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Palace facilities

Practical information for your visit

Practical information for your visit

Audio guide

Join curators, historians and conservators as they share fascinating stories and hidden secrets of Hampton Court Palace. Explore the Tudor beginnings of the palace with a tour of Henry VIII’s Apartments and Kitchens. Discover William III’s state apartments and the Georgian history of the palace.

Collect your free audio guide tour from the Undercroft shop.

A self-led British Sign Language Digital Visitor guide is also available to collect from the shop.

Hampton Court Palace visitor map

A family of two women, a boy and a girl look around them in Base Court of Hampton Court Palace

For families

Buggies and pushchairs

If you are visiting with very young children, you may take pushchairs and buggies around the gardens. There is a Buggy Park off Clock Court if you do not wish to take the buggy around with you.

Family Room

The Family Room is open during palace opening hours and located in the same area as the Buggy Park in Clock Court. This room has soft play equipment and we ask adults to wipe down any toys/equipment after use. Antibacterial wipes are provided in the room.

Baby changing

Baby changing facilities are available in the following toilets:

Parent's guide

  • Balls, frisbees and roller-blades are not permitted in the formal gardens or the palace.
  • Cycling and scooters are not allowed in any part of the courtyards or gardens.
  • Extra care should be taken in the palace gardens where there are water features or wildlife.

Toilets

Toilets are available in the following locations:

  • Wilderness
  • Base Court
  • Fountain Court
  • The Kitchen Garden

All toilets have disabled access.

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 walk from the palace.

Dogs

Dogs are not permitted within the palace courtyards or gardens unless they are registered assistance dogs. Even small dogs are not to be taken inside the palace.

Dogs kept on a short lead are able to be walked on the West Front only.

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

Unfortunately, due to conservation concern and the nature of items on display, we do not allow emotional support animals to enter the palace at this time.

Photography and filming

Visitors are welcome to take photographs within most areas of Hampton Court Palace.

Historic Royal Palaces has a photography policy that applies to media / commercial photography. When taking photographs at our site, you may be approached by our staff and asked about the purposes of your photography or filming. Historic Royal Palaces reserves the right to request you stop your activities if these are believed to be in breach of the policy.

For religious and copyright reasons, photography is not permitted in the following areas:

The photography of certain, individual items may not be allowed due to loan arrangements. Please ask a member of staff if you’re unsure.

Commercial and media photography

Requests for commercial and media photography, filming and sketching should be made in advance by contacting our Media and PR team.

Photographic equipment

Equipment such as tripods, monopods, selfie sticks (interiors) and gimbals may not be used at the site unless arrangements have been made in advance with our Media and PR or Conservation teams.

Wedding photography

Wedding photography is exclusive to couples hiring Hampton Court Palace for their wedding day. To find out more about hiring Hampton Court Palace for your event, visit our Hire a Venue pages.

Other visitors

We ask that you respect the privacy of our other visitors while taking photographs at our site. Historic Royal Palaces is a safeguarding organisation and takes its responsibility to protect children and vulnerable people seriously. We may sometimes ask therefore that visitors refrain from filming or photographing other visitors.

Read our safeguarding policies and procedures

Left luggage

Small lockers can be found in the Buggy Park and used with a deposit of £1.00 (coin). Due to limited storage, we are unable to store large luggage.

For more information on where luggage can be stored in the city, please visit visitlondon.com.

WiFi

Free Wi-Fi is available inside the palace. Simply follow the on-screen prompts on your mobile device to get connected. 

Lost property

If you lose something anywhere within the palace, please email: [email protected]

Health and safety

  • Our palaces are very old and have many uneven surfaces, for example cobbles, worn steps, uneven steps and slopes. Please choose footwear that is comfortable and appropriate for the conditions.
  • Some surfaces may be slippery, particularly if they are wet from rain.
  • Light levels can be low in some places, so please allow sufficient time for your eyes to adjust, particularly when using stairs.
  • In some of our gardens we have steep slopes and drops from height, so please be aware of these, especially if you have children with you.
  • Where water features are present, please ensure children are supervised at all times.
  • Look out for our safety signs and follow the advice given to avoid spoiling your day.

First aid

Please alert a uniformed member of staff if someone within your party requires First Aid during the visit.

Base Court looking west towards the Great Gatehouse, 2016. Long-shot of entertainers seen on the right, there for guests arriving to a private event through the  and into Base Court. Dazzling low sun in centre image.

What you must not bring with you

Selfie sticks are only permitted in the gardens.

The following are not permitted:

  • Aerosol sprays
  • Balloons
  • Balls, frisbees or lawn games/toys
  • Rollerblades or Heelies
  • Scooters or bicycles
  • Gazebos
  • Weapons, including knives
  • Fireworks and smoke bombs
  • Pepper spray or any other articles intended to cause injury
  • Any article which it is illegal to possess under UK law

In the interest of security, visitors are granted admission to the palace on the condition they may be searched before entering the premises.

Sport and leisure

As well as visiting the palace and grounds, there are other activities and organisations based at Hampton Court.

Fishing

Fishing is permitted in the waters of Hampton Court and Bushy Park during the season (16 June 2023 -14 March 2024). To fish in the waters of Hampton Court, Home Park and Bushy Park you must have a valid Fishing permit and are subject to the permit’s Terms and Conditions. To fish in the River Thames you require an EA licence only.

To apply for a 2023-2024 Fishing Permit please download an application form, and return your completed form to the address below. Please include the following with your application:

  • A photocopy of a valid Environment Agency (EA) rod licence. Please note a receipt is not valid proof.
  • Two passport quality photographs.
  • A self-addressed and stamped envelope.
  • A photocopy of photo ID such as a driving license, passport or other official ID (18 years +) or official proof of age such as birth certificate (17 years or under).

Fishing Permit Office
Hampton Court Palace
Surrey
KT8 9AU

If you have previously held an application, you will receive a new application form by email.

Golf

Hampton Court Palace Golf Club is set in the grounds of Hampton Court Palace near Kingston-upon-Thames in Surrey. It has the enviable accolade of being the only course in the country set within the grounds of a Royal Park.

Hampton Court Palace Golf Club

Tennis

Tennis has been played on this site since 1528 when Henry VIII commissioned the first Real Tennis court. Today the tennis club at Hampton Court Palace is a private members' club. An introductory lesson for non-members is available from the Club Professionals.

The Royal Tennis Court

Barge Walk events application form

Please read the conditions of use and follow the instructions on the form to apply for your event.

Boat Mooring

Historic Royal Palaces no longer collects mooring fees paid in cash from boat owners. Payment will also be no longer available at the Hampton Court Palace ticket office.

Management of the mooring will fall under the control of District Enforcement Ltd. This company is responsible for the collection of mooring fees by telephone or online payments only. Boat owners must first register their arrival at www.where2moor.co.uk

The mooring fee is: first 24-hour period - free of charge, £8.00 per 24 hour period thereafter.

EXPLORE WHAT'S ON

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  • For members
  • Tours and talks
  • Events

Members-Only Talk: The Salvage Squad

Members are invited to an exclusive talk by Team Leaders of the Historic Royal Palaces Salvage Squad. Discover how they would go about rescuing the priceless objects in our collections if the worst was to happen.

  • 24 January 2024
  • 14:00
  • Hampton Court Palace
  • Separate ticket (advance booking required)
Learn more
  • Events

Hampton Court Palace Festival

A series of open-air summer concerts in the spectacular and iconic Tudor courtyard at Hampton Court Palace.

  • 11-22 June 2024 (selected dates)
  • Hampton Court Palace
  • Separate ticket (advance booking required)
Buy tickets Learn more
  • Events
  • Christmas

Hampton Court Palace Festive Fayre

Shop bespoke handmade gifts in a unique festive setting.

  • 08-10 December 2023
  • 10:00-18:00
  • Hampton Court Palace
  • Included in palace admission (members go free)
Learn more

BROWSE MORE HISTORY AND STORIES

Anne of Cleves

‘I like her not.’ The wife rejected by Henry VIII

Catherine Howard

A young woman whose marriage to Henry VIII would end in tragedy

The Field of Cloth of Gold

Henry VIII's historic meeting with his great rival François I in 1520 was a defining point in his reign

Shop online

Shop Hampton Court Watercolour souvenirs

Shop the exclusive collection of souvenirs featuring a beautiful watercolour print of Hampton Court Palace.

From £8.00

Shop Henry VIII gifts

Explore the range of products inspired by this larger than life monarch and Hampton Court Palace where all his six wives lived.

From £2.50

Elizabeth's Women by Tracy Borman

Discover the world of Elizabeth I with this insightful look at Elizabeth's relationship with woman and how they helped to shape her into a remarkable monarch. This thrilling book explores the lesser known side of Elizabeth I who is often portrayed as a ruthless 'man's woman'.

£14.99