Private Tour
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
Enter the world of King Henry VIII by exploring his most iconic residence - Hampton Court Palace. This 500 year old building is unique in that it is a palace of two halves – the Tudor side, and the Baroque section built for King William III by Sir Christopher Wren. On a private tour, tailored to your interests, you will explore the palace’s grand state apartments, vast kitchens and magnificent gardens. Your guide will entertain you with stories of the palace’s tantalising history, including Henry’s six wives, court etiquette and the infamous ghosts.
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
This is a private tour / activity. Only your group will participate.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Hampton Court Palace
In this palace of two halves, you can look forward to entering the world of Henry VIII and learning about his six wives, on a tour which is tailored to your particular interests. You'll experience the sights and sounds of a working Tudor kitchen, you will see the sumptuous Abraham Tapestries in Henry's Great Hall, and hear the tragic ghost story of Henry's fifth wife in the infamous Haunted Gallery. In contrast to the Tudor palace, you will also experience the Baroque majesty of King William III's apartments. After ascending the Great Staircase, you will marvel at the weapons on display in his Guard Chamber, and have a bird's eye view of the exquisite parterre garden.
Personal tour with Jo who is accredited by the Institute of Tourist Guiding.
Jo has worked at Hampton Court for 15 years and has a Drama and Theatre Arts degree.
She has been featured on ABC’s ‘Good Morning America’ and BBC’s Timewatch ‘The King’s Servant’
Entrance tickets - can be purchased via the Historic Royal Palaces website. Approx £27
Food and Drink
Transport
Gratuities
Hampton Court Palace
43 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Conrad J,Apr 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
Jo was very knowledgeable and tailored her comments to our interests. She shared a lot of information about Henry Viii and King William that we weren't aware of.
Kristen B,Mar 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
If you are reading this review trying to decide whether it's worth having a guide to visit Hampton Palace.... the answer is YES and you should book with Jo!!!! Jo was so friendly and cheerful with a genuine passion for history. Jo is extremely knowledgeable about the palace and all of its inhabitants from royalty to those grace and favoured. She is very knowledgeable about the different royal houses and relevant players that were integral parts of the different Kings and Queens reigns. We spoke about the Tudor and Stuart houses through present day House of Windsor. Jo answered all of our questions with ease. Jo went above and beyond and exceeded our expectations. She truly made our experience so much better than we could ever have imagined. You will not be disappointed if you book with Jo and be so glad that you did! Put simply Jo was amazing.
bhougen,Mar 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Jo is professional and highly knowledgeable, I felt so lucky for her to be my tour guide. As a person with little knowledge of Tudor history, she made the tour accessible to me without neglecting the intricacies. I would highly recommend her!
194elyseg,Mar 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Jo filled in for us when our original tour guide wasn’t able to make it and we couldn’t be happier with her! She was a wealth of knowledge and took us around filling us in on all the intricacies of the palace. She answered our questions and took pictures for us. Book yoir tour with her, she’s wonderful!!
Denise D,Jan 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
We had a wonderful tour of this castle. We were running late and the guide was so patient and accommodating with our schedule change. We learned so much and wish we could have heard all the entertaining, fun facts, and ghost stories for more hours that day.
Ashley L,Jan 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
Jo was an animated storyteller who demonstrated great passion and excitement for her subject. On. Very cold morning, she demonstrated patience with grumpy teenagers while their mother soaked up the fascinating stories of the Tudors. I’ve been to the palace before on a self-guided tour, but never would have known all of the hidden secrets without this tour. Highly recommend!
Tracy C,Nov 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
Jo gave us an incredible private tour of Hampton Court Palace. Her stories were captivating, her knowledge impressive, and her enthusiasm made the whole experience unforgettable. She truly brought the palace to life. Highly recommend-Jo is amazing!
David C,Oct 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
Very interesting tour of the palace once used by King Henry VIII. Our tour guide Jo’s in depth knowledge of the palace’s history and her unique ability to tell an interesting story kept us captivated throughout the tour.
Gia M,Oct 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
Jo was a fantastic tour guide … communicative prior to meeting .. very well informed and added some secrets from all her years at the castle … lovely morning !

denisepswann,Aug 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Jo was an amazing guide! We were with her for over 2 hours. She is so knowledgeable on Henry VIII and his six wives. Fascinating information! This tour is a must for those of us who love the history and intrigue involving the Tudor period of Henry VIII. You will not be disappointed!
Operated by Jo Cooper