Plan Your Visit to Hampton Court Palace | Opening Times, Location, Getting There, Visitor Tips

Dreaming of Tudor times? Hampton Court Palace, Henry VIII's old haunt from the 16th century, is your ticket. Find out the opening times, grab your map, and get ready for a royal day out!

Hampton Court Palace at a glance

Opening hours: The Hampton Court Palace usually opens from 10am to 5:30pm.
Location: Hampton Court Palace is located in East Molesey, Surrey, on the banks of the River Thames, just 30 minutes from central London.
Entrances: Hampton Court Palace has two primary entrances - the Base Court Entrance and the Molesey Gate Entrance.
Visitors per year: The Palace sees the arrival of over 600,000 visitors every year.

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What are Hampton Court Palace's opening hours?

General timings: Usually opens from 10am to 5:30pm
Note: The timings may vary on certain specific days
Last entry: 4:30am
Closed on: Hampton Court Palace is open all year round except September 2-3, September 22, and October 13, 2024.

Hampton Court Palace Location

Address: Hampton Ct Way, Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9AU, United Kingdom

Google Maps

Hampton Court Palace is situated in the London Borough of Richmond upon the Thames, over 19 km southwest and upstream of London on the River Thames.

Nearest landmark: Bushy Park (1.1 km)

Best time to visit Hampton Court Palace

For a smooth visit to Hampton Court Palace, try arriving around 9:30am or after 3pm so you can dodge most of the crowds. Spring (March-May) and early autumn (September=October)are perfect ase the weather is mild and not as busy as usual. Thanks to daylight saving time, which runs from late March to late October, you'll have more daylight hours to explore. And, if you are driving to the Palace, head out before 7:30am or after 6:30pm to avoid heavy street traffic.

Getting to Hampton Court Palace

By public transport

By train: Take the South Western Railway from Richmond to Kingston. From Kingston, hop on bus 111, which will drop you near Hampton station—just a 3-5 minutes short walk to the Palace.
By Bus: Catch the R68 bus from Richmond to Hampton Court Palace (Stop F). It's a quick 5-minute walk from the bus stop to the Palace.

By car

Route: You can drive from Richmond to Hampton Court Palace via the A310. The journey takes about 25-30 minutes, though travel time can vary with traffic.
Nearest parking: On-site parking at the Palace is limited and operates on a first-come, first-served basis, costing £1.60 per hour. Nine disabled parking bays are available for free for Blue Badge holders.

Know More About Getting to Hampton Court Palace

Know before you go

Hampton Court Palace has two main entrances:

Base Court Entrance: This is the primary entrance on the north side. It's the main entry for visitors and leads right into the vibrant heart of the Palace.
Molesey Gate Entrance: For a more tranquil entry, try the Molesey Gate Entrance on the east side near the River Thames. Though mainly used for staff and deliveries, it proposes a scenic and peaceful approach.

Download the Hampton Court Map to easily navigate around the palace. It is highly recommended to download this Hampton Court Palace Map as it will be handy if you’re doing a self-guided/audio tour of the Palace.

On-site parking is available for £1.60 per hour, though spaces are limited.
Accessible restrooms can be found in the Kitchen Garden, Base Court, Fountain Court, and Wilderness areas.
Enjoy a variety of cafes and kiosks throughout the palace.
A gift shop is on-site, and you can also purchase souvenirs online.
Feel free to bring your own food and have a picnic in the Palace Gardens.
The Buggy Store in Clock Court offers lockers for your belongings.
For lost items, contact a staff member on-site or email info@hrp.org.uk.
Breastfeeding is welcome throughout the premises.
Exclusive wedding and engagement photography is available in the Palace and Gardens.

Free companion tickets are available for guests with disabilities.
Hampton Court Palace offers nine disabled parking bays on-site. Blue Badge holders can park for free!
All restrooms are equipped with disabled access.
The Palace provides wheelchairs and electric buggies, though buggies are only for outdoor areas.
Trained assistance and medical alert dogs are welcome inside the palace.
Pushchairs and buggies are welcome. If you prefer, you can leave them in the buggy park located in Clock Court.

Make your Hampton Court Palace visit even better with a multilingual audio guide, available in 11 languages including English, Dutch, French, German, Korean, Japanese, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Mandarin and BSL. You can get them for free from the Undercroft shop. They're first-come, first-served, and packed with fascinating info. Just use wired headphones, as Bluetooth ones aren't compatible, and look out for step-free routes marked on the guide!

Enjoy your snacks in the designated lunchrooms; please keep eating and drinking outside the Palace.
Smoking is not allowed anywhere inside the palace.
Photography and filming are prohibited in Chapel Royal, Cumberland Gallery, Royal Pew, and temporary exhibitions.
Please refrain from touching exhibits that are behind ropes.
Leave bikes and scooters outside—courtyards and gardens are meant for leisurely strolls only.

Parking at Hampton Court Palace can be tricky due to limited spots, especially during peak times. Consider parking at Hampton Court Green or taking the bus.
Stay on the ground to enjoy fascinating historical reenactments that vividly bring Hampton Court's rich history to life.
The Palace grounds are vast and involve a lot of walking. Wear comfy shoes to enjoy your visit without sore feet.
Look out for guides in Tudor costumes—they're not just for show! They're packed with intriguing stories and historical facts about the Palace.
Keep your ticket safe! You can leave and re-enter the palace if you show your ticket to the hosts.

Stop by these eateries at Hampton Court Palace for a tasty treat:

The Wilderness Kiosk: Perfect for grabbing quick bites like nuts, crisps, and granola bars or enjoying ice cream and hot drinks like tea and coffee.
The Tiltyard Café: Enjoy freshly made sandwiches, soups, salads, and snacks like fish fingers, plus hot coffee and delicious cakes.
The Privy Kitchen Café: Located in the heart of the Palace, this café serves hearty dishes like beef and ale pie, jacket potatoes, and baps with seasonal fillings.

Hampton Court Palace has excellent shopping options for gifts and souvenirs:

Palace shop: Conveniently located opposite the Ticket Office, this shop offers a range of souvenirs, jewelry, gifts, toys, and books.
Undercroft shop: Situated near the palace entrance, the shop has a vast selection of souvenirs, jewelry, gifts, toys, and books.
Shop Online: You can also buy your favorite Hampton Court souvenirs from the comfort of your home.

Luxury: The Mitre Hotel, Hampton Court (0.4 km), The Jolly Coopers & Squiffy's Restaurant Hampton & Apartments@no.16 (1.5 km), The Petersham Hotel, Richmond (10 km)
Mid-budget: The Kings Arms Hotel - Hampton Court (0.9 km), Hampton Suites (2.5 km), The Black Lion Surbiton (3.8 km)
Low-budget: Sandown Park Lodge (4.3 km), Hotel Bosco (4.5 km), The Bear (Hotel) (4.6 km)

Kingston Museum (4.8 km): Kingston Museum boasts rich local history, ancient artifacts, and Eadweard Muybridge's groundbreaking photography. It's a free and engaging trip through time!
Chessington World of Adventures Resort (9.1 km): For thrills and family fun, head to Chessington! It has exciting rides, a zoo with over 1,000 animals, and themed hotels.
Hobbledown Adventure Farm Park & Zoo (12 km): Perfect for families with kids aged 2-13, Hobbledown offers a zoo, bouncy pillows, a giant willow maze, and fun water play.

Frequently Asked Questions about visiting Hampton Court Palace

If I'm short on time, how can I make the most of my visit? What are the must-see areas?

For a quick yet fulfilling experience, focus on the Great Hall, the Tudor kitchens, and the gardens, including the Maze.

What are the seasonal changes to the gardens, and how do they affect the overall experience at the Palace?

Spring and summer feature lush blooms, autumn showcases vibrant colors, and winter offers a more minimalist, clear view of the gardens.

Is there a way to experience Hampton Court Palace from the water, and what does that journey entail?

Yes, you can take a boat trip along the Thames. This offers a scenic approach to the Palace and a unique perspective on the grounds.

What is the easiest way to reach the Hampton Court Palace?

The easiest way to visit the Hampton Court Palace is by opting for bus or train service. Learn more about getting there.

How can I prepare for varying weather conditions during my visit, especially in the gardens?

Dress in layers and bring an umbrella or raincoat. Comfortable, weather-appropriate footwear is a must for exploring the gardens.

How far is Hampton Court from Windsor Castle?

The two palaces lie 40-minutes apart by car, 14 miles by road. Visitors can take the official Windsor Castle to Hampton Court Palace shuttle that can be pre-booked.

Can you stay in Hampton Court Palace?

Although it is not possible to stay inside the palace, visitors can stay at The Georgian House which served as the Kitchens for George.