Hampton Court Maze: Britain's Oldest Hedge Maze and the Palace Gardens

Planted for William III around 1700, the maze takes about 20 minutes to solve, and sits in 60 acres of gardens with the Great Vine, the Privy Garden and the Magic Garden.

Visit

The maze and gardens are on standard palace admission. Hampton Court Palace tickets.

Location

In the palace gardens, the last survivor of the old Wilderness garden, East Molesey KT8 9AU.

Visit duration

About 20 minutes to the centre of the maze. Plan your visit.

Maze hours

10:00 to 17:15. Closed 24 to 26 December, and in bad weather.

What Is the Hampton Court Maze?

The Hampton Court Maze is a hedge maze in the gardens of Hampton Court Palace, commissioned around 1700 by William III and laid out by the royal gardeners George London and Henry Wise. It was the first hedge maze planted in Britain and is the oldest to survive.

It covers a third of an acre in a trapezoid shape, and it takes about 20 minutes on average to reach the centre. It was first planted in hornbeam and later replanted in yew. For the kings and queens who shaped the palace around it, read the story of Wolsey, Henry VIII and the Stuarts.

Britain's Oldest Hedge Maze

The maze belongs to a garden that is older than it. Henry VIII planted an orchard here in 1531, and in the late 1600s it was remade as a Wilderness in the Italian manner, with clipped trees and garden rooms. The maze is the only part of that original layout to survive.

What made it new was the puzzle. Earlier mazes were mostly a single winding path, but Hampton Court's is a multicursal or puzzle maze, with choices and dead ends, so you can genuinely get lost.

Around it, the Wilderness is now planted with more than 12,000 daffodils, which makes spring the prettiest time to visit this corner of the gardens.

Visiting the Maze: Times and Tips

The maze is included in a normal palace ticket, so you can walk it as often as you like during the day. It opens at 10:00 and closes at 17:15, a little before the palace itself.

It is closed every year from 24 to 26 December, and it can close in bad weather. Expect about 20 minutes to reach the centre, and more to find your way out again.

The Magic Garden at Hampton Court Palace

The Magic Garden is the palace's play garden for children under 12, with royal towers to climb and a dragon, a secret grotto, slides, a splash pad and sand to dig in.

It is included in palace admission and open from 10:00 to 17:45, with last admission at 17:00. Under-16s must be with an adult, and adults cannot go in without a child.

Like the maze, it can close in bad weather. Bring a change of clothes in summer if the splash pad is on the plan.

More to Find in Hampton Court Palace Gardens

The Great Vine

Planted in 1768 under Capability Brown, the Great Vine is the largest grape vine in the world. Its longest rod is 36.5 metres, and it gives an average crop of about 272 kilograms of Black Hamburg grapes.

The Privy Garden

William III's Privy Garden follows a design of 1701. It was reconstructed in 1995, bringing back the king's private garden.

The Great Fountain Garden

William and Mary's Great Fountain Garden is laid out with 13 fountains and avenues of yew.

The Kitchen and Rose Gardens

The Kitchen Garden recreates William III's walled garden with heirloom produce, and the Rose Garden is planted with old English scented roses.

Hampton Court Palace, Gardens & Maze Tickets

Highlights

Experience the grandeur of Henry VIII’s former residence.

Enjoy guided audio tours available in multiple languages.

Wander through vast Tudor and Baroque architecture.

Explore over 60 acres of beautifully maintained gardens.

Challenge yourself in the palace’s historic maze designed in the 1700s.

Seeing the Maze and Gardens on Your Visit

One palace ticket covers the maze, the Magic Garden and more than 60 acres of gardens for the whole day. The maze closes at 17:15, before the palace at 17:30, so do not leave it until the very end.

Hampton Court Maze and Gardens: Your Questions

How old is the Hampton Court Maze?

It was commissioned around 1700 by William III, which makes it the oldest surviving hedge maze in Britain.

How long does it take to do the Hampton Court Maze?

About 20 minutes on average to reach the centre.

Is the maze included in a Hampton Court Palace ticket?

Yes. It is part of standard palace admission.

What are the maze opening hours?

10:00 to 17:15. It is closed 24 to 26 December and can close in bad weather.

How big is the Hampton Court Maze?

It covers a third of an acre and is trapezoid in shape.

Who designed the Hampton Court Maze?

George London and Henry Wise, the royal gardeners, for William III.

What is the Magic Garden?

A play garden for children under 12, with towers, a dragon, a grotto, slides and a splash pad. Adults can only go in with a child.

What is the Great Vine?

The largest grape vine in the world, planted in 1768 under Capability Brown.