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What's happening at Hampton Court Palace?

Vital conservation work in 2025-26

We are proud to care for some of the most important buildings in the world. It is critical that we carry out expert conservation at Hampton Court Palace to maintain, protect and preserve the palace for everyone to enjoy.

In 2025 and 2026, some major projects will mean that certain rooms and routes will have reduced access or be closed as we fulfil this essential work.

Please check for upcoming closures at the palace before booking a ticket.

Summer 2025

Great Gatehouse - closed until May 2026

What is happening?

Seymour Gate will be the main entrance from June 2025, just to the left of the Great Gatehouse - as detailed on the Palace map. 

The work on the Gatehouse will include stone masonry repairs, brick repairs and repointing, and the replacement of lead roof coverings, to ensure that the building is protected for the future.

Scaffolding will be in place over the Great Gatehouse while this work is carried out.

Why is this work so important?

The Great Gatehouse has been the main entrance to the palace for centuries and would have been a familiar site for Tudor courtiers and their servants upon arriving at Hampton Court. From this entrance, they could walk towards the palace’s courtyards.

This conservation work will be the next step in continuing to keep the building safe and preserved for visitors to enjoy.

West Front of Hampton Court Palace showing the Seymour Gate to the left of the Great Gatehouse with red and yellow wildflowers in foreground

West Front of Hampton Court Palace showing the Seymour Gate on the left hand side. © Historic Royal Palaces

Explore the Great Gatehouse on our 360-degree image, created in partnership with Google Arts & Culture.

September 2025

Base Court - closed from September 2025 to June 2026

What is happening?

Conservation work in Base Court will be part of one of the largest archaeological excavations at the palace, which could offer a tantalising glimpse into Tudor history.

Why is this work so important?

This was the ‘arrivals’ area with guest lodgings available for courtiers and their servants. Here, up to 1000 people would gather at Base Court and it was an important function of life at the Tudor court as part of a ‘royal filtering system’ - only visitors of high rank would be able to move forward.

The works in Base Court are the final phase of a project to upgrade our electrical infrastructure across the palace. Historic Royal Palaces is committed to tackling climate change and this project will help us to be sustainable for the future.

Base court high-angle view looking north-west showing a large-scale archaeological excavation. The whole of the site, covering all of Base Court, is clearly visible. A team of archaeologists can be seen working on the site, and equipment including two mechanical diggers.

Archive image of the Base Court archaeological excavation in 2008. 
© Historic Royal Palaces

Explore Base Court on our 360-degree image, created in partnership with Google Arts & Culture.

What can I see on my visit?

Please check for upcoming closures at the palace before booking a ticket.

All other areas will be open to enjoy, making your visit to Hampton Court Palace a memorable day out.

Explore the palace and gardens with our free visitor guide, audio tour guide, including our popular film locations tour. Browse some of the highlights and exhibitions below. 

What's on at Hampton Court Palace

Opening hours

Select the date of your visit:

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Open

Open (route closures)

Closed

Monday Closed

Tuesday Closed

Wednesday 10:00-17:30

Thursday 10:00-17:30

Friday 10:00-17:30

Saturday 10:00 - 17:30

Sunday 10:00-17:30

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How you can support our conservation work

Support us

Historic Royal Palaces is an independent charity that looks after six of the most wonderful palaces in the world. Find out how you can support us and help us maintain the palaces for everyone. 

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Conservation in action

Hampton Court before Henry VIII

What archaeology can tell us about Hampton Court's early Tudor history

Look beneath your feet in Clock Court and you'll find hints of what Hampton Court was like before Henry VIII.

Read the blog

Unearthing two early Tudor buildings at Hampton Court Palace

In 2017, our conservation team has conducted excavations around the Great Gatehouse, also known as West Front, and uncovered fascinating discoveries about earlier Tudor buildings.

Read the blog

Conserving our palaces

The conservation team manage and look after six palaces and their collections. Find out how the team protect our historical buildings.

Learn more

Watch: Conservators Behind The Scenes

While the palace was closed during the pandemic, conservators continued to carry out vital work.

Follow preventive conservator Jen Tran in her daily duties and get a rare glimpse behind the scenes of conservation at Hampton Court Palace.

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Follow preventive conservator Jen Tran in her daily duties. Showcasing a rare glimpse behind the scenes of our vital conservation work undertaken at Hampton Court Palace.

Video transcript

Follow along with an interactive transcript of Conservators Behind the Scenes at Hampton Court Palace. A link to open the transcript can be found in the description.

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