Hampton Court Palace

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Hampton Court Palace is set beside a beautiful stretch of the River Thames. It was built in 1514 and although it had been resided in by many Royal families, it is synonymous with Henry VIII and his wives. It is even said to be haunted by the ghosts of two of them - Jane Seymour and Catherine Howard. You may the saying 'Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived'. Tour Hampton Court Palace to discover which outcome applied to which of Henry VIII six wives.

Situated at Hampton Court is the world-famous astronomical clock, built in 1540, a must see for anyone who wishes to tour the Palace. Don’t forget to visit one of the earliest hedge mazes in Britain while you are there – just don’t get lost! Lots of other stuff to see and do at the Palace including bicylce tours, overnight stays, fishing events, royal feasts, medieval festivals and the annual flower show held in early July.

Although the residence was originally built for one of Henry's advisors, Cardinal Wolsey, it was gifted to the king to elevate Wolsey's status within society and the court.

Five out of six of Henry's wives lived at the palace and it was a favourite of Queen Elizabeth I. Henry's daughter Mary (Elizabeth's half-sister) spent her honeymoon at the Palace. During the Stuart period shows were held in the Great Hall and in 1604 the Hampton Court Conference took place - a meeting of English Puritans with King James I.

King Charles I lived at Hampton Court Palace in his capacity as King and also as Oliver Cromwell's prisoner during the English Civil War.

After the Restoration the Palace started to show its age and kings such as Charles II and James II, although they visited the Palace, preferred to reside elsewhere.

William and Mary reigned jointly from 1689 and made extensive alterations to the Palace.

George I made further additions to the Palace and the last monarch in residence was George II. Queen Victoria accorded access to the public and granted individuals occupancy by 'grace and favor'. Currently the Palace is in the possession of Queen Elizabeth II and the Crown.

When touring Hampton Court Palace it is easy to get swept away by its beauty. It is a stunning mixture of Tudor and Baroque styles which by fate seems to work together by the use of pink brick and the rough symmetry of the lower levels. Wolsey's original building of 1514 was constructed in the Tudor style. Once in King Henry's possession the Palace was extended so as to be able to accommodate the court. Much of the Tudor building was destroyed by Baroque style extensions implimented by King William III in the following century - a feat meant to rival the Palace of Versailles.

William and Mary had great plans for the Palace including demolishing the Tudor building to be replaced piece by piece by an imposing Baroque palace. Architect Sir Christopher Wren was employed to draw up plans but these were ultimately abandoned. During continuing work however Henry's private state rooms were lost and new state rooms built for the King and Queen.

After William's death his sister-in-law Queen Anne completed decorations.

The grounds we see today were arranged in the grand style in the late 17th century and there are no surviving components of the original grounds from the time of Henry. Features designed for Wren's Versaille style palace include a semicircular parterre, avenues and the Long Water great canal excavated during the reign of King Charles II.

Address and Contact Details

Address: Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 9AU
Telephone: 020 3166 6000
Email: Send email
Website: Hampton Court Palace (Historic Royal Palaces) (opens in new window).

Travel Connections

Hampton Court Palace is located southwest of central London in Travelcard Zone 6.

Train

Hampton Court Station: Approximately a 2-5 minute walk from the palace.
Direct trains run from London Waterloo every 30 minutes, with a journey time of approximately 35 minutes. These services call at Vauxhall, Clapham Junction, Earlsfield, Wimbledon, Raynes Park, New Malden, Berrylands, Surbiton, and Thames Ditton.
Oyster cards are accepted on this route.

Bus

Several bus routes stop close to the palace entrance:

From Kingston: Bus numbers 111, 216, 411, 461, 513.
From Richmond: Bus number R68.
Services marked with an asterisk (*) accept Oyster cards, LT cards, bus passes, Travelcards, and Freedom Passes.

Underground (Tube)

There is no London Underground station directly at Hampton Court.
The nearest Underground stations are in Wimbledon and Richmond, where connecting bus routes (as listed above) are available.

River Boat

Public riverboat services run during the summer months.
Journey times vary: approximately 4 hours from Westminster, 2 hours from Richmond-upon-Thames, and 45 minutes from Kingston-upon-Thames. Hampton Court Pier is located approximately a 2-minute walk from the palace.

Car

The palace is on the A309 and is well signposted from all major local roads (e.g., from M25 exit 10 (A307) or exit 12 (A309), or from the A3 take the A309).
Parking:
Hampton Court Palace Car Park: On-site parking is available.
Hampton Court Green Car & Coach Park: Approximately 500 metres from the palace entrance, charged hourly.
Hampton Court Train Station Car Park: Approximately 200 metres from the palace entrance.
Bushy Park: Approximately 1.1 km from the palace.
Walton Road Car Park (East Molesey KT8 0DL): Approximately a 20-minute walk from the palace, also served by the 411 bus route.
Payment is typically by card or PaybyPhone App; cash may not be accepted at some locations. Blue Badge holders can park for free in the palace car park.

Cycling

National Cycle Network route number 4 runs along Barge Walk past the palace.
Cycle racks are available near the gardens. Bicycles locked to railings may be removed.

Facilities

Toilets: Available on site, with accessible facilities.
Cafes:
Tiltyard Cafe: Located within the Palace Gardens, offering indoor and outdoor seating, hot and cold food, and drinks.
Privy Kitchen Cafe: Located within the Palace, open at weekends.
Wilderness Kiosk: In the Palace Gardens, open weekends and school holidays for ice creams, snacks, teas, and coffee.
Magic Garden Kiosk: Open daily, serving drinks and ice cream.
Shops: Gift shops are available.
Picnic Areas: Various open spaces in the gardens are suitable for picnics.
Buggy Park: Pushchairs/strollers are welcome, with a buggy park located in Clock Court.
Wheelchairs and Electric Buggies: Available (buggies for outdoor areas only). It is recommended to bring your own wheelchair if possible.
Multimedia Guide: Available in multiple languages.

Access

Hampton Court Palace is largely step-free in many areas.
Visitors requiring mobility access or specific assistance are encouraged to contact the venue directly when booking.
Free companion tickets are available for visitors with disabilities; only one carer/companion ticket can be added per online booking, but additional carer tickets can be arranged by emailing info@hrp.org.uk with your booking reference and proof of need.
Trained assistance and medical alert dogs are welcome inside the palace and gardens.
Photography is generally not allowed inside the historic buildings but is permitted in the gardens and courtyards for personal use.
Eating and drinking are generally restricted to designated areas.

Entry Fees (2025)

Ticket prices vary between off-peak (weekdays, excluding bank holidays) and peak (weekends and bank holidays) times.

Adult (18-64):
Off-peak: £28.00
Peak: £30.90
Child (5-15): (Children aged 5-15 must be accompanied by an adult)
Off-peak: £14.00
Peak: £15.50
Young Person (16-17): (ID may be required)
Off-peak: £14.00
Peak: £15.50
Under 5: Free (no ticket required)
Senior (65+):
Off-peak: £22.50
Peak: £24.70
Full-time Student (18+): (Valid student ID required)
Off-peak: £22.50
Peak: £24.70
Disabled Concession:
Off-peak: £22.50
Peak: £24.70
Disabled Carer / Companion: Free (see conditions of use)
Groups (15 or more):
Off-peak: £25.80
Peak: £28.40
£1 Tickets: Available for those in receipt of Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, or Jobseeker's Allowance.

Tickets include entry to all open public areas of the palace, gardens, courtyards, the Maze, and the Magic Garden. Booking in advance online is recommended, particularly for peak times.

Opening Times (2025)

Hampton Court Palace is generally open daily throughout the year, with some variations and planned closures.

Summer (30 March - 26 October): Daily, 10:00 - 17:30 (last entry 16:30)
Winter (27 October - 29 March): Daily, 10:00 - 16:00 (last entry 15:00)

Planned closures (subject to change, always check the official website before visiting):

June 2025: Mondays and Tuesdays
July 2025: 1st, 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th
September 2025: 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th, 22nd, 23rd, 28th, 29th, 30th
October 2025: 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st
November 2025: Mondays and Tuesdays
December 2025: 1st, 2nd, 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th

Garden Open Days, where access to parts of the gardens is free, are scheduled for specific dates throughout the year. Paid admission is still required to enter the palace, Maze, or Magic Garden on these days.

Other Places of Interest Within 15 Minute's Walk

River Thames Walk (Adjacent to the Palace): The Thames Path runs directly alongside Hampton Court Palace. Visitors can enjoy picturesque walks along the riverbank, offering views of the palace from a different perspective and connecting to nearby villages and parks.

The Mitre Hotel (1-2 minutes): Located right next to the palace, The Mitre is a historic hotel with a riverside pub and restaurant. It's a great spot for a meal or drink with views of the Thames and the palace.

Hampton Court Village (2-5 minutes): The charming village surrounding the palace offers a variety of local shops, independent boutiques, cafes, and pubs, many with outdoor seating overlooking the River Thames.

Garrick's Temple to Shakespeare (10-12 minutes): A charming riverside folly built by the celebrated 18th-century actor David Garrick in honour of William Shakespeare. It's a small, peaceful site with a bust of Shakespeare and tranquil gardens by the Thames.

Bushy Park (10-15 minutes): One of London's Royal Parks and the second largest, Bushy Park is famous for its roaming herds of red and fallow deer. It offers vast open spaces, woodlands, water features, and is excellent for walking, cycling, and wildlife spotting.