Travel bucket list idea:

Hampton Court Palace

London, United Kingdom (UK)

Exterior view of the palace on a sunny day

Credit: Kiev.Victor / Shutterstock.com

Last updated: 09 March, 2024

A Tudor royal pleasure palace set in 60 acres of gorgeous formal gardens and 750 acres of parkland. Anyone with the remotest interest in English history will get a kick out of exploring this sprawling Tudor and Baroque estate, where the infamous Henry VIII lived, loved and held lavish banquets.

Navigating the UK’s oldest surviving hedge maze, commissioned around 1700, is something of a rite of passage for British kids, with families often opting to visit the gardens alone (maze-only tickets are available). But don’t miss the Great Hall and royal apartments, the elaborate dome in the Chapel Royal or the gallery – reputedly haunted by Henry’s fated fifth wife, Catherine Howard.

You can also play Mary Poppins with a walk on the palace roof, on guided summertime tours that take in the intricate brickwork and chimneys and give VIP views of the estate.

Logistics

Price from: £25

Minimum age: 0

Age suitable: 4+

When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

Allow around three hours to explore the palace. The site is a 15-minute train ride from London Waterloo. Riverboats https://www.thamesriverboats.co.uk/ run from Westminster, Richmond-upon-Thames and Kingston-upon-Thames (April to October); the journey from Westminster takes three hours.

Audio guides to different parts of the estate are available, included in the ticket price – four of these are specially tailored for children (over 6). Costumed ‘courtiers’ offer free guided tours, leaving regularly from inside the palace. For food, you’ll find two cafés with a Tudor vibe and modern food. Picnics are allowed in the grounds.

When to do it

Since Hampton Court is as much about its manicured gardens, maze and riverside location as its interior, outdoorsy spring and summer suit it best. But it’s open all year round, seven days a week.

Busy holiday seasons – Christmas and Easter – often come with special events and decoration, and the palace is big enough to accommodate the crowds. An ice rink is added in December and January, too.

Who to go with: organised tours

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - Secrets of Henry VIII

London

Viator

You can book palace entry tickets in advance on the Hampton Court website. Tours are non-costume and can be adapted for children, giving the whole family a fun insight. Join your historian guide, from television's 'Secrets of Henry VIII's Palace', to discover Hampton Court. Through its rooms you can chart Henry’s decline from athletic prince to bloated tyrant and hear about the six women who became his queens. Dig a little deeper and find hidden stories of ghost, executions and 'horrible histories'. Highlights are Great Hall, Chapel and Haunted Gallery, Baroque palace and gardens. Choose from one of two departure times. 11:00 or 13:30

Price £180

Min age 0

Rating 4.98 / 5 [108 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Hampton Court Palace private tour with an accredited expert guide

London

Viator

Sarah has worked at Hampton Court Palace since 2008 so knows all the secrets associated with those, who in the past, have lived, worked and died within its walls. Sarah, a social historian and storyteller, will regale you with the tales of mistresses and betrayals whilst you walk where history happened, in the footsteps of kings and queens. See magnificent artworks in the State Apartments of Henry VIII and William III, the Astronomical clock, kitchens, wine cellars, gardens and more. Maybe even a ghost! Hampon Court is a 'palace of two halves'; the 16th century Tudor and Wren's 17th century Baroque. This is a tour for the whole palace, if you only wish to be guided around the Tudor side please see my shorter 'Secrets' tour. Note the Chapel may be closed on Sundays. Entrance fees to Hampton Court Palace are NOT included in the price of this tour booking, entrance tickets to the palace cost approximately £30 per person and should be purchased through the Historic Royal Palace's website.

Price £208

Min age 0

Rating 5 / 5 [94 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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

London

Viator

Hampton Court Palace, the home of England's most notorious king Henry VIII, has tales of ghosts, executions and his expanding collection of wives! Perfect if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of central London, Hampton Court has something to please all the family. There are two palaces to look round, Henry VIII's and William III's and the suite of Georgian rooms tell the tale of one of the most dysfunctional dynasties ever to take the throne of England. The stunning gardens, a maze and the chance to see the complicated game of real tennis in action, makes this a wonderful day out. My name is Sandy and this private tour accommodates groups of up to 5 people only meaning everyone can feel comfortable throughout. Please buy your entry tickets to the Palace, which is an extra cost to my tour, in advance as this will make it easier on the day. 100% of my Trip Advisor/Viator reviews are graded 'Excellent' so I must be doing something right!

Price $229

Min age 0

Rating 4.98 / 5 [70 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Hampton Court Palace Grounds Bike Tour

London

Viator

On this 3-hour small-group bike tour around the area surrounding Hampton Court Palace, you will be picked up by the guide from the Palace to collect the bikes together. Cycle for a beautiful 8-mile (13 km) route to Hampton Court Palace and explore Royal Bushy Park, Eisenhower's WWII base, Long Water and Hampton Court Palace. See the beauty and history of the area.

Price £35

Min age 12

Rating 4.94 / 5 [50 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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