TOURS

Five Centuries of Stories

Tours built around you

Of course, I’m always happy to give a general tour, taking in the palace’s highlights and giving an overview, but I’m equally happy to give you more depth on a particular aspect of its fascinating, layered and diverse history. With one massive building, five centuries of history, every monarch from Henry VIII to George II and a host of other personalities there's plenty to choose from. I especially enjoy explaining how the palace itself worked in its Tudor heyday. I’ve included some of the specialist tours available but feel free to contact me if you’d like to see the full list or arrange a bespoke tour. I appreciate that time is precious, my task is to ensure you get the most from your time with me.

If there's something you'd like, just ask. If it's outside of my knowledge I can refer you to one of my excellent colleagues.

Summer 2022

Like the rest of the world, Hampton Court Palace has been much affected by the last two years. The palace itself is open to visitors, but is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays (except for school holidays) for the time being. As the palace is a part of my life, not just my job, I am in close touch with developments and I will always let you know what is and isn't available. On the day I will always make sure you get the best tour possible.

Prices

Hampton Court Palace Tours (general or specialised)

1½ hour tour. £85

2½ hour tour £110

3½ hour tour £130

Full Day* your £160

For Historic Royal Palaces Members, or anyone staying at No 2. Palace Gate there is a 10% discount on all palace tours.

Prices for tours of Hampton Court Palace do not include entry to the palace, each member of your group will need a palace ticket or HRP Membership.

Hampton Court Village Tour £65

Trafalgar Square Tour £75

* A full day being from palace opening at 10 am, or whenever you arrive, until palace closing, usually 4.00 pm in the winter or 5.30 pm in the summer.

The Palace as Machine

Looking at how the palace itself worked as a building, how art and architecture, servants and courtiers came together to keep the Tudor court fed and comfortable while politics and ceremony went on in the State Rooms.

Henry VIII's Great Hall

One of the glories not just of Hampton Court, but of all England. The Great Hall naturally features in most tours, but time constraints mean the guide has to leave out much more than they put in. In this tour we remove those constraints, the tour doesn't move around much physically, but it covers five centuries of history and looks closely at the last medieval great hall built by an English king. A magnificent 16th century space, still very much in use in the 21st century, the Great Hall of Henry VIII has plenty of stories to share.

William III at Hampton Court

Although often overlooked William III was hugely important not only to the development and survival of Hampton Court but to Britain as a whole, so much so that he deserves his own tour. This tour takes in his full set of State and Private rooms as well as his magnificent gardens.

The Palace and the Village

Not a tour of the palace itself, this tour tells the story of how the palace influenced the development of the attractive and interesting village around it as well as some stories that don't quite match Hampton Court's quiet, well to do reputation. Perfect for a summer’s evening this tour is not constrained by palace opening hours and doesn’t require a palace ticket but might well involve a trip to a pub.

The Heart of London

This one's not even near Hampton Court. Trafalgar Square is easily one of the most iconic tourist views of London and yet few people really look at it. This short (45 minute) tour delves into the history of one of the world's most famous public spaces, how it came about and what secrets it holds. Great for a small group before heading off to one of the excellent pubs or restaurants in the area.

Background to his page. Her Majesty The Queen's Rowbarge Gloriana leaving Hampton Court on her way to the Tower of London.

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