The Magic Garden

Visiting the Magic Garden

The Magic Garden is open during the summer until 3 November 2019. 

Upcoming closures

Please note, The Magic Garden is sometimes closed for maintenance or special events.

• 09 September 2019: open at 12:00
• 20 October 2019: open at 10:45

Access during peak times

During busy periods, your time in the Magic Garden may be limited to a maximum of 90 minutes. Coloured wristbands are distributed and staff will be on-hand to advise.

During busy periods, queues for the Magic Garden can be quite long. Our staff will use the coloured wristband system to minimise the queueing as much as possible. 

To ensure that everyone has a safe and comfortable experience we may have to suspend entry. You will be able to revisit the garden later in the day if capacity allows.

Members may also have to queue and are subject to the same time limitations as our other visitors.

Hot weather

The Magic Garden is a large open space with plenty of room to run and play. The water features are the perfect way for your little ones to cool off, but there is minimal shade in the Magic Garden and the queueing area.

The dragon's rules

The Magic Garden is protected by our enormous fire-breathing dragon. He has certain rules you must obey, or you may spark his fiery temper!

1. Supervision

Though children are safe with our dragon, they must also be supervised by a responsible parent or carer at all times. The dragon does not allow unsupervised visitors under 16 in his garden.

2. Children's clothing

The Magic Garden play area includes sand, water, AstroTurf and a range of play equipment, some of which may graze sensitive skin. Please make sure your children are appropriately dressed for these conditions. We also ask adults to refrain from wearing swimwear.

3. Smoking and alcohol

No-one is allowed to smoke or vape in the Magic Garden - not even dragons. Alcohol is forbidden too... it could set the dragon's breath alight.

4. Picnicking

The Dragon will eat any picnic blankets or deck chairs being used in the Magic Garden, as we don't want them to get in the way of children playing. We can guide you to some other lovely picnic spots around the palace grounds and you can always come back to play later.

Hear from our members whilst they enjoy a special members-only event in the Magic Garden at Hampton Court Palace in this short film.

As a member you can also enjoy family events and days out at our six palaces, including the Tower of London and Kensington Palace.

The Magic Garden has been generously supported by The Gosling Foundation and The Cadogan Charity.

With additional support from The Mercer Family Foundation, The Margaret Giffen Charitable Trust, and The Members and American Friends of Historic Royal Palaces.