Updated 25 March. In line with Public Health England guidance, we have taken the decision to close all six of our palaces and gardens until 31st May. We will be reviewing this and will keep you updated. Please read our statement for further information. Read our statement
Learning is intrinsic to our visitor experience, it is embedded in every interaction and encounter with our visitors.
Our ambition is for everyone to discover our palaces and their stories and to transform their relationship with history.
We offer a pioneering programme that delivers exciting content, activities and events to families, schools and adults on-site, off-site and online.
‘Rethinking heritage: A guide to help make your site more dementia-friendly’ is a resource written by those who are working to promote dementia-friendly practice in small, large, national and local heritage organisations.
The guide aims to help people working and volunteering at heritage sites to:
• Gain a better awareness and understanding of dementia
• Build a business case for dementia-friendly heritage practice
• Learn top tips through practical examples and case studies
• Feel inspired to make their site dementia-friendly
Our daily public programming makes exploring the palaces as a family a real treat. We offer a range of imaginative activities – interactive trails, creative workshops, storytelling, object handling, digital activity and more.
We stage family events on a grand scale with an irresistible mix of spectacle, live interpretation, traditional crafts and cutting-edge technology.
Half terms and school holidays are packed with extra family activities at the palaces. Discover what’s on and start planning your next great day out.
Explore what’s on at the palaces
Our popular schools programme offers a huge amount of stimulating content at all levels from nursery to A-level.
We ask teachers what they want from us and we listen. This makes your school visit as useful and enjoyable as possible.
Discover all the information you need to plan and book a school visit or explore our classroom resources.
Our school sessions and classroom resources work across the curriculum and we also offer a creative CPD programme for teachers.
We embrace new ways of telling our stories too. With a range of podcasts to listen to, from exciting historical fiction and panel discussions to live recordings of our talks and events, there is something for every listener.
Outliers - Stories from the edge of history
Enjoy our historic fiction podcast that tells stories from the edge of history. The series explores how big historic events filter down and are viewed and shaped by the people in the shadows. Themes of otherness, change, gender and the meaning of power are explored through the eyes of characters who have not traditionally held the historic limelight.
Some stories are warm and comedic, whilst others are dark, poignant and reflective, with powerful messages.
Subscribe and listen on your regular podcast app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or here.
To find out more about the history behind Outliers, explore our Outliers blog posts.
Historic Royal Palaces Podcast
This podcast is a collection of recorded talks and lectures given by curators and experts at our palaces. It explores how monarchs and people have shaped society, in some of the greatest palaces ever built.
Subscribe and listen on your regular podcast app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or here.
Outliers Historic Royal Palaces PodcastWe provide lifelong learning opportunities for people with a deep interest in the heritage and conservation of our palaces with on-site themed talks, study days, lively debates and lectures.
We reinvent our stories in new and exciting ways; by combining storytelling, immersive theatre and technology to create ground-breaking experiences that appeal to anyone who loves an adventure at one of our palaces!
And our younger visitors can download the free Time Explorers app to their own device and explore the palaces; the learning is subtle and fun, it's embedded into the gameplay.
See what's on at the palaces About the Time Explorers app
Join expert historians and fellow learners in one of our popular, free online courses. Find out how British kings and queens have influenced fashion over 500 years and immerse yourself in the changing tastes of royalty.
FutureLearn: A History of Royal Fashion FutureLearn: A History of Royal Food and Feasting
We work closely with community groups to reach diverse audiences. We're developing our 'Community Access Scheme' which offers free entry and practical advice and support to adult community groups and education providers based locally to the Tower of London.
We've developed an 'Access Fund for Schools', supporting visits from Key Stage 1 - 4 students and special school students. This fund offers schools the opportunity to have a high quality learning experience at Hampton Court Palace and the Tower of London.
Community Access Scheme Access Fund for Schools
We write and publish a wide range of illustrated books for both children and adults, from pop-ups and colouring books to guidebooks and palace monographs.
A souvenir guidebook highlighting the best things to do at Hampton Court Palace - an enjoyable read bursting with information.
£4.99
Discover the history and design of Kensington Palace and learn about the royals who lived there in the official guidebook.
£4.99
A beautifully illustrated official guide to the Crown Jewels, revealing the regalia and priceless treasures like never before.
£5.99