Practical information

Map of Hampton Court Palace
For recommended routes and to download a map of the Palace, please click here. See if the children can work out where they are, and which areas look the most exciting.

Facilities
There are baby changing facilities off Base Court and in the Tiltyard Café. The Mother & Baby Room off the ladies' toilets off Base Court contains bottle warming facilities as well as changing mats. For older children and parents, there are toilets inside the palace (off Base and Fountain Courts) and in the gardens (behind the car park, in the Wilderness Garden and, during the summer only, near the maze). There are accessible toilets in the palace, gardens and Tiltyard Café.

Make some noise
It’s ok to talk! There are many ways to get a conversation going. What is the biggest, strangest, funniest... thing you have seen?  Don’t be embarrassed about sharing your reactions. We love to hear your gasps, shouts and laugher. Don’t be afraid to ask. Our staff are ready to answer your questions. Some are even fully trained story-tellers!

Cloakroom
There is a left luggage facility with the buggy park off Clock Court. It contains lockers that can take hand baggage and small rucksacks. A £1 coin is required to access the lockers, which will be returned when you collect your belongings.

Large bags or suitcases may be left at your own risk in the Warders Office by the West Gate. Please speak to the Warders when you present your ticket if you would like to use this facility. This facility may be withdrawn without notice.

Footwear
Visits include plenty of walking on uneven, cobbled surfaces. Please wear comfortable shoes. Heelys should not be used inside the palace.

Pushchairs and buggies
If you have very young children, you can take pushchairs and buggies around the palace. There is a lift to the first floor - please speak to a warder if you wish to use the lift. A buggy park is available off Clock Court if you don’t want to take the buggy around with you and any abandoned buggies will be removed to here. All items are left at owners’ risk.

Take your time
There are places to sit down and relax, inside and in the courtyards. Remember, you don’t have to do it all – become family members and come back as often as you like. All indoor visitor routes have places to sit, either benches or window seats. There are also benches outside in the courtyards and gardens. For the really young children, there is a Family Room with limited play equipment next to the left luggage lockers and buggy park off Clock Court - just opposite one of the entrances to Henry VIII's shop which contains many pocket-money priced souvenirs and products suitable for older children studying the Tudors at school.

The great outdoors
Extra care should be taken in the palace gardens, especially if they contain water features. Please do not allow children to touch or eat the plants as they may be harmful. Also, treat the swans and geese with caution; they are wild birds and should not be approached or fed.

The maze is a hedge maze with yew walls about 2 metres (7 feet) high. Designed and built for secret assignations, parents should be aware that very young children may find the narrow paths and high hedges overwhelming.

The use of balls, frisbees, bicycles, scooters and rollerblades is not permitted within any part of the gardens – please see the park regulations at the entrance to the grounds for further details.

Stay safe
Set a meeting point you can’t miss. Recognise the State Apartment Warders in their distinctive red uniforms and let your children know they can trust them if they are lost. Lost children will be taken to the Information Centre off Base Court. The warders are also the people to contact for first aid.

If you have any further questions about your visit, please contact us or try our frequently asked questions.