ABOUT ME

Who are you and why should we book a tour with you?

My name is David Packer and I'm a tour guide. My speciality (and my great love) is Hampton Court Palace. I have worked in various roles since 2003. In that time, I helped to develop and deliver the sell-out ghost tours, developed other specialist tours and talks, such as the Pride and Salacious Gossip tours. I've trained warders as guides and given tours to many VIPs, from actors to ambassadors, princesses to politicians and journalists to Joan Rivers! I’m an accredited palace guide lecturer and I live within sight of the palace.

I do take groups of up to 20 or so people, but only if your group is that big. If you book a tour with me you will be with your own group and no one else. Although there will be other visitors around of course, your tour will be exclusive to you. Your experience won't be slowed down by having to wait for a whole coachload of folk to catch up. I find smaller groups work better and often take around couples, and even individuals.

I don't know everything about Hampton Court, nobody does, and anyone who thinks they do is fooling themselves, but I do know a great deal about it. Just walking through the palace is rewarding, but to get the most out of this massive, amazing, significant, and beautiful building a good guide is essential. I really enjoy being that guide.

Is that all you do?

By no means. I am researching and developing talks and tours all the time, for Hampton Court and elsewhere. I have delivered talks on the ghosts of Hampton Court, the palace during the two World Wars, the 18th century London underworld and an in depth tour of Trafalgar Square. I also undertake research for others, including for Runnymede Borough Council for their Magna Carta 800th anniversary celebrations and I was the historical advisor on the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Wolf Hall.

Holiday Let

In addition to all this, I also help to run and act as host at a wonderful rental property directly opposite the palace gates. An excellent base for visiting Hampton Court and only 35 minutes by train from central London. Take a look at the website.

Holiday Rental | No2PalaceGate | Hampton Court, East Molesey

TESTIMONIALS, Guests, TV and Radio

"...our two tour guides, Mr Packer and Mr Lax, relish every second of their storytelling duties. They’re attired like Victorian gents, their patter perfectly pitched. Even if you don’t believe in ghosts, Messrs Packer and Lax have a knack for recounting unexplained incidents in a manner that makes you start to question what’s really lurking in the shadows."

Laura Lee Davies, Time Out

"Our members are still talking about their tour of Hampton Court with you. Two hours just flew by and several people have said they would happily do another two hours with you. Thank you once again for a thoroughly absorbing and entertaining tour."

Mark Haley, Chancellor of the UK Grand Priory of the International Order of St George, a charitable knightly order (NOT to be confused with the League of St George.).

"Our time with you was definitely one of the highlights of our trip!"

Paula and Randy, Philadelphia, PA.

"The private tour was unforgettable. Wish I could do it all over again."

Guest at a corporate evening event, Sept. 20222

"Ghost stories brilliantly told..."

Get Surrey, 2015

The Secrets of Henry VIII's Palace: Hampton Court, 2013

Netflix documentary talking about William III's private apartments.

Mystery Map, 2013

Being the in-house expert helping Julia Bradbury explore the story of the phantom known as "Skeletor" on the ITV show.

Britain's Tudor Treasure: A Night at Hampton Court 2015

Another documentary following the recreation of the christening procession of Henry VIII's son Prince Edward. I portrayed Henry Bourchier, Earl of Essex as you can see at the top of this page.

Phil Spencer's Stately Homes: Hampton Court, 2020 (S3:E2)

Welcoming Phil to the palace and delivering him safely to the Great Hall.

BBC Radio 1, Fearne Cotton, 2009

A bonkers evening taking Fearne and her Mum around the palace telling them ghost stories.

BBC Radio 2, Chris Evans Breakfast Show, 2018

An early morning trip to the BBC studios to talk about Hampton Court as the venue for the BBC's 500 Words creative writing competition.

Background to his page. The Lions of England

hamptoncourttours.com