Over seven centuries the powerful owners of Hampton Court have changed the palace according to their demands or tastes. However, curiously, no one managed to wipe out entirely their predecessor’s traces. They valued it for its rural setting and the prospect of hunting, and tolerated – even revered – its hotchpotch of building styles. This gives the palace its unique romantic appeal, with reminders of its turbulent past at every turn.
We intend to visit this unique part of our heritage just at the start of the Tulip Festival, which is included in our ticket.
We have planned a tour of the palace by Sarah Slater, who came to talk to us at our monthly meeting in January 2023 on ‘Secrets of the Royal Court’. She is not only a Blue Badge tourist guide but she has the expert White Badge qualification for Hampton Court.
We will split into two groups guided by Sarah with time for us all to enjoy the gardens and particularly the tulips. There is a café on site for refreshments or you may wish to bring a picnic.
We plan to leave Hampton Court at 4.45pm at the end of the second tour.
Cost: £50, to include entrance ticket, guided tour and driver’s gratuity.
| Coach departure places and times | |
| 9.00am | Brockham Middle Street near junction with Oakdene Road |
| 9.10am | Dorking outside Dorking Halls |
| 9.15am | Dorking opposite Waitrose |
| 9.20am | Dorking Knoll Road bus stop (on Horsham Road between Harrow Road East and Tower Hill Road) |