Hampton Court Palace was a royal residence from the 1520s, when King Henry VIII took over its development from Cardinal Wolsey. The many royal occupants over the years have added to the palace’s stunning furnishings, tapestries, and paintings.

Hampton Court Palace also holds a significant part of the world’s largest private art collection, known as the Royal Collection, which belongs to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. This collection features materials from the 16th, 17th, and early 18th centuries.

In 1689, Sir Christopher Wren demolished large sections of the Tudor palace and began constructing a new palace for King William III and Queen Mary II. However, by 1760, George III abandoned Hampton Court as a royal residence.

In 1838, Queen Victoria opened the gardens and state apartments to the public free of charge. While it is no longer free, the visit is highly recommended. The Hampton Court Palace estate encompasses 60 acres of formal gardens, necessitating 200,000 flowering bulbs each year, along with an additional 40,000 plants grown in the nursery.

Hours of Operation, Photography Rules, and Audio Guides

Hampton Court Palace and the Formal Gardens are closed on December 24, 25, and 26 each year, whereas the Informal Gardens are closed on December 25. Home Park is open year-round; however, hours vary by season. Always verify the official website for more detailed information.

General photography for personal, non-commercial use is allowed within the palace and gardens, except for the Chapel Royal and Royal Pew.

Audio guides are included with the ticket price and can be collected from the Information Center located in the far left corner of Base Court. This service is available in multiple languages, including English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Japanese, Russian, and Korean.

Directions: Getting to Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace is situated next to the River Thames southwest of London. There are WPSA riverboats that offer service to the palace from Westminster during the summer months, taking approximately four hours, in addition to many public and private transportation options. You can utilize a Journey Planner or the Citymapper app for effective route planning via public transport.

• Address: Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9A
• Nearest tube stations: Richmond (R68 bus) or Hounslow East (111 bus)

Ticket Information, Accommodations, and Luggage Storage

Tickets can be acquired on-site or in advance from the palace ticket office, which is located just inside the main gates on the left side of the drive.

For cost savings, consider a London Pass, granting unlimited admission to numerous top attractions, including Hampton Court Palace. Furthermore, advance online purchases via the official website can often yield discounts on tickets.

If you’re traveling with luggage, there are lockers available off Clock Court for hand baggage and small backpacks (locker size: 45cm x 45cm). A £1 coin is required for use, which is refundable. Large bags or suitcases can be stored at your own risk in the Warders Office by the West Gate; please inform the Warders of your intention to use this facility.

Two self-catering apartments within the palace are available for hire, accommodating up to 6 and 8 people, respectively. For further details, contact The Landmark Trust.

Hampton Court Palace Highlights

Hampton Court Palace boasts over 500 years of royal history, presenting visitors with everything from the Tudor Kitchens to the renowned painting set “The Triumphs of Caesar” by Andrea Mantegna. These highlights are must-sees during your exploration of the grounds.

The Tudor Kitchens, dating back to 1529, feature 55 rooms and span 3,000 sq ft, staffed by 200 individuals who provided 600 meals twice daily for the royal court. Notably, King Henry VIII’s court consumed an astounding 600 gallons of ale each year. Next, you can discover the Great Hall, recognized as England’s last and greatest medieval hall, once serving as King Henry VIII’s dining venue adorned with impressive tapestries.

King Henry VIII is often remembered as a larger man with many marriages; however, he began as a remarkably attractive young man. His first marriage to Catherine of Aragon lasted 20 years, during which they had six children who sadly did not survive, leaving him without a male heir. This situation prompted the formation of the new Church of England to facilitate his divorce and subsequent marriages in pursuit of a son.

Don’t miss the Georgian Private Apartments and William III’s quarters—both reflect the influences of various monarchs who resided in the palace. Mary II and her husband commissioned Sir Christopher Wren to rebuild substantial sections of Hampton Court, including the king’s toilet, humorously referred to as the “necessary office.”

The Georgian Private Apartments now feature the Cartoon Gallery, originally designed for Raphael’s original cartoons, though today it showcases 17th-century copies, as the originals were donated to the Victoria and Albert Museum by Queen Victoria.

The Chapel Royal, utilized continuously for over 450 years, has transformed over time, influenced by its various residents. Oliver Cromwell removed the exquisite stained glass windows, while Queen Anne replaced them with a wooden altar.

Hampton Court Palace Gardens offer a sprawling 60 acres of beautifully landscaped areas running down to the River Thames, alongside another 750 acres of serene royal parkland. Be sure to visit the Privy Garden, restored to its 1702 grandeur by King William III, and the Great Vine, planted in 1768 by the eminent gardener “Capability” Brown, which still yields a yearly crop of black grapes sold in the palace shops each September.

The Maze, a highlight of the gardens, typically takes 20 minutes to navigate to the center. Moreover, keep an eye out for the Royal Tennis Courts, the oldest tennis court in England, still in regular use.

Fun for All Ages: Family Activities

Hampton Court Palace provides countless family-friendly attractions, entertaining tourists each year with diverse activities for children of all age groups. Families with small children can bring pushchairs or buggies around the palace, or leave them at the Buggy Park off Clock Court. Speak to a warder if assistance with lifts is needed.

A Family Room is available off Base Court for young ones to enjoy free play, while Tiltyard Café offers a similar play area, though it is closed during school holidays. Several Family Trails are provided from the Information Centre, engaging young children as they explore the palace.

For older children, more challenging Family Trails enhance knowledge of the Tudor period. Four family audio tours guide children aged 6 and above throughout the palace, and during school holidays, various costume-guided events and craft activities cater to children aged 5 to 11.

Costumes for the whole family are available at the Information Center, offering a fun way to enhance your palace experience. It can also aid in keeping track of one another on busy days. However, please note that guests are not allowed to dress up as there are costumed actors on-site to prevent confusion.

The Maze is another exciting venture for all ages, with admission included in your palace ticket. Don’t forget to enjoy the stunning gardens, perfect for family picnics—whether you bring your own meal or purchase snacks from the Tiltyard Café!

Hampton Court Palace Disabled Access Information

Hampton Court Palace is expansive, and visitors aiming to see the entire interior and gardens should prepare to walk over two miles. It is important to note that the historic building features uneven surfaces, which may pose a challenge. Nevertheless, many staircases have been designed to be wide and shallow for easier navigation, particularly for King William III, who had asthma.

Most routes within the palace accommodate visitors unable to climb stairs, facilitated by an elevator to the State Apartments on the first floor. Assistance from warders is readily available. Manual wheelchairs can be used inside the palace, while single-person scooters are specific to garden usage; neither service requires advance booking.

Visitors with disabilities are charged the standard entry fee, but accompanying carers, personal assistants, or companions gain free admission—inform admissions personnel at ticket purchase if your companion serves in this capacity. Additionally, guide dogs are welcome.

Accessible toilet facilities are available in Base Court, Fountain Court, on the first floor, Wilderness Garden, and the Tiltyard Café. Nine disabled parking spaces are provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Two of the four shops, specifically the Barrack Block Shop and the Garden Shop, are accessible for wheelchair users.

If you’re unable to access the Young Henry VIII exhibition in the Wolsey Rooms, a virtual tour is available. Be sure to check the full access details on the exhibit’s official website.