Days of Operation: Daily 30 Mar - 25 Oct 10:00- 18:00 (Last Admission: 17:00) 26 Oct - 29 Mar 10:00-17:30 (Last Admission: 16:30)
Close 24-26 December.
The flamboyant Tudor monarch, Henry VIII is most associated with this majestic Palace. He lavished money on fabulous tapestries and paintings, housed and fed a huge court and pursued a succession of wives, political power and domination over Rome. However, the elegance and romance of the palace owes much to the Baroque buildings created by Sir Christopher Wren for the joint monarchs William and Mary at the end of the 17th century.
The palace is set in 60 acres of formal gardens and more than 750 acres of parkland.
Life at the royal court
The Tudors, Stuarts and even Georgian monarchs really enjoyed living and entertaining in this grand palace and nowhere is this more apparent than in the furnishings and decoration of both the Tudor and Baroque State rooms.
Henry VIII's State Apartments
It took just ten years for Henry VIII to transform Hampton Court from a courtier's country home into a magnificent royal residence. Much of his majestic Tudor palaces still survives today, and is among the most important of its kind in existence. Step back in time and marvel at the breathtaking splendour of the state rooms including the Great Hall, the Chapel Royal and the infamous Haunted Gallery.
Young Henry VIII exhibition
Enter this fascinating permanent exhibition exploring the stereotypes that have overshadowed the true characters and stories of Henry VIII, Cardinal Wolsey and Katherine of Aragon for centuries.
The Tudor Kitchens
What tickled a Tudor's taste buds? This is your chance to explore the fascinating, practical side of royal life in the enormous Tudor kitchens, which are the most extensive surviving 16th century kitchens in Europe today. You can smell the boiling beef, hear the bubbling cauldrons and feel the heat from the fire.
The Gardens
The palace's 60 acres of magnificent gardens run down to the River Thames and feature fountains, the beautifully restored Privy Garden, famous maze and, at 229 years of age and at over 36.5 metres long, the oldest and largest known grapevine in the world.
2008 activities and events Tudor cookery
Aug 2-3 & 23-25, Sept 6-7, Oct 4-5, Nov 1-2 & Dec 6-7 & 27-31
On these selected dates throughout the year visitors will discover what foods tickled the Tudor's taste buds. If all that cooking gives you a taste for history why not visit the Tiltyard café in the palace gardens and try their delicious two-course Tudor lunchtime menu!
Henry VIII & his Tudor Court costumed events
During school holidays and Bank Holiday weekends Hampton Court Palace comes alive with an array of costumed events, entertaining and captivating both the young and the young at heart.
Audio guides
Audio guides are included in the palace ticket and are available in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Japanese.
Additional Information: Please allow at least 2-3 hours for your visit.
