Hampton Court Palace: Full Day Entry & Afternoon Tea Tour

Henry VIII's Palace, a Guide's Stories, and Tea by the Thames

You get a 2.5-hour guided walk through Hampton Court's courtyards, gardens, and Tudor kitchens with a knowledgeable local guide, followed by afternoon tea in a riverside venue, then the rest of the day to explore the palace and 60 acres of gardens at your own pace. Full entry is included. Tea is served with your choice of traditional or lighter cream options.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hampton Court Palace tour and afternoon tea

• Meet at Railway Station
• Learn history of Cardinal Wolsey’s creation
• Stroll through courtyards and Ann Boleyn’s Gatehouse
• See Fountain Court by William III and Mary II
• Visit restored sunken gardens
• Explore Tudor kitchens of Henry VIII
• Enjoy afternoon tea at The Castle venue
• Free time to explore palace and gardens

The experience

"You're standing where Anne Boleyn walked before they took her to the Tower," our guide said, pausing under the gatehouse with the kind of certainty that comes from telling this story a hundred times and meaning it every time. Hampton Court Palace isn't the kind of place you rush through. It's a full day, and the tour is built around that. You meet at the railway station, and from there your guide takes you through the courtyards, past Fountain Court (the baroque wing Christopher Wren built for William and Mary), down into the restored sunken gardens, and into the vast Tudor kitchens where Henry VIII's cooks once fed hundreds. It's 2.5 hours of walking and listening, and then you break for tea.

The afternoon tea happens in an authentic 17th-century inn beside the Thames, not in the palace itself, but close enough that you can see the water from your table. You choose between a traditional afternoon tea (finger sandwiches, patisseries, freshly baked scones) or the Bridgerton option, which is lighter, with cream tea and cake. Both come with a premium tea or coffee from their selection. It's the kind of break that makes sense halfway through a day like this, when your feet have done the work and your mind is full of royal drama and architectural detail.

After tea, you're free to wander the 60 acres of gardens and explore the rest of the palace on your own time. The full-day entry means you're not watching the clock. You can linger in the kitchens if you want, or spend an hour just walking the grounds. Most people don't realize how much there is to see once the guided portion ends, and that's the real gift of this kind of ticket. You're not herded out at four o'clock.

What’s included

Your day includes full entry to Hampton Court Palace and its 60 acres of gardens, a 2.5-hour guided tour with a knowledgeable local guide covering the palace courtyards, Anne Boleyn's Gatehouse, Fountain Court, sunken gardens, and Tudor kitchens, and afternoon tea served in a riverside 17th-century inn with your choice of traditional afternoon tea or lighter cream tea, plus premium tea or coffee. After tea, you have the remainder of the day to explore the palace and gardens independently.

Options for this experience

4 options

Hampton Court full day and afternoon tea (seniors)Guide in English · 11:00Age 65 and over (ID check at the venue)

Local guide with a full high teaGuide in English · 11:00Full afternoon tea: traditional sandwiches, home-baked scones served with clotted cream, carrot cake, lemon tart, brownies, and your choice of tea or coffee

The Christmas Beast BallGuide in English · Available from 28 Nov · 11:00The Christmas Beast Ball: an immersive Christmas adventure that turns the palace into a world of festive wonder, plus Christmas afternoon tea

Private Guided TourGuide in English · 11:00Private guide: a senior guide will accompany you around the palace, with an itinerary tailored to your needs

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesWednesday to SundayDeparts at 11:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (2 to 11 years)

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Top Tasting Tours

Is this one for you?This works well if you want the palace's main stories and spaces explained by someone who knows them, plus a proper break for tea, without having to book those pieces separately or figure out the timing yourself. The full-day entry means you're not rushed out at closing time.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the guided portion of the tour?

The guided walk lasts 2.5 hours and covers the palace courtyards, Anne Boleyn's Gatehouse, Fountain Court, sunken gardens, and the Tudor kitchens.

Is afternoon tea included in the price?

Yes. You choose between a traditional afternoon tea with finger sandwiches and scones, or a lighter Bridgerton-style cream tea with cake. Both include premium tea or coffee.

Can I explore the palace after the tour ends?

Yes. After tea, you have full access to the palace and its 60 acres of gardens for the remainder of the day.

Where is the afternoon tea served?

Tea is served in an authentic 17th-century inn beside the Thames, near the palace.

Where do we meet?

You meet your guide at the railway station at the start of the tour.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

The tour includes steps, so it's not recommended for wheelchair users or electric buggies. It's also not recommended for those with celiac disease or gluten allergies due to the afternoon tea menu.

Can I bring a stroller?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. Service animals are also allowed.