Halloween at Hampton Court Palace
Halloween is our favourite time of the year! Head out to Hampton Court Palace to see the ghost, ghoul, and gallows, and enjoy the autumnal atmosphere.
If you know my family, you’ll know we absolutely love Halloween—it’s our favourite time of year! As the temperature drops, the clocks go back, and the trees turn a fiery orange, we always look forward to a festive Halloween outing. In years past, we’ve visited a variety of pumpkin patches—Stanhill, Hewitt’s Farm, and Tuley’s among them. But this year, we skipped the pumpkins and ventured somewhere far more haunted: the legendary Hampton Court Palace. Watch out for ghosts, ghouls, and gallows…
Hampton Court Palace: Where Tudor Meets Baroque
Nestled on the banks of the River Thames, Hampton Court Palace was originally built in 1514 by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey. When he fell from favour, Henry VIII seized the palace and transformed it into a grand Tudor residence. All six of his wives walked these storied halls. In the late 17th century, William III commissioned Sir Christopher Wren to redesign parts of the palace in the Baroque style.
Today, Hampton Court is a striking blend of Tudor half-timbering and ornate Baroque opulence. The gardens are equally impressive, with manicured rose beds and a famous hedge maze offering peaceful strolls and playful detours.
Ghosts of the Past
Despite living in London for over a decade, this was our first visit to Hampton Court. And what better time than Halloween?! The palace was transformed into a haunted wonderland, complete with eerie lighting and a chilling soundscape that gave the entire experience a spectral edge.
Lady Yeya, dressed in her finest witch costume, roamed the palace like she owned it. As we explored, we stumbled upon the Spider’s Lair in Henry VIII’s kitchens, the Cursed Ballroom, the Haunted Banquet, the Grey Lady, and the ominously named Gallery of the Damned.
Poor Lady Yeya’s heart raced as she encountered ghostly figures including George Frideric Handel, Henry VII, Michael Faraday, Oliver Cromwell, Queen Victoria, and Arabella Hunt. With white-washed faces and hollow eyes, they silently watched us weave through the palace’s haunted wings.
Autumnal Magic in the Gardens
Outside, the gardens were ablaze with autumn colour, adding a magical atmosphere to the Halloween trail. Pumpkins lined the paths, and we encountered more haunted garden ghosts—Ernest Shackleton, Jacques Francis, John Dee, Sophia Duleep Singh, and Millicent Alesbury among them. There was no shortage of Instagram-worthy family photos amongst the fall foliage.
A Perfect Family Day Out
Hampton Court Palace is a fantastic family destination, especially during Halloween. With immersive storytelling, ghostly encounters, and eerie trails through beautiful gardens, it’s a day out that blends history, mystery, and just the right amount of fright.
