Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink

I visited the Hampton Court Palace ice rink on Thursday evening with my best friend and my daughter and we had an absolutely wonderful time. Although the rink itself was a little smaller than I’d imagined, the atmosphere more than made up for it; twinkling lights, great music and genuinely friendly staff created a beautifully festive setting. The whole venue was tidy, aesthetically pleasing and felt really well looked after. Not to forget, the ice was smoother and better than some of our local indoor rinks. It was so good to skate on. We also loved the photobooth, which added an extra bit of fun and gave us memories we’ll cherish. We were laughing so much we even made the cafe staff member behind the counter laugh as we got ourselves stuck in the booth and cracked up at the photos. Overall, I highly recommend this experience. It was a fantastic evening out something a bit different, very festive and made truly special by a team of incredibly friendly staff who clearly care about ensuring you have the best possible time. We’ll definitely be returning!

I was here last night with a friend. We had a fab night. It was all so magical. The skates all looked brand new, the whole set up was much improved on previous years. The atmosphere, decor, staff and rink were all so impressive. It all looks new, clean and stylish. The rink is framed with pretty lights and the viewing area is spacious. The drinks/food on offer were all really delicious. I loved every moment.

I visit Hampton court ice rink every year with my fiance, it’s become my favourite tradition! This year they really leveled up the experience and really impressed us. The staff were all so lovely and approachable. I want to give a specific shoutout to the Zamboni driver, he was very helpful and offered us some great advice. Also was very funny and festive 🎄

Direct feedback was provided directly via email (27/12) and as of end of the day,2nd January no answer has been received unfortunately which enforces the experience on the day. I have visited the ice rink yesterday (26th December, 3 pm session) and unfortunately had an awful experience. Please note that i have visited the ice rink previously (for the past 2-3 years) and this is the first time when I had such an awful experience. Please note, I am managing a large business myself and the feedback i am providing has taken into consideration factors that might be out of control and focuses on health and safety (incl fire safety) and customer experience. When we have arrived, the security guard/staff member with a hi vis was inside, therefore after looking for signage to see what we should do we proceeded inside waiting for him at which point he shouted/very firm told us to go out so he can scan our tickets (made no sense why the tickets can only be scanned outside as he had a portable handheld device). In the queue to collect the skates the staff member shouted for us to take our shoes off; the floor was extremely dirty, wet and again no signage indicating this should be done or instructions provided with the ticket. The staff member was abrupt in conversation. We entered the ice rink at 03:08pm (8 minutes into the session due to the queue waiting to go in). The ice was watery and scratched which made it difficult to skate. The ice rink was extremely overcrowded, full of people that were unable to skate (Nothing wrong with this but I believe they should be provided with guidance/traffic management such as to stay on a side, get up quick if they fall and move on a side etc). I ended up falling whilst trying to avoid someone that had a fall and were not getting up (I have been skating for 20 years and never had a fall before). When the session was over the staff were abrupt (I understand they have a job to do however there are polite ways and a bit of sympathy goes a long way). I tried to get my mum (non English speaker and not confident in skating from the side of the rink and he was shouting at the whilst i was trying to say I am taking her; previously he was shouting at her to go back and she was holding onto the side). Over 300 people (as the staff member said) where made to crowd inside at which point I thought if a fire breaks/any incident (such as someone having a cardiac arrest) this will put everyone at risk. The staff member had no idea what to do (he said he is there only on the ice). When i queried how do they accommodate people with disabilities he said they have over 300 people not down to them to think of this (I personally i am not coping well with small crowded places). When returning the skates, again massive queues, not managed, not enough seats for people to change. the carpet was dirty, wet and had to be in my socks to collect my shoes. When i asked to speak to a manager, she wasn’t interested in feedback. The skates were not disinfected after each use (which can spread diseases). The skating direction was not enforced therefore people were skating in all directions at times which put everyone at risk; staff members were busy chatting to one another.

The staff were lovely, the skates seemed new and the rink was pretty. However, we booked for the 'quiet' session which is meant to have fewer people than a normal session. It was absolutely heaving. My children found it very difficult and upsetting to have people constantly cutting across them and bumping into them and they had no room to try and skate. It was only their second time skating and they just had no room. I have seen the reviews where you claim in response that you have met the space allocation guidelines however, I think you need to think about the enjoyment of the people paying a lot of money to skate Vs the guidelines. Also, the gazebo is not used very much, especially during sessions for children as they want to try and make the most of their 45 mins skating slot. I don't feel that the gazebo capacity should be taken into account with the numbers. It was seriously overcrowded and my daughter who needed a quieter session did not get it and found it quite scary at times. I don't normally write reviews and I cannot express how lovely the staff were but I am getting fed up with the greed and money making of businesses being placed above the enjoyment and value for money of hard working people.

We had an amazing time this year – the whole experience feels like it’s been taken up a notch compared to previous years. The ice was beautifully maintained, and the festive atmosphere was perfect with the palace as a backdrop. What really stood out was the food – absolutely fantastic! From warming drinks to delicious snacks, everything was top quality and added so much to the day. The staff were friendly and helpful, making the whole visit smooth and enjoyable. Honestly, it’s the best it’s ever been – we’ll definitely be back again!

By far the best ice rink I’ve been to in London. Honestly a great start to winter, the staff were super helpful, food was GREAT and the atmosphere was just stunning. Will be back!

Highly recommend the calm and quiet session at 10am. It was a lovely way to introduce my little one to the ice for the first time, and the staff were so kind & helpful. Particular shout out to Niamh!

Very interesting Palace, we decided a history lesson was part of the fun today. Instead I found it to be just another expensive tour of an old art gallery. The headphone tour was very helpful in briefly explaining the public story behind the setting being viewed. More fascinating to me was the gardens and maze. It is literally an all day affair, especially on a sunny day. It's a shame you can't get a golf cart to spin around the garden. Needless to say it was a good day out with fascinating old stuff to look at and ponder life in those days. Mine certainly wouldn't have been lived here. Ta Ra Foodguy-martin, CA

My wife and I stopped by here to experience the history of Hampton Court Palace. Pro Tip, Hampton Court Palace is on the London Pass so you can save yourself a few bones by purchasing that and traveling to see all the attractions listed on it. Overall, the staff was very knowledgeable and were open to answering all questions to the best of their abilities. The chapel was closed that day which bummed out my wife as she was very much looking forward to seeing it. We will be back to hopefully catch it when it's open.

If you love the Tudor family history then Hampton Court Palace is a definite must see. Such a cool tour. If you are intrigued by the Tudor dynasty history then you will love Hampton Court Palace. There's so much to see here. You can see how lavishly and flamboyantly the Tudor family lived. From the kitchen, to the apartments, the paintings and portraits and the stories behind the family are all interesting. Loved talking to the guides there as they gave you more information than the audio tour guide. It's hard to justify how Henry VIII lived: killed some of his wives or just divorced them to get a new wife, his overindulgence on food (5000 calories a day) his cockiness, some would say narcissistic but it depends how you interpret him, self-inflated ego, etc...but according to the guides he was a larger than life figure that everyone in the kingdom loved. He was so liked he didn't even need a cupbearer to taste test his food because he didn't fear poisoning. But the flip side of the coin of having power is the tragedy and heartache that comes with it. There's so much to this tour that I cannot put it all in a Yelp review. But if you want to learn more about Henry VIII, Ann Boleyn, Catherine Howard and his other wives definitely come to this palace.

Such a big beautiful place to explore with so much history. There are a few little places to eat and stores at different parts as you're walking through. I could be here all day. All the staff was amazing and answered questions if asked. The food we had was really good. So much to see and explore here. I took pictures with 2 different cameras and there were orbs in several photos. What a cool place to visit.

I'm still completely in awe of the awesomeness that is Hampton Court Palace. I fancy myself a bit of a Tudor buff and actually being in the grounds here was close to a religious experience! While it's a little bit of a hike outside of London, it is an amazing tourist experience which should not be missed. Our tour guide was fabulous and brought all of the stories to life. She was very thorough and held everyone's interest. The places you get to see on this tour still blow my mind. From the gardens, the kitchen, Henry VIIIs party rooms, the room where Jane Seymour gave birth, etc. It was all so incredible. Also incredible-the gift shop and cafe! Everything here is so cool and a must see if you're interested in this time period. I've never been so completely enraptured on any type of tour as I was with this one.

Nice place to take the kids to during the weekends. You can find deers, rabbits and squirrels everywhere.

To visit Hampton Court is to step back in time to the realm of royalty when it meant something to be a monarch. HC is full of adventure, architecture and the sense of the army of service workers it would take to maintain "life at the top" for the privileged few. Go early, go on a week day and go all with a lunch and snacks. You'll need the energy

As far as palaces go in London, all the tourists flock to Buckingham Palace. On this trip to London, we visited Hampton Court Palace instead. It was a bit of distance from the city, a long Uber ride, for sure. We had pre-purchased tickets, so it was easy to get in, with no waiting. The palace interior itself was amazing in the aspect that such an elaborate, sprawling palace and surrounding grounds existed for the pleasure of one family. My mind kept considering how many people labored to build it in the early 16th century. During the tour of the interior, I'd recommend the guided audio tour, which was helpful. However, the quality of the device, specifically the jack where the earphones plug in, was atrocious and kept crackling and cutting out. The dining area/cafe was "meh". Outside, the grounds are spacious and beautiful. We wanted to take a horse/buggy ride drawn by two handsome Clydesdale horses. It was about 1500 hrs. and the driver rudely told us no more rides, even though we'd just bought (expensive) tickets from another employee. They got into a bit of a nasty row before agreeing to give us a ride, which really didn't go too far into the grounds. Afterwards, the driver rudely told my daughters not to pet the horses as he left in a huff. We ended up admiring the beautiful gardens adjacent to the palace. As someone who gardens a lot at home, these were appreciated. So, as magnificent as HCP is, this visit gets barely 3 stars. Also, please note as we took an Uber to HCP....it was Impossible to hail one for the ride back to the city. It would probably be better to use the train, and also to get there early as there is much to see.

I loved every bit of this palace! Let's begin with getting there. I took the train out of Waterloo station. It was maybe 45 minutes away or so. The train stop is a short walk across a bridge from the palace. There are plenty of cafes and shops nearby. Once you cross the bridge, the palace is on the right-hand side. The photos speak for themselves. This is a massive building with expansive and gorgeous grounds. I spend a good hour wandering the gardens, and even got lost inside the hedge maze (tip: use the map). They had audio guides available so I was able to immerse myself in the history of King Henry VIII and the drama of the times. Yes, I chose to listen to the dramatized tour versus the scholarly one. I feel that if you have even the slightest appreciation of architecture, gardening, or history, you can spend the entire day at this palace just enjoying the surrounding area. If you are visiting London I would definitely recommend making a stop at this palace. It was less crowded by far compared to the others I visited, a hidden gem well worth the extra walking and travel time.

Easily the cutest palace in London. My favorite among all the places I have visited in London. If you love gardens and cute things, this place is delicious! Kids love the magical garden and the maze. They have a kitchen garden filled with fresh herbs and vegetables. And many beautiful floral gardens with water features. The palace is well-maintained with thoughtful quotes and lights throughout. There is a horse-carriage that I did not have time to try. I would definitely come to London again just for a visit to this beautiful palace.

This was Ab educational experience. Being from the United States a lot of history about the royal family in the 1500's

My most favourite Palace of all the royal palaces. To visit any time of the year, although the gardens are spectacular in the summer! A carpet of daffodils in the Spring are sensational! The Palace feels like walking back in time, the tudor kitchens with their large fireplaces, usually cooking a piece of meat in the winter. Lots for children to engage in too, including the famous Hampton Court maze.

Lovely to walk around the area in the summer time and think how things back in times gone by. Looking forward to my next visit in the summer

amykonx I'm so cold It is fun Search for the old history Search on the council queens I'm kinks and Queen as his of the police I want to call palace

We love it here. We turned our day tickets into passes. Food in the cafe wasn't great, kids macaroni cheese was mediocre at best.

Must visit for all visitor to U.K. We went there on a bank holiday. Garden fill with tents selling food and snacks. Social distancing indoor between exhibits.

Absolutely loved our visit to Hampton Court Palace! We have family in the area and they drove us to this beautiful historical site. We spent the afternoon there but you could honestly spend an entire day there given ALL the information available via the audio guide and onsite guides. They also have plays going on inside the castle which is very fun to watch! We had a long chat with a man name Steve who has worked at the castle for over 21 years! He gave us a lot of history that wasn't in the audio guides, including some of the recent movies and TV shows that have been filmed at the castle. I'd recommend talking to the historians and guides stationed around the castle - they have a wealth of knowledge to offer! If you have limited time, I definitely recommend visiting Henry the eighth's apartments and the kitchen area. They have individuals on site who are food historians and test all the dishes that existed in historical eras. Talk about an awesome job! They also have beautiful gardens and a maze so make sure you budget time for that! Cafes and snack areas are available on site as well.

On a gorgeous, sunny day, I struck out towards Hampton Court Palace to walk in the footsteps of history. Just a short train ride away from my home, it was a journey I've been meaning to take for two years. It's a gorgeous, vast and sprawling palace, with thick outer walls, functional paths and passages between outer and inner walls, large inner courtyards, and absolutely vast gardens, this palace is absolutely stunning.  A former home for Henry VIII and several of his wives, Hampton Court Palace has fascinated me for a while. They offer a free audio guide that has several tour options on it, including three tours regarding Henry VIII; the apartments tour, the kitchens, and young Henry's story are all very interesting, though the first two were definitely more interesting for me, as they contained a lot of information and stories about the palace, how it was built and decorated, and how life in such a large palace worked, whereas the third contained mostly information about Henry himself, which I already knew. But if you're at all interested in Henry's life or just old court life in general, this place and its audio tours will be a treat, no matter your level of knowledge. The sheer opulence and lavishness of this historical gem is astounding, with so many architectural marvels built and remodeled over centuries. There are also two gorgeous art galleries, a short chocolate kitchens route, an exhibition and guided tour of the Georgian story, and a short route through William III's apartments. And of course the astounding and vast pleasure gardens, which are absolutely stunning! I especially love that many parts of the palace have been preserved and decorated how they would have been back in the day, so you can absolutely feel like you're time travelling and wandering the paths of royalty long gone. We spent most of Sunday at the palace and gardens, arriving shortly after opening and leaving just before the gates closed, so there is definitely a LOT to see and do if you enjoy audio guide tours and wandering around. We were also lucky enough to have the perfect weather, very sunny and clear but not too swelteringly hot yet, so we could enjoy the well kept gardens very much. There are lots of events running throughout the year, so check their event listings before you decide when to go.  I really enjoyed the outing, but the audio guides were those annoying phone ones you actually have to hold up to you ear to use, I really prefer the ones with headphones so you don't get locked elbows and achy arms after using it for a few hours. Cafés and gift shops are horribly overpriced as usual, but staff was at least very friendly and helpful.

Awesome history comes to life at Hampton Court. I actually got to see King Henry VIII walking down the hallway! (It was an actor, but it was still awesome!) So other than that, Hampton Court Palace is really amazing. I heard a couple of people that had some hiccups with their audio tour, but mine had no issue. It's called "following directions" and it's a hard time for some. I chose the Henry VIII's apartments because it looked like the least busy. The guide was narrated by a page showing you around the buildings and pointing out the significance of each room and the artifacts surrounding it. When you take a moment to consider that these are the real places and the actual court of King Henry, it's really quite amazing! Mind-blowing, even. There are a few other guided tours and since the audio guide is included in the price of your ticket, well worth exploring. Mary II's apartments, William III's apartments, the young King Henry VIII's apartments and kitchens. So much to explore and I was really quite pleased. If you buy the full program ticket, it includes access to the Maze. It's silly, but it's fun and well worth spending ten minutes getting lost and then finding the center. It's the highlight "tourist" shot in front of the sign that makes it fun! £13.95 for the ticket online (it's £15 at the door), plus £7 or so for the transportation here from Waterloo (there's an Oyster reader for you - Hampton Court Rail station is in Zone 6), it's well worth it for a good day's entertainment. Note: There is a lot of walking. Most of it is on even ground and almost everything is indoors. Other than the short walk (1/4 mile) from the rail station, this is ideal for poor weather!

I agree wholeheartedly with Saskia P. Hampton Court Palace is a must see! I remember being dragged around here when I was sixteen, complaining all the while. I guess it took me some twenty years to fully appreciate this place. My sister and I were here for six hours!! We literally went through every inch of the place using the map provided. My battery died after all the pictures I took. We loved this place! The boat ride back to Kingston was leisurely and provided us some down time for our walk back to the flat. Everything about this place is so well maintained. You'll learn everything there is to know about Henry VIII, and no, he did not look like Eric Bana from The Other Boleyn Girl.

One of the best museums I enjoyed in London - but super crowded. Many schools in London go through the summer, so you may encounter loads of schoolchildren on educational visits in addition to heaps of tourists (I went in July). Going at opening time doesn't help -- there was a very long queue to enter the museum and it was practically a stampede up the stairs when they opened the doors. I recommend visiting London museums outside tourist season -- it's got to be better! Then you can enjoy the art without constant chatter and crowds.

This is a great day out. You can bring a picnic lunch and eat it there. Be sure to check out the house too and take some good quality photos of it. Make the most of it and bring either a ball or a frisbee. To end your visit go for a walk and sit in the cafe eating ice cream. Find out more about events hosted at the palace.

The king would like you to come to court. This 16th century palace was originally the home of Cardinal Wolsey. It was lavishly decorated during his rise to power. You can see how the tide turned on the poor cardinal as he has his own little door leading to his hole. The monarch Henry VIII took over the palace and added his own embellishments to it. There is an astronomical clock over the Anne Boleyn gate. You'll see all the beds, dressing rooms, drawing rooms and chapels. Interactive audio guides highlight anything you'd like to learn about the palace or King Henry. It was interesting to learn more about his younger years and there are even some actors dressed the part about the grounds. The palace was all about living the good life of the king. The kitchen and gardens give you an idea of just what that was like. The kitchen is basically a collection of several rooms where they fired an prepared meals for potentially hundreds of people in the royal court. It was quite the operation. The had huge spits of hunks of meat that they just rotated around the fire. Mmm bbq. The gardens feature a collection of fountains, statues and beautiful landscaping. Bring some good shoes because the grounds are huge. During the summer they have different parts open for an additional fee. You could spend a lot of time here taking in all there is to see. Why not live like a king for a day and stroll the grounds?

I remember coming here as a child but obviously not that well as everything I experienced seemed new to me. It's so vast and there is so much to see that you can easily fill a whole day. Your ticket for the house includes other things like the maze and magical garden. We went straight for the main house and I would highly recommend an audio guide. Although I enjoy just looking at the architecture and taking the building in, the guide will lead you through the house and it's various parts explaining the stories and how it came to be how it is. Fascinating. After the house we decided to stroll through the gardens which are beautiful. It definitely helps the relaxation levels. A quick ice cream and a walk through the maze and we were done. Quality day out.

I am a history buff and my favorite time in all of history is the Tudor and Elizabethan era. It also helps that there is a possibility that my family is descended from the Tudors. Hampton Court Palace is a landmark for many reasons, but especially for Tudor and Henry VIII buffs. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to explore the palace via interior tours, and to keep an eye out for the medieval re-enactors. The gardens are not to be missed. They are easily one of the most peaceful places that I have ever been. The meticulous upkeep should be noted. The gardeners and caretakers do a phenomenal job. One thing that I still would like to do is to head back there with a book and a picnic lunch to find a nice corner to observe the flora and read. The Palace is within a five minute walk from the Hampton Court train station. Lots of little shops and places to eat if you want to grab a bite to eat.

Plan ahead! In this historic royal palace you have so many things to do and see that even spending a whole day here is not enough. Take the train from Vauxhall station, get down to Hampton station and in 3 min walk you are there. First stop; Grab your free audio guide and put on your velvet robe to get you into the period's style :) Through 4 different routes you will discover the Edwards VIII scandalous life, the Williams III apartments, see the royal kitchens and chocolaterie, sit in the Great Hall, pray (?!?) in the amazing Crown Chapel - soon you will find yourself lost in that kings & queens english period. But the most amazing is just outside the palace buildings; Palace royal gardens. I haven't seen such well organized & well preserved gardens all over UK. You can easily spend a whole day just being in the gardens and of course in the fabulous maze (it might sound childish to be inside a maze, but it wasn't that easy to get out of it, believe me!). The ticket price, that includes all the above, worth every penny of it. Don't get bored to leave for a while central London & get down to Hampton - you won't regret it.

We loved Hampton Court Palace!! The palace is operated by the Historic Royal Palaces and it is enormous. Go early in the day to allow yourself enough time to see everything. There are gift shops and restaurants in the palace. Actors play out to create a fun and interesting recreations of the history of the castle. Discounted tickets are offered to seniors. www.hrp.org.uk

Beautiful castle, lots of history, lots to do. The palace creaks with stories, actors dressed as the queen - and even the king himself - create an atmosphere of nostalgia. Grand doors and halls intersect beautifully and unexpectedly. This unexpectedness creates a beauty and realism, yet can be hard to follow. The architecture could shock any history nerd, and after learning and studying the grounds previous to this trip, seeing it all in person is still a treat. Children can learn and see many interactive rooms and seem pleased with the experience, if well behaved. There are lots of stairs which are unavoidable to an extent, but I believe there are some disability options. The palace seems to go on forever, and every window presents a new view. The corridors become similar to an extent, but their beauty rectifies it. I'd give the palace 4.5 stars overall, but i'll go for 5 because I think everyone should experience it.

This is a splendid palace once owned and used by King Henry VIII about 19 miles from the city centre of London. The most convenient way to get there is to take the train from Waterloo Station to Hampton Court, which takes about 40 minutes. From Hampton Court Station it is just a 5-7 minute walk to the palace gate. The small village is right ahead from the station and has some nice pubs and restaurants where you chill after a visit to the palace. I visited Hampton Court Palace twice, in 2013 and 2015. My latest visit was a miscalculation, since I did not expect the tourist horde to be quite so big. Not trying (but succeeding) to sound condescending, it was not a pleasure to walk through the corridors with, literally, thousands of people. It made it very hard to take decent photos, too - unless you want to end up with photos of dozens of people you don't know standing in front of the paintings or furniture you are trying to capture. Which is my way of saying: Photography is allowed throughout the palace, with the exception of the painting collection. My first visit took place off-season, and was much more pleasurable. Now, am I an arrogant prick or what!? Anyway, there is a lot of stunning architecture (seemingly endless corridors, courtyards, gardens), which of course make it an attractive palace to visit on the weekend. Expect to spend at least 3-3.5 hours here. You can book tickets for the palace and gardens/maze, or just for the palace. I booked the whole enchilada, but ended up skipping the maze. Because, mazes are stupid. And of course overrun with noisy children. And I'd already fulfilled my quota of killing noisy kids for that month. Do not expect the same kind of lavish interiors that you will see at Windsor Palace. Hampton Court has very little of the original furniture left. It's mostly the rooms themselves, some paintings, and all those courtyards. But what you WILL get is a nice impression of how the court at that time was being run: kitchen, wine cellar and all. The garden is huge and will be of particular interest to families with children . There's a horse-driven carriage that you can use free of charge that will drag you around the gardens. Sunbeds are scattered around the gardens, too. Audio guides are available, and in fact essential, as there is not always sufficient written information in the rooms (there are volunteers around though). Plus, they can come in handy if you want to bash somebody's head in after he or she's ruined your photo of the room for the third time. All in all a splendid attraction, and not just for those who have exhausted the "standard" London sights or just want to get away from the perpetual city rush. Just follow my advice: If you want to visit, do it OFF-SEASON!

This was easy to visit by taking the train. Entrance was included in our London Pass. This held some special meaning for us as some of my wife's ancestors once occupied this palace. It was interesting too that a movie production crew was working on a new film as we were visiting. Unrelated to that production, one of the items on offer is an interesting tour with actor's playing the role of Henry VIII and his court taking you from room to room and acting out scenes. Very dramatic. We bailed out about half-way through as it was getting a bit much. Scenes just seemed to be getting longer as we progressed. While the palace is well worth spending time, my favorite part is the extensive gardens on the estate. Beautifully kept.

My family and I were in London for the first type in March. This is a lesser tourist attraction but quite interesting. The history of many royals resides here. A few of the rooms need to be refreshed for current crowds. The gardens were beautiful. Fun afternoon outing on the outskirts of London.

I was at Hampton Court Palace today for the Official Hampton Court Palace Half Marathon. Much of the route was inside the grounds and I have to say it was beautiful. I felt really privileged to be running round it. The grounds are really well kept and the palace buildings are stunning. The entrance is a 5 minute walk from Hampton Court railway station and there's a train from Waterloo which takes just over half an hour. The grounds are huge so wear comfy shoes to name the most of it and there are also lots of walks along the Thames just outside. I'll definitely be returning to visit the palace and gardens properly soon. I'd also recommend the half marathon (the Palace one not the Original Hampton Court Half, which isn't in the grounds at all).

This is"The" Tudor palace to see. I highly recommend Siobhan Clarke as a personal tour guide. She was able to enrich the experience immensely. Henry VIII is a fascinating historical figure of great importance and this was his treasured home.

Great for everyone to explore. Lots of events held throughout the year from food markets to Christmas markets. Great art gallery and the audio tours are informative and easy to follow.

GARDENS: I love a manicured garden, and I visit this place 1 or 2 times a year. mainly because this garden is like alice in wonderland, its just pure unrelenting joy. The garden ticket is under £5, and I"m always surpassed that the maze is the same cost - (not worth it, I've done it before, I mean I would do it the once, but its kinda rude to have a gardens and maze ticket separate) It is literally my favourite place! take a picnic, sit in the deck chairs (special for 500 years anniversary)

We took our two tween age children to Hampton Court Palace this summer. It was unseasonably hot that day but our tour guide Sophie made that the farthest thing from our mind. My kids were captivated by her tales of happenings in the palace. The impact that the tour had on my children didn't sink in until we returned and when all of our friends and family asked what was the favorite part of their trip they both said Hampton Court Palace. Sophie, you made that happen for us! The VIP Black Taxi tour was a wonderful experience and would highly recommend this for any Henry VIII fans or if you watched The Tudors. History isn't always an easy sell with kids on vacation but this was the highlight.

Suggested by local friends and what a great idea it was. To be fair, I am a big fan of ANYTHING Tudor so this place hit the spot. I would stay overnight if they would let me. The artwork, the rooms, the history, begin able to sit down and try the table games, the gardens and fountains. And the magical feeling you get walking through the cobblestone courtyards knowing kings and queens and people like Cromwell and Cardinal Woolsey walked the same steps. It was priced right and the gift ship was really nice!

What a huge, amazing palace. I came here for the first time back in January out of sheer determination to see it one day, but the weather was cold, rainy, windy, and miserable. (Once I set my mind to something, I generally do it, even if it doesn't make sense.) This weekend's visit was much better, on a warm, sunny spring Sunday. The many gardens were in colorful bloom. Make sure to get the free audio guide - I didn't notice it the first time I was there, but it is a very good guide, for most areas of the palace - my favorite was probably the kitchens. Lots of intriguing history to explore, and I also encountered costumed actors putting on shows in Base Court and throughout Henry VIII's state apartments - they get you involved in the little scenes, which is fun. My first visit, I attended an evensong service in the beautiful Chapel Royal, which was interesting, as I'd never been to an Anglican service before. So you can enjoy the inside parts in inclement weather if needed, but I recommend going on a pleasant spring or summer day when you can happily explore the many gardens. I spent the entire day wandering around the place! The maze would probably be fun if you have kids, but it's not very big or challenging so I wasn't very excited about it. The cafe food is not super tasty, but I also got ice cream (the redcurrant was delicious, chocolate not so much). But you don't go to Hampton Court Palace for the food, do you? You go for the history and splendor of it all.

We had a wonderful experience at Hampton Court. The admission fee is included with the London Pass, but transportation is not. We paid an extra £14 per person for the train to Hampton Court. If there is any negative, it is the extra transportation out there. Hampton Court is large enough that the crowds are spread out, and makes for a better experience. You can just image Henry VIII living on the grounds. Loved the Henry's kitchen where there was a fire burning in the huge hearth on the day of our visit. The staff are so helpful and easily available to answer questions. Definitely plan for an entire day for the trip and visit.

There are three tickets to consider buying when you visit Hampton Court Palace: a ticket for the main house, a ticket for the gardens and a ticket for the maze. So far, we've done two of these and will hit the maze another time. Last weekend, we visited the gardens on a hot day, and, like the roses, we wilted through most of it, desperate for shade! Aside from the lack of sun shelter, these are wonderful gardens, full of all sorts of colourful flowers, herbs, wild plants and gorgeous trees. You can take a slow ride on the shire horse carriage if you don't fancy walking, but then you'd miss some of the smaller gardens and the hidden places, where you can switch off and listen to the birds singing. I was particularly impressed with The Great Vine, which is supposed to be the Guinness record holder for being the largest grapevine in the world. The fountain is great if the breeze picks up and sprays you with a welcome, cooling mist, but we were unable to fully explore all areas at the weekend because preparations are being made for the annual flower show. The house itself is good for historians like my partner, but as much as I like history, I found it less interesting than other places I've visited. I guess I just wasn't in the mood for dusty four-poster beds at the time!

Visited April 2015: "Glorious Gardens, and an enriched history for a mismatched castle. (apart of the London Pass)" We went to Hampton Court Palace were King Henry VIII spent a great deal of his time during his reign. We got to see the kitchens, his earlier years, brief history of his reign and coming to power, and we walked to extensive grounds. The fountain in the middle of the gardens by the east gate, was huge until I observed the colossal pond behind it. There were some wooded areas, that were also fenced off, that were a part of the property. This estate also had the great grapevine, walled gardens - which it was one of the largest personal parks I have seen to date. I wonder if the acreage of this place is just as large as Central Park. You are provided with an free audio guide, there are people onsite to assist you as needed, carriage rides in the garden, and so much more to see then capable in an hour. We spent roughly 3 hours there. I am glad that I watched the Netflix documentary on this location before going. You are also provided with 3 fold out maps: The Palace Map, Garden Map, and planning your day. I highly recommend that you look over those maps so you are not criss-cross through the palace taking up your precious time, and not being able to fully enjoy the castle.

This place was highly recommended by my local friends and I enjoyed my visit. Since it's not located in the central London, it's not as busy as some other tourist spots (well, at least when I was there). I felt solid history and the building and grounds are just perfect match to the surroundings. I enjoyed seeing all the rooms/buildings, but my favorite was the garden - enjoyed the view from some of the rooms. It is a nice excursion from London and highly recommended.

The most beautiful palace I've ever been to. I went there in 2017 and loved the experience. If you are at London, I'd recommend getting the train at Waterloo Station, which has the last stop at the palace. The ride is very pleasant and with a very pretty view of the countryside. I would recommend doing the Tudor Palace first, then doing the Stuart Palace and then going to the gardens, just to have a sense of historical chronology. The food inside the cafeterias are very good, I ate at the one inside the Elizabethan kitchen. Tip: Don't miss the replica of Henry VIII's crown at the Royal Chapel.

I've been coming to Hampton Court palace over the years, and each time I really enjoy my time there. The palace grounds both inside and out are beautiful and the staff are always very knowledgeable and happy to answer any questions.

Spent the day at Hampton Court...wow! An amazing place full of history, art, and a glimpse into the royal past. Enjoyed the maze, gardens are A-mazing, the kitchens, and art, and displays. A must stop for anyone visiting London. Enjoyed the tune and train ride as well!

Loved that there was a more interactive experience during the tour of this beautiful castle. Instead of just moving from room to room. There was videos and recordings in some areas. And in the kitchens there were staff dressed in the costume as well as prepping food.

Spent a lovely afternoon here and would highly recommend for anyone looking to avoid the crowds at Windsor but still see some incredible beauty steeped with fascinating history. The whole complex is beautifully preserved and the guided tour very informative. I don't know if this is a regular occurrence but I stumbled across a comedic historical re-enactment inside the palace that was just incredible and lasted a solid half hour, engaging visitors as it went along through the various rooms of the palace. Having very sparse crowds made for a perfect day overall!

If you're a Tudor/Henry VIII fanatic like I am, you'll thoroughly enjoy a visit to his favorite palace at Hampton Court. Even though it's nothing compared to France's Versailles Palace, it offers a cozy elegance to visitors. Also, it doesn't get nearly as crowded. The most spectacular chamber is the dining hall, where you can actually sit where the King himself sat on numerous occasions. The palace was partially demolished/remodeled on one opposite side by King William III to become more baroque in style. Alas, the project was abandoned before completion, which fortunately saved at least a part of the history that includes King Henry VIII. Aside from the palace, there are several cool points of interest like the maze (which you have to pay to get into), the gardens (very well manicured!), real tennis courts (yes, it's called "real tennis"--seems like only residents get to play though), and the world's largest grape vine! They often have events and concerts held here too.

I came to Hampton Court when I was young and only recently revisited when a friend was stating with us. It is located in Zone 6 with a direct train from Waterloo, but the day we visited, engineering work meant that we got the bus from Kingston. The tickets were pricey, at around £20 per adult but given that you can easily spend the whole day there, it isn't so bad. The ticket will give you access to the palace, the gardens and the maze. The gardens are spectacular and it was interesting to see how the various royals had put their own stamp on things. In the palace itself, it is worth getting the audio guide to get the in depth view of the place. I toured the kitchens, the Tudor diet of meat and bread is fairly appealing. The interesting bit was that a pie was treated as a cooking pot with the pastry thrown away and not eaten. I also toured the state rooms, where Henry VIII and his mates hung out. I would recommend Hampton Court to any visitor to London, or any local with some free time.