London palace tickets: Kensington Palace or Hampton Court?

This guide is for travellers who want to see a royal palace in London and are deciding between Kensington Palace in central London and Hampton Court Palace on the Thames in Surrey. Both are run by Historic Royal Palaces, both have shorter winter days, and in mid-November 2026 both were closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. For the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and St Paul's, see our London sightseeing tickets guide.

Who is this for?

• Kensington Palace suits a half-day in central London: Queen Victoria's childhood rooms, the King's State Apartments and Kensington Gardens. The official site recommends around 2 to 3 hours.
• Hampton Court Palace suits a full day out: Henry VIII's palace, its kitchens and gardens. The official site recommends at least three hours, and the train ride takes you out of central London.
• Christmas visitors: from 28 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, Hampton Court runs its Winter Palace experience, which the official FAQ says is included with palace entry.

Which ticket should I pick?

Kensington Palace

You can book a Kensington Palace ticket for admission to the palace. You show your phone ticket at the ticket desk at the entrance. When we checked, free cancellation and rescheduling were possible until 24 hours before your visit date.

The official site says a free audio guide is included in palace admission. On the dates we checked, it also listed these closures:

• The Queen's State Apartments are closed until spring 2027 for major re-presentation.
• The King's Gallery is closed from 18 November 2026 until spring 2027 for roof repairs.

So this winter, the visit centres on Victoria: A Royal Childhood and the King's State Apartments. The official site also lists Power, Perfume and Scandal, included in admission, on weekends until 22 November 2026, from 10:30 to 14:45.

Hampton Court Palace

You can book a Hampton Court Palace, Gardens and Maze ticket that includes palace and garden admission and an audio guide. You show your phone ticket at the ticket desk at the entrance. When we checked, free cancellation and rescheduling were possible until 24 hours before your visit date.

The official site says pre-booking is recommended and that prices differ between peak and off-peak dates. Check the official page for current prices.

The ticket name includes the Maze, but the official pages we checked didn't list Maze hours for November. Check the official opening times for your date. The Magic Garden was closed all week when we checked.

When are they open?

These are the hours the official pages listed for the week of 9 to 15 November 2026. Opening days can change, so always confirm on the opening-times page for your date.

• Kensington Palace: closed Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday to Saturday 10:00 to 16:00, Sunday 12:00 to 16:00. The palace listing gives last entry as 15:00. See the official opening times.
• Hampton Court Palace and Gardens: closed Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday to Sunday 10:00 to 16:00, last admission 15:00. See the official opening times.

Hampton Court also listed these changes:

• 26 October to 23 November: the Great Vine and the Sunken Garden are closed.
• 11 to 28 November: the Cartoon Gallery is closed.
• 18 November: the Chapel Royal is closed all day.
• 21 and 22 November: the gardens open for free, without tickets. The palace, the Maze and the Magic Garden still need a ticket.
• From 28 November: much of the palace becomes the Winter Palace experience. A selection of undecorated historic routes stays open.

The Winter Palace FAQ says the event runs 10:00 to 16:30, with later opening on selected dates. It is closed on 30 November and on 1, 7, 8, 14, 15 and 24 to 26 December. Entry is timed every 30 minutes, so arrive within your slot.

The ticket pages showed different hours from the official pages when we checked, including Monday and Tuesday opening. Go by the official hours.

What's the best time to go?

Plan these two on different days. Each palace closes at 16:00 with last entry at 15:00, and Hampton Court alone needs at least three hours plus the train.

• Kensington Palace: go on a Wednesday to Saturday morning from 10:00. On Sunday it opens later, at 12:00.
• Hampton Court: arrive close to 10:00 on any day from Wednesday to Sunday, so you have time for the palace and the gardens before last admission.

How do I get there?

• Kensington Palace is in Kensington Gardens, W8 4PX. The official site says Queensway (Central line) is about a 10-minute walk, and High Street Kensington (Circle and District lines) is 10 to 15 minutes.
• Hampton Court Palace is in East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 9AU. Trains run from London Waterloo every 30 minutes, and Hampton Court station is a five-minute walk from the palace. The station is in zone 6; check the official site for accepted travel cards on this route. Trains back to Waterloo leave at 24 and 54 minutes past the hour Monday to Saturday, and at 05 and 35 past on Sunday.

Plan routes with the TfL Journey Planner.

Common mistakes

• Planning a Monday or Tuesday. Both palaces were closed on those days in the week we checked.
• Trying to do both in one day. Both close at 16:00, with last entry at 15:00, and they are far apart.
• Bringing luggage to Kensington Palace. It has no left luggage, and suitcases, large bags and rolling luggage aren't allowed inside. Hampton Court has lockers in the Buggy Store in Clock Court.
• Expecting the Queen's State Apartments or the King's Gallery at Kensington. Both are closed into spring 2027 (the King's Gallery from 18 November).
• Arriving late for a Winter Palace slot. Entry is timed, and the official FAQ says admission can't be guaranteed if the next slot is full.

FAQ

Which palace is better for a first visit?

Kensington Palace if you have half a day in central London; Hampton Court if you can give it a full day and want Henry VIII, the kitchens and the gardens.

Are Kensington Palace and Hampton Court open on Mondays?

Not in the week we checked: both were closed on Monday and Tuesday. Check the official opening-times page for your date.

Is the Winter Palace included in a Hampton Court ticket?

Yes. The official FAQ says Winter Palace: The Christmas Beast Ball is included with palace entry. It runs from 28 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, with some closed days.

Do I need a ticket for the Kensington Palace café and shop?

No. The official site says the Orangery, the Palace Café and the shop are open to anyone without a palace ticket.

Can I use a travel card to get to Hampton Court?

The official site lists accepted travel cards for the route from London Waterloo; Hampton Court station is in zone 6.

Sources

• Kensington Palace: visit
• Kensington Palace: opening and closing times
• Hampton Court Palace: visit
• Hampton Court Palace: opening and closing times
• Hampton Court Palace: Winter Palace FAQ
• TfL Journey Planner