Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace sits on the banks of the Thames in East Molesey, Surrey — just 35 minutes from London Waterloo by train. Originally built in 1515 by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey and seized by Henry VIII in 1529, it's a rare combination of Tudor and Baroque royal architecture spread across 60 acres of award-winning gardens, complete with the country's oldest surviving hedge maze.

Getting There

Direct trains run from London Waterloo to Hampton Court station in around 35 minutes, with services roughly every 30 minutes. The palace is a short walk across the bridge from the station. Book rail tickets in advance through National Rail for the best price.

Tickets

Standard adult tickets start from £29 online, with separate off-peak (weekday) and peak (weekend and bank holiday) pricing — weekday visits are noticeably cheaper. The ticket includes all palace interiors, the 60-acre gardens, and the famous hedge maze. A free audio guide is available inside and is genuinely worth using through Henry VIII's Great Hall, the Tudor Kitchens and the Baroque State Apartments designed by Christopher Wren for William III and Mary II.

What to See

Allow a full day comfortably. Highlights: Henry VIII's Great Hall (with its original 16th-century hammer-beam roof and tapestries), the Tudor Kitchens (the largest surviving Tudor kitchens in the world), the Baroque State Apartments, the 60 acres of gardens including the famous maze and the Magic Garden for children. The River Thames runs alongside the grounds and is pleasant to walk along.

Tips for Visiting

• Weekday tickets are cheaper than weekend and bank holiday prices — go mid-week if you can.
• Allow a full day — the palace and gardens together take 4–6 hours to explore properly.
• Pick up the free audio guide — it's genuinely excellent through the Tudor rooms.
• The hedge maze is included in the ticket and is most fun if you actually try to get lost.
• The river walk alongside the palace grounds is free and makes a pleasant way to start or finish the day.

Prices and seasonal opening times change — check the official Historic Royal Palaces site before booking.