Paid entry. As of August 2025, £28 for adults and £14 for children. U5s free.
Seven days a week
What it is
Museum tags: Historic building; Royal palace; Henry VIII; Architecture; Gardens; Tudor history
One of London’s most spectacular historic sites, Hampton Court Palace is best known as the grand Tudor palace of King Henry VIII – complete with vast kitchens, courtyards, and a great hall fit for feasts. Later expanded by William and Mary in the 17th century, it’s a rare chance to see both Tudor and Baroque splendour under one roof.
The palace is as much a museum as it is a heritage site: inside you’ll find exhibitions on court life, royal fashion, and even the famous Hampton Court ghost stories. Outside, the formal gardens, the Great Vine, and the world-famous hedge maze are all highlights in their own right.
But it’s not just about the Tudors. The Baroque palace, added later by William III, is stunning in its own right. Grand, ornate and easy to lose yourself in.
Then there are the gardens, which are vast and genuinely beautiful. We did the famous maze too, and (not to brag) completed it quicker than expected. Though I suspect that has more to do with luck than our sense of direction.
Don’t underestimate how much time you’ll need. There’s a lot to see, and it’s well worth giving yourself a full day.
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