Historic Royal Palaces Signage, Wayfinding, Leaflet & Map Design

Client

Historic Royal Palaces

Role

Wayfinding strategy, signage & wayfinding, signage guidelines, map design, print design

Location

East Molesey, Surrey, UK

Project

Hampton Court Palace and Kensington Palace are among Historic Royal Palaces’ busiest sites, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, numbers vary from around 700,000 at Hampton Court Palace and over 400,000 at Kensington Palace.

These sprawling heritage landmarks feature complex routes, multiple courtyards, gardens, and event spaces, and needed a clear wayfinding strategy, signage, and mapping system to support confident navigation for international audiences.

Hampton Court Palace & Gardens map and information sign, palace in the background

Our approach

Historic Royal Palaces commissioned ABG Design to develop a full signage and wayfinding masterplan across both estates, then implement a coherent signage family that works sensitively within the historic setting.

We began with a review of arrival points, pedestrian flow, and decision points across both sites, developing a site-wide wayfinding strategy that balances heritage with clear visitor guidance.

A key element was developing detailed map design and print design for on-site map signs, drawing on site surveys and visitor behaviour insight. These maps were also adapted into printed visitor map leaflets — produced in multiple languages to support international tourism and linked directly to the on-site mapping.

Hampton Court Palace accessible routes map

Hampton Court Palace interior map leaflet

Solution

ABG Design delivered a comprehensive signage and wayfinding suite for Hampton Court Palace and Kensington Palace, including entrance signage, directional signs, orientation maps, and printed leaflets in a range of languages.

The maps are easy to read and reflect complex site layouts, helping visitors choose routes, identify key locations, and make the most of their visit

The finished system strengthens spatial clarity across both heritage sites while remaining respectful of their cultural significance.