Doctor Who meets Hampton Court Palace this half term as families are transported back in time to hear the stories of the royal palace’s 500 year history.

TimeQuake, the brainchild of award-winning author Damien Dibben, sends children and their parents on a whistle-stop tour of the history of Henry VIII’s palace, with characters from the past all making an appearance.

Along with meeting those you have read about in the history books, time travellers can explore parts of the palace which are normally off limits to visitors, including secret passages and concealed staircases.

For the first time, young actors will take charge of the palace and will guide visitors and perform as Time Explorers during the nine-day May half term event.

Cast from across the country and even the USA, the Time Explorers have been trained for their roles by the Historic Royal Palaces and Kingston’s Rose Theatre.

While on their tour of the palace, visitors will also take part in a game show with a difference in the Tudor kitchen and embark on a quest through the Stuart Court for an audience with King William and Queen Mary.

If that was not enough, there is also a top secret mission through the Queen’s Apartments and after an etiquette lesson, visitors and their Time Explorers will sneak through the usually closed Prince of Wales Apartments in darkness to complete their mission.

  • TimeQuake; Hampton Court Palace, Hampton Court Road, East Molesey; May 23 to 31, open 10am to 6pm; Included in admission price to palace, £19.30 adult, £9.50 children; visit hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace.