Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - discovering the excesses of Henry VIII
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September 2026
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Age 13 and over
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Age 12 and under
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Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 11 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - discovering the excesses of Henry VIII worth booking?
Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - discovering the excesses of Henry VIII is a 1.5-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $175 per person. It scores 57 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 11 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 57 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (11)
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- From
- $175 per person
Henry VIII was a man of excess and he certainly did not do things by halves! On this tour with me (Sandy) you will wander through the enormous kitchens where feasts of nine courses were prepared for him and his noble gue
What you get
About this experience
Henry VIII was a man of excess and he certainly did not do things by halves! On this tour with me (Sandy) you will wander through the enormous kitchens where feasts of nine courses were prepared for him and his noble guests to enjoy; you will be amazed at the exquisiteness of his tapestries which cost double the price of his favourite war ship to make. You might also be horrified by the story of Henry's expanding collection of wives and how, as desperation set in to find a son and heir, Henry took drastic measures! This tour will fill you in on Henry's life of excess: the size of his kitchens, the glamour of his furnishings, why he became so large, who his wives were and what happened to them all. But most of all, this is a chance to enjoy imagining the unimaginable: wealth and excess that knew no bounds resulting in one of the most magnificent courts in Europe!
What's included
Included
- Sandy is a fun and professional local guide, accredited by the I.T.Guides and Hampton Court Palace
Not included
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks
- Cost of entry tickets to Hampton Court Palace
- Private transportation
What you'll see and do
Hampton Court Palace
Henry VIII's palace is the Tudor equivalent of a 5* hotel. We start the tour in Base Court, where Henry welcomed his noble guests, and move from there to the kitchens. These were a vast complex of rooms and employed an incredible 200 staff. Imagining the type of dinners created in these kitchens is fun as is the first sight of Henry's Great Hall, richly decorated with tapestries which cost the same as his favorite warship. Having marveled at the stained glass windows and the beautiful hammer beam ceiling we wander through an arch into the Great Watching Chamber. Here the nobles, closely guarded by the Yeomen, waited to chat with Henry. The ceiling of this room celebrates Henry's marriage to Jane Seymour, the woman who gave him the longed for son. We move on to the Haunted Gallery, where I tell the story of Henry's tragic fifth queen, before taking a peek at his replica crown in the Chapel Royal. The final stop is to admire the colorful work of art, the astronomical clock in Clock Court
90 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
London
Please meet me at the end of the driveway in front of the West Front gatehouse. Please buy your entry tickets to Hampton Court, which are in addition to the cost of this tour, in advance online. Go to www.hrp.org.uk and click on Hampton Court to make payment.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Please meet me at the end of the driveway in front of the West Front gatehouse. Please buy your entry tickets to Hampton Court, which are in addition to the cost of this tour, in advance online. Go to www.hrp.org.uk and click on Hampton Court to make payment.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Hobnob Tours
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- When your booking is confirmed, you will receive contact details for me (Sandy), your guide for this tour. My aim is to give you the best experience you could possibly have so if you have any special requests, be sure to let me know! If you need to go at a slower pace, or stop for a break midway through the tour, that will be fine with me. There are plenty of opportunities to sit down during the tour and I will tell you where they are. I will contact you once your booking is confirmed to finalise the details of your tour.
- The tour will last up to 1.5 hours and is flexible.
- The tour will cover roughly 1 mile.
- The tour will go ahead come rain or shine so please don't be put off by the weather. Do wear comfortable shoes and clothing and, if needs be, bring waterproofs and an umbrella.
- Due to uneven surfaces, and an unreliable lift used to take wheelchair or disabled clients to the first floor, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair. Visitors must be able to cope with stairs and so this tour is not suitable for anyone with serious medical conditions and back problems.
- When you turn into the palace grounds from the main road, follow the driveway with grassy stretches on either side and I will meet you at the end of the drive in front of the West Front Gatehouse.
- The tour starts at 10.00 a.m. but once a firm booking has been made, the start time of the tour can be adjusted to fit with your arrival at the palace.
- If you need directions to travel to Hampton Court from your hotel, do contact me on sandyrhodes@live.co.uk
- 100% of my Trip Advisor/Viator reviews are graded as 'excellent' and as I now have over 175+ reviews, I must be doing something right!
- I prefer to guide small groups of up to five family or friends so everyone can hear what I am saying in the often narrow corridors of Henry's haunted palace. Also, everyone can feel relaxed enough to ask whatever questions they like!
- I ALWAYS contact my customers in advance of a tour so if you have not heard from me one week before the tour date, please contact me instead.
- I only accept bookings directly from customers. Any bookings made by a travel agent on behalf of a customer will be cancelled.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 11 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
10 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Small groups
3 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
11 verified traveler reviews for Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - discovering the excesses of Henry VIII. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Amazing, fact filled with wit and entertainment.
Sandy is a fantastic oral historian! She navigated us through Hampton Court and Henry VIII excesses. If you love Tudor history, she is a must!!! My friend, who is not that much into history, thoroughly enjoyed this private guided tour. I look forward to coming back and doing a different tour with Sandy!
Response from the operator: Hi Gina, I'm delighted that you and Michelle enjoyed the tour so much. From his expanding collection of wives and waist line, there is plenty of excess about Henry VIII! This fascinating era in our history makes for great entertainment! I look forward to your return! All the best. Sandy
via Tripadvisor
Excellent private tour of Hampton Court Palace
Sandy was so knowledgeable and comprehensive in her tour, and she delivered in a way that was comfortable, organized, flexible, and relaxed.
Response from the operator: Hi there, thank you so much for a lovely review. I'm delighted you enjoyed the experience. All the best. Sandy
via Tripadvisor
Hampton Palace
Sandy was so warm, friendly and engaging. She met us in the coffee shop opposite the palace for a coffee and introduction to the tour. Her subject knowledge was exceptional and her delivery was first rate. My wife and I highly recommend a tour with her. Unfortunately , we are flying back to Australia in the next days, otherwise we would have definitely booked her for more tours.
Response from the operator: Hi Ken and Tracey, thank you so much for a lovely review. It was a pleasure exploring Henry VIII's palace with you and I'm delighted you enjoyed the tour. I hope you had a good day at the Tower today and that you will leave London with great memories. All the best. Sandy
via Tripadvisor
Excellent Private Tour Guide
We recently took a private tour with Sandy at Hampton Court Palace. She was an excellent communicator as she pre-planned our tour (based on the mobility needs of a senior aged mother & what our interests were). Her warmth and hospitality was evident upon our introduction. She was very knowledgeable and assessed our needs throughout the tour. We completed our 2.5 hour tour feeling that this was a highlight of our London vacation. Thank you Sandy.
Response from the operator: Hi Brittney, thank you so much for a lovely review and I am delighted to hear that it was one of the highlights of your trip to London. I thoroughly enjoyed guiding for you and Charlotte. Sandy
via Tripadvisor
Excellent tour of Hampton Court Palace
Sandy is very knowledgeable, personable and attentive to her clients. She adapted the tour to our interests and physical limitations. I can’t say enough good things about her.
Response from the operator: Hi Kathy, thank you for a lovely review. I'm so glad you and Bob enjoyed the experience. There are so many benefits from booking a private tour and one of them, of course, is that the tour progresses at whatever pace you want or need it to. It is also fortunate at Hampton Court that there are so many opportunities to sit down. All the best to you both. Sandy
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 4
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 57
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - discovering the excesses of Henry VIII: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.
How much does Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - discovering the excesses of Henry VIII cost?
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Prices start at $175 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in London usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - discovering the excesses of Henry VIII take?
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Plan for about 1.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in London is not rushed.
Is Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - discovering the excesses of Henry VIII worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 57 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 11 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in London, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - discovering the excesses of Henry VIII?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - discovering the excesses of Henry VIII suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - discovering the excesses of Henry VIII?
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Around 4 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in London can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in London and add a light layer if any part of the 1.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - discovering the excesses of Henry VIII start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central London within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in London?
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London's best attractions split cleanly: the museums are free and need no booking, so the paid market is about views, theatre and getting out of the city for a day. That makes value scoring unusually important here, and the Outty Ranking penalises anything charging premium prices for access you could get for nothing. On Outty we rank every London experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour, London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs, The Great British Rock and Roll Walking Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit London?
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May to September for long evenings, December for the Christmas markets. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in London?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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