Last Updated on July 25, 2026 by Daniel Globe
Hampton Court Palace tickets are best booked through the official Historic Royal Palaces website, especially if you have a specific date in mind. In 2026, standard admission uses peak and off-peak pricing rather than a simple advance-booking discount. Your ticket covers the open palace rooms, gardens, courtyards, Maze and Magic Garden, although temporary closures can affect what is available on the day.
Quick Answer
Buy Hampton Court Palace tickets through the official Historic Royal Palaces website. Through 27 November 2026, adult admission is £29 off-peak or £32 peak. Pre-booking is recommended because popular dates can sell out, but choosing an off-peak weekday is what gives you the lower standard price.
Key Takeaways
- Through 27 November 2026, adult tickets cost £29 off-peak or £32 peak; children aged 5–15 cost £14.50 or £16.
- Peak pricing normally applies on weekends and bank holidays, while off-peak pricing applies on weekdays excluding bank holidays.
- Standard admission includes all open public palace areas, gardens, courtyards, the Maze and the Magic Garden.
- Children aged 0–4 enter free, and discounted categories include young people, seniors, eligible students and disabled visitors.
- Groups of 15 or more can qualify for group rates. The current official 2026 price schedule does not list the old £68 family bundle.
- Free audio guides are included with admission, while private guided tours cost extra and require advance arrangements.
Where to Buy Hampton Court Palace Tickets
The safest place to buy Hampton Court Palace tickets is the official Historic Royal Palaces ticket page. You can see the current price for your date, choose a timeslot and receive your ticket electronically.
Tickets can also be purchased at the palace ticket office on the day, but admission is subject to availability. Popular dates and timeslots can sell out, so pre-booking is a better choice when your travel date is fixed.
Third-party ticket providers may sell valid admission or voucher products, but their booking, cancellation and amendment rules are controlled by that provider. Historic Royal Palaces states that third-party vouchers cannot normally be redeemed directly through its own website.
Warning: Do not assume a third-party ticket follows Historic Royal Palaces’ refund or amendment rules. Check the seller’s terms before paying.
Types of Hampton Court Palace Tickets
Hampton Court Palace has several admission categories rather than one flat ticket price. The current official schedule includes adult, child, young-person, senior, student, disabled-concession, companion, group and eligible £1 tickets.
Standard Admission
A standard ticket includes entry to all open public areas of the palace, plus the gardens, courtyards, Maze and Magic Garden. Availability can change because of conservation work, seasonal events and temporary route closures.
Note: Historic Royal Palaces advises visitors to check current opening times and route closures before booking. Some Hampton Court rooms and routes have reduced access during 2026 conservation work.
Children and Young People
Children aged 0–4 enter free. Children aged 5–15 and young people aged 16–17 have their own reduced prices.
Senior, Student and Disabled Concessions
Visitors aged 65 or over qualify for the senior concession. Full-time students can also qualify for reduced admission and may need to show valid student identification. Disabled visitors have a concession rate, and each disabled visitor can bring one adult carer or companion free of charge under the official companion-ticket policy.
£1 Tickets
Historic Royal Palaces offers discounted tickets to visitors receiving specified UK-issued means-tested benefits, including Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support and several other qualifying benefits. Eligible households can book up to four tickets under the £1 ticket scheme.
These tickets have limited availability, must be booked online in advance and require proof of eligibility and identification when collected.
Hampton Court Palace Ticket Prices for 2026
For visits through 27 November 2026, peak prices normally apply on weekends and bank holidays. Off-peak prices apply on weekdays other than bank holidays.
For visits through 27 November 2026, standard adult admission is £29 off-peak or £32 peak, while a child aged 5–15 is £14.50 off-peak or £16 peak.
| Ticket Type | Off-Peak | Peak |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | £29.00 | £32.00 |
| Child age 5–15 | £14.50 | £16.00 |
| Child age 0–4 | Free | Free |
| Young person age 16–17 | £14.50 | £16.00 |
| Senior | £23.50 | £25.50 |
| Full-time student 18+ | £23.50 | £25.50 |
| Disabled concession | £23.50 | £25.50 |
| Adult carer/companion | Free | Free |
| Group | £26.70 | £29.40 |
| Eligible £1 ticket | £1.00 | £1.10 |
Historic Royal Palaces also offers membership from £65 per year, which includes unlimited palace entry while the membership is valid, along with other member benefits.
Prices From 28 November 2026
From 28 November 2026 through the Winter Palace period, prices increase. Adult tickets are £32 off-peak or £35 peak, while tickets for children aged 5–15 and young people aged 16–17 are £16 off-peak or £17.50 peak. Senior, full-time student and disabled-concession tickets are £25.50 off-peak or £28 peak.
During this period, off-peak pricing applies only on selected term-time weekdays listed by Historic Royal Palaces, so check your exact date on the official ticket page before paying.
How to Book Guided Tours
Hampton Court Palace offers both free self-guided audio tours and separately priced private guided tours, so it is important not to confuse the two.
Free Audio Guide
The official Hampton Court audio guide is included with palace admission. You can use the digital visitor guide on your own device or borrow a handset free of charge from the Undercroft shop, subject to availability.
The audio tours cover areas such as Henry VIII’s Kitchens, the State Apartments and the Georgian history of the palace. Bringing wired headphones and a portable charger can make the self-guided option easier to use.
Private Guided Tours
Private tours led by Historic Royal Palaces guides are a separate paid experience. According to the official guided-tour information, tours start from £147 and require palace admission in addition to the tour booking.
Historic Royal Palaces normally requires at least three weeks’ notice because guides are not on site every day. Tours can be tailored around Tudor history, the Baroque palace, family interests, ghost stories and other themes.
Pro Tip: For most first-time visitors, start with the free audio guide. Book a private guided tour when you want a deeper themed experience or are visiting for a special occasion.
Special Event Ticket Options
Hampton Court Palace runs seasonal festivals, family activities, after-hours experiences and member events throughout the year. Ticket rules vary: some events are included in normal palace admission, while others require a separate ticket or advance reservation.
Exclusive Evening Tours
There is not one permanent “evening tour” ticket that applies throughout the year. Instead, Hampton Court schedules individual after-hours experiences and member events on selected dates.
Always read the specific event page before booking. An evening event may require a separate ticket even if you already hold palace admission or Historic Royal Palaces membership.
Seasonal Festival Access
Seasonal programming changes throughout the year. For example, the 2026 Hampton Court Palace Food Festival is scheduled for 29–31 August and is included in palace admission, while the Festive Fayre runs on selected dates in December.
The safest approach is to check the official Hampton Court Palace “What’s On” calendar for your date rather than assuming a festival, performance or evening experience is included with every ticket.
What Is Included With a Hampton Court Palace Ticket?
Standard admission currently includes:
- All public palace rooms that are open on your visit date
- Hampton Court Palace gardens
- Palace courtyards
- The Maze
- The Magic Garden when open
- Free self-guided audio tours
Temporary conservation work, private events, weather and seasonal schedules can affect individual areas. Special separately ticketed experiences are not automatically included.
Best Time to Visit Hampton Court Palace
If your priority is lower admission cost, a weekday outside a bank holiday is generally best because it normally qualifies for the off-peak ticket rate.
If your priority is avoiding crowds, Historic Royal Palaces says the quietest time is generally before 11:00. Arriving near opening time also gives you more time to explore the palace and gardens.
A visit can easily take around two to three hours, and visitors who want to explore the gardens, Maze and several palace routes may want longer.
- Choose an off-peak weekday for the lower published standard rate.
- Arrive before 11:00 for a quieter start.
- Check opening times because schedules change by season.
- Check the events calendar because festivals and special events can increase visitor numbers.
- Review route closures before travelling, especially during conservation work.
Ticket Collection and Entry Process
Online tickets are straightforward to use. Historic Royal Palaces lets you download your PDF ticket to a mobile device or print it at home.
| Step | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Ticket Purchase | Book online or buy at the ticket office subject to availability. |
| Ticket Delivery | Save the PDF ticket to your phone or print it. |
| Ticket Validation | Present the ticket for scanning at entry. |
| ID or Eligibility Check | Bring supporting ID or documents when required for a concession, membership or special offer. |
| Security | Visitors may be searched and bags may be checked before entry. |
If you cannot download your electronic ticket, take your booking reference to the ticket desk and staff can assist with printing it.
Ticket Changes, Cancellations and Refunds
Historic Royal Palaces operates a generally strict no-refunds policy for standard admission. However, unused admission tickets bought directly from the official website may be amended for a fee, subject to availability and the current terms.
Event tickets, special-offer tickets and £1 tickets can have different restrictions. £1 tickets, for example, are non-refundable and cannot be changed.
Tickets bought from a third-party company are governed by that company’s own cancellation and amendment policies.
Group and Family Ticket Deals
The current 2026 official ticket schedule does not list the old £68 family ticket for two adults and three children. Families should therefore price their visit using the current adult, child and young-person categories shown for their chosen date.
There are still several useful options for larger or eligible parties:
- Groups of 15 or more: discounted group admission is available through the official group-visits service.
- Children aged 0–4: free standard admission.
- Eligible low-income households: up to four qualifying tickets can be booked through the £1 ticket scheme.
- Disabled visitors: one adult carer or companion can accompany each disabled visitor free under the official policy.
Tips for Saving Money on Tickets
You do not need to rely on unverified coupon codes to reduce the cost of Hampton Court Palace tickets. The official pricing structure provides several legitimate ways to spend less.
Choose an Off-Peak Date
Through 27 November 2026, weekdays excluding bank holidays use the lower off-peak rate. An adult saves £3 compared with the standard peak rate, while a child aged 5–15 saves £1.50.
Check the £1 Ticket Scheme
If someone in your household receives one of the qualifying UK-issued benefits, check eligibility for the official £1 ticket offer before buying standard admission.
Use Group Pricing for 15 or More Visitors
Large parties can access dedicated group rates. Through 27 November 2026, the adult group price is £26.70 off-peak or £29.40 peak.
Compare Membership for Repeat Visits
Historic Royal Palaces membership starts from £65 per year. It can offer better value for visitors who expect to return or visit several Historic Royal Palaces sites during the membership period.
Look for Garden Open Days
Hampton Court Palace schedules selected free Garden Open Days. On these dates, the gardens can be entered without a ticket or pre-booking, although palace admission, the Maze and the Magic Garden still require tickets.
Pro Tip: For a standard visit, compare an off-peak weekday first. It gives you the documented lower admission rate and is also more likely to provide a quieter experience than a busy weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are photography and video recording allowed inside Hampton Court Palace?
Non-commercial photography without flash is allowed in most of Hampton Court Palace. Photography is not permitted in areas including the Chapel Royal, Cumberland Art Gallery and temporary exhibitions. Tripods and selfie sticks are restricted inside, and commercial photography or filming requires advance permission.
Is Hampton Court Palace accessible for visitors with disabilities?
Much of Hampton Court Palace can be visited using step-free routes or staff-operated lifts, including Henry VIII’s Apartments, William III’s Apartments and the Georgian Story. However, the historic building has uneven surfaces, stairs and some areas with restricted wheelchair access. Check the official accessibility guide before travelling if step-free access is important to your visit.
Can I bring food and drinks into Hampton Court Palace?
Yes. Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic and eat it in the gardens. Eating and drinking are restricted inside the historic palace buildings except in designated refreshment, café or approved lunch areas.
Are there dining options inside Hampton Court Palace?
Yes. Hampton Court Palace has cafés and seasonal refreshment outlets offering drinks, sandwiches, cakes, hot food and other options. Opening locations and hours can change with the season, so check the official eating page for your visit date.
Is there parking available for visitors at Hampton Court Palace?
Yes. Hampton Court Palace has limited on-site parking on a first-come, first-served basis. The published rate is £1.80 per hour at the time of this 2026 update. Hampton Court Green also provides nearby parking. Because spaces can fill during busy periods, public transport can be easier.
Do I need to book Hampton Court Palace tickets in advance?
Advance booking is recommended but standard tickets can also be purchased at the ticket office subject to availability. Booking ahead is especially useful on weekends, bank holidays and event days because popular timeslots can sell out.
Are Hampton Court Palace tickets refundable?
Standard admission is generally subject to a no-refunds policy. Unused admission tickets bought directly through Historic Royal Palaces may be changed for an amendment fee and subject to availability, but event tickets and special offers can have stricter conditions.
Conclusion
Buying Hampton Court Palace tickets is straightforward once you know which price category applies. For visits through 27 November 2026, adults pay £29 off-peak or £32 peak, with lower rates for children and eligible concessions. Book through Historic Royal Palaces, choose an off-peak weekday when practical, and check route closures and event details before travelling. Free audio guides, £1 tickets for eligible households, group rates and selected Garden Open Days can also make your visit better value.
Sources
- Historic Royal Palaces — Hampton Court Palace Tickets and Prices — current admission prices, inclusions, £1 tickets and companion tickets.
- Historic Royal Palaces — Group Visits — group eligibility and 2026 group rates.
- Historic Royal Palaces — Guided Tours — private-tour pricing, booking requirements and admission conditions.
- Historic Royal Palaces — Accessibility — step-free routes, mobility facilities and companion information.
- Historic Royal Palaces — Palace Facilities — photography, security, prohibited items and visitor facilities.
- Historic Royal Palaces — Getting Here — parking and transport information.