How busy is Hampton Court Palace?
With around 800,000 visitors a year, Hampton Court rarely feels crushed, thanks to its 60 acres of gardens. The pinch points are the Tudor kitchens, the Great Hall, the Haunted Gallery and the maze when school-holiday families and weekend visitors arrive from late morning. Seasonal events (the Winter Palace, the RHS Garden Festival in early July) bring the biggest crowds.
Crowds by time of day
Crowds by day of week
Crowds by month
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Tickets
2-for-1 rail offer
With a valid National Rail ticket to Hampton Court, you can often get two-for-one entry via Days Out Guide. It can halve the cost for couples and families.
How to plan your visit
- Take the train from Waterloo to Hampton Court (about 35 minutes) to arrive for 10 am.
- Start with Henry VIII's apartments: the Great Hall, Haunted Gallery and Chapel Royal.
- Explore the Tudor kitchens, the largest surviving 16th-century kitchens.
- See William III's Baroque apartments and the Cumberland Art Gallery.
- Do the maze before noon or late afternoon to avoid queues.
- Finish in the gardens: the Great Vine, Privy Garden and Great Fountain Garden.
Insider tips
- Costumed interpreters bring the Tudor court to life on many days; check the day's programme.
- The palace is huge: wear comfortable shoes and pace yourself.
- In summer, a riverboat from Westminster to Hampton Court makes a scenic (slow) trip.
- The Winter Palace is beautiful in the late afternoon dusk.
A short history
Cardinal Thomas Wolsey began the palace in 1515 and gave it to Henry VIII when he fell from favour. Henry spent his honeymoons with several wives here, and his son Edward VI was born here. William III and Mary II commissioned Christopher Wren to rebuild half the palace in Baroque style in the 1690s, creating the two-faced palace you see today. It hasn't been a royal residence since the 18th century.
Best (and worst) times to visit
- Best: 10 am Monday-Thursday in term time.
- Worst: school-holiday weekends and event days.
- Winter: short days; arrive early.
Crowds by day and time
From the typical weekly visitor pattern for Hampton Court Palace, based on Google’s popular-times data.
Quietest time
Thursday, 10-11 am
Busiest time
Sunday, 11 am-4 pm
Plans by visitor type
Tudor fans
Henry VIII's rooms and kitchens, then the Tower of London another day. Tower of London guide.
Families
The maze and the Magic Garden (seasonal); under 5s free.
Garden lovers
Spring and summer for the formal gardens, and the RHS festival in July.
Royal palace collectors
HRP membership covers Hampton Court, Kensington Palace and the Tower. Kensington Palace guide.
Where to eat
The palace has cafés, including the Tiltyard Café, and picnic spots in the gardens. Across the bridge in East Molesey there are pubs and restaurants.
Getting there
Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey, about 20 km south-west of central London.
Accessibility and families
Many areas are accessible, though some historic rooms involve stairs; lifts reach parts of the State Apartments and wheelchairs can be borrowed. The gardens have good paths. Under 5s are free, and family trails run in school holidays.
Mistakes to avoid
- Arriving at 2 pm in winter, with only two hours left.
- Visiting on a school-holiday Saturday.
- Doing the maze at midday in summer.
- Missing the 2-for-1 rail offer.
- Trying to see Hampton Court and central London sights on the same day.
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FAQs
How much is Hampton Court Palace?
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About £29 for adults (more at peak times) and £14.50 for children.
Is the maze included?
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Yes.
What are the winter opening hours?
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About 10 am-4:30 pm from late October to March.
What is the Winter Palace?
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A seasonal spectacle from 28 November to 3 January, included in admission.
How do I get there from London?
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Train from Waterloo to Hampton Court, about 35 minutes.
What is the best time to visit?
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Heading to Hampton Court Palace?
See how busy it is right now and the quietest hours for your date, then walk in when the line is short.
Check live crowds →Sources
How we research: every guide is written by the BeatTheCrowd team from official sources and recent traveller reports, cross-checked against each other, and dated so you know how fresh it is. Last checked 29 October 2026. Prices and rules change, so always confirm on the official site before you book.
