Hampton Court Palace
- Royal history enthusiasts
- History enthusiasts
- Families with children
What Visitors Say
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.
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.
Highlights
Tudor Kitchens
Feeds a 1,000-strong courtBuilt for Cardinal Wolsey c.1515 and expanded by Henry VIII, the kitchens produced up to 800 meals a day.
Base Court, service range
Great Hall
Hammerbeam roof and tapestriesCompleted in the 1530s, Henry VIII’s hall hosted banquets under a soaring timber roof with glittering tapestries.
Tudor State Apartments
Astronomical Clock
1540s Tudor timepieceInstalled in 1540, the clock shows hour, date, moon phases and high tide at London Bridge on a 15-foot dial.
Clock Court
Baroque Apartments
Wren’s grand redesignIn the late 1600s Sir Christopher Wren transformed parts of the palace for William III and Mary II in French-inspired style.
Fountain Court
The Maze
Britain’s oldest hedge mazePlanted around 1690 for William III, this yew labyrinth covers about a third of an acre.
North of the Wilderness
Opening Hours
Fun Facts
Cardinal Wolsey built Hampton Court from about 1515; Henry VIII took it over in 1529.
The Tudor kitchens could roast whole sides of beef on multi-spit fireplaces for court banquets.
The astronomical clock (1540) also predicts high tide times for the Thames at London Bridge.
Sir Christopher Wren redesigned Fountain Court in the 1680s-1690s for William and Mary.
Hampton Court Maze dates to c.1690 and is likely the most famous hedge maze in Britain.
