🏛️ How to visit Hampton Court: tickets, hours and travel from Waterloo

Hampton Court stands on the banks of the Thames in southwest London. It is one of two surviving residences of Henry VIII. The palace belongs to the Historic Royal Palaces charitable trust. You should allow 3-4 hours for a visit: the palace, gardens and maze are covered by one ticket.

We have gathered the essentials for planning. Below: the route from Waterloo station, 2026 ticket prices, and the rooms worth seeing. You will understand how much time to allow and how to avoid overpaying for entry.

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Hampton Court: essentials before your visit

💡 In short:

The palace of Henry VIII and the baroque half of William III stand on one site by the Thames.
From Hampton Court station to the palace gates is about a 5-minute walk.
The ticket includes the palace, gardens and maze, so allow 3-4 hours.
Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, verified on the official website.

Hampton Court is a red-brick palace with white stone and a baroque wing by Christopher Wren. Inside, the Great Hall, the Tudor kitchens and state apartments from two eras await you. The address is simple: Hampton Court Way, East Molesey KT8 9AU. One ticket covers the palace, gardens and maze, so there is no need to rush.

Exploring the rooms takes at least two hours. Together with the gardens, the Great Vine and the maze, the visit will take 3-4 hours (about visiting the palace). The first hours after opening are the quietest, and by lunchtime the rooms fill up.

History of the building

Tudor-style facade of Hampton Court Palace

The palace was built by Thomas Wolsey, Archbishop of York, in the early 16th century. In 1514 he bought a plot of land on the banks of the Thames from the Order of the Hospitallers. Construction ran from 1515 to 1525. Italian architects chose a combination of Gothic and Renaissance for the ensemble (history of the palace).

The cardinal was building a private residence that rivaled royal castles. That is why Wolsey gave the palace to Henry VIII. He hoped to improve his relations with the crown.

The attempt proved futile. On the king's orders, Wolsey was arrested, and he died in Leicester on his way to trial. The residence remained the property of the English crown. Henry VIII moved his court here, and the palace remained royal until the 18th century.

The new owner expanded the tapestry collection from 600 to 2,000 pieces (about Henry VIII at the palace). The Great Watching Chamber appeared in front of the private apartments. Guards stood duty here, and petitioners waited for their appointed audience. The architectural style was preserved.

In the 17th century, the palace began a second life. Its owners became William III of Orange and his wife Mary II. The architect Christopher Wren was invited to carry out the rebuilding, and the new part was done in the baroque style (baroque apartments). The couple envisioned a version of Versailles on the Thames.

They laid out formal gardens and created a maze. The interiors were also updated. But in 1694 Queen Mary died, and William lost interest in the rebuilding.

The last monarch to reside here was George II. After his death in 1760, the ensemble fell into decline, and only in the 19th century was the palace restored by order of Queen Victoria (palace restoration). It was also opened to visitors at that time. Since 1998, the Historic Royal Palaces foundation has been responsible for its upkeep.

Henry VIII and his family

Evening panorama of London with Tower Bridge and the Thames

Henry VIII belonged to the Tudor dynasty. It grew out of the Wars of the Roses. Henry VII and Elizabeth of York united two warring lines. Their shared symbol became a red rose with a white center.

The second Tudor king

Portrait of King Henry VIII in a black feathered cap

Henry VIII came to the throne at the age of 18 (about the first owner). England was a Catholic country at the time. The Church would not allow the king to divorce Catherine of Aragon. Bishop Wolsey sought permission for the divorce from the Pope, but was unsuccessful.

This destroyed their previously warm relationship. Wolsey was arrested, and Henry founded the Church of England and declared himself its head. Thus the Reformation in England began with the king's personal desire, not with a theological dispute. From there, his temper unfolded in full force.

The king was educated and loved music, hunting, and luxury. He had several palaces, but he chose Hampton Court for himself. Henry moved his main residence here and expanded the kitchens to host hundreds of guests.

The wives of Bluebeard

Admiralty Arch in London, cyclists on the street

The king went down in history for his frequent marriages. He had six wives in total, and each one's fate unfolded differently:

Catherine of Aragon: the marriage was annulled, and her daughter Mary I later came to the throne.
Anne Boleyn: the king accused her of treason and had her executed; their daughter Elizabeth I also became queen.
Jane Seymour: gave the king a son, Edward VI, and died after childbirth.
Anne of Cleves: the marriage was annulled, and she received the title of "the king's beloved sister" and estates.
Catherine Howard: continued meeting with lovers, and she was executed.
Catherine Parr: outlived the king and married for the fourth time.

Three of Henry's children later took the throne: Mary I, Elizabeth I, and Edward VI. Mary earned the nickname Bloody Mary for her harsh temperament. Legends about the ghosts of his wives are tied to the palace galleries, and guides happily retell them to visitors.

Palace interiors

Tudor kitchen at Hampton Court with visitors and fireplaces

The restoration preserved the palace's main rooms. If you are interested in everyday court life, start with the Tudor kitchens. They are striking in size: meals were prepared here for an entire retinue and guests. Soot was deliberately left up to the ceiling by the huge oven, and utensils, dishes, and mock pies are laid out on the tables.

The second half of the kitchen is operational. Cooks in period costumes prepare dishes from Henry VIII's time and share recipes with those interested.

The king himself dined with his retinue and guests in the Great Hall. Step up to the bay window with colored stained glass. The carved wooden ceiling beams have darkened with age, and the walls are decorated with tapestries and hunting trophies.

Galleries and passageways connect all parts of the palace, as was customary in medieval buildings. The Processional Gallery is well known: on Sundays, Henry VIII walked along it from his chambers to the chapel for prayer. Catherine Howard ran along this same gallery to reach the king, but the guards intercepted her. In the passage to the Great Hall, the Tudor coat of arms is carved on the right, and pomegranates, the emblem of Catherine of Aragon, on the left.

The royal apartments house tapestries, porcelain, paintings by Raphael and Bruegel, and silverware. The armory is decorated with intricately interwoven blades. The main guard room is divided by tapestries into small sections to retain heat.

The palace is built of red brick with white stone. During the restoration, not a single new decorative element was added, so the interiors look the same as they did under the previous owners.

A tour of all the halls takes at least two hours. If you are short on time, choose the Tudor kitchens, the Great Hall, and the state apartments. These give the best sense of life at the royal court.

The "King's Beasts" sculpture group

It is convenient to start your visit at the main gates. A bridge leads to them, with the "King's Beasts" standing along its sides. The composition was created under Henry VIII and Queen Jane. The beasts hold the coats of arms of their owners in their paws, so you can read the lineage from the statues:

Lion of England.
Seymour lion.
Dragon of the realm.
Black bull of Clarence.
Beaufort bull.
Mortimer lion.
White greyhound of Richmond.
Tudor dragon.
Seymour panther.
Seymour unicorn.

The beasts are carved from white stone and stand out well against the red brick. Inserts and interlacing patterns on the bridge railings complete the composition.

Interestingly, the Royal Mint issued silver coins inspired by this group. Among them are the Lion of England and the Black Bull of Clarence.

From the bridge you can clearly see the brick chimney stacks. From a simple material, the craftsmen created elegant ornaments. There are many chimneys: heating the enormous palace was no easy task, and each chimney turned out unique.

Clock court and astronomical clock

Hampton Court astronomical clock with zodiac dial

The Clock Court was built under Henry VIII. The astronomical clock on the tower shows several things at once, and they are easy to read:

The outer fixed circle divides the day into 24 sectors, with Roman numerals from 1 to 12 repeated twice.
The moving circle shows the day, month, and zodiac sign, completing a full rotation in a year.
The next circle tracks the hour and measures the minutes.
The smallest circle shows the moon phase over a month.

In the past, this clock was used to tell when the Thames would start to rise. The mechanism was built according to the old view of the world: the Earth at the center, with the Sun revolving around it.

Gardens and the Great Vine

Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery in London

Wolsey began laying out the park, but Henry VIII came up with his own concept and divided the grounds into zones. The northern part was for entertainment, the eastern for hunting, and the southern for relaxation. Nothing remains of Henry's layout: William of Orange redesigned the gardens in the Baroque style (palace gardens).

Orange trees in tubs line the paths, as citrus was the personal symbol of this king. In summer, actors in medieval costumes stroll through the private garden, and you can take photos with them.

Henry ordered ponds dug for fish, but over time they fell into neglect. Mary II had the ponds filled in and laid lawns in their place.

A separate greenhouse is home to a grapevine planted in 1768 (the Great Vine). The main vine reaches 36 meters. The gardens host the annual Hampton Court Flower Show, where designers present their own flower beds.

The maze: how to find your way out

The hedge maze made of yew has been here since the late 17th century. At the entrance you will find a detailed map of the route. The paths are open and well lit, but it is still easy to get lost.

The rule is simple: in the left part of the maze, take right turns; in the right part, take left turns. That gives you a chance to reach the center and return while hitting only one dead end.

The real difficulty is that after a few turns it is hard to tell which part of the maze you are in. A compass or a good sense of direction helps. The maze is described in Jerome K. Jerome's book "Three Men in a Boat": the characters never found the way out on their own and had to call the keeper. Some visitors stick to one line of turns, and sooner or later the way back appears.

Tickets, opening hours, and prices

The palace is open almost all year round, but hours depend on the season. In summer the doors are open roughly from 10:00 to 17:30; in winter closing is earlier, around 16:30. Last entry is one hour before closing. The palace is closed on some days, so check the day on the tickets page before your visit.

Tickets are dated and issued to a named visitor, and prices are split into off-peak and peak days. One ticket includes the palace, kitchens, Great Hall, state apartments, gardens, Magic Garden, and the maze.

Category	Off-peak day	Peak day
Adult	£29	£32
Child 5-15	£14.50	£16
Senior 65+	£23.50	£25.50

Prices are valid until November 27, 2026 (as of 09/2026, rates and opening hours). An online ticket is almost always cheaper than at the ticket office, and you save time in line. From November 28, Winter Palace begins, and prices go up slightly.

On weekends and during school holidays, popular time slots sell out in advance, and the rooms are quietest in the first hour after opening (as of 09/2026, visiting conditions).

If you want to skip the line and have flexible cancellation, get Hampton Court tickets on Tiqets.

Tours and tickets in Hampton Court Palace

Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.

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How to get to Hampton Court

Hampton Court railway station building with sign

The most convenient way to reach the palace is by train from Waterloo station. South Western Railway trains take about 35 minutes and depart twice an hour (National Rail). You won't need to change trains, as Hampton Court is the final stop for these services.

From the station to the palace gates is about a 5-minute walk, crossing the bridge over the Thames. The station is in Travelcard zone 6, so contactless payment works. Along the way you'll pass Clapham Junction, Wimbledon, and Surbiton.

Buses 111, 216, 411, R68, and 461 stop near the gates. If you're driving, there's parking on Hampton Court Way, around £1.80 per hour (as of 09/2026, Historic Royal Palaces, Getting here). On weekends spaces fill up quickly, so arrive at opening time.

It's worth getting train tickets to Hampton Court and checking the schedule in advance: Saturday and Sunday services fill up.

Hampton Court on the map

The palace is located at Hampton Court Way, East Molesey KT8 9AU. The main entrance is on Hampton Court Way, just past the bridge. You can open the location in Google Maps.

Main entrance of Hampton Court with tower and courtyard

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much does a Hampton Court ticket cost in 2026?

An adult ticket costs about £29 on an off-peak day and about £32 on a peak day (as of 09/2026, ticket prices). A child aged 5-15 pays roughly half that amount, and online tickets are cheaper than at the ticket office.

How much time do you need to see the palace and gardens?

The main state rooms take at least two hours. Together with the gardens, the Great Vine, and the maze, the visit will take 3-4 hours. The first hour after opening is the quietest.

How do you get from central London to Hampton Court?

The train from Waterloo station takes about 35 minutes and departs twice an hour (train schedule). From Hampton Court station to the palace gates is about a 5-minute walk across the bridge.

Can you get out of the maze without a map?

Yes, there's a route plan at the entrance. Stick to one line of turns: in the left section turn right, in the right section turn left. That way you'll reach the center and get back, hitting only one dead end.

What's included in a single ticket?

The ticket covers the palace, the Tudor kitchens, the Great Hall, the state apartments, 60 acres of gardens, the Magic Garden, and the maze. You don't need to pay separately to enter the maze; it's included in the general ticket.

Is the palace open every day?

The palace is closed on certain days, and hours change by season, so check the calendar on the official website (opening hours). In summer, doors are open roughly from 10:00 to 17:30; in winter, closing is earlier.

In short: what to book

Hampton Court is a good choice for a relaxed day away from central London. The decision matrix is simple.

If it's your first visit: get a ticket for the palace and gardens and arrive at opening time.
If you're traveling with kids: the Magic Garden and the maze will be more fun than the state rooms.
If you want to skip the line: tickets on Tiqets and palace tours.

Book your ticket online in advance, check the opening hours for your travel date, and allow 3-4 hours for the visit.

Hampton Court: how much entry costs and how to get there from Waterloo