Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - Secrets of Henry VIII

Badge of ExcellenceLondon, England

Hampton Court Tour Secrets of a Tudor Palace

1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Step back into the Tudor era on this private tour of Hampton Court Palace. Built by Henry VIII in the 16th century and later expanded, it’s one of southern England’s highlight palaces. Meet your guide—a celebrated historian who’s appeared on Tudor-themed television specials—and get ready to explore (entry own expense). Whether it’s fashion, royal intrigue, artworks, or more, the tour can be specially tailored to fit your interests. You can also sign up for the general tour option for a broad overview of the landmark.

Explore Hampton Court Palace in the company of a celebrated historian
A private tour lets you customize the itinerary to fit your interests
Pick from a number of convenient departure times
Select the general tour grade for an introductory overview of the palace

What's Included

With Siobhan Clarke who has a History degree and is accredited by the Institute of Tourist Guides.
She is the author of four books on Tudor history.
Featured on PBS television's 'Secrets of Henry VIII's Palace'
Has worked for Historic Royal Palaces for 20 years.
Also lectures for the US Smithsonian and the UK Arts Society

Palace Admission Tickets can be booked in advance online
Transport
Food and Drink
Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

64 Hampton Ct Way, Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9AU, UK
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.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Hampton Court Palace

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
There are opportunities to sit during the tour
Slow pace available on request
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation

Tour will be adapted to suit all ages, interests and abilities
Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate
Entrance tickets can be booked online in advance from the Hampton Court Palace website
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.0

74 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 74 reviews

An Amazing Hampton Tour with Siobhan!

Ashley_S, Apr 2024

Siobhan was an amazing tour guide for my visit to Hampton Court Palace. She is so knowledgeable about the Tudors and the palace. I had a wonderful time picking her brain and I felt like I got so much insider information that I wouldn’t have gotten on an audio tour. She has an incredibly impressive background as a historian and in talking to her, her passion for her craft shines through. I highly recommend touring Hampton or any other locations where she operates. You will have a wonderful time in her company and you will learn a lot. Thank you Siobhan for the wonderful tour. I am already looking forward to returning to England and going on another of your tours!

Response from Host, Apr 2024

So kind of you, Ashley. Thank you. Hope to see you again.

History comes alive at Hampton Court Palace

Michelle_P, Apr 2024

Siobhan was a wonderful guide. She is so knowledgeable about Hampton Court Palace as well as the monarchs who spent time there.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thanks so much

Hampton Court tour

Delia_M, Apr 2024

Our guide, Ms. Siobhan Clarke, was absolutely wonderful. We had an 6 year old with our group and she took care to engage with him and keep him interested. I have been to Hampton Court several times and learned some new things myself. Thank you!

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thank you Delia. I enjoyed meeting your family and the 6 year old was delightful!

Hampton Court voisit

Steve_A, Apr 2024

A really enjoyable experience we were amazed by the size of the palace and the extent of the grounds.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

So glad you enjoyed it. Thanks

Fantastic!

Jennifer_P, Apr 2024

Siobhan was amazingly knowledgeable and friendly! I would 100% recommend the tour, especially with her as guide!

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed it.

Would do this tour over and over again!

Stacy_H, Jan 2024

We were so happy with our tour. Siobhan did an amazing job. She was knowledgeable and friendly. There is so much we would have missed if we had not taken this tour. Totally worth it!

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed it.

Excellent guide!

Brandon_P, Jan 2024

A+, excellent experience. Tour guide was knowledgable and personable - would recommend to Tudor-aphiles.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed it.

AMAZING MORNING AT HAMPTON COURT

Karen_D, Dec 2023

Siobhan gave us an unforgettable experience at Hampton Court. Her tour brought the place and its inhabitants to life! Her knowledge was impressive and her obvious love of history infectious. She moved us through a lot in a limited amount of time but we never felt rushed. Would love to do another tour with her someday. As for the site itself—don’t miss it!

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed it. Hope to see you again.

A Once in a Lifetime Experience

Debra_J, Sep 2023

Seeing the H&A rose, the kitchens, the haunted corridor, seeing the art work and stained glass were breathtaking. Ms. Clarke was so informative and explained things in such detail that I found myself reminding myself this was REALLY happening. I can't think of a better way I could have spent my day.

Sumptuoud

Kathy_S, Aug 2023

The tidbits of "insider knowledge" our guide sharec with us. They brought the past to life and helped us relate to the characters within it.

Hampton Court

Jennifer_Y, Aug 2023

We absolutely loved our tour with Siobhan. She was so engaging and knowledgeable about the history and culture over many centuries of royalty that lived in Hampton Court. We happened to be there during a joust which was a lot of fun. We loved touring the kitchen and especially the kings apartment. Highly recommend!

Response from Host, Aug 2023

I'm so glad you all enjoyed your day and you saw the jousting as well. many thanks!

Great experience with Sioban.

Luciana_T, Aug 2023

Every year our company organises a summer day away from the desk and this year we went to Hampton Court Palace and had a guided tour with Siobhan and it was beautiful. Historical places always come alive when you someone tells you the history and some interesting facts.

Response from Host, Aug 2023

Thanks so much. I enjoyed meeting your group and I'm glad they had a nice time.

Brilliant insider tour with a fabulous guide.

Michael_F, Aug 2023

Thoroughly enjoyable tour with Siobhan Clarke - the perfect guide. Friendly, insightful and fun, her tour is a brilliant way to see the most important parts of Hampton Court Palace as well as the only way to reveal some of its secrets. Cannot recommend this experience highly enough.

Response from Host, Aug 2023

Thanks Michael, so kind of you. I enjoyed meeting your family.

Great experience!

Dawn_D, Aug 2023

Our guide Siobhan Clarke was very knowledgeable and a lovely person. We where surprised at how large the castle and gardens are as well as the horses! And we really enjoyed Siobhan!

Response from Host, Aug 2023

Thanks Dawn. A pleasure to meet you and show you and your family around.

Amazing tour!

Juanita_T, Jul 2023

My husband and I had a wonderful time on this special tour through Hampton Court Palace! Our tour guide was amazing!

Response from Host, Aug 2023

Thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed it.

Absolutely riveting for Henry VIII fans

Edward_R, Jul 2023

I can’t speak highly enough of this tour. The depth of knowledge and free flowing conversation dipping into specific details and glimpses into the minds of these players that we could have with a private tour with just our family was incredibly memorable.

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Thank you Edward. I'm so glad your family enjoyed the tour.

Fabulous guide

Kim_B, Jul 2023

Our guide Siobhan was absolutely excellent! She was professional and extremely knowledgeable about the history of Henry VIII. She really made history come alive for us. If you’re going to Hampton Court, this is a must tour.

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Thank you Kim. It was so nice to meet all of you!

Our guide was extremely...

Joanne_S, Jul 2023

Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and engaging. She tailored information to our knowledge level and interests. Highly recommend the private tour.

Response from Host, Jul 2023

It was lovely to meet you both. Thank you so much for taking time to leave me a review!

Back in time to my grandparents.

Lori_T, Jul 2023

The tour guide really made the day special! So very knowledgeable about all of the different parts and people. I came for my ancestry and saw them up close! Amazing place and time.

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Thanks Lori. Great to meet you and your friend. It was a lovely afternoon!

Perfection!

lori_p, Jun 2023

Our tour guide, Siobhan, was fabulous! I read a variety of historical fiction and love this time period! She showed us all the nooks and crannies of the palace and gave us the little known gems of information as well as answering all my questions, which I had many. It was a fascinating tour and if you love this time period make sure it is with Siobhan ! She even signed her book for me! Loved it !

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Thanks Lori. It was so nice to meet you and I really hope you enjoy the book, reading about all the things we saw at Hampton Court.

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