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Plan and book a school visit

Booking information, admission rates, what's included, term dates and useful resources

Booking information, admission rates, what's included, term dates and useful resources

Self-led visits

A self-led school visit to Hampton Court Palace includes:

  • Palace admission including all visitor routes open on the date.
  • Access to the gardens, except the Magic Garden and the Maze.
  • Pre-visit email including two preliminary visit vouchers, essential information and short history guide.
  • Lunchrooms (subject to availability) for Key Stages 1-4.
  • New from September 2019 - Self-led trails for Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2 and SEND groups. 

What's not included?

  • Sessions can be booked at an additional cost.
  • Maze - Tickets available at main ticket office. 
  • Magic Garden - Combined Magic Garden/Maze tickets available to purchase for Foundation and Key Stage 1 school groups only. Must be pre-booked by telephone: +44 (0)33 3320 6000.

All school group admissions must be booked in advance, we recommend booking at least two months in advance as dates do sell out quickly. Payment is due six weeks before visiting.

Prices

Autumn 2019 – Summer 2020

Domestic students

Under 5s: Free
Age 5-15 (KS 1-4): £3.95
Age 16+ (KS 5+): £5.55

International students (Including activity trail)
 
Under 5s: Free
Age 5-15: £5.95
Age 16+: £7.45

Teachers and adults

Up to agreed ratios: Free
Adults for 1:1 assistance: Free
Additional adults: £21.80

Adult to student ratios

Early Year Foundation Stage = 1:4 (free adult spaces up to 1:2)
Key Stage 1 (age 4-7) = 1:5
Key Stages 2, 3 & 4 (age 7-15) = 1:10
Key Stage 5 and up (age 16+) = 1:15
SEND groups can determine their own ratios.

Groups with an inadequate number of accompanying adults may not be admitted.

Safeguarding

Sessions

Our curriculum-based sessions are led by expert presenters who bring the history of the palace to life through lively, interactive learning opportunities.

We offer a wide selection of sessions linked to a range of subjects for all Key Stages, including SEND. For international schools we offer an international schools tour.

These are available at an additional cost and each session can cater for up to 35 students.

Digital missions

Digital missions are a self-led activity for Key Stage 2 groups.

Challenge your pupils to navigate and observe the palace spaces while solving challenges on a tablet device.

Choose from The Clerk's Fantastic Feast, The Ambassador's Secret Assignment or The Architect's Design Dilemma.

Choose a session

Term dates

Autumn 2019

Self-led visits open
Wednesday 04 September – Friday 20 December

Sessions available
Monday 09 September – Friday 13 December

Spring 2020

Self-led visits open
Monday 13 January – Friday 03 April

Sessions available
Monday 13 January – Friday 03 April

Summer 2020

Self-led visits open
Monday 20 April – Friday 17 July

Sessions available
Monday 20 April – Friday 10 July

Subsidised rates are available for weekdays during UK term time only, not school or bank holidays.

Make a booking

Email your booking request form to the schools team at: [email protected] Further enquiries? Please ring 020 3166 6646 for more information.

Booking request forms

Download and complete the appropriate form and email it to the schools team.

UK school booking form UK school booking form guidelines International school booking form International school booking form guidelines

Useful resources

Key information and guides to support your school visit.

Essential visit information What to see and do Possible risks and hazards Security information On the day information

Payment options

After receiving your booking request we will email you with a confirmation invoice which must be paid in advance of your visit and according to our payment terms.

BACS

Our preferred method of payment is by BACS. Payment details can be found on your invoice. When making payment please ensure you quote the invoice number and if possible your school/company name.

For queries - email our finance team

Credit card

Contact us on +44 (0) 20 3166 6646 to make a payment. Please have ready your event and invoice reference number, name of cardholder as it appears on the card, card number, security code and expiry date.

Cheque

Cheques should be drawn on a British bank and made payable to ‘Historic Royal Palaces’. Cheques should be sent to the Finance Department at Hampton Court Palace. 

Financial Accounting
Apartment 22
Hampton Court Palace
Surrey KT8 9AU

Important payment terms

  • Your invoice will be attached to your confirmation email. 
  • Payment is due six weeks prior to visiting. We cannot amend booking numbers after this deadline. Extra tickets must be purchased on the day at standard group rates.
  • Bookings with less than six weeks' notice require immediate payment. The cancellation & amendment deadline is 5pm on the day after the booking is confirmed. 
  • We regret that no refunds can be given for cancellations or amendments made less than six weeks in advance of your visit. This includes non-arrivals on the day. 
Read full terms and conditions