Guided tours and presentations with a costumed character
Everyday, throughout the year, our costumed interpreters take visitors around the palace and give dramatic presentations about the stories and events that really happened at Hampton Court.
As 2009 is the 500th anniversary of the succession of Henry VIII to the throne, all our presentations are focusing on Henry. This is your chance to meet the man himself and get close to history where it really happened!
In 1543, Henry married his sixth wife, Kateryn Parr, at Hampton Court Palace. So every day will be his wedding day. Hear about the preparations for the wedding, find out what the well dressed courtier would wear were they luck enough to be invited to attend the private ceremony and meet the King and his new queen both before and after their nuptials. If you haven't come dressed to meet the King, don't worry as you can borrow a gown from the Wardrobe near the entrance to Henry VIII's Apartments.
During school holidays, bank holidays, selected weekends, Christmas and Easter the costumed guides are joined by additional interpreters to really bring the palace alive. Additional activities may include the Tudor cooks in Henry VIII's Kitchens preparing a feast, Tudor etiquette lessons, falconry displays, Fool Shows, the chance to tilt at the quintain (beginner jousting) and dancing – subject to the time of year. Click here to check out the latest event.
How to join the costumed presentations:
- There is no need to book
- You don’t need to show your admission ticket to join as they all begin inside the palace
- Just look in the Order of Service to find the meeting place and simply turn up at the appointed time
