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More information

Sensory Palaces

When

  • Now taking bookings for summer sessions

Booking information

Advanced booking only.

People living with dementia and carers must attend together.

Contact the Sensory Palaces team by email to arrange a short conversation before your first session. This helps us ensure individuals’ needs and expectations are understood.

To book please email [email protected] with these details:

- Name
- Mobile number
- Arrival information (minibus/taxi, car registration for free parking, public transportation)
- Special requirements (mobility concerns, allergies etc.)

Free (advanced booking required)

A wellbeing programme for people living with dementia and their carers

Sensory Palaces sessions engage participants in sensory storytelling in the historic spaces of our palaces.

Each session provides a chance to explore stories from the palace, participate in fun activities and build social connections. Sessions are designed to enhance mental health and wellbeing, encouraging new learning opportunities in a safe and welcoming environment.

Sessions are free for participants. They are delivered by expert freelancers, skilled in supporting people living with early 'mild' stage dementia as defined by the Alzheimer’s Society.

Our next sessions

Great Grape Vine

Date: 09 July 2019
Time: 10:30-12:30

Explore the history of the palace’s oldest living Georgian ‘courtier’, the Great Vine! Meet the Great Vine keeper and create your own ornament inspired by this incredible plant.

Ground floor access.

Sensory Postcard

Date: 06 August 2019
Time: 10:30-12:30

Explore the exquisite palace gardens and create an original sensory postcard inspired by your visit to take home.

Ground floor access.

Sensory Palaces Programme Evaluation 2018

An evaluation of the benefits for people living with dementia and their carers and the impact of the heritage setting.

Download summary report Download full report

Dementia-friendly palaces

We are committed to Historic Royal Palaces being a 'Dementia-friendly' heritage organisation.

We deliver the Alzheimer’s Society’s 'Dementia Friends' information sessions for our staff and volunteers to raise awareness and understanding of the disease so that we are better able to support people living with dementia at our palaces and in our communities. We are members of the Dementia Action Alliance in 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. New contacts are more than welcome!

Explore what's on

Aerial view of Great Fountain Garden at Hampton Court Palace showing Baroque East Front of palace
Things to see

Hampton Court Gardens

Renowned across the world, Hampton Court Palace's beautiful gardens are an unmissable attraction.

Daily

Hampton Court Palace

Included in palace admission (members go free)

Learn more
The Mary of Modena bed in the Queen's Bedroom at Kensington Palace
Tours and talks

Describer tours

Helping blind or partially sighted visitors enjoy more of Kensington Palace, describer tours are available to book at no extra cost.

Selected dates - advance booking required

Kensington Palace

10:00 and 15:00

Included in palace admission (members go free)

Learn more
British Sign Language (BSL) guide in the King's Guard Chamber of Hampton Court Palace explaining/guiding to a visitor
Tours and talks

British Sign Language tours

Book a place on a British Sign Language (BSL) tour of Hampton Court Palace and discover its wonderful stories.

Next sessions: 10-11 August 2019

Hampton Court Palace

10:30-12:30, 13:30-15:30 and 16:00-17:00

Included in palace admission (members go free)

Learn more

Browse more history and stories

Life at the Tudor court

In the Tudor period, a monarch’s home was centre of the nation

Henry VIII’s kitchens

Preparing up to a thousand meals a day

The gardens at Hampton Court Palace

A brief history of the famous royal gardens