Buses to Hampton Court
Tudor grandeur, the famous maze, and riverside gardens — 10 minutes from Kingston
The Journey
Three buses run from Kingston to Hampton Court, so you’re never waiting long:
- 111 — Kingston Station → Hampton Court (and onwards to Heathrow)
- 216 — Kingston → Hampton Court → Staines
- 411 — Kingston → Hampton Court → West Molesey
All three stop at Kingston Station (stand R). The ride crosses Kingston Bridge, follows the river past Hampton Wick, and drops you at Hampton Court Gate — right outside the palace entrance.
Get off at: Hampton Court Station / Palace Gate (the stop names vary by route, but the drivers know).
What to Do
Hampton Court Palace
Henry VIII’s favourite palace and one of the most magnificent historic buildings in England. The Tudor kitchens, the Chapel Royal, the Great Hall, and of course the Maze — which is harder than you’d expect. The gardens alone are worth the visit: the Great Vine (planted in 1768 and still producing grapes), the Privy Garden, and the formal East Front gardens.
Allow at least 3 hours for the palace. A full day if you want to see everything and have lunch.
Tickets: Book online in advance for a discount. Check hrp.org.uk for current prices and opening times.
Hampton Court Park & Bushy Park
The palace grounds are free to walk through even without a palace ticket. Beyond the formal gardens, Bushy Park stretches north — over 1,000 acres of parkland with deer, ponds, and the Diana Fountain. Quieter than Richmond Park and just as beautiful.
The Riverside
Walk along the Thames from the palace towards Kingston Bridge. The towpath is flat, scenic, and passes the mouth of the River Mole. On summer weekends, you’ll see narrowboats, kayakers, and rowers.
Where to Eat & Drink
Hampton Court is tourist territory, so options near the palace lean that way:
- The Tiltyard Café — Inside the palace grounds. Decent for lunch, no palace ticket needed.
- Hampton Court riverside — A few cafes and pubs along the river near the bridge.
- Or head back to Kingston — Only 10 minutes on the bus. Eat in town where you have more choice.
Practical Info
- First bus: Around 05:00 from Kingston (varies by route)
- Last bus: Around 00:00 from Kingston
- Accessibility: Low-floor buses. The palace itself has wheelchair access to most areas — check the HRP website for details.
- Buggies: Space on buses. The palace allows buggies in the gardens but not inside the State Apartments (baby carriers available to borrow).
- Dogs: Allowed on buses. Dogs welcome in the gardens on leads but not inside the palace.
- Parking: Avoid driving — the palace car park is expensive and fills up on sunny weekends. The bus is easier.
The Route Back
Same buses, reverse direction — or take the boat (seasonal, see our Boat to Hampton Court route). You can also walk back along the towpath to Kingston in about 40 minutes — flat and scenic the whole way.
TfL Journey Planner: Search “Kingston to Hampton Court” at tfl.gov.uk for live departure times.
