Garden history tours

Join our expert guides as they share the historical highlights of Hampton Court Gardens. 

Guides will lead you through the most historic parts of the gardens, covering over 500 years of history. From the Privy Garden and Queen Mary’s Bower to the Orangery Garden and the Pond Gardens.

Discover the Tudor beginnings of the Privy Garden and learn about Henry VIII’s favourite game at the Royal Tennis Court. Hear about the origins of the Great Vine, planted in 1768 by Master Gardener Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. Now over 250 years old, the Great Vine is the largest grape vine in the word.

A garden history tour is the ideal way to begin an afternoon exploring the gardens at your leisure.

Meeting point
The East Front vestibule. Tours begin at 14:00.

Please note

• These tours are not botanical tours and will explore the history of the gardens.
• The tours may be cancelled due to extreme weather conditions – you may wish to bring an umbrella, water, sunhat or all three!