Hampton Court Palace 2024 | Opening Times, Best Time to Visit

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3 Palace Pass (Tower of London + Hampton Court Palace + Kensington Palace)

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Best time to visit the Hampton Court Palace

Weekday vs Weekend

If you can, aim to visit Hampton Court Palace on a weekday morning. It's usually quieter then, so you can really soak up the atmosphere, between 10am and midday.
Though the palace is open more days per week during school holidays, it also tends to be busier. If you can, visit between Wednesday and Friday in term-time for the best chance of experiencing a more peaceful palace and gardens.
Avoid weekends if possible, as they tend to be packed.
It’s best to allow a full day to travel to the palace and explore all the grounds, historic buildings, and artwork to see.

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

Pleasant

Crowded

Very Crowded

Closed

Peak season vs low season

Visitors can enjoy Hampton Court Palace during all seasons of the year, but crowds are very large from Easter until the end of September.
If you're a fan of blooming flowers, spring and summer (late March to the end of October) are the best times to visit. But be prepared for bigger crowds, especially around Easter.
Want to avoid the crowds? Aim for the quieter months between winter and early spring. Just remember that the Magic Garden might be closed, so visit towards the end of November and early December if you don’t mind the chilly weather.

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

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Jul

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Nov

Dec

Off Season

Moderate Season

Peak Season

Hampton Court Palace is a royal palace located in Hampton Court, Richmond upon Thames, Greater London. It was originally built by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, who served as the Archbishop of York and Lord Chancellor under Henry VIII. The palace passed to the king upon Wolsey's demise and was acquired by King George I in 1702. Today Hampton Court is open to the public nearly every day of the year. If you're looking for Hampton Court Palace opening times, we've got all the information you need below.

Hampton Court Palace opening times

March 31 to October 26: 10am to 5:30pm
October 27 to March 30: 10am to 4pm (Closed on Monday and Tuesday)

Last entry: 1 hour before closing

Chapel Royal opening times

Wednesday to Saturday: 10am to 5:30pm

Magic Garden opening times

Wednesday to Saturday: 10am to 6pm (Last entry at 5:15pm)

Plan your visit to Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace closures

Palace: September 22, October 13, and December 24-26
Chapel Royal: July 10 to September 29
East Front Gardens: September 21
Mantegna Gallery: Until 2026

Inside Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace tour duration

Hampton Court Palace offers a variety of experiences, there is something for everyone. However, if you're in a hurry, you can choose which type of experience you want to get exactly what you came for.

If you have 1 hour

You can either choose to have a Tudor Experience or a Baroque Experience.

Tudor Experience

Visit Henry VIII's Apartments and see his crown (20 mins). You can also sit on a throne in the great medieval hall before you head through the Haunted Gallery. After this, you can head towards the Tudor Kitchens to transport yourself back in time (20 mins).

Baroque Experience

Look at how King William lived in his time at William III's State Apartments (35 mins). Then watch the Baroque Story film to see how things were back in those days (15 mins). After this, head towards the only surviving Royal Chocolate Kitchens reopened after almost 300 years (10 mins).

If you have 2 hours

Visit Henry VIII's Apartments and marvel at his crown (30 mins) and then head towards the Tudor Kitchens (20 mins). Then enter the Chapel Royal to see where the old kings and queens worshiped for more than 500 years (10 mins). Take a tour through the Young Henry VIII Exhibition (20 mins) and then through William III's Apartments (15 mins) and end your tour with the Georgian Story (25 mins).

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william iii apartments hampton court palace

If you have 3 hours

Take a tour through Henry's living quarters at Henry VIII's Apartments (35 mins) and then travel back in time to the hustle-bustle of the Tudor Kitchens (20 mins). Pay your respects at the Chapel Royal (10 mins) and look at how King Henry was in his younger days at the Young Henry VIII Exhibition (25 mins). Watch the Baroque Story film (15 mins) before heading towards King William's living quarters in William III's Apartments (35 mins). Visit the sole-surviving royal Chocolate Kitchens (10 mins) and then visit the stage where George I and his son played out their bitter rivalry at the Georgian Story (30 mins).

Best time to visit Hampton Court Palace

Visitors can enjoy Hampton Court Palace during all seasons of the year but crowds are very large from Easter until the end of September. If you like lesser crowds, winter to early spring is usually quiet. However, the Magic Garden may be closed for winter so try visiting towards the end of November and early December if you don't mind the slightly chilly weather.

The Hampton Court Gardens are also in full bloom from late March till the end of October. So, if you're a summer person, make sure to visit before the Easter rush. Opening times vary throughout the year, so make sure to pre-book your tickets to plan your visit properly and ensure entry.

Plan your visit to Hampton Court

Frequently Asked Questions about Hampton Court Palace opening times

How long does it take to get around Hampton Court Palace?

Hampton Court Palace is a large site, so allow at least 3 hours to explore the palace and the garden. But if you're not in a rush, we recommend that you allow 4-5 hours in total. Get the Hampton Court map.

What is the best time to visit Hampton Court Palace?

Hampton Court Palace is a year-round destination. However, the gardens are in bloom between March and October and the palace sees higher crowds from Easter to winter. So, we suggest that you visit the palace before Easter in the summer to make sure that you can enjoy the palace without bumping into crowds.

What can I see at Hampton Court Palace?

Hampton Court Palace is home to some of the most famous historical rooms in the world, including the Henry VIII Apartments and the Great Hall. There are also beautiful gardens to explore along with the hedge maze that is fun for all ages alike.

How much does it cost to visit Hampton Court Palace?

The Hampton Court Palace ticket prices start from £27.20. Buy your tickets

What is the best way to get to Hampton Court Palace?

The nearest train station to the palace is Hampton Court Station, which is a short walking distance from the palace. There are also a number of bus routes that stop right outside Hampton Court Palace. Read further on our getting there page.