You are at the top of the page

Skip to content or footer

Start of main content

Volunteer

Interesting and challenging roles in a unique working environment

Volunteer at Historic Royal Palaces

We are the independent charity that loves and looks after six of the most wonderful palaces in the world. The palaces are the setting for the stories that shape us all. We're bringing them to people in ways that mean more to them. We want everyone to find themselves in the spaces and stories we share.

We are a charity, and your support gives the palaces a future, for everyone. Volunteers provide us with an immeasurable amount of support in achieving this, in so many ways, from sharing stories with visitors to helping out behind the scenes. Find out more about volunteering with us below.

Our volunteers provide a vital link

We believe our volunteers provide an important and invaluable link between the historic buildings in our care, our visitors, and the local community.

Volunteers complement and support the work of our staff, developing new talents for themselves. This enables us to further enrich and enhance the visitor experience and to undertake projects that we would not normally be able to carry out.

Photograph of Fountain Court at Hampton Court Palace

Types of Volunteer Roles

We have a wide range of exciting volunteer opportunities available at Historic Royal Palaces. They include things like:

  • Welcoming and supporting visitors to our palaces, to help ensure they have productive visits.
  • Helping to maintain and develop our wonderful palace gardens.
  • Supporting as object handlers, who show interesting historical artefacts to palace visitors. 
  • Assisting our Schools and Communities team with educational visits to our palaces.

Why volunteer with us?

Volunteering with us gives you the opportunity to grow as an individual, as well as the following:

  • Discover more about our palaces and take a look behind the scenes.
  • Meet new friends
  • Develop your interpersonal skills by engaging with visitors from all over the world.

Whatever your interests, volunteering can expand your horizons, open up new possibilities and uncover hidden interests and talents.

Exterior view of the White Tower and the lawn taken from the south by the Wakefield Tower
Close up of Exterior of South Front of Kew Palace.

What we offer

We offer our volunteers the following:

  • Induction, training and ongoing support in their roles. 
  • Free individual entrance to all HRP sites and a discount in our shops. 
  • 50% discount on food and drink in our cafes.
  • Travel expenses reimbursed (including mileage for cars).
  • Volunteer parties, events, and trips to visit other heritage and cultural organisations. 
Hampton Court Palace Privy Gardens with fountain.

Apply for a role

The application process for volunteering at Historic Royal Palaces is as follows:

  • Use the application link below which will take you to a secure application platform.
  • You will be asked to create an account and enter your details. 
  • Your application will then be forwarded to the appropriate volunteer managers.

Until Spring 2025 we only have roles available in the following areas:

  • Hampton Court Palace and Gardens
  • Kensington Palace
  • Schools and Communities Department

If there are no roles currently available to suit you, then you will be placed on a 2025 waiting list to volunteer.

Requirements

All our volunteers are required to have security clearance and must therefore be over 18 years old. If you are under 18, you may wish to take a look at our internship, apprenticeship and work experience opportunities.

Apply to volunteer

Contact us

If you have any questions about volunteering at Historic Royal Palaces, please email us at volunteers@hrp.org.uk.