Dementia-friendly programme

Name: Dementia-friendly programme
Start: 2026-02-17
End: 2026-02-17
Location: Hampton Court Palace

Explore the stories and spaces of our palaces in a welcoming and relaxed environment

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When

08 September 2026, 14 October and 27 October 2026

Booking information

Places are limited, please contact [email protected] for availability.

Free (advance booking required)

Book your place

About the programme

For nearly a decade, our dementia-friendly programme has enabled people affected by dementia to explore the stories and spaces of our palaces and gardens to support their mental health and wellbeing.

We aim to create a welcoming environment and a relaxed experience for individuals, companions and groups affected by dementia by encouraging creativity, providing opportunities for social interaction and a person-centred approach.

Dementia-friendly sessions

The Giant Royal Harvest: Exploring Hampton Court’s Kitchen Garden

Date: Tuesday 08 September 2026. Time: 11:00 - 14:30 (you are welcome to arrive from 10:30).

Join storyteller Kat Gill as we explore the sights, sounds, smells and seeds to be found in the giant vegetable patch in the palace Kitchen Garden.

Light refreshments will be provided. The session is accessible to wheelchair users.

Dementia-Friendly Autumn Walk

Date: Wednesday 14 October 2026. Time: 11:00 - 12:30.

Join our Community Gardener for a relaxing walk to help boost your mood and wellbeing by taking in some of the seasonal highlights of the palace gardens.

We will begin and end with a hot drink. The walk will last approximately 60 minutes. We aim to make the walk as access as possible, including for wheelchair users. Please contact the community team if you would like more information on the route.

Spooky Stories and Historic Hauntings

Date: Tuesday 27 October 2026. Time: 10:30 - 12:30.

Dare to join us as we uncover the mysteries behind the famous phantoms at Hampton Court Palace, a relaxed coffee morning with a Halloween twist.

Light refreshments will be provided. The session is accessible to wheelchair users.

Programme Evaluation 2018

An evaluation of the benefits for people living with dementia and their carers and the impact of the heritage setting. Please note that the programme was previously called 'Sensory Palaces'.

Download summary report

Download full report

Dementia-friendly palaces

We are committed to making Historic Royal Palaces a Dementia-friendly heritage organisation across all of our sites.

We deliver the Alzheimer’s Society’s 'Dementia Friends' information sessions to our staff and volunteers in order to raise awareness and understanding so that we are better able to support people living with dementia at our palaces and in our communities. We are a proud member of Age UK Dementia Friendly Communities Richmond.

Dementia-friendly heritage group

We lead the Dementia Friendly Heritage Group, a peer network comprising 18 heritage sites across the UK who are committed to developing and sharing dementia-friendly heritage best practice, thinking and support. New members are more than welcome! Please contact [email protected] for more information or to join the network.