Private Guided Tour of Hampton Court Palace in London, United Kingdom
London, United Kingdom

Private Guided Tour of Hampton Court Palace

Outty Ranking 78 5.0 · 303 traveler reviews1.5 hoursFrom £180
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Outty Ranking

78/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 303 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Private Guided Tour of Hampton Court Palace worth booking?

Private Guided Tour of Hampton Court Palace is a 1.5-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from £180 per person. It scores 78 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 303 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
78 / 100
Rating
5/5 (303)
Duration
1.5 hours
From
£180 per person

Ex State Apartment Warder having worked at the Palace for over 18 years. Highly knowledgeable, having done many previous tours for Functions, Events and VIPs. A comprehensive tour of Hampton Court palace tailored to your historic interests. . I cover all aspects of the Palace's history including tales of Henry VIII, Ghostly stories, Grace & Favour, and all others who have lived there. I am a bubbly person who loves meeting new people & sharing the Palace history and engaging tales, that I can also tailor specifically for children as required. I also offer a ghostly tales tour (same duration & times) suitable for adults and children. Please mention this when you book.

What you get

    About this experience

    Ex State Apartment Warder having worked at the Palace for over 18 years. Highly knowledgeable, having done many previous tours for Functions, Events and VIPs. A comprehensive tour of Hampton Court palace tailored to your historic interests. . I cover all aspects of the Palace's history including tales of Henry VIII, Ghostly stories, Grace & Favour, and all others who have lived there. I am a bubbly person who loves meeting new people & sharing the Palace history and engaging tales, that I can also tailor specifically for children as required. I also offer a ghostly tales tour (same duration & times) suitable for adults and children. Please mention this when you book.

    What's included

    Included

    • Personal tour with your own knowledgeable guide with 18 years experience of working at The Palace.
    • Sheila also specializes in Ghost, LGBTQ+ & Grace and Favour tours
    • Sheila has a Level 2 Accreditation from the Institute of Tourist Guiding
    • Sheila has an EDI Level 3 Diploma in Cultural Heritage (learning & interpretation)

    Not included

    • Food & Drink
    • Gratuities
    • Entrance fees

    What you'll see and do

    1. Hampton Court Palace

      A comprehensive tour of Hampton Court palace tailored to your historic interests. I can also be in Tudor or Victorian authentic costume (note, no adults allowed in period costume). Children can wear what they like! I cover all aspects of the Palace's history including tales of Henry VIII, Ghostly stories, Grace & Favour, and all others who have lived there. You will see a Palace in two halves, half Tudor, half Baroque. Highlights include Henry's Great Hall, the Haunted Gallery, King Williams spectacular Staircase, Guard Chamber and the beautiful Versailles style gardens.

      240 minutes here · Admission not included

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    London

    West Gate - Main entrance (down drive) to Palace (not large gates by main road)

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    West Gate - Main entrance (down drive) to Palace (not large gates by main road)

    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
    Sheila Dunsmore

    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

    Photos

    King William III Staircase, Private Guided Tour of Hampton Court Palace in LondonHenry VIII Astronomical Clock, Private Guided Tour of Hampton Court Palace in LondonHenry VIII Great Hall, Private Guided Tour of Hampton Court Palace in LondonEnjoyable tour, lovely family!, Private Guided Tour of Hampton Court Palace in London2 from a lovely party of 3.., Private Guided Tour of Hampton Court Palace in LondonSome of my lovely little visitors!, Private Guided Tour of Hampton Court Palace in London

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 299 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    8 mentions

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

    Knowledge and storytelling

    6 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Traveler reviews

    299 verified traveler reviews for Private Guided Tour of Hampton Court Palace. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    296
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    Lisa_B · October 2026

    Excellent tour

    Excellent guided experience with Shelia. We felt we had a more in-depth view of Hampton Court through time, but also its current operation, which was fascinating.

    Response from the operator: Hi Lisa & Ray/ Mark ! Thank you for taking time to write such a lovely review. It was my absolute pleasure to guide for you both , you were so amiable and easy to entertain! I hope the rest of your vacation is as enjoyable. Regards Sheila

    via Viator

    nicola_a · October 2026

    Guided tour

    It was amazing. Sheila our guide tailored the tour to what we wanted and she didn’t disappoint. It was well worth doing.

    Response from the operator: Hi Nicola, Thank you taking the time to leave me such a lovely review. It was pleasure to guide for you both. Regards Sheila

    via Viator

    Melissa_W · October 2026

    Sheila was the Queen of guides

    Sheila was a phenomenal guide. She has so much knowledge about Hampton Court, those that lived there and the changes that have been made to it. She made it so interesting and could answer any question we had. Her pacing was perfect. We learned so much. Incredible tour! She told us all about the people and the drama. She also gave me a different perspective than the one I had of Henry VIII. My husband was not very excited about this tour but he really loved it from all he learned from her. Sheila was absolutely wonderful.

    Response from the operator: Hi Melissa and Keith, Thank you for the wonderful overwhelming review.I could see a few minutes into the tour that I’d have to win Keith over😂. In all fairness you were both so amiable and good fun , you made my job very easy!! I hope the rest of your vacation is as enjoyable! Regards Sheila

    via Viator

    Laura_H · September 2026

    Sheila was extremely...

    Sheila was extremely knowledgeable about Hampton Court!! She made the tour very interesting, especially if you are a history buff!

    Response from the operator: Hi Laura, Thank you for taking the time to review my tour. I am so pleased that you enjoyed your tour !! I hope the rest of your holiday is as enjoyable! Regards Sheila

    via Viator

    Briana_C · September 2026

    This is an excellent tour...

    This is an excellent tour if you want a personalized and detailed experience. Sheila was amazing, super knowledgable and friendly. She asked us what we were interested in to give us a tour that was special to us. She also communicated with us before the trip to make sure the trip was as seamless as possible.

    Response from the operator: Hi Briana, Thank you for taking the time to review my tour, and the lovely feedback. It was my pleasure to take you both around Hampton Court Palace. I hope as Tudor fans you learnt a lot more? I hope the rest of your vacation is an enjoyable! Regards Sheila

    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
    Price range
    £180 to £199
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    106
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Why this scores 78

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

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)99
    Review evidence (18% weight)76
    Booking momentum (14% weight)72
    Value for money (12% weight)11
    Listing quality (10% weight)83
    Local standing (8% weight)89
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Private Guided Tour of Hampton Court Palace: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.

    How much does Private Guided Tour of Hampton Court Palace cost?

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    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 Private Guided Tour of Hampton Court Palace 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 Private Guided Tour of Hampton Court Palace worth it?

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    It holds an Outty Ranking of 78 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 303 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 Private Guided Tour of Hampton Court Palace?

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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 Private Guided Tour of Hampton Court Palace 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 Private Guided Tour of Hampton Court Palace?

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    Around 106 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 Private Guided Tour of Hampton Court Palace 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 Private Guided Tour of Hampton Court Palace?

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    Included: Personal tour with your own knowledgeable guide with 18 years experience of working at The; Sheila also specializes in Ghost, LGBTQ+ & Grace and Favour tours; Sheila has a Level 2 Accreditation from the Institute of Tourist Guiding; and Sheila has an EDI Level 3 Diploma in Cultural Heritage (learning & interpretation). Not included: Food & Drink; Gratuities; and Entrance fees. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for Private Guided Tour of Hampton Court Palace?

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    West Gate - Main entrance (down drive) to Palace (not large gates by main road) Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    What languages is Private Guided Tour of Hampton Court Palace 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 Private Guided Tour of Hampton Court Palace?

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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 Private Guided Tour of Hampton Court Palace 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 Private Guided Tour of Hampton Court Palace 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 Private Guided Tour of Hampton Court Palace?

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    Across 303 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

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