Hampton Court Palace: Henry VIII's Palace, and Why It's Worth the Trip
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Spectacularly undervisited relative to how good it is — most first-time visitors never make it out here, which means smaller crowds than anywhere comparable in central London. Henry VIII's state apartments, the Tudor kitchens, and the world's oldest surviving hedge maze are all genuinely worth the 35-minute train ride.
Highlights
- Walk in the footsteps of Henry VIII through the state apartments
- Get lost in the world's oldest surviving hedge maze, planted around 1700
- Explore the vast Tudor kitchens that once fed a royal court of 600
- Wander the Baroque gardens on the banks of the Thames
The state apartments
Hampton Court's Tudor state apartments are where Henry VIII actually lived and ruled — the Great Hall, with its extraordinary hammer-beam roof, was the heart of court life. Later Baroque apartments, added under William III and Mary II, sit alongside the Tudor rooms, giving the palace an unusual split personality: two centuries of royal taste under one roof.
The Tudor kitchens
Vast, atmospheric, and genuinely evocative of what it took to feed a Tudor royal court — around 600 people daily. The kitchens are recreated with the scale and detail intact: fireplaces large enough to roast whole oxen, and food displays that give a real sense of the logistics behind Tudor court life.
The maze
Planted around 1700, this is the oldest surviving hedge maze in the world and still a proper challenge — people do get genuinely lost. Included in general admission; budget at least 15–30 minutes.
Getting there
Direct trains run from London Waterloo to Hampton Court station in about 35 minutes, with the palace a short walk from the platform across Hampton Court Bridge. A half-day coach trip with entry tickets included removes the need to plan the rail journey and includes return transport from central London.
Hampton Court Palace: Frequently Asked Questions
Direct trains run from London Waterloo to Hampton Court station, taking around 35 minutes, with the palace a short walk from the platform. A half-day coach trip with entry tickets included is also available and removes the need to plan the rail journey yourself.
Adult entry costs around £28 on the door, less if booked online in advance. The gardens can be visited separately at a reduced price without entering the palace state apartments.
A half day (4–5 hours including travel) covers the main state apartments, the famous maze, and a walk through part of the gardens. A full day allows a more thorough look at the Tudor kitchens, the gardens, and the maze without rushing.
Yes — it's the oldest surviving hedge maze in the world, planted around 1700, and still genuinely challenging to navigate. Included in general admission. Budget 15–30 minutes, longer if you get properly lost, which is part of the fun.
Generally yes — the maze is a guaranteed hit, and costumed interpreters bring the Tudor history to life in a way that works well for children. The Tudor kitchens, with their scale and detail, tend to capture younger visitors' attention more than the formal state apartments.