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Accessibility

Committed to access for all

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.

Wheelchair visitor getting out of a car parked in the disabled parking bay.

Free Carer and Companion Tickets

If you are disabled, you can bring an accompanying carer/companion free of charge.

Book One Carer or Companion Ticket Online

You can book one adult carer/companion ticket online, when you buy your palace ticket. Only one carer/companion ticket can be added per booking but each disabled visitor can bring one person with them free of charge as a carer or companion.

Booking more than one carer or companion ticket

If your party requires more than one carer/companion ticket, please book your paid tickets online and email [email protected] with your booking reference number and supporting documents. We will be happy to reserve the additional carer/companion tickets for your party at no extra cost. Please allow up to three working days for the team to book your ticket.

Alternatively, you can present supporting documents at the Ticket Office on the day of your visit to receive your additional carer/companion ticket(s). We always keep aside capacity and would never turn away a carer or companion.

Quiet Times

The quietest time to visit the palace is before 11:00. Your visit may take up to two to three hours, so we recommend visiting as early as possible for the best experience. The peak visiting period is Easter to October.

Our cafés can get busy at lunchtime, but are quieter before 11am and after 3pm.

Arriving at the palace

During peak times, such as weekends or scheduled events, you can arrive any time within your selected one-hour timeslot.

On weekdays and during school term time, you are welcome to arrive any time before the last admission time. If you miss your timeslot, the admissions team will try their best to accommodate you in the next available timeslot.

Re-entry to Site

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

Wheelchair visitor entering accessible toilets.

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.

Deaf or hard of hearing visitors

Induction Loops

Induction loops can be found in the following locations:

  • Ticket office
  • Audio Guide Desk in the Undercroft Shop
  • Privy Kitchen Café and the Tiltyard Café

Switch your hearing aid to the ‘T’ setting to activate.

We also have blue tooth headphone adaptors for hearing aids and noise cancelling headphones available.

Deaf-lef guided tours

Explore over 500 years of history during a signed guided tour of the Tudor palace at Hampton Court. These special tours will be led by John Wilson, a highly acclaimed deaf tour guide who specialises in tours for galleries, historic sites and museums. 

Dates of upcoming tours can be found on our Deaf-led Guided Tours page.

British Sign Language Digital Visitor Guide

A British Sign Language Digital Visitor Guide is available at Hampton Court Palace, telling fascinating stories about Henry VIII’s Kitchens and the reign of George II and Queen Caroline.

The tour is self-led and is included in palace admission.

Audio Guide Transcripts

Transcripts of our audio guides can be found in the Undercroft Shop, Audio Guides Desk.

Transcripts are also available on our audio guide transcripts page.

Tactile objects exhibit with hats on strings in the new Tudor World in the Wolsey Rooms at Hampton Court 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. Electric buggies are for outdoor use only.

Wheelchair user on the ramp in a large room decorated with tapestries
A man in dark blue uniform stands in the doorway of a historic building

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.

A family of three enjoying a day out, standing in a Tudor red brick cloister in front of a bright window
Wheelchair visitor getting out of a car parked in the disabled parking bay..

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

Please note that there are no drop-off or collection points outside the entrances to the palace.

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.

More transport information Transport for London accessibility guide

Explore what's on

SOLD OUT

  • Events
  • Tours and talks

Deaf-Led Guided Tours

Discover the Tudor Routes of Hampton Court Palace on a Deaf-led tour with John Wilson and Heritage Interpretation.

  • 15 November (sold out) and 18 December 2024 (sold out)
  • 13:00 - 15:00
  • Hampton Court Palace
  • Free (advance booking required)
Learn more
  • Tours and talks

British Sign Language Digital Visitor Guide

For deaf or hard of hearing visitors, discover more about Hampton Court Palace with the British Sign Language self-led digital visitor guide. Included in admission.

  • Available
  • Hampton Court Palace
  • Included in palace admission (Members go free)
Learn more
  • Tours and talks

Sensory Palaces

A health and wellbeing programme at Hampton Court Palace for people living with dementia and their carers.

  • September - March (selected dates)
  • Hampton Court Palace
  • Free (advance booking required)
Learn more

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