Hampton Court Palace is, strictly, a Surrey address: the postcode is KT8 9AU, in East Molesey, in Elmbridge. The Surrey side faces the palace across Hampton Court Bridge, which makes it one of the easiest grand days out for anyone living in Esher, Cobham, Weybridge or Woking.
The flower show is not on in 2026
Many people search for Hampton Court because of the RHS garden festival, so it is worth being plain. The show was last held from 1 to 6 July 2025, and the RHS is staging a new show at RHS Badminton in Gloucestershire from 8 to 12 July 2026 instead. The summer concert festival has also finished, having run from 10 to 20 June. For the rest of the season the draw is the palace and its grounds, which are well worth a visit without a marquee in sight.
By train
Hampton Court station (Hampton Court Way, KT8 9AE) is a terminus on a short branch line, built in 1849 mainly to serve palace visitors. South Western Railway runs two trains an hour to and from London Waterloo via Wimbledon. The branch runs about a mile and a half from the station through Thames Ditton to a junction near Surbiton, so from Surrey you will generally reach it by joining at Surbiton or Thames Ditton. Esher sits on the main line between Surbiton and Hersham, and the trains advertised as Guildford via Cobham branch off at Hampton Court Junction, just south-west of Surbiton. Check the National Rail or South Western Railway journey planner for times from your own station.
From the station, walk straight out and follow the signs to the palace across Hampton Court Bridge. The bridge is Grade II listed, opened on 3 July 1933 and maintained by Surrey County Council. It is the fourth bridge on the site, with Molesey Lock just upstream. The station has a concourse with refreshments, toilets and a ticket office.
By car
The station car park on Hampton Court Way has 204 spaces and a 2.10 metre height limit. The tariff on the operator's page was £7.90 for the day on weekdays, £3.90 from midday on weekdays, and £3.90 on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays. That page is undated, so check the price on the day. JustPark also lists private driveway spaces in East Molesey, about ten minutes' walk from the palace.
On foot or by bike
The Thames Path suits anyone who would rather earn the visit. The Walking Club's Hampton Court Circular is 12 km, rated one out of ten for toughness, and takes in Hampton Court Park and Bushy Park beside the palace. It suggests tea at pubs and independent cafés in East Molesey afterwards. A shorter loop from West Molesey over the bridge and round the palace is about 3.2 miles, or roughly an hour and a quarter. Walkers wanting more can follow the Thames Path to Richmond: 12.7 km, three to three and a half hours, passing Kingston Bridge, Ham Lands, Eel Pie Island and Petersham Meadows.
Opening days and tickets
The palace is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 5.30pm, with last admission at 4.30pm. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Pre-booking is recommended, and prices change between peak and off-peak. Sources quote adult tickets from about £29 to £30, with more charged at peak times and a child (5 to 15) ticket at around half the adult price. Check the live Historic Royal Palaces page before you go, including the £1 day tickets offered to people receiving certain benefits.
A standard ticket covers all open public areas of the palace, the gardens, courtyards, the Maze and the Magic Garden. The Great Hall and the Tudor kitchens are included too.
The gardens
The palace has 60 acres of formal gardens and 750 acres of historic parkland, and the gardens open in line with palace hours. Historic Royal Palaces traces them to the early 1500s, when Thomas Wolsey laid out the first small knot gardens before Henry VIII took over the palace and its privy garden. The restored Privy Garden, with its Tijou Screen, is open.
The Great Vine sits in a glasshouse at the end of the Pond Garden. A Black Hamburg eating variety planted in 1768 by Lancelot "Capability" Brown, it is thought to be the oldest and largest vine in the world.
The Magic Garden is a one-acre play garden on the site of Henry VIII's tournament grounds, with towers, walkways, an amphitheatre and a steam-breathing dragon. It suits families with younger children.
The palace's own garden pages list free garden open days on 10 and 11 October and 21 and 22 November, and a Wilderness garden opening on 26 December.
Dates for the diary
Tudor Kitchen Weekends, until 18 October, 10am to 4pm, included in admission.
Relaxed Mornings in the Magic Garden, for neurodivergent and disabled children aged 3 to 16 and their families, on dates including 19 August, 13 September and 4 October (a palace ticket is needed).
Halloween at the palace, 24 October to 1 November.
Winter Palace, from 28 November, and the Festive Fayre on 4 to 6 and 11 to 13 December.
Garden open days and special events change, so confirm times with the palace before setting off.
