Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - Secrets of Henry VIII in London
London, United Kingdom

Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - Secrets of Henry VIII

Outty Ranking 72 5.0 · 141 traveler reviews1.5 hoursFrom $180

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

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Age 12 and under

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From, per person$180
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Outty Ranking

72/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 141 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 $180 per person. It scores 72 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended, based on a 5/5 rating across 141 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
72 / 100
Rating
5/5 (141)
Duration
1.5 hours
From
$180 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 'Secre

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

    1. 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

    Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - Secrets of Henry VIII in London, photo 2Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - Secrets of Henry VIII in London, photo 3Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - Secrets of Henry VIII in London, photo 4Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - Secrets of Henry VIII in London, photo 5Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - Secrets of Henry VIII in London, photo 6Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - Secrets of Henry VIII in London, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 142 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    5 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    5 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Value for money

    2 mentions

    Travelers feel they got more than they paid for.

    Traveler reviews

    142 verified traveler reviews for Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - Secrets of Henry VIII. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    139
    4 star
    3
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    Nick_F · August 2026

    Great tour!!!

    Outstanding! She told us everything we wanted to know. She gave us more information than we expected. Worth every penny!!!

    via Viator

    janetY4656DX · August 2026

    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

    jennzanelli · July 2026

    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

    ChristineH_T · July 2026

    Terrific visit!

    Siobhan was fabulous! A ton of great information and extremely responsive to my questions prior to and during our visit. She went out of her way to get us to the cafe before walking us to the jousting afterwards. Best tour this trio!

    via Viator

    Joanna_S · June 2026

    A Rare Window Into Royal History ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    If you have any love for history, a private tour of Hampton Court Palace is an absolute must. From the moment we stepped inside, it felt less like a tourist visit and more like being genuinely transported back through centuries of royal intrigue, power, and drama. What set this experience apart was our guide, Siobhan Clarke. Her knowledge was extraordinary — not just the well-known facts you'd find in a guidebook, but the kind of rich, layered storytelling that brings a place like this truly to life. She wove together the personal, the political, and the architectural in a way that made every room feel like it had a heartbeat. By the end, Henry VIII and his court felt less like textbook figures and more like people whose presence still lingers in those corridors. The private nature of the tour made all the difference. There's something special about being able to linger, ask questions, and absorb the atmosphere without the noise and rush of a crowd. It creates space for the history to actually land. I'd highly recommend this to anyone visiting the area — whether you're a seasoned history enthusiast or just curious. It's one of those experiences that stays with you long after you’ve left.

    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
    49
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Why this scores 72

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)97
    Review evidence (18% weight)66
    Booking momentum (14% weight)60
    Value for money (12% weight)0
    Listing quality (10% weight)80
    Local standing (8% weight)86
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    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?

    +

    Prices start at $180 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?

    +

    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?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 72 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 141 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in London, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - Secrets of Henry VIII?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    Around 49 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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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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