Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace is commonly visited from London, either independently or as part of a royal palaces tour, and paired with a stop at Windsor Castle. Book priority entrance tickets to skip the line and spend more time exploring the grounds, or, for more context, choose a guided historical tour that walks you through the palace and formal gardens. Bike tours of the Hampton Court Palace grounds are another popular option.

• Helpful red-coated guides can be found all over the grounds offering interesting information about the castle (while making sure you keep your hands off the valuable furnishings).

• Book an advance ticket with timed entry to avoid lines.

• Free Wi-Fi access is available.

• Much of the palace is wheelchair accessible, and disabled visitors may bring a caregiver free of charge.

• Hampton Court Palace entry is included in the London Pass.

Hampton Court Palace is set in the royal borough of Richmond upon Thames, on the River Thames and a short distance from London in the town of Surrey. It’s accessible by public transportation—Hampton Court Station is a 30-minute train ride away from Waterloo Station in central London. From the train station, it’s a short walk across the Hampton Court Bridge over the River Thames to the palace.

The palace is open daily from morning to late afternoon, with extended hours in the summer. Arriving earlier in the day or taking a private tour will help you avoid crowds.

For a glimpse at royal life and customs in settings truly fit for royalty, go beyond Hampton Court and visit the royal residences at Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace in London, as well as nearby Windsor Castle.

No, you can’t walk around Hampton Court Palace or the surrounding gardens for free—you’ll need to buy an admission ticket to access the historic estate. Your ticket grants you access to the palace, the gardens’ courtyards, the Maze, and the Magic Garden. You can only enter for free with a Historic Royal Palaces membership.

You should spend three hours exploring Hampton Court Palace and its impressive grounds. If you’re short on time, the Tudor Experience is a route that takes around 1.5 hours and covers Tudor highlights such as the kitchens, the Chapel Royal, and the former apartments and crown of Henry VIII.

There is parking at Hampton Court Palace, but it isn’t free. You can park on the palace grounds for an hourly fee of around $3 or Hampton Court Green for a similar price, 500 meters (1,640 feet) from the entrance. Accessible parking is free for blue badge holders.

Hampton Court Palace offers bespoke guided tours that can be tailored to your interests—themes include Tudor history, art and architecture, spooky stories, and the history of the gardens. You’ll need to fill out a booking form on their website. You can also opt for a more general tour or a family-friendly version.

Yes, Hampton Court Palace is mostly accessible—the main entrance has level access, highlights such as the Henry VIII apartments and kitchens, the gardens, and the ticket office and cafe. There’s an accessible car park and toilets, and Hampton Court train station is step-free.

The best time of day to visit Hampton Court Palace is either early in the morning or later in the afternoon. The palace is busiest during the British spring and summer months (from April through September) and can be exceptionally crowded during the school holidays in July and August.