His Royal Highness The Prince Philip,
Duke of Edinburgh

Historic Royal Palaces joins the Royal Family and millions of people across the country in mourning the passing of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

Following the death of His Royal Highness, there will be changes to opening hours for the gardens at Hampton Court Palace and Hillsborough Castle. For further information, please read our FAQs page.

 

 

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More information

October half term ghost trail

9 April 2021. Following the death of His Royal Highness, there will be changes to opening hours for the gardens at Hampton Court Palace and Hillsborough Castle. For further information, please read our FAQs page

When

24 October to 1 November

Ticketing information

Trails are available onsite.

Included in palace admission (members go free)

Buy Hampton Court Palace tickets

Ghostly encounters and creepy stories

Visit Hampton Court Palace this half term if you dare! The palace has reputedly been the site of many strange and spine tingling encounters over the centuries. Come and discover some of the strange happenings which have given Hampton Court Palace its spooky reputation. 

There are tales of ghostly animals, a robed figure and sightings of a woman drifting through the Haunted Gallery. 

Bring the family to the palace this half term and join our spooktacular ghostly trail. Everyone is encouraged to come in their best scary Halloween costumes and share a selfie with us on Facebook and Instagram! #palacephoto

 

 

Are there really ghosts at Hampton Court Palace?

There are seven eerie, ghostly tales to discover.

Download the trail

Ghost trail
An early postcard depicting a 'ghost' in the Horn Room. The ghost is that of King Henry VIII's fifth wife, Catherine Howard. Charged with adultery, the young queen was placed under house arrest at Hampton Court. The story goes that she managed to escape from her rooms and run to the Chapel where the King was at Mass. Before she was able to reach him, she was seized by the guards and dragged screaming back to her rooms. It is said that her ghost still haunts the palace today.