Why see them?
The gardens, estate and landscape of Hampton Court Palace represent a unique historical and horticultural resource of international value.
The park covers 750 acres (304 hectares), the formal gardens 60 acres (26 hectares) and the palace buildings 6 acres (2.5 hectares), all set within a loop of the river Thames.
Items of interest within the gardens
Great Vine - planted in 1768 by the celebrated gardener ‘Capability’ Brown, the magnificent Great Vine still produces a yearly crop of black, sweet grapes.
The Privy Garden - be inspired by the re-creation of William of Orange’s Privy Garden, based on a design of 1702, the stunning symmetrical pattern incorporates the original varieties of plants and marble sculptures
Tiltyard walls - a wide range of wall shrubs grow upon these walls as the differences aspects of sun and shade are used to good effect, with some unusual tender plants growing on the south facing ones
20th Century Garden - contemporary style plantings with trees and shrubs in an informal setting that creates a place of peace and tranquillity away from the busier areas of the gardens
Home Park - 700 acres of deer park with ponds and other waterways, attracting a wide range of birds and the long avenues give views across the park to and away from the palace
The Maze - begun in 1690 as a form of courtly entertainment for William of Orange, today the Maze covers one third of an acre and consists of half a mile of winding paths surrounded by towering 7ft-high yew tree walls. On average it takes 20 minutes to reach the centre.
Other highlights
The Rose Garden
The Gardens Exhibition
The Great Fountain Garden
Home park and its royal herd of fallow deer
The Lower Orangery Exotics Garden
The Pond Gardens
The annual RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show
The Wilderness in springtime
