About the tours
On arrival, please go to the Information Centre off Base Court and make yourself known to the staff. They will find the interpreter/guide for you and someone will come to collect you.
Available dates
2019
Saturday 28 December (Christmas)
(No booking required)
Deaf BSL-using Guide: Robert Heads
Interpreter Guide: Laurence Pass
Sunday 29 December (Christmas)
(No booking required)
Deaf BSL-using Guide: John Wilson
Interpreter Guide: Jenny Peters
2020
One of our trained and qualified Deaf BSL-using Guides or BSL Interpreter-Guides will be available to help you explore the stories of Hampton Court Palace on the following dates.
- Saturday 8 February 2020 with a Deaf Guide
- Sunday 9 February 2020 with a Deaf Guide
- Saturday 14 March 2020 with a Deaf Guide
- Sunday 15 March 2020 with a Deaf Guide
- Saturday 11 April 2020 with a BSL Interpreter
- Sunday 12 April 2020 with a BSL Interpreter
- Saturday 9 May 2020 with a Deaf Guide
- Sunday 10 May 2020 with a Deaf Guide
- Saturday 13 June 2020 with a Deaf Guide
- Sunday 14 June 2020 with a Deaf Guide
- Saturday 11 July 2020 with a BSL Interpreter
- Sunday 12 July 2020 with a BSL Interpreter
The Deaf Guides (Ian Urquhart, John Wilson or Robert Heads) will give guided tours of the palace at 10:30-12:30, 13:30-15:30 (and 16:00-17:00 summer only).
BSL interpreters (Laurence Pass, Demelza Bevan or Jenny Peters) will be available all day to interpret the palace's daily, timetabled, costumed presentations and facilitate conversations with the staff.
BSL tours start from the Information Centre off Base Court, which is where you will find the Deaf Guide or BSL Interpreter. Our Deaf Guides wear a purple sash with ‘Deaf Guide’ on; our BSL interpreters wear a purple tabard with 'BSL interpreter' on the back.
Mixed deaf and hearing groups or families can ask for an interpreter to accompany the Deaf Guide on the day of their visit as long as it is booked at least 15 days in advance (due to the availability of the interpreters).
Important information
Hampton Court Palace reserves the right to move the planned BSL interpreter presence to cover special events.
