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Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace: Our most recommended tours and activities

Hampton Court Palace and Gardens Entrance Ticket

1. Hampton Court Palace and Gardens Entrance Ticket

Hop on the train from London's Waterloo station and travel to Hampton Court Palace. After a short 32-minute ride to Hampton Court station, use your ticket for entrance to a place that is actually 2 palaces. It is a magnificent Tudor palace, developed by Cardinal Wolsey and later Henry VIII, standing next to a Baroque palace that was built by William III and Mary II.  By the time of his death in 1547 Henry VIII had over 60 houses, but in the latter part of his reign none were more important to him than Hampton Court Palace. Visit the king’s apartments as one of his courtiers, wearing a Tudor cloak and sneaking down to the vast kitchens where banquets were prepared for as many as 1,000 guests. The splendid apartments of William and Mary in the Baroque Palace date from the late 17th century when they ruled jointly. From the apartments there are spectacular views of the gardens. You can explore the 60 acres of beautiful palace gardens that run down to the River Thames. You’ll see sparkling fountains and glorious seasonal displays of hundreds of thousands of flowering bulbs.

London: The London Pass with access to 80+ Attractions

2. London: The London Pass with access to 80+ Attractions

See all that London has to offer with the London Pass. With its wealth of history and culture, London always has plenty to offer visitors. The London Pass is a complete sightseer credits package allowing you access to more than 80 top attractions, tours, and museums. Access a huge range of the top landmarks and attractions including the Tower of London, London Zoo, Windsor Castle, and many more.  Enjoy a 1-Day Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus tour with over 60 stops across London including Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square, and Piccadilly Circus. The pass is valid for a full working day across 3 routes. You'll also get access to special London Pass holder perks, including discounts at gift shops at select attractions. The London Pass allows access to over 80 attractions, including: POPULAR ATTRACTIONS • The View from the Shard • Tower of London • 1-Day Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour • Thames River Boat (Uber Boat by Thames Clippers - 1-day Hop-on Hop-off) • Windsor Castle (afternoon entry only) • Westminster Abbey • London Bridge Experience • Tower Bridge Exhibition • ZSL London Zoo • St Paul's Cathedral • Kensington Palace PLACES OF INTEREST • Shakespeare's Globe Theatre • Royal Albert Hall • Royal Observatory Greenwich • Old Royal Naval College • The Painted Hall • Cutty Sark • Kew Gardens • Hampton Court Palace • Apsley House • Benjamin Franklin House • Eltham Palace • Golden Hinde • Wellington Arch • Chelsea Physic Garden MUSEUMS & GALLERIES • London Transport Museum • Foundling Museum • Household Cavalry Museum • Charles Dickens Museum • Guards Museum • Cartoon Museum • Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art • Wernher Collection at Ranger's House • Fan Museum • London Canal Museum • London Museum of Water and Steam • Garden Museum • Museum of Brands, Packaging, and Advertising • Queen's Gallery (temporarily closed) • Pollock's Toy Museum • The Postal Museum TOURS & EXPERIENCES • ArcelorMittal Orbit • Arsenal FC Stadium (Emirates Stadium) • Chelsea FC Stadium Tour • Tottenham Hotspur FC Stadium Tour • Twickenham Stadium Tour & Rugby Museum • Wembley Stadium Tours & more! Please note: attractions and tours are subject to change. Please check the digital guide included on your confirmation voucher for the full list of inclusions, opening times, and reservation instructions, when applicable before you go.

London: Go City Explorer Pass for 2 to 7 Attractions

3. London: Go City Explorer Pass for 2 to 7 Attractions

Get your London Explorer Pass, a digital credits package, and create your own city itinerary. Redeem your credits against 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 attractions from a selection of over 80 monuments, tours, cruises, dining experiences, and more. Choose from a variety of venues, including the Tower of London, the Shard, and St. Paul's Cathedral. Get instructions on how to plan your itinerary and place reservations ahead when needed. You have 60 days to use your attraction credits starting with your first choice. Save up to 35% with each visit equaling 1 credit used. Choose any 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 attractions from the following list: Popular attractions: • 1-day Hop-On-Hop-Off London Bus tour • Tower of London • The View from the Shard • Kensington Palace • Shakespeare’s Globe Exhibition & Theatre Tour • St Paul’s Cathedral • Thames River Cruise (City Cruises Thames River Pass) • Tower Bridge Exhibition • Westminster Abbey • The London Bridge Experience • ZSL London Zoo Fun Activities and Tours: • Up at the O2 • Brit Movie Tours • Brit Music Tours • Brit Icon Tours • Hop-on Hop-off Open Bus tour of Windsor • 20+ London Sights and enjoy Fish & Chips - Top Sights Tours • 30+ London Sights Tour - Top Sights Tours • Palaces and Parliament Tour - Top Sights Tours • Chelsea FC Stadium Tour & Museum • Emirates Arsenal Stadium Tour • Tottenham Hotspur FC Stadium Tour • Wembley Stadium Tour • Twickenham Stadium Tour & World Rugby Museum • Kia Oval Ground Tour • London Bicycle Tour • Fuller's Brewery Tour • Hard Rock Café London • ArcelorMittal Orbit • Curzon Cinema Bloomsbury (Renoir) • Curzon Cinema Mayfair • Curzon Cinema Soho • Swingers Crazy Golf (West End or City venues) • Sherlock: The Official Live Game • All Star Lanes (bowling) • The Chocolate Cocktail Club • The Bermondsey Bierkeller • The Dare Skywalk • Solve a Mystery: the Murder at Trafalgar Square • Solve a Mystery: the Murder at Westminster Museums and Places of Interest: • Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew • Royal Observatory Greenwich • London Transport Museum • Cutty Sark • Benjamin Franklin House • Florence Nightingale Museum • Freud Museum London • Hampton Court Palace • Household Cavalry Museum • London Bicycle Tour - Hire • Museum of Brands, Packaging, and Advertising • The Painted Hall • Old Royal Naval College • Pollock's Toy Museum • Royal Albert Hall • Garden Museum • The Guards Museum • The Monument to The Great Fire of London • The Postal Museum • Wembley Stadium Tour • Apsley House • Eltham Palace • Jewel Tower • Wellington Arch • Chiswick House and Kitchen Garden • Royal Air Force Museum

London: Secrets of Hampton Court Palace Guided Tour

4. London: Secrets of Hampton Court Palace Guided Tour

This is a private tour, just for you, so can be tailored exactly to your requirements. You can say in advance, or even on the day, what interests you most - whether it be tapestries, art and magnificence or simply the strange and amusing tales of a Royal Court. The tour on request can be designed to suit children. Step back in time to 1540, imagine the colors, sights, sounds and smells. What was it really like to live, work and eat at Hampton Court and how did people dress? The Great Hall has hardly changed since Henry's time, show off his wealth and power. Visit the Haunted Gallery, where you might see the ghost of Queen Catherine Howard, as well as original paintings from the Royal Collection. The beautiful Chapel Royal has the finest 16th century ceiling in England, studded with blue and gold, while the King's colorful royal beasts can be seen outside in a charming Tudor Garden. A story of two amazing palaces, a Tudor palace made famous by Henry VIII, alongside a 17th century Baroque palace built by William & Mary, with stunning gardens. Why did the British come to have a Dutch king in 1688 and what was he doing at Hampton Court? Find out more about William of Orange, see fabulous interiors including royal bedrooms and look out onto his magnificent Privy Garden as you explore the palace inspired by Versailles! Join a tour with Siobhan Clarke, who has a BA in History and a Teaching Certificate. She has worked at Hampton Court for 20 years and is passionate about sharing her knowledge of the palace and making every visitor experience the best it can be - inspiring and fun. Siobhan is a Member of the Institute of Tourist Guiding. She has featured on BBC radio and PBS television's 'Secrets of Henry VIII's Palace' and is the author of four books on Tudor history and art. She also lectures for the US Smithsonian and the UK Arts Society.

From London: Skip-the-Line Hampton Court Palace w/ Guide

5. From London: Skip-the-Line Hampton Court Palace w/ Guide

"Experience British history and cultural heritage on a visit to the Hampton Court Palace, a historic residence of Tudor court. Admire its spectacular Tudor-style architecture, expensive interiors and fabulous gardens with a History Guide. Discover the palace’s greatest secrets, from Henry VIII’s affairs to ghost hauntings. Experience the lush Tudor lifestyle! Choose the 4,5-hour option to visit Hampton Court Palace with a Private Guide and skip-the-line tickets. For your convenience, private car transfers are included in this tour, so getting to the palace won’t be an issue. A 5-Star Driver will take you straight from your accommodation address to the palace, where you will join a Licensed Guide on a private tour of the estate. With skip-the-line tickets you can beat the crowds and go straight in! Explore nooks and crannies of Hampton Court Palace, its magnificent Great Hall, Cartoon Gallery, Haunted Gallery, Royal Chapel, grand staircases, vast kitchens, and other interesting rooms. You will be surrounded by expensive art, antique furniture, a collection of weaponry and other royal memorabilia. The palace has so many stories to tell, from the complex love life of Henry VIII, to the political aspirations of King WIlliam III’s, to the legend about King’s Beasts. Another highlight will be a stroll in the fabulous gardens, which along with the castle is protected as a Grade I monument. It is a breathtaking scenery with lots of flowers, roses, trees, statues, fountains and other interesting elements. "

London: Hampton Court Private Guided Tour

6. London: Hampton Court Private Guided Tour

Discover one of the oldest royal palaces in London on a half-day guided tour of Hampton Court Palace, transferring from Waterloo Station to the magnificent Tudor castle in the southwest suburbs. Developed by Cardinal Wolsey, and later Henry VIII, Hamton Court stands next to a baroque palace that was built by William III and Mary II. By the time of his death in 1547, Henry VIII had over 60 houses, but in the latter part of his reign none were more important to him than Hampton Court Palace. Visit the King’s apartments as one of his courtiers, wearing a Tudor cloak and sneaking down to the vast kitchens where banquets were prepared for as many as 1,000 guests. Discover the “Young Henry” in an exhibition dedicated to his relationship with his first Queen, Katherine of Aragon. See the splendid apartments of William and Mary from the late 17th century, and enjoy the same spectacular views of the gardens. Then, explore the 60 acres of palace gardens that run down to the River Thames. See sparkling fountains and seasonal displays of thousands of flowering bulbs. Visit the New Cumberland Art Gallery and discover the Royal collection, including works from Rembrandt, Caravaggio, Holbein, Van Dyck, and Canaletto.

Windsor Castle & Hampton Court Palace VIP Black Taxi Tour

7. Windsor Castle & Hampton Court Palace VIP Black Taxi Tour

Sit back in style and let your guide take you on the most memorable tour of your holiday. Stopping in Windsor, visit the world's largest fully occupied castle. Your guide will explain the history of the castle. Visit the state rooms, (when available), Visit St Georges Chapel (except Sundays). See the hall that can seat 160 people for a banquet. Walk over Eton bridge and see the famous Eton College.  Drive through old Windsor and Windsor Great Park to the one-time island of Runnymede, where in 1215 King John sealed the Magna Carta. Here you can get photos. Then it is onto Hampton Court Palace and your VIP Tour. You will be met by another one of the expert Guides  who will take you on a private VIP tour of the Palace. See the Tudor State Apartments and the famous Tudor kitchens. Wander through the Great Hall,  marvel at the wonderful Chapel, walk through the Tudor Gardens and see the gallery haunted by Queen Catherine Howard.  Option 2: take the same Hampton Court tour as above around the palace but with your guide dressed in authentic 16th century. This is a family fun day tour. Remember the supplier's motto: "We Meet as strangers and part as friends."

London: Private Chauffeur-Driven Sightseeing Tour

8. London: Private Chauffeur-Driven Sightseeing Tour

Enjoy a private tour of London with your own personal guide and driver. This tour offers a flexible itinerary in which you can choose what you would like to visit. You will be able to choose between different VIP tours in places such as London, Windsor, or Hampton court. Your guide and driver will help ensure a fun, secure environment for you and your family during your vacation. Travel comfortably and safely, and enjoy each location at your own pace. Choose how you spend your day, visiting all the destinations you want. See sights such as the famous Tower, the St. Paul Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, or Kensington Palace, as well as discovering London’s hidden riverside gems on this fascinating tour. You can also join your guide for an in-depth view of London’s magnificent landmarks, such as the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge.

From London: Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Palace

9. From London: Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Palace

Start your journey with a ride on a luxury air conditioned bus from Central London to Windsor Castle. Travel to Windsor Castle and visit the stunning state apartments, admire the gigantic, incredibly detailed Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House. Next, move on to see St George’s Chapel which is the resting place of Henry VIII and other monarchs. Nestled atop a hill in a charming market town, Windsor Castle was founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century. Then, make your way over to the magnificent Hampton Court Palace by bus. Be dazzled by the spectacular Chapel Royal, the grandeur of the Great Hall, and Henry VIII’s kitchens. Wander through the palace’s beautiful gardens and try not to get lost in the world’s oldest puzzle maze. Dating back to the 16th century, the palace is most famously linked to the dramatic lives and loves of Henry VIII and his wives. Hampton Court Palace is a visual treat for visitors and this royal venue promises to be an unforgettable experience. Upon entry to Hampton Court, receive a warm welcome and introduction from a guide in periodic costume. You will then be taken back to the original meeting point in Central London where the tour will end.

London: Hampton Court Palace Private Guided Tour

10. London: Hampton Court Palace Private Guided Tour

Explore Hampton Court Palace with a local private guide. Stroll through the lush palace gardens, get lost in the garden maze, and see the palace chapel's paradise ceiling. Meet your guide at the Hampton Court Palace (ticket not included) and journey back in time to the Tudor era. Begin with a stop in Henry VIII's kitchens and discover the complex process of feeding the Royal Court and their guests. Next, visit the magnificent Great Hall. Admire its hammer-beam roof and carved eavesdroppers before heading to the chapel with its paradise ceiling. Continue to the baroque wing to see an extensive collection of art. As you walk, hear about the new owners of the palace. Finish your tour with a stroll in the palace gardens. Walk under the famous yew trees, lose yourself in the maze, and see the oldest vine in the world.

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Other Sightseeing Options in Hampton Court Palace

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What people are saying about Hampton Court Palace

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 1,854 reviews

We bought the pass before we left for London. We were very satisfied with it. I still advise to check the activities included in the pass to anticipate what you will do even if it remains very flexible. Special mention for St Paul's Cathedral which we hesitated to do but which was really worth it for its 360° view of the heights of London.

At first glance it seems expensive (4 people) but worth the money. We booked the pass for two days and enjoyed it to the full. Plan well in advance and you can do it.

Would fully recommend doing this! Our guide was super informative and gave us such an in-depth history of the palace!

Hampton is a very nice place, with very interesting history. Very close to London, and easy access.

Everything was perfect just the closing hours too early…