Hampton Court Palace Private Tour - Secrets of Henry VIII
Recommended by 100% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
London, England
- 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Step back into the Tudor era on this private tour of Hampton Court Palace. Built by Henry VIII in the 16th century and later expanded, it’s one of southern England’s highlight palaces. Meet your guide—a celebrated historian who’s appeared on Tudor-themed television specials—and get ready to explore (entry own expense). Whether it’s fashion, royal intrigue, artworks, or more, the tour can be specially tailored to fit your interests. You can also sign up for the general tour option for a broad overview of the landmark.
- Explore Hampton Court Palace in the company of a celebrated historian
- A private tour lets you customize the itinerary to fit your interests
- Pick from a number of convenient departure times
- Select the general tour grade for an introductory overview of the palace
What's Included
- With Siobhan Clarke who has a History degree and is accredited by the Institute of Tourist Guides.
- She is the author of four books on Tudor history.
- Featured on PBS television's 'Secrets of Henry VIII's Palace'
- Has worked for Historic Royal Palaces for 20 years.
- Also lectures for the US Smithsonian and the UK Arts Society
- Palace Admission Tickets can be booked in advance online
- Transport
- Food and Drink
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Hampton Court, Molesey, East Molesey KT8, UK
Suggest booking palace entrance TICKETS in advance, on the Hampton Court website, although they can be purchased on the day. Please enter palace grounds and proceed down the drive to the WEST GATE, where tickets are checked. Your guide will be waiting for you.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
Hampton Court Palace
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- There are opportunities to sit during the tour
- Slow pace available on request
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Tour will be adapted to suit all ages, interests and abilities
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- Entrance tickets can be booked online in advance from the Hampton Court Palace website
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
5.0
based on 141 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
jennzanelli, Jul 2026
This tour was necessary to understand the history of this spectacular palace. Siobhan was very attentive and catered the tour to our interests. She was extremely knowledgeable and knew the palace like the back of her hand. Definitely worth it!
ChristineH_T, Jul 2026
Siobhan was fabulous! A ton of great information and extremely responsive to my questions prior to and during our visit. She went out of her way to get us to the cafe before walking us to the jousting afterwards. Best tour this trio!
Joanna_S, Jun 2026
If you have any love for history, a private tour of Hampton Court Palace is an absolute must. From the moment we stepped inside, it felt less like a tourist visit and more like being genuinely transported back through centuries of royal intrigue, power, and drama.
What set this experience apart was our guide, Siobhan Clarke. Her knowledge was extraordinary — not just the well-known facts you'd find in a guidebook, but the kind of rich, layered storytelling that brings a place like this truly to life. She wove together the personal, the political, and the architectural in a way that made every room feel like it had a heartbeat. By the end, Henry VIII and his court felt less like textbook figures and more like people whose presence still lingers in those corridors.
The private nature of the tour made all the difference. There's something special about being able to linger, ask questions, and absorb the atmosphere without the noise and rush of a crowd. It creates space for the history to actually land.
I'd highly recommend this to anyone visiting the area — whether you're a seasoned history enthusiast or just curious. It's one of those experiences that stays with you long after you’ve left.
Crafty, Jun 2026
This turned out to be one of the best tours we experienced during a three-week trip to the UK, perhaps the best tour. Siobhan Clarke is an expert on Henry VIII and the Tudor dynasty. She has written 3 or 4 books on the subjects and there wasn’t a question she couldn’t answer or a fact that we weren’t awed by. As important, she was a delight to be with and guided us through the palace with a great communication style and personality. The palace staff and volunteers all knew her and treated her with obvious and cheerful respect. You won’t be disappointed if you book with her!
Liz_C, Jun 2026
This tour guide is absolutely wonderful - she has professionally researched so many small
Details that make the experience of touring so rich!
Lisa_H, May 2026
Siobhan was extremely knowledgeable and catered the tour to what we were most interested in. Would recommend.
AprilKate_G, Apr 2026
The Ms. Siobhan was very accommodating to our request for a slow paced tour. I toured with my elderly parents and she was very considerate and amiable.
Michael_J, Apr 2026
Siobhan is a world of knowledge and a real joy to be around. She brought the Tudors to life for us, along with William. You will not be disappointed if you book this tour.
Christine_M, Apr 2026
We spent an afternoon with Siobhan Clarke at Hampton Court. Her knowledge of the monarchs, coupled with her ability to explain the nuances of their courtly life, provided a highly entertaining tour. Her deep understanding of the palace, its various functions, and its importance throughout history made the afternoon well worth the trip. I was so inspired that I purchased one of her books and read it in full on my flight home. I would definitely recommend taking this tour!
Ariel_I, Apr 2026
Super informative and so interesting! Great for kids who are into Tudor history. Siobhan was kind and patient
L_B, Mar 2026
Absolutely brilliant tour with Siobhan. Really enjoyed it! Siobhan was extremely knowledgable and friendly.
Shelly_H, Feb 2026
Having Siobhan as our guide far exceeded all of our expectations. Her historical expertise brought Hampton Court Palace to life as she effortlessly answered all of our questions and packed every minute of the tour with details about court life- it was one of the best days on our trip!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you Shelly. I really appreciate your kind words. Best Wishes, Siobhan
Rebekah_B, Feb 2026
When I saw there was a tour of Hampton Court Palace led by one of my favorite authors, Siobhan Clarke, I could hardly believe it — and it truly turned out to be a magical day. She made every step of the experience feel special, bringing the palace to life with rich history, fascinating stories, and behind-the-scenes insights you simply wouldn’t get anywhere else.
At several points other visitors even tried to join our group because her knowledge and storytelling were so captivating. Siobhan was an absolute delight — incredibly informative while still making the tour fun and engaging for everyone. It was one of the highlights of our trip and an experience I’ll always remember.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
How kind of you to leave such a lovely review. Please get in touch if you come back. Siobhan
Eric_S, Feb 2026
This was an amazing tour. We have done many guided tours but this was our first private tour. Our guide was very friendly, interactive, knowledgeable, and interacted with us throughout the tour.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you so much. I'm really glad you enjoyed your tour.
Jessica_O, Jan 2026
This was our first time at Hampton Court and Siobhan was an amazing tour guide! She was very knowledgeable, prompt and responsive. My sister and I were traveling from the Cliveden Hotel and were worried about what we would do with our bags, but they had accommodations for our large luggage (free of charge) which made it much easier for us. Please note that you MUST purchase entry tickets to Hampton Court at an additional and separate charge from the private tour on Viator, which was not made clear. They mention you need tickets for entry but the wording suggests the purchase of tickets are optional rather than mandatory (which is why I gave 4 stars instead of 5) You have to purchase entry tickets from Hampton courts online website, without those tickets you cannot get in. I am a huge fan of Tudor history so for me this tour was incredible! My sister knew nothing of the history and she even loved the tour. I would certainly visit again and recommend this tour to anyone visiting the area or interested in the information. They also have a cafe which was nice and a gift shop!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you so much. I'm really glad you enjoyed your tour.
WILLIAM_U, Dec 2025
Had an absolutely splendid time touring Hampton Court with Ms. Clarke. She went in to marvelous detail about the palace and it's Tudor history. My wife is an avid fan of the monarchy. I strongly recommend Ms. Clarke for any fans of the Tudor court history.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you! I'm so please you enjoyed your day. Always a pleasure for me to meet Tudor fans.
Bill_R, Dec 2025
Siobhan Clarke is an outstanding guide., lecturer, historian and author. She brings HC alive and you can practically feel Wolsey and Cromwell working away in service to Henry VIII. Best way to see HC!!!!
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Always a pleasure for me to meet Wolf Hall fans.
Thank you! I'm so pleased you enjoyed your day at the palace.
Jerry_R, Nov 2025
It was great to get a good view of Henry VIII and all his wives in the actual place where they lived! It really made the story come alive for us! Siobhan gave us personal details about the people involved that made the story real for us.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
It was nice to meet you and thanks so much for the review.
Dia_B, Nov 2025
While planning my short London trip, I debated doing an audio tour of Hampton Court Palace, figuring I could explore and learn on my own.
I’m so glad I changed my mind and booked a tour with Siobhan Clarke; she gave me an inside look into the Tudors and Hampton Court Palace that no audio guide could’ve ever matched.
In just two hours, she walked me through the expansive palace, sharing fascinating stories about King Henry VIII, his wives, and court life. What a treat! I learned so much more than I would’ve reading the exhibit plaques or wandering alone.
As an official Historic Royal Palaces Guide Lecturer and author of multiple Tudor books, Siobhan knows the Tudors inside and out, so she can easily tailor a tour to your interests.
Whether you’re a Tudor fan, history buff, or just love exploring palaces, Siobhan’s the perfect guide for you. I can’t wait to return to London and book another one of her tours.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
So kind of you. Thank you very much. Hope to see you again!
CHRISTINA_P, Nov 2025
Hampton court palace is vast and can take many hours to walk around, so having a personal guide like Siobhan Clarke was fantastic! As a historian she was so knowledgable about Henry VIII and all the kings and queens who can after him. We learnt so much more than the audio guides, plus you can ask as many questions as you like. If you’re into history and want a deep dive then you need a personal guide to give you the best experience possible. Highly recommend.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
It was so nice to meet you both and thanks very much for the review. Do get in touch again.
Grace_M, Nov 2025
As an absolute Tudor history nerd, touring Hampton Court Palace with Siobhan is an absolute must! Even knowing a lot about Henry VIII, his reign, and his wives you’ll still learn more and really get a better understanding of his court and how all of the people at it lived their days. During the 90 minute tour, you’ll see and learn more within the palace than you can imagine without feeling rushed or short on time at all. And for my fellow history nerds out there: Siobhan cowrote The Tudor Christmas with Alison Weir so you know she’s the real deal!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thanks and it was a pleasure to meet you both!
Karee_V, Nov 2025
Siobhan was very knowledgeable and we shared a love of the history. She really brought to life the stories I had only read about.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thanks so much!
Khalid_V, Sep 2025
Siobhan was an excellent and knowledgeable tour guide. This was my second time at Hampton Court but I learned so much more with her guiding us. This was a great way to cap off our trip to the U.K. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you so much. It was a pleasure to meet you both and so kind of you to post a review. Please get in touch another time you are in the UK.
Jennifer_T, Aug 2025
I could not recommend this tour or experience enough. Siobhan is a consummate historian on the era and moves you deftly through the property so that a 1.5-hour tour feels like you have learned and seen a week's worth of history. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to experience such a significant historical event, and I strongly encourage others to pursue a similar experience.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you Jennifer. It was a pleasure to meet you and I hope you enjoy reading my book as well. I really appreciate your lovely feedback.
johnstonash, Aug 2025
Siobhan was a fabulous guide. She was very knowledgeable and and a very impressive wealth of knowledge of Hampton Court. I highly reccomend a tour with Siobhan.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you so much for taking the time. I really appreciate reviews and it was a pleasure to meet you.
James_M, Aug 2025
Wonderful tour of Hampton Court. Siobhan was a wonderful and talented storyteller and did a fantastic job painting a picture of life at Henry VIII’s court. Highly recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you so much for taking the time. I really appreciate reviews and it was a pleasure to meet you.
Georgia_C, Jun 2025
This tour was the highlight of our holiday. Siobhan was utterly amazing, knowledgeable and did absolutely everything to cater the tour to our interests. She answered every one of our questions and even showed us some hidden gems. Highly, highly recommended this tour!!
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thanks Georgia. So kind of you to write and I'm delighted you enjoyed your day.
Robin_O, May 2025
Absolutely amazing. Had an amazing tour guide that made the experience so great. They were a historian so they were knowledge and engaging.
Response from Host, May 2025
Thank you Robin. It was a pleasure to meet you.
Alice_H, Apr 2025
Siobhan Clarke was our delightful and knowledgeable tour guide. She greeted us at the entrance, and she took into account our special needs. We learned so much during our tour and had a great time.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you very much for taking the time to review my tour. I'm so pleased you enjoyed your visit to Hampton Court!
Nicholas_D, Apr 2025
Excellent tour! Our guide Siobhan was great, very friendly and full of knowledge! It was a perfect gift for my wife.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you very much for taking the time to review my tour. I'm so pleased you enjoyed your visit to Hampton Court!
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From $247.65
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