FAQs

• Student: You are entitled to a concession rate ticket if you are over the age of 16 and in full time education. You are required to show a current student identification card once on site to validate the discounted price. International students are entitled to this rate if they also meet these requirements with a valid id card.
• 65+ years: You are entitled to a concession rate ticket if you are 65 or over. You may be required to show an identification card (with your date of birth) once on site to validate the discounted price. International visitors are entitled to this rate if they also meet these requirements of proof of age.

Those with a registered disability are entitled to a free carers ticket, which can only be collected from the admissions desk on the day of the visit after showing proof of disability (such as a Blue Badge, Freedom Pass or DLA letter). The access page has further detail on what to expect during your visit.

Dogs are not permitted within the palace or formal 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 in the informal gardens. All registered assistance dogs, even those in training, are welcome - please bring the dog’s 'Assistance Dog’s (UK)’ identification book (or the appropriate international equivalent) with you. Do not leave dogs in your car.

The objects and paintings on display in the Palace are real, valuable and delicate. Any handling of them is strictly prohibited to ensure the conservation of these historic pieces. Please do not touch them, and take care with your personal items such as buggies. You may be asked to carry backpacks at your side or store them in our locker facilities.

You are able to spend as much time as you like within the Hampton Court Palace and gardens during opening hours. You could spend the entire day at Hampton Court Palace if you wanted a detailed visit, however you could visit the highlights in approximately 2 hours.

Hampton Court Palace is a large site and it rarely gets crowded. On busy days there may be a queue for ticket purchases, there may also be additional queuing for popular exhibitions once inside the palace. During holidays and on warm days the Magic Garden can get busy with queues forming and a timed entry system may be introduced to ensure visitors are able to gain admission. 
There is no fast-track option available at Hampton Court Palace. To avoid the need to queue to purchase tickets it is recommended you purchase your tickets in advance (with the exception of Maze/Magic Garden only tickets), selecting print at home tickets or posted tickets.

You are not able to pre-book for these attractions. Please purchase your tickets on site on the day of your visit from ticketing staff. Only pre-school groups are able to book for the Magic Garden. Contact booking staff by emailing hamptoncourt@hrp.org.uk

Please also see out Magic Garden FAQs page for more information. 

Yes. Please ensure you have your valid London Pass ready for scanning on arrival at the gate. Separate terms and conditions apply. You do not need to pre-book if visiting on a London Pass. 

Any third party vouchers must be printed prior to your arrival, and they must be redeemed at the ticketing office where they will be exchanged for a ticket. The voucher must still be valid on the date of your visit. Separate terms and conditions apply. Please contact the company you booked through directly for more details.

These promotions can only be used to buy tickets on the day of your visit on site. Tickets cannot be purchased through our website. Separate terms and conditions apply - please check the relevant websites for more details. 

Print-at-home tickets must be in physical form in order to be valid. If you do not have access to a printer, please locate an internet café or shop that may print it for you, alternatively ask ticketing staff on site and they may be able to provide a solution.

Only those named on the membership account can use a membership card to gain admission into the palace and Magic Garden. If you are visiting with a friend who is not a member they will be required to purchase a ticket. If you hold a joint or family membership the same terms and conditions apply, and only those named on the account will be granted admission using the card.  

If you lose something during your visit please contact the nearest member of staff. Alternatively, contact HCPReceptionOffice@hrp.org.uk and we’ll do our best to try to reunite you with your property.

You are welcome to take non-commercial photographs (without the use of flash) within most of the palace with the exception of the Chapel Royal, the Cumberland Art Gallery and temporary exhibitions. Some additional items or imagery may be prohibited from being photographed and this will be clearly signposted, or ask a member of staff if you are unsure. The use of tripods and selfie-sticks is prohibited. Images of the palace are available for sale from our Photographic Library. Requests for commercial photography, filming or sketching should be made in advance. 

Wedding and engagement photography is available exclusively to our brides and grooms. 

Some lockers are available in the Clock Court buggy park and can fit carry-on luggage sized cases. They are available on a first-come first-served basis and cannot be pre-booked. A £1.00 coin deposit is required to use these lockers. Please note our security procedure is constantly under review and this facility may be withdrawn without notice.

As Historic Royal Palaces is a charity, we receive no funding from the Government or the Crown, so we depend on the support of our visitors, members, donors, volunteers and sponsors.  We are unable to support other fundraising activities with complimentary tickets.

There is no specific dress code for visitors to Hampton Court Palace. We do ask that you dress respectfully as families are likely to be present. If there are offensive slogans or other clothing items deemed to be inappropriate you may be approached by a member of staff. Please note we do not allow visitors (adult or child) to be in costume at Hampton Court Palace. There are costumed interpreters and guides on site, and to avoid confusion for other visitors please refrain from dressing in costume. There are capes provided for children and adults to borrow from the information centre.

There is no separate admission ticket for the gardens only. To access the formal gardens you will require a Palace admission ticket, or visit between the hours of 9.00 and 10.00 for free admission.

For general information browse History and Stories and Explore. For detailed information relating to the collections on display, email curators@hrp.org.uk