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Self-led school visits

Hampton Court Palace will be closed on Wednesday 19 May 2021.

Take your students on an adventure when you visit the palace. Our free teacher guides are designed to help you plan and make the most of your visit. The guides provide all of the information needed to support students on a self-led school visit.

Remember to pick up your Student Trail Maps, included with the price of admission, from the Clore Learning Centre when you arrive on the day of your visit.

Early Years and Reception schoolchildren at Hampton Court Palace

EYFS sensory trail

By following three different routes children can explore how food makes its way from the kitchen garden, through the kitchens and to the king’s plate!

Early Years Foundation Stage
Subject: Past and Present, Gross Motor Skills, Speaking
Topic: Tudors, Outdoors, Kitchens
Session Type: Self-led visit

families interacting taking part in the Great Palace Quest

KS1 Tudor trail

Explore the key sights at the palace and to discover its secrets and stories.

Key Stage 1
Subject: English, History, Geography
Topic: Tudors
Session Type: Self-led visit

School students attend a tour at Hampton Court Palace in the Tudor apartments.

KS2 Tudor trail

The activity trail includes facts about Hampton Court Palace's history, as well as a variety of challenges to help children make the most of their visit.

Key Stage 2
Subjects: English, History, Geography
Topic: Tudors
Session Type: Self-led visit

Secondary school students visiting Hampton Court Palace

KS3 Tudor trail

Was Henry VIII motivated primarily by the pursuit of pleasure or a thirst for power? Explore the palace independently analysing contemporary source material to form conclusions.

Key Stage 3
Subject: History
Topic: Tudors
Session Type: Self-led visit

SEND student grinding spices as part of a sensory activity at Hampton Court Palace

SEND Tudor trail

By following the multi-sensory trail clues, children will learn what it was like to be the Tudor king.

SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities)
Subject: History
Topic: Tudors
Session Type: Self-led visit

Photo of a live interpreter in the Tudor Kitchens at Hampton Court Palace

International schools activity trail

Students will use the activity trail to explore the key sights at the palace and to discover its secrets and stories. Available in English as a foreign language, French, and German. 

EFL/ESOL
Subject: English, History
Topic: Tudors
Session Type: Route-based

A Level session available

Detail of Henry VIII Stained Glass Window

Mid-Tudor crisis

Using the building and contemporary sources, students will analyse elements of the apparent crises of the Mid-Tudor period.

Key Stage 5
Subject: History
Topics: Tudors
Session Type: Depth study