Hampton Court Palace in East Molesey, Surrey, combines Henry VIII’s Tudor palace with later Baroque state apartments, historic gardens, the famous Maze and seasonal family attractions. If you are planning a visit, the most important thing to know is that Hampton Court Palace ticket prices now vary between peak and off-peak dates, and several concessions can reduce the cost.
Quick Answer
Through 27 November 2026, Hampton Court Palace adult tickets cost £29 off-peak and £32 peak. Children aged 5–15 and young people aged 16–17 pay £14.50 or £16, while children under five enter free. From 28 November, Winter Palace pricing begins at £32 or £35 for adults. Advance booking is recommended.
Cardinal Thomas Wolsey began transforming the site into a magnificent Tudor palace in the early 16th century. After Wolsey’s fall from power, he surrendered Hampton Court to Henry VIII in 1529. Later monarchs continued changing the complex, including William III and Mary II, whose rebuilding created the striking Baroque sections visitors see today.
A standard visit can include the Great Hall, Henry VIII’s Kitchens, state apartments, courtyards, gardens and other open attractions. Because individual rooms, routes, gardens and seasonal attractions can close, check the current Historic Royal Palaces information before travelling.
Key Takeaways
- Adult admission through 27 November 2026 is £29 off-peak or £32 peak.
- Children aged 5–15 and young people aged 16–17 pay £14.50 off-peak or £16 peak; children under five enter free.
- Peak pricing normally applies on weekends and bank holidays; off-peak pricing applies on weekdays excluding bank holidays.
- The current standard ticket table does not list a separate family admission bundle, but child rates, £1 tickets for eligible benefit recipients and family memberships can reduce costs.
- Groups of 15 or more qualify for official group pricing.
- The self-led audio guide is included in admission; private guided tours are separately priced and require advance booking.
Hampton Court Palace General Admission Tickets and 2026 Prices
Historic Royal Palaces uses peak and off-peak pricing. Through 27 November 2026, peak rates apply on weekends and bank holidays, while off-peak rates apply on weekdays excluding bank holidays. Check the official Hampton Court Palace ticket page before paying because prices, attraction availability and event arrangements can change.
| Ticket type | Off-peak | Peak |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | £29.00 | £32.00 |
| Child age 5–15 | £14.50 | £16.00 |
| Young person age 16–17 | £14.50 | £16.00 |
| Child age 0–4 | Free | Free |
| Senior | £23.50 | £25.50 |
| Full-time student age 18+ | £23.50 | £25.50 |
| Disabled concession | £23.50 | £25.50 |
| Carer / companion | Free | Free |
Standard admission gives access to all open public areas of the palace plus the gardens, courtyards, Maze and, while it is operating, the Magic Garden. Specific rooms and attractions can be unavailable because of conservation work, private events or seasonal closures.
Pro Tip: If your dates are flexible, an off-peak weekday can save an adult £3 compared with the normal peak rate through 27 November 2026.
Winter Palace Prices From 28 November 2026
From 28 November 2026 through 3 January 2027, admission includes the seasonal Winter Palace experience and uses a higher price schedule. Adult tickets are £32 off-peak or £35 peak. Children aged 5–15 and young people aged 16–17 pay £16 or £17.50, while senior, student and disabled concessions are £25.50 or £28.
For this period, off-peak pricing is limited to selected term-time weekdays in December, so check the live booking calendar before choosing a date.
Family Tickets, Child Prices and Discounts
Hampton Court Palace can work well for families, but the current official 2026 general-admission table does not list a separate family admission ticket. Instead, families pay the relevant adult and child rates. Children under five enter free, while visitors aged 5–15 and 16–17 receive reduced admission.
Note: Be cautious with third-party pages advertising fixed “family ticket” prices. Check the official Historic Royal Palaces booking page because the current standard ticket table lists individual visitor categories rather than a general family bundle.
£1 Tickets for Eligible Benefit Recipients
Historic Royal Palaces offers limited reduced-price tickets to people receiving certain UK-issued means-tested benefits, including Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support and Jobseeker’s Allowance. These tickets have limited availability and should be booked online in advance. Check the official £1 ticket eligibility page for current rules and proof requirements.
Free Garden Open Days
Historic Royal Palaces also schedules selected free-entry days for the Hampton Court gardens. In 2026, upcoming published garden open days include 12–13 September, 10–11 October and 21–22 November, plus Wilderness-only access on 26 December. Palace entry, the Maze and the Magic Garden still require the appropriate ticket on these dates.
Families with young children can also use baby-changing facilities, a Family Room and the buggy park in Clock Court. Pushchairs and buggies are permitted in the gardens, subject to the palace’s visitor rules.
Group Tickets and Special Rates
Groups of 15 or more can qualify for discounted Hampton Court Palace group tickets. Through 27 November 2026, the online adult group rate is £26.70 per person off-peak and £29.40 peak. Child and young-person group rates are £13.40 or £14.80, while senior, full-time student and disabled concession group rates are £21.70 or £23.50.
From 28 November 2026, adult group prices rise to £29.50 off-peak and £32.20 peak as the Winter Palace season begins. Group tickets are date-specific, and Historic Royal Palaces states that online group tickets cannot be refunded or exchanged. Review the official group visit information before making a large booking.
Historic Royal Palaces Membership
People who expect to visit Hampton Court Palace more than once may want to compare individual tickets with Historic Royal Palaces membership. Membership provides unlimited general admission during normal opening hours to Hampton Court Palace, the Tower of London, Kensington Palace and Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, along with other member benefits.
Current membership prices valid through 28 February 2027 start at £65 by annual Direct Debit or £75 at the standard individual rate. Joint membership is £105 by Direct Debit or £115 standard.
For families, Family 1 membership covers one named adult plus up to six named children aged 5–15 and costs £80 by Direct Debit or £90 standard. Family 2 covers two named adults living at the same address plus up to six named children aged 5–15 and costs £125 by Direct Debit or £135 standard.
Members generally receive unlimited admission without buying another standard palace ticket, although advance member booking can be required on selected major event dates. Check the current Historic Royal Palaces membership terms and prices before joining.
Guided Tours and Experiences
Hampton Court Palace offers several ways to learn more than you would from simply walking through the rooms. The important distinction is between experiences included with admission and private guided tours that cost extra.
Private guided tours are bespoke experiences that require advance booking and are not included in the palace admission price. Historic Royal Palaces currently lists private tours from £147 and asks visitors to allow at least three weeks for arrangements. Palace admission must also be purchased unless the visitor is an eligible Historic Royal Palaces member.
A private guide can focus on broad palace history or themes such as Tudor residents, Baroque architecture, family history or palace legends. Check the official guided-tour information for availability and current pricing.
Some scheduled talks, garden tours, demonstrations and seasonal experiences may be included with normal admission on particular dates. Because these programmes change throughout the year, check the palace’s current What’s On listings rather than assuming a guided event will be running during your visit.
Audio Guides and Additional Visitor Services
The Hampton Court Palace audio guide is currently included in palace admission rather than rented for an additional fee. Handheld guides can be collected from the Undercroft shop, although availability can be limited during busy periods. Visitors can also access audio-tour material through the palace visitor guide on their own device.
The audio content covers areas such as Henry VIII’s Apartments and Kitchens, William III’s Apartments and the Georgian history of Hampton Court. A family-friendly version is also available.
A self-led British Sign Language Digital Visitor Guide is included with admission for deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors. Audio-guide transcripts and other access resources are also available.
Other facilities include toilets and accessible toilets, free Wi-Fi, baby-changing facilities, a buggy park, a Family Room, cafés and seating in several indoor and outdoor locations.
Ticket Booking and Reservations
Hampton Court Palace tickets can be purchased in advance online through Historic Royal Palaces or, subject to availability, at the palace ticket office on the day. Advance booking is recommended because popular dates and special events can sell out.
Online tickets can be downloaded to a mobile device for scanning or printed at home. If you cannot retrieve the e-ticket, the palace ticket desk can normally assist using the booking reference.
Standard arrival rules vary according to the event. On many normal admission dates, visitors can arrive at any point between opening and the last admission time, while certain scheduled events use selected arrival timeslots.
Warning: Always check the official opening-times and route-closure information immediately before travelling. Hampton Court Palace is a working historic site, so individual apartments, garden areas and visitor routes can close for conservation, safety or private events.
Accessibility and Facilities for Visitors
Hampton Court Palace provides a range of accessibility services, but it is a historic building with uneven floors, cobbles, gravel, flagstones and staircases. As a result, wheelchair access is restricted in some areas.
Major visitor routes including Henry VIII’s Apartments, William III’s Apartments and the Georgian Story have lift-access options. The ground floor of the Tudor World is step-free, while access to parts of its first floor is more limited.
Wheelchairs and outdoor electric buggies are available on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be pre-booked. Visitors who rely on a wheelchair may prefer to bring their own for comfort.
Disabled visitors can bring an accompanying carer or companion free of charge. One adult carer or companion ticket can normally be added during an online booking, with arrangements available for parties requiring additional carers.
There are 10 designated Blue Badge spaces in the on-site car park. Hampton Court railway station is step-free, and the palace is reached by crossing the bridge from the station. Full route and facility details are available on the official Hampton Court Palace accessibility page.
Accessible toilets are available at several locations within the ticketed site. Hampton Court Palace currently does not have a Changing Places toilet, so visitors who require one should plan accordingly.
Events and Special Exhibitions
Hampton Court Palace runs seasonal exhibitions, performances, tours and family events throughout the year. Whether an event is included with standard admission depends on the programme, so visitors should not assume that every special event is covered by a normal ticket.
For example, the Winter Palace experience runs from 28 November 2026 through 3 January 2027 and is included within the special admission prices charged for that period. Other private tours and selected ticketed events can require separate booking and payment.
Temporary route closures can also affect what you see. Checking both the What’s On calendar and the date-specific opening information before paying gives you the clearest picture of what will be available during your visit.
Tips for Visiting Hampton Court Palace
The quietest time to visit is generally before 11:00. Historic Royal Palaces advises that exploring the palace and gardens may take around two to three hours, so an early arrival gives you more flexibility and time to see both indoor and outdoor areas.
Wear comfortable walking shoes because a visit involves substantial walking and includes historic surfaces such as stone, cobbles and garden paths. Weather-appropriate clothing is also useful because a significant part of the experience is outdoors.
If saving money is important, compare your date against peak and off-peak pricing before booking. Families should also check child rates, £1 ticket eligibility and membership rather than relying on old third-party family-ticket prices.
If you are visiting with a baby or toddler, pushchairs and buggies can be used in permitted areas, and a buggy park is available in Clock Court. Baby-changing facilities are available in several toilet locations.
Visitors can leave and re-enter the ticketed site during their visit by showing their ticket to a Palace Host, which can be useful if your plans require a short break.
For an optional food idea after your palace visit or for inspiration when planning a fruit-based snack, the existing guide to Asian melon explains several varieties and ways they can be served.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of Hampton Court Palace tickets are available?
The main options include standard adult tickets, child and young-person tickets, senior and student concessions, disabled concessions, free carer or companion tickets, group rates for groups of 15 or more, limited £1 tickets for eligible benefit recipients and Historic Royal Palaces membership.
What is included in a standard Hampton Court Palace ticket?
A standard ticket includes all open public areas of the palace plus the gardens, courtyards, Maze and the Magic Garden when it is open. The self-led audio guide is also included. Individual rooms or attractions can close temporarily, so check the official opening information for your date.
How much are Hampton Court Palace tickets in 2026?
Through 27 November 2026, adults pay £29 off-peak or £32 peak. Children aged 5–15 and visitors aged 16–17 pay £14.50 or £16, while children under five enter free. Senior, full-time student and disabled concessions cost £23.50 off-peak or £25.50 peak. Higher Winter Palace rates apply from 28 November 2026.
Is there a Hampton Court Palace family ticket?
The current official 2026 general-admission price table does not list a separate standard family ticket. Families can instead use the relevant adult and child rates, while eligible households may benefit from £1 tickets. Historic Royal Palaces also sells Family 1 and Family 2 annual memberships.
Are guided tours included with Hampton Court Palace admission?
The self-led audio guide is included, and some scheduled talks or tours may be included on particular dates. Private bespoke guided tours are separate paid experiences, require advance booking and are not included in normal palace admission.
Is Historic Royal Palaces membership available for Hampton Court?
Yes. Membership provides unlimited general admission to Hampton Court Palace and several other Historic Royal Palaces sites during normal opening hours. Individual membership currently starts at £65 by annual Direct Debit, with joint and family memberships also available.
Where can I buy Hampton Court Palace tickets?
Tickets can be booked online through Historic Royal Palaces or purchased at the palace ticket office on the day if capacity remains. Advance booking is recommended for busy weekends, holidays and special events.
How long should I allow for Hampton Court Palace?
Allow roughly two to three hours for a basic visit. If you want to explore the palace, gardens, Maze and seasonal attractions at a relaxed pace, arriving early gives you more time and helps you avoid the busiest part of the day.
Sources
- Historic Royal Palaces — Hampton Court Palace Tickets and Prices — current admission prices, ticket categories, peak/off-peak rules and ticket inclusions.
- Historic Royal Palaces — Group Visits — group eligibility, prices and booking conditions.
- Historic Royal Palaces — Membership — annual individual, joint and family membership prices and benefits.
- Historic Royal Palaces — Guided Tours — private-tour booking and pricing information.
- Historic Royal Palaces — Accessibility — step-free routes, wheelchairs, carer tickets, accessible parking and visitor-access information.
- Historic Royal Palaces — Palace Facilities — audio guide, family facilities, toilets, baby changing and other visitor services.
