Tickets and admission
Henry VIII’s Joust and falconry displays are both included in Hampton Court Palace admission and no additional pre-booking is required. Tickets to Hampton Court Palace can be purchased in advance via our website.
You may be able to buy tickets on the day. However, we advise you pre-book to avoid dissapointment.
Yes, members can attend the Joust for free, providing they are able to present a valid membership card on arrival at the palace. A separate ticket will not be required for members to attend the Joust, although we would recommend pre-booking to avoid disappointment.
Show information
The Joust will run three times a day, at 11:00, 13:30 and 16:00, lasting for approximately 45 minutes each.
Falconry displays will take place twice daily at 12:30 and 15:00 daily, lasting for approximately 30 minutes each.
The Joust and falconry displays take place on the East Front Gardens at Hampton Court Palace. All performances are open-air and seated directly on grass.
The Joust is an exhilarating stunt show based on historical jousting tournaments and is appropriate for people of all ages, including children.
No. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times during their visit. This includes while watching the Joust and falconry displays.
No seating is provided to view the Joust or falconry displays, so please come prepared to stand or sit on the lawns. Please note folding chairs are prohibited as they may restrict the view for other guests.
Getting here
For maps and detailed information about getting to the palace by train, bus, car, taxi, boat, coach or bicycle, visit our Getting Here page.
Parking
On-site paid parking at Hampton Court Palace is limited and on a first come first served basis. In the likely event that the on-site car park is full, overflow parking will be provided on Hampton Court Green. This will be operated by a third party. Where possible we encourage visitors to use public transport to visit us.
For more information about parking onsite and other local car parks, please view our Getting Here page.
The palace car park has ten disabled parking spaces for Blue Badge holders. They are available on a first come first served basis. Parking is currently free for blue badge holders parked in the disabled bays.
Other
The East Front Gardens at Hampton Court Palace are fully accessible; however the Joust and falconry displays take place on grassed terrain and are accessed over gravel paths.
Staff will be on standby to assist visitors with accessibility needs. If you require any assistance please make yourself known to the event team upon arrival at the event site. Each arena will have a dedicated access area and the team will tailor their assistance to your needs.
For more information about palace accessibility visit our page.
Yes, please feel free to bring your own picnic to the show. Glass bottles are allowed, however drinking glasses are not permitted. Please use shatterproof non-glass drinking cups and recycle your bottles after use. Our range of cafes also serve a range of delicious food and refreshments.
Yes, there will be food trucks located near the Joust arena, serving a variety of food and drinks.
The closest permanent toilet facilities will be located in the Wilderness Garden and inside the palace in Fountain Court. There will be temporary toilets installed close to the Falconry arena. Please follow signage or ask a member of staff to direct you.
It is possible Historic Royal Palaces will be filming and taking photographs at this event. Please speak to a member of staff on the day of the event if you wish to opt out.
You are welcome to take photographs providing these are for personal use. Please refrain from video recording the performance.
This event is weather dependant and the safety and welfare of all involved is of utmost importance to us. Should event organisers determine that safety is compromised, the event will be cancelled.
As this event is included in your admission ticket and does not incur any extra charge, there will be no refunds offered due to cancelled performances.
Unfortunately, you cannot interact with the animals due to our strict animal welfare policies for this event. Horses should not be approached and birds cannot be handled.
If you are seeking a more interactive experience during your visit, the Shire Horse Carriage rides will be running elsewhere in the East Front Gardens during this time. We do ask that you please speak to a member of staff before approaching the horses for your own safety. For more information, please check the website.
Outlaw Entertainments, the company providing the horses for Henry VIII’s Joust, are a well-established supplier offering numerous equine services throughout the entertainment industries. They adhere to strict animal welfare policies and their horses receive the highest level of care throughout their training and work. Polices are built upon the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare as outlined in the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
CODA Falconry, the company providing the birds for falconry displays at Henry VIII’s Joust, are a supplier operating locally to Hampton Court Palace. Their Bird of Prey Centre is located at Hobbledown Heath in Hounslow.
CODA Falconry have been issued with a zoo license by Hounslow Borough Council, which means they must adhere to strict welfare policies both within their Bird of Prey Centre and when transporting animals offsite for events such as this one.
Only registered and recognisable assistance, service or guide dogs are allowed inside Hampton Court Palace and in the East Front Gardens.
There are no facilities for dogs to be left while their owners visit the palace and gardens and they should not be left in cars in the palace car park (owners of any animals left in cars are libel to prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act and we are obliged to call the police to parked vehicles containing animals, especially dogs).
The joust arena is a no smoking zone. Please refrain from smoking and vaping in this area.