Your private guide has worked at Hampton Court Palace since 2014, holds a distinction-graded masters in architectural history and won a national medal for a research paper on this very palace. You'll read the seam where Tudor brick meets Christopher Wren's Portland stone, and learn why the place ended up half-rebuilt and twice as interesting for it. Routes are built to order around the monarchs, the gardens, the kitchens or the art. The flat rate covers up to fifteen; admission is paid separately.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

From $232per group
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Luxury Private Day Hire London-London Stopover at Windsor & Hampton Court Palace

★ 5.0 · 11 reviews

Luxury Private Day Hire London-London Stopover at Windsor & Hampton Court Palace

Windsor Castle tooChauffeured minivanLongest palace time

A chauffeured private tour from London: a Mercedes minivan for a full ten-hour day, 9:00 to 19:00, taking in Hampton Court Palace and Windsor Castle with hotel pickup and drop-off, on-board WiFi and bottled water throughout. What really sets this apart is time: nearly five hours at Hampton Court, the most generous allowance of any option here, so you can see the palace and the gardens properly instead of choosing between them. Sightseeing at both sites is self-guided and admission to each is paid separately. The flat rate covers up to six people.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

From $1079per group
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Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Private Car with Driver Guide

★ 4.9 · 11 reviews

Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Private Car with Driver Guide

Windsor Castle tooPrivate driver guideHotel pickup

A private tour from London covering two royal residences in one unhurried day, with a driver guide, hotel pickup and an air-conditioned vehicle stocked with WiFi and bottled water. You'll take in Hampton Court Palace and Windsor Castle without touching a train timetable or worrying about connections between them. The flat rate covers up to seven people, which is what the headline figure reflects — split across a full car it lands close to other private day tours per head. Admission to each site is paid separately. Best for groups who want both palaces handled end to end.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

From $2348per group
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Private Vehicle To Hampton Court Palace From London With Admission Tickets

★ 4.5 · 10 reviews

Private Vehicle To Hampton Court Palace From London With Admission Tickets

Private transferTickets includedNon-refundable

A private transfer from London to Hampton Court Palace with admission and audio guides included, and a pickup time you choose yourself between 8:30 and 2:00, any day of the week. You decide at booking whether you'd like two or three hours at Hampton Court Palace, and the visit itself is self-guided so you're free to linger wherever you like. It's a comfortable, door-to-door option for travellers who'd rather not navigate public transport. One important note: this booking is non-refundable, so please confirm your date and pickup details carefully.

Non-refundable — this booking cannot be changed or cancelled.

From $494per person
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Stunning Hampton Court Palace Private Day Trip from London

★ 5.0 · 4 reviews

Stunning Hampton Court Palace Private Day Trip from London

Day trip from LondonTickets included4 hours on site

A private Hampton Court Palace day trip from London: you're collected in a black cab or Mercedes Vito, with your driver guide narrating the run through the south-west of the city, so the journey becomes part of the day rather than something to sit through. Palace entrance tickets are included and you'll have four full hours on site — more than most organised day trips allow, and enough to take in the state apartments, the Tudor kitchens and the gardens without hurrying. Pickup and drop-off happen at a time and place that suit you. Ideal for couples and small groups.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

From $479per person
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Hampton Court Palace Grounds Bike Tour

★ 4.9 · 51 reviews

Hampton Court Palace Grounds Bike Tour

Bike tourBushy Park deerGrounds and parks only

Trade the interiors for open sky on a flat, eight-mile guided bike tour through the royal parkland around the palace. You'll roll through Bushy Park, where the deer are descended from Henry VIII's own herds, then past the Long Water and along the Thames towpath. Bikes and helmets are provided and the ground stays level throughout, so you don't need to be a confident cyclist to enjoy it. This one covers the grounds and parks only — the route circles the palace rather than entering it — which makes it a lovely companion to a separate palace visit.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

From $61per person
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The palace

About Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace is two palaces sharing one roofline. Cardinal Thomas Wolsey began building in 1514 and lost it to Henry VIII within fifteen years; Henry turned it into the most lavish court in Tudor England and brought five of his six wives here. Nearly two centuries later William III and Mary II hired Christopher Wren to demolish the lot and replace it with a Baroque palace to rival Versailles — and the money ran out halfway. The result is a building where you cross a courtyard and change century.

Queen Victoria opened it to the public free of charge in 1838, and it has been welcoming visitors ever since under Historic Royal Palaces. One ticket covers the state rooms, the Tudor kitchens, 60 acres of gardens and Britain’s oldest hedge maze.

Hampton Court Palace history

Wolsey in 1514 through the King James Bible, Wren’s rebuild and the 1986 fire.

What to see at Hampton Court Palace

The Great Hall, Tudor kitchens, Chapel Royal and the Baroque state apartments, room by room.

Hampton Court Palace gardens & the Maze

The Privy Garden, the Great Vine of 1768 and the oldest surviving hedge maze in Britain.
Tudor brick and Portland stone on the Hampton Court Palace facade
What to expect

Your Day at Hampton Court Palace

How a visit actually unfolds, from the train out to the last hour in the gardens.

Travel out

Thirty-five minutes from London Waterloo, two trains an hour, then a five-minute walk over Hampton Court Bridge.

Meet your guide

Private guides wait at the West Gate; coach trips drop you at the gates. Tickets are checked as you go in.

Inside the palace

The Tudor kitchens and Great Hall first while they are quiet, then Wren’s state apartments on the far side.

Out to the gardens

The Privy Garden, the Great Vine and the Maze — which closes about 45 minutes before the palace does.

See Hampton Court Palace tours and tickets
Plan your visit

Everything You Need to Decide

The questions that stall a Hampton Court Palace booking, answered.

Getting there from London

South Western Railway runs from London Waterloo to Hampton Court in about 35 minutes, two trains an hour, then a five-minute walk over the bridge. Driving takes roughly an hour from central London with paid parking on site. Coach day trips leave from near Victoria at 9:15 with your ticket included, and seasonal river boats run from Westminster, Richmond and Kingston.

Read the full getting there guide →

Which ticket you need

One palace ticket covers the state apartments, the Tudor kitchens, all 60 acres of gardens, the Magic Garden and the Maze — there is no separate maze ticket. The thing to check is your tour: most private guided tours here do not include admission, and expect you to arrive holding your own. Every card above states its admission status plainly.

Compare ticket types and prices →

How long to allow, and when to come

Three hours is the honest minimum for the palace and a short garden walk; four to five hours does both properly, and families should plan a full day. The palace opens at 10:00, and last admission is a full hour before closing — 16:30 against a 17:30 close in the summer season. Weekdays are cheaper than weekends and noticeably quieter.

See the complete Hampton Court Palace visitor guide →

What’s open on your date

The Mantegna Gallery is closed until Spring 2027, with two of the Triumphs of Caesar canvases shown in the Georgian Story meanwhile. The Chapel Royal is a working chapel and can close at short notice for services, and short conservation closures happen through the year. Event days shift the rhythm too — concerts close parts of the gardens for setup.

Check the events calendar →

Visiting with children, and accessibility

Under-5s go free and the Magic Garden, the Maze and the Family Trails are all included in admission — which is what turns this into a full family day. The gardens are level and easy; the historic apartments involve stairs and worn cobbles in places. Several private guides are listed as wheelchair accessible and adapt their route, and one walking tour states it is not suitable.

Read the Hampton Court Palace family guide →

Compare

Which Hampton Court Palace Tour Is Right for You?

Every option side by side — what it costs, how it is priced, and who it suits.

TourPricePricedDurationPalace entryBest forBook
Hampton Court Palace Entrance TicketFrom $43per person3 hours (approx.)IncludedIndependent visitors on a budgetCheck availability
Hampton Court Palace Guided Tour. Full day Entry & Afternoon TeaFrom $226per person4 hours 5 minutes (approx.)IncludedWanting a guide, entry and a treat in oneCheck availability
Private Guided Tour of Hampton Court PalaceFrom $247per group1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.)Paid separatelyFamilies and groups wanting the best guideCheck availability
Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - Secrets of Henry VIIIFrom $247per group1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)Paid separatelyTudor history enthusiastsCheck availability
Private tour with an accredited expert guide Hampton Court PalaceFrom $398per group2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)Paid separatelyLarger groups with an expert guideCheck availability
Hampton Court Palace 3hr tour: Henry VIII's & William III's intriguing PalacesFrom $315per group3 hours (approx.)Paid separatelySmall groups wanting depthCheck availability
Hampton Court Palace Private Guided TourFrom $240per group2 hours (approx.)Paid separatelyCouples wanting a tailored private tourCheck availability
Private Guided Tour Secrets of the Six Wives Hampton Court PalaceFrom $398per group1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.)Paid separatelyThe six wives, room by roomCheck availability
Hampton Court Palace Half Day Trip from London with TicketsFrom $109per person5 hours 30 minutes (approx.)IncludedA simple day trip from LondonCheck availability
Private Tour of Hampton Court Palace with Award-Winning Architectural HistorianFrom $232per group2 hours (approx.)Paid separatelyAnyone drawn to the architectureCheck availability
Luxury Private Day Hire London-London Stopover at Windsor & Hampton Court PalaceFrom $1079per group10 hours (approx.)Paid separatelyMaximum time at the palace, chauffeuredCheck availability
Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Private Car with Driver GuideFrom $2348per group10 hours (approx.)Paid separatelyTwo royal residences in one private dayCheck availability
Private Vehicle To Hampton Court Palace From London With Admission TicketsFrom $494per person4 to 5 hours (approx.)IncludedDoor-to-door transport with ticketsCheck availability
Stunning Hampton Court Palace Private Day Trip from LondonFrom $479per person6 hours (approx.)IncludedPrivate comfort with plenty of palace timeCheck availability
Hampton Court Palace Grounds Bike TourFrom $61per person3 hours (approx.)Paid separatelyCyclists and the grounds, not the interiorsCheck availability
Traveller feedback

Hampton Court Palace Tours Reviews

Guides here hold ratings of 4.9 and 5.0 across hundreds of verified traveller reviews — and the criticism is published too.

★★★★★

“Parking on site was easy and everything was walkable. The exhibits were superb — we even saw the indoor tennis court in use — and we spent about four and a half hours before we ran out of day.”

Paul, UK, couple, 2026 · Hampton Court Palace Entrance Ticket

★★★★★

“The free audio guide is the thing to grab — start at ten and by early afternoon you can cross the road for lunch and be back for the jousting.”

David, USA, couple, 2026 · Hampton Court Palace Entrance Ticket

★★★★★

“Having tickets in hand meant we walked straight in. Train and a short walk from London — nothing to figure out.”

Heidi, USA, couple, 2026 · Hampton Court Palace Entrance Ticket

★★★★★

“Interactive with real scents and sounds; the courtyards are a little rough underfoot, as you'd expect from the period. We felt like we'd stepped back in time.”

Deborah, USA, family, 2026 · Hampton Court Palace Entrance Ticket

★★★★★

“Sheila's knowledge of the palace is encyclopedic — eighteen years working here shows. Relaxed, engaging, and full of stories we'd never have found on our own.”

Thomas, USA, couple, 2026 · Private Guided Tour of Hampton Court Palace

★★★★★

“She asked what we wanted from the tour and delivered exactly that — Henry VIII and the six wives, with bonus ghost stories in the Haunted Gallery.”

Lisa, USA, family, 2026 · Private Guided Tour of Hampton Court Palace

★★★★★

“We've taken tours in many countries; this was top-ten. She accommodated my mother's mobility scooter without fuss.”

Tom, USA, multi-gen family, 2026 · Private Guided Tour of Hampton Court Palace

★★★★★

“Julie grew up around the palace and it showed — personal stories you won't get from a headset. Best guide of our whole England trip.”

Deborah, USA, couple, 2026 · Hampton Court Palace Guided Tour. Full day Entry & Afternoon Tea

★★★★★

“Two hours flew by, and the afternoon tea by the river afterwards — carrot cake, pomegranate tea — was the perfect finish.”

Bryan, USA, couple, 2026 · Hampton Court Palace Guided Tour. Full day Entry & Afternoon Tea

★★★★★

“Guide met us at the station, walked us over, and after the tour we still had the full-day pass to go back in and explore.”

Michelle, USA, couple, 2025 · Hampton Court Palace Guided Tour. Full day Entry & Afternoon Tea

★★★★★

“Sandy told us which train to take, bought-ticket advice included — then three hours of history at a pace that never overwhelmed.”

Mike, USA, couple, 2026 · Hampton Court Palace 3hr tour: Henry VIII's & William III's intriguing Palaces

★★★★★

“A polished performer, clearly at home in the building and well known to the palace staff.”

Lucas, Australia, couple, 2026 · Hampton Court Palace 3hr tour: Henry VIII's & William III's intriguing Palaces

Read all Hampton Court Palace tours reviews
Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to book tickets in advance?

Pre-booking online is recommended: it guarantees entry, is cheaper than the ticket office on most dates, and weekend and school-holiday slots sell out early. Walk-up tickets exist but are limited in peak season.

Can I cancel a tour for free?

Almost all tours here offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start. One exception: the private vehicle transfer with tickets is non-refundable — its card says so.

Do guided tours include the entrance ticket?

Many don't. Most private guided tours meet you at the West Gate and require you to buy palace admission separately from Historic Royal Palaces. Every tour card on this site states whether admission is included.

What's the cheapest way to visit Hampton Court Palace?

The standard entrance ticket, from about $43 booked online here or from £29 off-peak direct with Historic Royal Palaces. Weekday visits are cheaper than weekends.

How much are Hampton Court Palace tickets in 2026?

Direct from Historic Royal Palaces: adults from £29 off-peak (weekdays) up to £32 peak (weekends and bank holidays); children 5–15 £16 peak; concessions £25.50 peak. Under-5s go free.

What does the ticket include?

Everything: the palace and State Apartments, the Tudor kitchens, the 60 acres of gardens, the Magic Garden and the Maze. There's no separate maze ticket.

Is the Maze included in the ticket?

Yes. Maze entry is part of standard palace admission; there is no maze-only ticket.

What are the opening hours?

Summer season roughly 10:00–17:30 with last admission 16:30; winter season 10:00–16:30. Closed 24–26 December. Check the official Historic Royal Palaces page before you travel — hours shift by season and event.

How long do you need at Hampton Court Palace?

Three hours minimum for the palace, kitchens and a garden walk; a full day if you want the Maze, the Great Vine, the Magic Garden and time by the river. Travellers consistently say half a day felt rushed.

How do you get to Hampton Court Palace from London?

Train is simplest: London Waterloo to Hampton Court, about 35 minutes, two trains an hour, then a five-minute walk over the bridge. Coach day trips, private cars and seasonal river boats are the alternatives.

Is the palace wheelchair accessible?

The palace and gardens are largely accessible and several tours are explicitly wheelchair-friendly, but this is a 500-year-old building: some historic routes involve stairs and uneven cobbles, and one walking tour here states it is not suitable for wheelchair users. Check the specific tour's card.

Can you take photos inside the palace?

Yes, for personal use throughout the palace and gardens — no flash or tripods in the historic apartments.

When is the best time to visit?

The first hour after opening and the last two hours are quietest in the popular rooms; weekdays are cheaper and calmer than weekends. September brings the Great Vine grape harvest.

Why is Hampton Court Palace famous?

It was Henry VIII's favourite residence — five of his six wives lived here — and it survives as two palaces in one: the Tudor courts of Henry VIII joined to the Baroque palace Christopher Wren built for William III and Mary II.

Is the palace haunted?

It has England's best-documented palace ghost stories: Catherine Howard in the Haunted Gallery, Sybil Penn the Grey Lady, and the 2003 CCTV "Skeletor" figure the palace itself released. A 2001 psychology study run in the gallery found the "haunted" spots matched measurable cold draughts — visit and decide for yourself.

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In pictures

Hampton Court Palace Gallery

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Guides

Hampton Court Palace Guides

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Find it

Visiting Hampton Court Palace

Address

Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court Way, Molesey
East Molesey KT8 9AU
United Kingdom

Opening hours

Daily, 10:00 – 17:30
Last admission one hour before closing.
Hours vary by season — check the official Historic Royal Palaces site before you travel.

Getting there

35 minutes by train from London Waterloo, two services an hour, then a five-minute walk over Hampton Court Bridge. Paid parking on site.

View the full visiting guide

Book Your Hampton Court Palace Tour

Palace entry from $43, private guides and day trips from London — free cancellation on almost every option.

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