
Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - Secrets of Henry VIII
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 144 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - Secrets of Henry VIII worth booking?
Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - Secrets of Henry VIII is a 1.5-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $244 per person. It scores 73 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 144 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 73 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (144)
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- From
- $244 per person
You can book palace entry tickets in advance on the Hampton Court website. Tours are non-costume and can be adapted for children, giving the whole family a fun insight. Join your historian guide, from television's 'Secrets of Henry VIII's Palace', to discover Hampton Court. Through its rooms you can chart Henry’s decline from athletic prince to bloated tyrant and hear about the six women who became his queens. Dig a little deeper and find hidden stories of ghost, executions and 'horrible histories'. Highlights are Great Hall, Chapel and Haunted Gallery, Baroque palace and gardens. Choose from one of two departure times. 11:00 or 13:30
What you get
About this experience
You can book palace entry tickets in advance on the Hampton Court website. Tours are non-costume and can be adapted for children, giving the whole family a fun insight. Join your historian guide, from television's 'Secrets of Henry VIII's Palace', to discover Hampton Court. Through its rooms you can chart Henry’s decline from athletic prince to bloated tyrant and hear about the six women who became his queens. Dig a little deeper and find hidden stories of ghost, executions and 'horrible histories'. Highlights are Great Hall, Chapel and Haunted Gallery, Baroque palace and gardens. Choose from one of two departure times. 11:00 or 13:30
What's included
Included
- Featured on PBS television's 'Secrets of Henry VIII's Palace'
- She is the author of four books on Tudor history.
- Also lectures for the US Smithsonian and the UK Arts Society
- With Siobhan Clarke who has a History degree and is accredited by the Institute of Tourist Guides.
- Has worked for Historic Royal Palaces for 20 years.
Not included
- Palace Admission Tickets can be booked in advance online
- Transport
- Food and Drink
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Hampton Court Palace
Palace highlights with gardens.
90 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
London
Suggest booking palace entrance TICKETS in advance, on the Hampton Court website, although they can be purchased on the day. Please enter palace grounds and proceed down the drive to the WEST GATE, where tickets are checked. Your guide will be waiting for you.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Suggest booking palace entrance TICKETS in advance, on the Hampton Court website, although they can be purchased on the day. Please enter palace grounds and proceed down the drive to the WEST GATE, where tickets are checked. Your guide will be waiting for you.
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
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- The History Guides
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- There are opportunities to sit during the tour
- Slow pace available on request
- Tour will be adapted to suit all ages, interests and abilities
- Entrance tickets can be booked online in advance from the Hampton Court Palace website
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 144 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
144 verified traveler reviews for Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - Secrets of Henry VIII. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Amazing!
I cannot say enough about our tour guide Siobhan. She is an expert in Tudor history and a lovely person to spend time with. She spent time answering all of my questions. I can’t wait to buy her books and I look forward to seeing her again on pbs specials. I highly recommend this tour!
via Viator
This was wonderful and...
This was wonderful and such an interesting tour! Hampton Court has so many incredible layers of history available as you walk from one wing to another. Just incredible to think of the numbers of people fed and housed in Henry’s time and how that changed through the centuries. Our guide, Siobhan, was so considerate of my pregnant daughter on the tour as well - which was very very appreciated!! It was a highlight of our trip and we’d definitely recommend to others interested in a more in-depth tour of the palace.
via Viator
Great tour!!!
Outstanding! She told us everything we wanted to know. She gave us more information than we expected. Worth every penny!!!
via Viator
Highly recommend for one of a kind experience
Siobhan Clarke was a fantastic and extremely knowledgeable guide through Hampton Court Palace. We learned so much about the Tudor court, Henry VIII, and the royal generations following him. She gave us behind the scenes access and answered all our questions. Highly recommend this experience!
via Tripadvisor
This tour was necessary...
This tour was necessary to understand the history of this spectacular palace. Siobhan was very attentive and catered the tour to our interests. She was extremely knowledgeable and knew the palace like the back of her hand. Definitely worth it!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 50
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 73
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - Secrets 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 - Secrets of Henry VIII cost?
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Prices start at $244 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 - Secrets 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 - Secrets of Henry VIII worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 73 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 144 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 - Secrets 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 - Secrets 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 - Secrets of Henry VIII?
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Around 50 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 - Secrets 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 The Great British Rock and Roll Walking Tour, Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour, London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs. 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.
What is included in Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - Secrets of Henry VIII?
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Included: Featured on PBS television's 'Secrets of Henry VIII's Palace'; She is the author of four books on Tudor history; Also lectures for the US Smithsonian and the UK Arts Society; With Siobhan Clarke who has a History degree and is accredited by the Institute of Tourist; and Has worked for Historic Royal Palaces for 20 years. Not included: Palace Admission Tickets can be booked in advance online; Transport; Food and Drink; and Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - Secrets of Henry VIII?
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Suggest booking palace entrance TICKETS in advance, on the Hampton Court website, although they can be purchased on the day. Please enter palace grounds and proceed down the drive to the WEST GATE. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - Secrets of Henry VIII offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - Secrets of Henry VIII?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - Secrets of Henry VIII wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Transportation options are wheelchair accessible; and All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - Secrets of Henry VIII if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in London. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - Secrets of Henry VIII?
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Across 144 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, value for money. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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