Summer at Hampton Court Palace

This summer, Hampton Court Palace will burst into life, offering a vibrant programme of events for visitors of all ages. From a thrilling Joust tournament to a Beano-themed trail, there’s something to discover around every corner as Henry VIII’s Tudor palace transforms into a hub of summer fun.

Kicking off the summer season, on 11-12 and 18-19 July, Hampton Court Palace will be transported back to 1526 with the return of the Joust, bringing back the pomp and pageantry of courtly competition to Henry VIII’s Tudor palace. For two weekends, visitors can step into the world of a Tudor jousting tournament, where rival knights clash on horseback and royal drama unfolds with King Henry himself and the lady Anne Boleyn in attendance. From breathtaking falconry displays to crowd-rousing showdowns, this thrilling event brings together bold stunts, witty comedy and immersive storytelling for a spectacular return to the past.

As the summer holidays begin, comic chaos crash-lands at Hampton Court Palace as Historic Royal Palaces welcomes the friends from Beanotown for a ‘blam-tastic’ summer. From 25 July – 23 August, Beano Havoc at Hampton Court Palace invites visitors of all ages on a time-twisting trail through Henry VIII’s former Palace after Dennis turns his go-kart into a time machine with Rubi’s flux capacitor, only for it to malfunction and plummet into Hampton Court Palace—much to the dismay of Henry VIII. With the timeline in a right royal muddle, Beano fans must track down scattered pieces to repair the tangled timeline, encountering costumed characters dressed in signature Beano stripes and colours from Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, Sophia Duleep Singh, and more.

To round off the summer, the bustling Hampton Court Palace Food Festival will return to the palace gardens from 29-31 August. The gardens will be transformed into a food lover’s paradise, with over 150 independent producers offering everything from tasty street food to refreshing summer drinks. Budding chefs can head to the Regina Kitchen, a brand-new experience featuring live cookery demonstrations, while families can dance along to a silent disco, try their hand at traditional fete games and more.

The Palace will also continue to deliver a programme of accessible events and resources to support learning-disabled, neurodivergent and deaf visitors of all ages. Relaxed Mornings in the Magic Garden (a history themed playground for children) offer quieter sessions for neurodivergent and disabled children (aged 3–16), along with their families, friends or carers. Sessions cost £1 and provide a calm setting with reduced visitor capacity, lower noise levels and adaptations to onsite equipment to support sensory comfort. Running from 09.30–11.00 on 7 June and 2 August, the sessions welcome all families who identify as neurodivergent or learning disabled — including those with ADHD, autism, anxiety, OCD, Tourette’s and other sensory or processing differences.

British Sign Language (BSL)-led tours for deaf and hard of hearing visitors will explore more than 500 years of history within the Tudor Palace. Led by acclaimed deaf tour guide John Wilson, and supported by Heritage Interpreters who will interpret his BSL into spoken English, this free session at 14.00 on 10 July will take visitors through some of the most incredible spaces, including the Great Hall, Great Watching Chamber, Haunted Gallery and Tudor Kitchens. Deaf and hard of hearing visitors are warmly invited to take part in the tour together with their friends and family, for a memorable shared experience.

Beyond the seasonal events, visitors can make the most of everything Hampton Court Palace has to offer throughout the summer. Families can soak up the sun while adventuring through 60 acres of historic gardens, and little ones can run wild in the Magic Garden or brave the world’s oldest puzzle maze. Inside the palace, a journey through more than 500 years of history awaits, from lavish Tudor apartments to Henry VIII’s historic kitchens – the perfect way to cool off after a day in the sun.