King Henry VIII’s former residence transforms every summer with the start of the Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival. Now one of the largest flower shows in the world, it stretches across the formal lawns of this historic palace and beautiful grounds, offering visitors a marvellous celebration of horticulture. With its welcoming atmosphere, sprawling show gardens and thoughtful talks programme, it’s considered a more relaxed cousin to the Chelsea Flower Show, but no less inspiring.
The regal backdrop, with its pristine sculptures and sweeping riverside views, becomes home to floral marquees, plant pavilions, sustainable showcases and hands-on workshops for visitors to take part in. A fixture in many horticulturalists' calendars every year, the festival continues to evolve with each season, but let us talk more about the history of the event before turning towards its current programme.
A Resplendent Royal Residence
Originally built in 1515 by Cardinal Wolsey, Hampton Court was gifted to King Henry VIII in 1529 following Wolsey’s fall from favour, after incurring the ire of the notoriously temperamental king. It quickly became the monarch’s favourite home, and over the next decade, it was transformed into a palace fit for one of Europe’s most powerful monarchs. At Hampton, Henry hosted lavish feasts, received foreign ambassadors and married two of his six wives, although this was marked with tragedy, with his third wife, Jane Seymour, dying shortly after giving birth to Edward VI within its walls.
The Great Hall, chapel and Tudor kitchens remain today important reminders of the palace’s golden era, whilst the rest of Hampton’s architecture reflects multiple generations of royal occupation. William III and Mary II commissioned Sir Christopher Wren to renovate the building in the Baroque style, complementing the dramatic Tudor red brick that defines the site today. The gargoyle-like statues known as “The King's Beasts”, which adorn the main pathway, were originally installed by Henry as a reflection of his heritage. Subsequent monarchs such as William and Mary found their predecessors’ display amusing and worthy of continuation, with new beasts added for each subsequent monarch up until the present day, with King Charles III.
A Festival of Flowers
Surrounded by 60 acres of gardens and 750 acres of parkland, Hampton Court is notable for opening its gates to the public all year round. Organised by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), the Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival has grown into one of the country’s most popular outdoor garden events. Unlike the Chelsea Flower Show’s compact setting and air of exclusivity, Hampton Court is a far more expansive and immersive experience, with ample room to wander around the lavish grounds.
Each year’s programme includes a mix of new and returning favourites among the show garden displays, community projects, and environmental talks focused on sustainable gardening and regeneration. At Hampton, visitors will find bold design concepts that provide copious amounts of inspiration for their own gardens, as well as plenty of exotic plant specimens at the “Plant Village” to choose from and take home.
Among the most popular talks and workshops during the festival is the Get Growing space. Aimed at beginners and families, this section is full of interactive learning opportunities from seed sowing to composting and pest control, with the goal in question being to help demystify gardening for newcomers and encourage sustainable practices. Another one of the more popular spaces is the RHS Allotments, aimed at getting visitors on board with edible gardening through cultivating herbs, vegetables and fruit at home.
Experience Hampton Court in Bloom
Hampton Court is synonymous with immaculate gardens and transfixing flower beds but there is more to experience at this site during the festival. Visitors can challenge themselves to solve the small but complex maze within the grounds, admire the impressive water feature at the long pond, and marvel at the impressive "The Great Vine”, the largest singular vine in the world and more than 250 years old.
There is a range of food outlets to ensure visitors need not leave Hampton Court in search of refreshment. From the palace’s onsite cafe to pop-up wood fire pizza ovens, and other vendors that will be dotted around the grounds throughout the festival, Hampton has all bases covered for a brilliant summer’s day out.
When is the Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival?
The festival runs from 1st to 6th July 2025, with the first two days reserved for RHS members. General public access begins on 3rd July and tickets can be booked online via the RHS website, although they often sell out early, particularly for weekend dates. Ticket prices may vary, with general admission costing £38.35, with some concessions available depending on the day of visit and slots. The best times to book include early morning and late afternoon entry slots offer a less crowded experience for visitors outside peak hours.
The palace is located in East Molesey, south-west of central London and is well connected by both rail and road. The easiest route from the centre is to take a South Western Railway service from London Waterloo to Hampton Station, which is in London Transport Zone 6. Journey times are typically about 50 minutes from Waterloo, and from Hampton station, it’s a pleasant 10-minute walk across the river via the nearby bridge to the palace entrance.
There is no public parking at the palace during the festival, so it is best to avoid driving wherever possible unless staying nearby at a private residence. An alternative way of arriving at the festival is to venture by riverboat. In the summer, services run from Westminster Pier, Richmond, and Kingston along the Thames, offering a slow yet tranquil journey past charming locks, pretty riverside houses and through South London’s greener pastures.
