Sarah has worked at Hampton Court Palace since 2008 so knows all the secrets associated with those, who in the past, have lived, worked and died within its walls.
Sarah, a social historian and storyteller, will regale you with the tales of mistresses and betrayals whilst you walk where history happened, in the footsteps of kings and queens.
See magnificent artworks in the State Apartments of Henry VIII and William III, the Astronomical clock, kitchens, wine cellars, gardens and more. Maybe even a ghost!
Hampon Court is a 'palace of two halves'; the 16th century Tudor and Wren's 17th century Baroque. This is a tour for the whole palace, if you only wish to be guided around the Tudor side please see my shorter 'Secrets' tour.
Note the Chapel may be closed on Sundays.
Entrance fees to Hampton Court Palace are NOT included in the price of this tour booking, entrance tickets to the palace cost approximately £30 per person and should be purchased through the Historic Royal Palace's website.
Inclusions & Exclusions
✔ Sarah has worked as a Guide Lecturer at Hampton Court Palace since 2008
✔ Sarah has been acknowledged by authors and interviewed for her expertise knowledge of Hampton Court
✔ Personal tour with Sarah who is accredited with the Institute of Tourist Guiding, White Badge Guide
✖ Entrance to the palace, tickets cost approximately £30 should be purchased separately
✖ Please note the Chapel Royal is a working chapel and may close at short notice for services.
Departure & Return
Departure:
,
I will meet you at the West Gate which is the main palace entrance.
Once you have entered through Trophy Gate from the road A309, proceed up the driveway which is known as Trophy Drive, I shall wait near the moat just in front of the main entrance, West Gate.
Return: End right where it started.
Itinerary
1
Hampton Court Palace
As we enter through the Tudor Gatehouse it may feel as though we have stepped back in time to the 16th Century. Together we will explore the courtyards and Tudor Kitchens, we will sense the smells and sounds of a busy working environment where sumptuous meals were prepared by the many servants for the Court of King Henry VIII. We will ascend to the upper floors to view the magnificent Tudor State Apartments which includes some of the finest artwork and tapestries from the period such as the Abraham Tapestries and the painting of the Family of Henry VIII. Walk through the Great Hall and along the Haunted Gallery where I shall tell the ghost story of Catherine Howard, King Henry VIII's doomed fifth wife. Then we will move into the Baroque side of the palace built in 1689 by Queen Mary II & King William III to rival Versailes near Paris. We will see the magnificent gardens which include the world famous hedge Maze, the Great Vine, the Royal Tennis Court and the King's Privy Garden.
Duration: 2 hours
Additional info
• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
