Historic palace used to film Bridgerton that’s perfect for family day trips from Magic Garden playground to Beano trails
HAMPTON Court Palace has everything families need for a fun day out and it’s all within the grounds of an enormous former royal home.
From seeing inside the historic building itself to the pretty gardens, a kids’ playground and there’s even a comic-book themed takeover this summer.
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When you’re at a loss with how to keep the kids entertained over the weekend, or the next warm day during the week – head to Hampton Court Palace in London.
Kids in particular will love its enormous playground called the Magic Garden.
It’s aimed at children under 12 and has so much to keep them entertained from climbing up the huge towers to even facing a ‘dragon’.
There’s a secret grotto with hidden pathways, plenty of slides and a sandpit, while a nearby cafe is the best spot to stop for hot drinks and snacks.
Another popular spot is the maze – which is the oldest surviving hedge maze in the country.
It covers a third of an acre on the grounds of Hampton Court Palace with plenty of twists and turns throughout.
And this summer, a new Beano-themed trail is set to launch.
From July 25 to August 23, kids will be able to see some of their favourite characters like Dennis the Menace and Gnasher.
More information about the trail says “Dennis, Minnie, Harsha, Rubi and Gnasher were late for their Bash Street School trip to Henry VIII’s palace.
“To save the day, Dennis has turned his go-kart into a time machine with Rubi’s flux capacitor – but “whoops”! it has malfunctioned and crash-landed in Hampton Court Palace.
“Now the timeline’s in a right royal muddle and Henry VIII is not amused. It’s utter chaos! It’s up to YOU to help the Beano friends fix their busted time machine.
“Grab your special Hampton Court Palace Beano comic strip story on arrival, packed with clues to track down the missing pieces scattered around the palace.”
There will even be some historic residents like Henry VIII and Elizabeth I dressed in the classic Beano red and black stripes.
During May half-term kids can enjoy The Big Bahooey which has cabaret performances, world-class street theatre and circus workshops.
To step back in time, head back in July to watch knights take on a jousting tournament – families can pick a favourite and cheer them on until the winner is crowned.
The jousting is on during on the weekends of July 11-12 and July 18-19.
For more family fun, check out our favourite UK holiday parks…
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Park Holidays UK Sand le Mere, Yorkshire
This holiday park in Yorkshire is a thriving family resort, just steps from Tunstall Beach. Entertainment is what this resort does best, with costume character performances, Link-up Bingo and cabaret shows. Accommodation ranges from fully-equipped Gold Caravans to Platinum Lodges with sun decks and luxury bedding.
St Ives Bay Beach Resort, Cornwall
This beachfront resort in St Ives, Cornwall is a true beach bum’s paradise – whether you want to laze out on the sand, or take to the waves for some surfing. Activities include disc golf, a Nerf challenge and an outdoor cinema, as well as indoor activities for the colder months like karaoke, bingo and DJ sets.
Billing Aquadrome Holiday Park, Northampton
This holiday park has loads of unique activities on offer, including TikTok dance classes, alpaca feeding, a pump track for BMX riding, and taking a ride on the resort’s very own miniature railway. Throw in bug hotel and den building, pond dipping, survival skills workshops and a lake for paddleboard and pedalo hire, and you’ve got yourself an action-packed park.
Parkdean Resorts Camber Sands, Sussex
This beachfront resort is a classic family favourite. If you’re not up to swimming in the sea, there’s four fantastic pools here, as well as water flumes, underwater jets, inflatable jet skis and kayak races. Plus if you’ve got any little fans of Paw Patrol or Milkshake!, you’ll be glad to know there’s Milkshake! Mornings and Paw Patrol Mighty Missions to keep your tots entertained.
If you want to steer clear of chaotic cartoons, head to the Hampton Court Gardens for a more relaxing stroll.
The formal gardens are pruned to perfection with neat hedges, immaculate lawns, ponds and pretty flower beds – especially in the Rose Garden.
During particular days of the year, the gardens are open free of charge with no pre-booking required.
This year these are May 9-10, September 12-13, October 10-11, November 21-22, December 26 (Wilderness garden only).
Then of course there’s the palace itself, which was famously the home of Henry VIII and his six wives.
For those who want to learn even more about Hampton Court Palace, a free audio guide is included in the price of admission.
The tour explores the highlights when it was lived in by Henry VIII and even how the palace has appeared on the back-drop of TV and film since the 1920s.
More recently it was used in Bridgerton as the home of Queen Charlotte, and the gardens are frequently used when characters are strolling around London.
It’s also appeared in Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, My Lady Jane, The Favourite starring Olivia Coleman, and Lily James‘ Cinderella.
For more on family days out, this adventure attraction is inside the UK’s biggest park huge playground and ‘roller slide’.
And this huge new wooden play attraction is set to open at historic English house with den building, zip lines and racing slides.
