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The Maze at Hampton Court Palace | Oldest Surviving Hedge Maze in Britain
Contents
The Hampton Court Maze is a fun small maze inside the Wilderness garden. Find details on entry, timings and things to visit and do when here, below.
What is the Hampton Court Maze?
- The Hampton Court Maze is believed to be Britain's oldest standing hedge maze.
- Planted in 1690 by George London and Henry Wise for William III of Orange, the maze initially was of hornbeams but in 1960 after being nicknamed 'Wilderness Garden', it was replaced by yew.
- Back in the day, because of its high bushes, the Maze was frequented by the members of the royal family for some privacy.
- Today, the maze is enjoyed by kids and adults alike for its confusing yet engaging trapezoidal structure or what you would call a 'puzzle maze'.
Hampton Court Maze History
Hedge Mazes
In 18th Century Britain, hedge mazes were all the rage, all thanks to a Lancelot 'Capability' Brown. It was he who introduced this form of natural landscaping boasting pretty garden views. In the process of setting up beautiful hedge mazes though, he had to pull down several formal garden features. Funnily enough, he was ordered not to interfere with the maze at the Hampton Court, despite having lived next door to it, as Royal Gardener for all of 20 years. The Wilderness Gardens, fashioned after a "royal garden" or what the French refer to as "bosquet" , has many such high hedges and private benches. In fact, these features, including the winding paths, made it the ideal spot for members of the royal court to enjoy some much needed privacy. Today, there are over a million bulb plants gracing the entire landscape of the Wilderness Gardens, including gorgeous daffodils and crocuses.
Wilderness Garden
The Wilderness Garden isn't, as its name suggests, actually wild, instead it is a large part of the gardens in the West that William III and his wife, Mary II much enjoyed and considered a getaway from the royal palace. To them, the Wilderness Gardens' irregular pattern and informal pathways seemed like taking a stroll through the woods. Many different types of trees and wildflowers were planted to give the Wilderness a rich variety. This also attracts many birds and squirrels, especially in the springtime, also considered the best time to visit the gardens. The Hampton Court Maze is one of two mazes and the only to survive as part of the original Wilderness Gardens layout.
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All Your Questions About Hampton Court Maze Answered
When is the Hampton Court Maze open?
Hampton Court Maze is open between 10 AM - 4. 15 PM, Monday to Sunday.
How long will it take to complete the Hampton Court Maze?
It takes about 20 minutes to reach the center of the Hampton Court Maze and about 30-45 minutes to complete the maze from start to finish.
When is the best time to visit the Hampton Court Maze?
The best time to visit the Hampton Court Maze is around 3:30 PM-4 PM, after exploring the Hampton Court Palace.
Who built the Hampton Court Maze?
The Maze was planted in 1690 by George London and Henry Wise for William III of Orange
Do I need separate tickets to access the Hampton Court Maze?
Entry to the Hampton Court Maze is included in your admission ticket to Hampton Court Palace.
