Hampton Court Palace (Gardens & Maze)
What Visitors Say
Hampton Court Palace is a historic site well worth visiting, not simply because of its grandeur, but because it offers a clear insight into royal and political life in England across different periods. One of its most distinctive features is the combination of its historic Tudor architecture with later Baroque additions, along with its impressive historic rooms, royal kitchens, and extensive gardens. The experience is about more than simply seeing a historic building. The interior details, the stories associated with figures such as Henry VIII, and the way the palace evolved over the centuries make the visit particularly interesting for anyone with an appreciation for history and architecture. A few short tips that may be useful: - Allow several hours for your visit; the palace and grounds are larger than they may appear from the outside. - Don’t focus only on the main rooms. The Royal Kitchens and some of the less prominent areas provide a better sense of everyday life at the palace. - Check the palace and gardens map when you arrive; planning your route can save you from unnecessary wandering. - If you enjoy photography, make sure to set aside time for the gardens, not just the main palace. - Wear comfortable shoes, as there can be quite a bit of walking both inside the palace and throughout the grounds. - Some of the smaller historical details are much easier to appreciate through the available explanations or guided tours rather than by simply looking around. Overall: A fascinating historic site, particularly suited to visitors who want to understand the palace’s history and royal life rather than simply visit a photogenic tourist attraction.
As a fan of the Tudor era, I think Hampton Court Palace is a must-visit when you’re in England. The easiest way to get to Hampton Court Palace from central London is by train. From London Waterloo: Take a direct South Western Railway train to Hampton Court station. The journey takes around 35–40 minutes. From Hampton Court station: The palace is only about a 5-minute walk across the bridge over the River Thames. Hampton Court Palace was originally built in the early 16th century for Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, a powerful adviser to King Henry VIII. When Wolsey fell out of favour with Henry VIII, the palace became one of the king’s favourite residences. Henry expanded it dramatically, creating the impressive Great Hall, royal apartments, kitchens, and gardens that are still famous today. Being here really makes the stories surrounding Henry VIII and the Tudor dynasty feel much more real. There’s so much to explore, from the grand and impressive Great Hall and dining rooms to the haunting stories connected to Catherine Howard and the famous Anne Boleyn I also enjoyed seeing the enormous Tudor kitchens, where you can still see traces of the old fireplaces and cooking activities. The chapel, where Henry VIII worshipped and where his marriage to Jane Seymour was solemnized, is another highlight. The palace gardens are huge and beautiful, and there’s so much more to discover throughout the complex. For anyone interested in Tudor history, Hampton Court is definitely an unforgettable experience.
A truly fantastic visit. We were booked in for the "Rooftop" tour. 14 of us were taken through normally restricted areas as we take the 107 steps to the roof of the Palace. Two highly knowledgeable tour guides begin with health and safety instructions and do's n don'ts. Incredible views of the most beautiful grounds could be seen (although in the middle of a drought!), accompanied by historical facts regarding alterations made by different monarchs, delivered in a skilful and entertaining manner by our guides. The vistas on this clear day were unforgettable. The unique chimneys were a stunning sight, even more so up close. Visiting inside, we were able to move freely from servant areas, kitchens etc thru the Great Hall, stopping to admire the many tapestries adorning every wall. Continuing on, a stop at the Chapel proved to be quite moving. The entire palace/grounds were very well maintained and spotless. We shall return soon as there was much more to experience.
This is the centre for medieval entertainment! The palace itself is interesting, but the shows arranged in the gardens are truly unique. Jousting show is one of the highlights. It is designed with respect to history combined with a great sense of humor, and it is executed professionally by a team of stunt performers. The park also has a maze and hugely popular playgrounds for kids. Alltogether, it's good enough to keep family entertained for the whole day out, if weather permits.
A fantastic place to visit. The thought that has gone into staging each room is excellent as it really helps you to gain a sense of the events and history of each room. Every member of staff was friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. Several went out of their way to help with our headset or to show us an interesting feature. The gardens were fabulous too. If you haven't been - go!
If you like history you will LOVE this. You get to see the kitchens and rooms upstairs. The have excellent signage about the different rooms and items, some presented in really clever ways that help make the information come alive without feeling "gimmicky" or intrusive. You can easily spend hours here. Lovely gift shop. If it's a sunny day definitely remember a hat and sunscreen so you can really walk around the beautiful grounds and gardens.
It took 4 hours for us just to skim the palace and eat food in cafe. Kid enjoyed the park next to cafe. I recommend to plan for whole day if you are visiting London for few days. Totally worth the visit. Lot of art to see inside and history to learn from, garden to enjoy. Most of all, cafe is great, lot of varieties of food, bakery and coffees. Wonderland for kids is amazing.
Visited Hampton Court Palace and somehow managed to survive without losing my head, unlike some of Henry VIII’s wives. 😄 The palace is stunning, the gardens are beautiful, and there’s so much history around every corner. Walking through the rooms really feels like stepping back in time. If you want to see everything properly, set aside at least 3 hours, there’s far more to explore than you might expect. Just be prepared to do a lot of walking; royalty clearly didn’t believe in keeping things compact. A fantastic day out and definitely worth a visit!
This historic palace offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of those who once called it home. Having watched the TV series The Tudors, which portrays the life and reign of Henry VIII, it was especially interesting to see the setting and atmosphere associated with that period of history. The interiors are truly regal and majestic. The rooms are beautifully decorated, and the attention to detail in the artwork, furnishings, and overall design is remarkable. The palace grounds are extensive and provide plenty of space for picnics, leisurely walks, and family activities. One of the highlights is the Magic Garden, a wonderful children's play area filled with swings, slides, and imaginative features. It reminded me of the whimsical world of Alice in Wonderland, particularly the Queen of Hearts' garden. During our visit, we were told that access to the Magic Garden was reserved for visitors accompanied by children, likely for safety and security reasons. Some of the gardens can also be hired for private events, making the venue suitable for special occasions as well as day visits. The palace is definitely worth the admission fee and makes for an excellent family day out. It is particularly convenient for those travelling without a car, as there is a bus stop located directly in front of the palace.
Fantastic day out, so much to see! Carpark is £1.80 per hour. Lots of space however. Concessions are really good, £1 entry for universal credit recipients. A few cafes in the palace. Must see the chapel where Henry visited regularly. The astronomical clock in the courtyard is spectacular. Amazing craftsmanship. Look for the red arrow on the clock, apparently Henry had it put in so he could take his barge down to London at tide times. I would recommend splitting up visits to see the place and gardens on separate occasions.
Opening Hours
Fun Facts
Hampton Court’s Maze is the UK’s oldest surviving hedge maze, commissioned around 1700 for William III, and it was the first hedge-planted maze in Great Britain.
The current Royal Tennis Court was built for Charles I in 1625, but one of its external walls still survives from Cardinal Wolsey’s original court of 1526–29.
Hampton Court has the only surviving royal Chocolate Kitchen in Britain; its exact location was only pinned down in 2013 through an 18th-century palace inventory.
In 1871, workmen unearthed two male skeletons beneath a cloister in Fountain Court. A resident who had long complained of unexplained knocking said the disturbances stopped once the remains were properly interred.
The Great Vine, planted in 1768 under Capability Brown, is considered the largest grape vine in the world; its longest rod reaches 36.5 metres.
