Special announcements

What's happening at Hampton Court Palace in summer 2013?

24-25 July
The postponed essential maintenance to the accessible lift will now take place on 24-25 July so there will be no lift access on these dates.

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The palace 'route' known as the Georgian Private Apartments is changing! The final rooms, Queen Caroline's Private Apartments, are now part of the 'Secrets of the Royal Bedchamber' exhibition - having been reunited with the Queen Caroline's Public Apartments for the first time in decades.

The first few rooms - known as the Cumberland Suite as they were the rooms used by the Duke of Cumberland, son of George II - are now closed for 18 months for a major refurbishment programme to include the installation of proper picture lighting to make this part of the palace a 'must see' for art lovers. The art works that were on display in these rooms will go into Royal Collection storage. They will not be on public display - at Hampton Court or anywhere else - until November 2014.

The Communication and Cartoon Galleries remain open to visitors.

The Secrets of the Royal Bedchamber
27 March - 3 November 2013
Our new exhibition 'The Secrets of the Royal Bedchamber' is now open to visitors. It is included in all palace admission tickets - there is no additional fee.

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The Baroque Story
Our new exhibition, about the Baroque building, is behind the colonnade in Clock Court. It tells the story of William III and Mary II and their building programme at the palace.

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Henry VIII's Crown of State
Hampton Court Palace has its own 'crown jewels' now. Henry VIII's Crown of State is on display in the Royal Pew above the Chapel Royal.

It is on display 10:00-16:00 Monday to Saturday and between 12:30-13:30 on Sundays. Whenever there are services in the Chapel Royal, the Royal Pew will be closed so it won't be on display for the duration of the service. This could be for the whole afternoon if the service in question is a wedding.

Please note that if there is a queue to see it, visitors will be prevented from joining the end of the queue shortly before the scheduled closure times. This could be as much as half an hour beforehand.

This is a permanent exhibition so will still be here when you visit Hampton Court on another occasion. But if you want to avoid the crowds, and possibly even avoid queuing, make it the first thing you see - don't save it until the end of your visit or you will probably miss out.

Please note that photography is not allowed in the Royal Pew.

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Chapel Royal

Wednesday 17 July 2013
The funeral of a member of the congregation will take place in the Chapel Royal on Wednesday 17 July at 11.30am. The Chapel and Holy Day Closets will be closed to visitors all morning until 1.00pm.

Saturday 27 July 2013
There will be a marriage service on 27th July so the Chapel Royal and Holy Day Closets (so also Henry VIII's Crown) will be closed to visitors from 15:00. They will not reopen that day.

Saturday 7 September 2013
Chorister Open Day, 14:00-17:00. Pre-registration essential - see PDF flyer for details.

Saturday 21st September 2013
There will be a marriage service on 21st September so the Chapel Royal and Holy Day Closets (so also Henry VIII's Crown) will be closed to visitors from 13:00 until after the service has finished at 15:30

Saturday 28th September 2013
There will be a marriage service on 28th September so the Chapel Royal and Holy Day Closets (so also Henry VIII's Crown) will be closed to visitors from 14:00.

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Advanced warning: two RideLondon events will go past the palace on Sunday 4 August 2013, resulting in the closure of local roads and limited local parking, with none at the palace. Please see the RideLondon website for details.

Advanced notice: Young Henry VIII's Story will be closed 1 September - 15 October 2013 for electrical work.