Accessibility

We welcome all visitors to Hampton Court Palace and aim to make everyone's day out successful and enjoyable.

We are committed to improving access and facilities for disabled visitors.

Hampton Court Palace is a historic building with large amounts of uneven flooring and staircases. Wheelchair access is restricted in some areas.

On your way around the palace, you will meet our staff and volunteers who will be happy to help support your visit or answer any questions. Our friendly Hosts in red or blue uniforms, or our Volunteers in red sashes, are happy to help you on your visit.

Arriving at the palace

During scheduled events such as the Festive Fayre, you can arrive any time within your selected half-hour timeslot. 

At all other times, you are welcome to arrive any time before the last admission time.

If you were not prompted to choose a time whilst booking your ticket, you can enter any time from opening to last admission.

Re-entry to site

You can exit the site and come back in, if you show your ticket to a Palace Host.

Toilets

Toilets are available in the following locations. All have step-free access:

• The Wilderness Garden
• Base Court
• Fountain Court
• The Kitchen Garden (open when the Magic Garden is open)

Please note our visitor toilets are located within the ticketed site. The nearest public toilets can be found at Hampton Court station, less than a five-minute journey from the palace.

Changing Places Toilets

Hampton Court Palace does not have a Changing Places toilet at present.

Seating

Seating is available in our cafés, gardens and indoor rooms, including in the following locations:

• Tiltyard Café
• Privy Kitchen Café
• Rose Garden and Wilderness
• Great Fountain Garden
• Chapel Court
• Clock Court
• Henry VIII's apartments
• The Tudor World in the Wolsey Rooms

Guide Dogs Welcome

Trained assistance dogs are welcome inside the palace. This includes medical alert dogs. We are happy to provide water on request.

Due to conservation concerns and the nature of items on display, we do not allow emotional support animals to enter the palace.

Blind or partially sighted visitors

Tactile objects and handling points

There are handling and tactile objects in the following areas:

• Henry VIII's Kitchens
• The Tudor World in the Wolsey Rooms

Visitors with limited mobility

Step-free routes

There is a staff-operated lift to the State Apartments on the first floor. Please speak to a Palace Host if you wish to use it.

The following routes are step-free:

• Henry VIII's Apartments, via lift access
• William III's Apartments, via lift access
• The Georgian Story, via lift access
• The Tudor World, ground floor

There is limited access to the first floor of The Tudor World; staff-operated lift access is available via four steep steps.

Uneven surfaces

Whilst we strive to make Hampton Court Palace accessible to all visitors, this historic building has many uneven surfaces and staircases. Some areas of the palace have gravel pathing, cobbles and flagstone paths.

We recommend that wheelchair users bring their own wheelchairs for comfort.

Wheelchairs and electric buggies available

You are welcome to use one of our wheelchairs or electric buggies – please speak to a member of staff on arrival who can help you with this. Wheelchairs cannot be pre-booked, and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Electric buggies are for outdoor use only.

Hidden disabilities

We recognise hidden disability schemes such as the sunflower lanyard, if you would like to wear one. This will discreetly notify staff that you may need extra help, time, or assistance. This is optional, and our staff are always on hand to help, if you choose not to wear a signifier.

If you have any specific needs, please do let a staff member know so that we can help make your visit as enjoyable as possible.

Lighting and sound

Low light levels

For conservation reasons, many parts of the palace have low-level lighting. Visiting these spaces may involve going from bright outdoor spaces to dark rooms.

Sound effects and loud noises

There are sound effects and music in the following areas:

• The Tudor World in the Wolsey Rooms
• Master Carpenters Court
• Henry VIII’s Kitchens
• The Georgian Story

During periods such as Christmas, Halloween and Easter, there may be special installations and displays. Some of these include sound effects.

Fire alarms are not tested during opening hours.

Accessible travel

Public transport

You can arrive by train to Hampton Court station. This station is step free. The palace is about a 10-minute journey from Hampton Court station, across the bridge.

You can also get here by bus, via Kingston or other locations in the area. There are bus stops outside the palace gates. Most buses that stop here are wheelchair accessible.

Accessible car parking

There are 10 allocated Blue Badge parking bays for visitors with access needs in the on-site car park. Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.

If you arrive by car, drive through the main palace gates. Ask the Security Officer at the gate for the car park and they will direct you.

Two of the 10 parking bays are the closest parking bays to the palace entrance.

Taxi drop-off and collection

There are no drop-off or collection points outside the palace entrances.

The nearest coach drop-off point is at Hampton Court Station (200 metres from the entrance). Taxis may drop off/collect visitors by the Ticket Office.