RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival

Accessibility at RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival

Sharing our passion for gardening is a key charitable aim and we want to give as many people as possible the opportunity to enjoy our inspirational Flower Shows. This guide will help you plan your day. Please also speak to our friendly Visitor Information staff and Stewards at the show for any further help and advice.

Accessiblity map (675kB pdf)

At a glance: before you arrive

Arriving by road
If you are planning to drive to the show, please use KT8 9AU to get you to the local area, and then follow AA signs. Showground address: Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 9AU.

Accessible Parking in Black Car Park: £9 If you have purchased Accessible Parking and / or mobility equipment, you should head to Black Car Park. Please ensure your Blue Badge is displayed.
 
Green Carpark runs an Accessibility Shuttle from Green Car Park to Long Water Gate.
 
If you have purchased Accessible Parking and / or mobility equipment, you should head to Black Car Park. Please ensure your Blue Badge is displayed.
 
Arriving by train
Nearby stations (operated by South Western Railway)
  • Hampton Court Station
    • Walking: Approx 25 minutes/0.7mile walk to Ditton Gate.
    • For those in scooters or wheelchairs we advise you use our Accessibility Shuttle which runs from Hampton Court Station to Long Water Gate.
  • Kingston Station
    • From Kingston Station – take one of the regular buses (111 / 216 / 411 / 461) to Hampton Court Green/Hampton Court Palace, and walk approx. 20 minutes / 0.5 miles (across a footbridge) to Ditton Gate or use the Accessibility bus from Green Car Park
  • Surbiton Station
    • 7 minutes connecting train to Hampton Court Station. There is Accessibility Shuttle from the station to Long Water Gate.
Download a Visitor Access Map (675kB pdf)

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Arriving by bus
You can catch bus numbers 111, 216, 411, 461, 513 from Kingston and bus number R68 from Richmond.
Arriving by taxi / Drop off
There is no official drop-off point, due to the location of the Festival. The easiest drop-off location would be Hampton Court Station, which is approximately a 25-minute walk/0.7mile to the Festival Entrance or an Accessibility Bus Service from Hampton Court Station. 
Arriving by ferry
The following Services will run this year from:
  • Kingston and Richmond to Hampton Court Turks Pier (Barge Walk) via Turks Ferries 
  • Molesey Lock to the Golden Gate entrance via Turks & Parr Ferries 
  • Please note that both of these routes will mean a 15minute walk through the Palace grounds which is a gravel service. For visitors who want to avoid this gravel route please head up to Hampton Court Road and enter via the main Palace entrance.
Unfortunately, due to illegal boat moorings at Hampton Court Station Pier we are unable to provide a Ferry Service across the river from Hampton Court Station to Barge Walk (near the entrance to the Palace Grounds/Festival). We apologise for the inconvenience this may cause.

There is an Accessible/Mobility Bus running from the Hampton Court station this year to Long Water Gate for those that need it. Those able to, the walk is 0.7miles/25minutes. For those in wheelchairs and mobility scooters you will be directed by stewards at Hampton Court bridge to a more accessible route via Palace grounds.
 
Car parking
It is advisable to book parking in advance. However, there are card payment machines available at each car park entrance for on-the-day sales.

Accessible parking costs £9.

If you have purchased Accessible Parking and / or mobility equipment, you should head to Black Car Park. Please ensure your Blue Badge is displayed.

Otherwise please follow the electronic road signs to the nearest available car park, which we will change in real time in line with traffic and / or available space. There is a free mobility bus which runs from Green Car Park.
  • Black Car Park – situated off the A308 Hampton Court Road (coming from Kingston) 5-10min approximate walk to Long Water Gate
  • Green Car Park – situated off the A308 Hampton Court Road (coming from M3) 15-20min approximate walk to Ditton Gate
Access to showground and buildings
This is a temporary, outdoor event on open parkland and is subject to varying weather and ground conditions.
Although some temporary trackway is laid, much of the event is staged on open ground and care must be taken.

We advise that you check the weather forecast for the day of your visit, consider the nature of the event and the effects of any inclement weather on surface conditions and that you wear suitable clothing and footwear. In extreme weather conditions, access may be restricted in the interest of safety.

All main buildings and structures are wheelchair accessible.
Assistance dogs

We welcome assistance dogs in all areas.

Accessible ticket bookings

While the RHS is not able to provide carers, entry is provided for one carer free of charge accompanying those visitors whose disability necessitates their support. This ticket must be requested at the time of ticket purchase.

For disabled bookings requiring a carer ticket please register for an Access card to book online. Please ensure that your Access card is linked to your Ticket Factory account. Alternatively, call 0800 640 5001 to book.

At a glance: When you arrive

Entrances

The Festival has two public entrances/exit gates.

  • Ditton Gate – situated in the beautiful East Front Garden, Palace Grounds. This is closest to Green Car Park (0.5miles or Shuttle Service) and Hampton Court Station (0.7miles or Shuttle Service). Those entering via this gate will get to enjoy the beautiful Palace Grounds and gardens as part of your Festival entrance ticket.
  • Long Water Gate – situated in Black Car Park. The shuttle/accessibility buses from Green Car Park and Hampton Court Station will drop off here

Download a Visitor Access Map (675kB pdf)
 
Mobility vehicles and wheelchairs

Visitors are welcome to bring their own personal mobility scooters or wheelchairs to help them get around.

There are a limited number of wheelchairs and mobility scooters which should be hired in advance when purchasing tickets to the Festival.

A fee of £20 applies for wheelchairs and £40 for mobility scooters. The collection point is located outside Long Water Gate, in Black Car Park

At a glance: during your visit

Toilets
Accessible unisex toilets are located at Long Water Gate and several other locations throughout the Festival. These are listed on the large maps around the Showground.

There is a unisex high-dependency unit. This includes an emergency call alarm, support handrails for ease of movement, low-level access, a hoist, a bed and sanitary bins. This is operated under a RADAR door system. We recommend visitors bring their own key in order to gain access.
Hearing impaired
Hearing loops are installed at the Get Growing Stage
Visually impaired

Large maps can be found around the show, Large Print maps can also be requested in advance please contact us here.

Quiet Space
New for 2024 there will be designated Quiet Space for visitors to go if they need. Located on Longwater South. This will be marked on the Festival maps and will provide a quiet rest bite area for those who need it.

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.