Skip to content
How it worksAdd your verdict
London

Is Hampton Court worth it?

Worth itUnderrated · +10Henry VIII's Thames-side Tudor palace with Baroque state rooms, vast gardens and a famous maze
Hampton Court
Nina Beilby · Google Maps
Hampton Court
Martin C · Google Maps
Hampton Court
RARES CONSTANTIN MARIN · Google Maps
Hampton Court
Sunny Chen · Google Maps
Hampton Court
Mr Paps (Paps) · Google Maps

Worth it. 4.7 from nearly 29,000 Google reviews; visitors say it exceeds expectations for Tudor history and gardens.

Hype60How famous and hyped it is
Reality70Evidence-based, votes take over as they come in
The gap+10UnderratedHow we score
4.7 ★ Google · 28,832 reviews— hypegap votes · be one of the first

Been to Hampton Court? Was it worth it?

One tap. No account. Your vote moves the Reality score.

Is it worth it for you?

Worth itEditorial verdict until 5 families with kids vote

The maze, Magic Garden playground and seasonal jousting keep kids busy all day; under-5s free, children half price.

Why Reality is 70

Lives up to its fame4/54.7 from nearly 29,000 Google reviews; visitors say it exceeds expectations for Tudor history and gardens.
Value for money4/5£30 off-peak buys a full day: palace, kitchens, extensive gardens, the maze and the Magic Garden — more per pound than most central London palaces.
Can’t get it elsewhere4/5London's best-preserved Tudor palace; the Tower covers Tudor history but not interiors and gardens like this.
Easy to do3/5Direct train and short walk, but ~1 hour from the centre, closed Mon/Tue this season and no refunds.

What people loved

Great Hall, Tudor kitchens and Chapel bring Henry VIII's court to life; rooms are thoughtfully stagedExtensive formal gardens, the historic maze and the Magic Garden make it a full family dayFriendly, knowledgeable staff and a good included audio guideSeasonal extras like jousting shows, rooftop tours and the Winter PalaceDirect train from Waterloo and a 5-minute walk from the station

What wore them down

Closed Mondays and Tuesdays in the current season — easy to get caught out£30–£36 per adult plus a requested 10% donation; strict no-refund policyAround an hour from central London; really needs most of a dayLots of walking across a sprawling siteSome galleries and rooms are periodically closed (Mantegna Gallery until spring 2027)

Know before you go

See something out of date? Fix it right here.

Booking: Tickets online or on the day; no refunds. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays in the current season.

EntryUntil 27 Nov: adult £30 off-peak / £33 weekends; child 5–15 £15 / £16.50; seniors, students, disabled £24.30 / £26.30; under-5s free. From 28 Nov (Winter Palace) adult £33 / £36. Optional 10% donation added at checkout; £1 tickets for benefit recipientsSource · Checked Oct 16, 2026
IncludedPalace state rooms and Tudor kitchens, gardens, courtyards, the Maze and the Magic Garden play areaSource · Checked Oct 16, 2026
HoursCurrently Wed–Sun 10:00–17:30, last admission 16:30; closed Mondays and TuesdaysSource · Checked Oct 16, 2026
ClosuresMantegna Gallery closed until spring 2027; Wine Cellar and Chapel Court Garden closed 14–23 Oct 2026; Chapel Royal viewable only from the Royal PewSource · Checked Oct 16, 2026
ReservationBook online or buy at the ticket office on the day; strict no-refunds policy, changes by phone for a feeSource · Checked Oct 16, 2026
Getting thereDirect South Western Railway train from Waterloo to Hampton Court (35–40 min), then 5 min walk over the bridge; about 1 hour from Trafalgar SquareSource: Google reviews · Checked Oct 16, 2026
Time neededAt least 3 hours; a full day with gardens and mazeSource: Google reviews · Checked Oct 16, 2026
ParkingLimited on-site parking, cannot be pre-booked; pay by card or appSource · Checked Oct 16, 2026
Opening hours (Google)
  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
  • Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
  • Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
  • Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
  • Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM

In their words

“Just be prepared to do a lot of walking; royalty clearly didn’t believe in keeping things compact.”
Orcun Ozturk · Google review · 4 months ago
“The palace itself is interesting, but the shows arranged in the gardens are truly unique.”
Vladimir Falko · Google review · 2 months ago
“If you want to see everything properly, set aside at least 3 hours, there’s far more to explore than you might expect.”
Orcun Ozturk · Google review · 4 months ago
“Every member of staff was friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.”
Jennie Herbert · Google review · 3 months ago

Tips from people who went

No tips yet. Be the first to share one.

0/400 · no links · posts right away

Questions people ask

How much are Hampton Court Palace tickets?

Until 27 November 2026, adults pay £30 off-peak or £33 at weekends; children 5–15 are £15–£16.50 and under-5s are free. Winter Palace prices from 28 November are £33–£36.

Is Hampton Court Palace open on Mondays?

Not in the current season: it is closed Mondays and Tuesdays and open Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00–17:30.

Is the maze included in the ticket?

Yes. The palace ticket includes the gardens, courtyards, the Maze and the Magic Garden.

How do I get to Hampton Court Palace from London?

Take a direct South Western Railway train from Waterloo to Hampton Court (35–40 min); the palace is a 5-minute walk across the bridge.

How long do you need at Hampton Court?

At least 3 hours; many visitors spend the whole day.

Better fits, according to people who went

Kensington Palace — photo by Martin DusilSkip itReality 49 −9Kensington Palace★ 4.5Kensington & Chelsea · HistoryA shorter, central royal palace visit from the same operator.Kew Gardens — photo by Karin LangnerWorth itReality 70 0Kew Gardens★ 4.7Greenwich & day trips · NatureAlso in south-west London if gardens are the main draw.Tower of London — photo by VibungsanWorth it if…Reality 69 −14Tower of London★ 4.7City, Tower & South Bank · HistoryCentral, same operator (Historic Royal Palaces), with Tudor history and the Crown Jewels.Hampstead Heath — photo by Janusz NowakWorth itReality 90 +35Hampstead Heath★ 4.7North & East London · ParkWild heathland with swimming ponds, Kenwood House and the Parliament Hill skyline view

Sources

Verdict by The Hype Gap editors. No one paid for it. Facts checked Oct 16, 2026. How we score · Standards