Hampton Court Palace Gardens
60 acres of royal gardens with over 500 years of history — the oldest hedge maze in Britain, the world's largest grapevine, and a Privy Garden restored to its 1702 design. Walking distance from Kingston.
At a Glance
Visit Here If...
...you want 500 years of royal garden history on your doorstep — the Maze, the Great Vine, and a million daffodils in spring, all a Thames Path walk from Kingston
Five Centuries of Royal Gardens
Hampton Court is not a botanical garden in the scientific sense — there are no herbaria, no laboratories, no seed banks. What it has is something neither Kew nor Wisley can match: an unbroken thread of royal garden-making stretching back to the reign of Henry VIII.
The gardens you walk through today are a palimpsest of five centuries. Tudor knot gardens sit alongside William III’s formal Privy Garden, painstakingly restored to its 1702 design. The Great Vine, planted in 1768, is the largest grapevine in the world — and still produces grapes sold at the palace each summer.
What to See
The Maze
The famous draw. Planted in the 1700s, it’s the oldest surviving hedge maze in Britain — and it’s genuinely tricky. Allow 20–45 minutes to find the centre and get back out.
The Privy Garden
Restored to its exact 1702 design from William III’s reign. Twelve ornamental panels of clipped box, santolina, and gravel, with the Thames as backdrop. One of the finest examples of late 17th-century formal garden design in Europe.
The Great Vine
Planted by Capability Brown in 1768. The largest grapevine in the world, with a main stem over 4 metres in circumference. Still productive: grapes are harvested each August and sold at the palace.
The Wilderness
A 60-acre meadow that puts on a display of over one million daffodils each spring, followed by bluebells.
The Magic Garden
A purpose-built interactive play area for children, inspired by Tudor history — towers, water features, and a dragon bridge. Free with palace admission.
2026 Highlights
| Event | Dates |
|---|---|
| Tulip Festival (110,000 bulbs) | April |
| RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival | 8–12 July |
| Gardens open | 13 Apr – 18 Oct |
The RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival is one of the biggest flower shows in the world — show gardens, workshops, floral displays, and expert talks across the palace grounds.
Family Information
Hampton Court is well-suited for families:
- The Magic Garden is free with palace admission
- The Maze keeps children occupied for ages
- Family trails and activity sheets available
- Baby changing facilities on-site
- Allow 2–3 hours for the gardens alone, longer if visiting the palace
Key Features
Getting There from Kingston
Thames Path from Kingston centre
Routes 111, 216, 411, R68
Hampton Court station directly outside the palace (1 stop from Surbiton)
Gardens included with palace admission.
Facilities
Location
Details
- Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey
KT8 9AU - Check hrp.org.uk for current prices. Historic Royal Palaces members enter free.
- On-site parking available (charges apply).
