Garrick’s Temple to Shakespeare
Garrick’s Temple to Shakespeare is located on the Riverside at Hampton (TW12 2EN). The building was commissioned by the great eighteenth century actor-manager David Garrick in 1756 to celebrate the genius of William Shakespeare. The Temple is open to the public on Sunday afternoons (2pm-5pm) from Sunday 29th March 2026 until Sunday 25th October 2026. Admission to the Garrick Exhibition is free. The Temple is also available to hire for arts and cultural events. For any enquiries, please email: garrickstempletoshakespeare@gmail.com
PUBLIC OPENING TIMES
Normal opening hours: Sunday afternoons (14.00-17.00) from Sunday 29th March 2026 until Sunday 25th October 2026. Garden: Daily throughout the year. Special group visits can be arranged at other times.
HOW TO FIND US
The Temple is in Hampton, Middlesex, TW12 2EN. It is situated opposite Garrick’s Villa in the public gardens (Garrick’s Lawn) between the A308 (Hampton Court Road) and the banks of the river Thames. To find the Temple on Google Maps, search for ‘Garrick’s Temple, London’.
CAR
A308 from Kingston via Hampton Court or from M3, Junction 1. Limited parking in nearby streets.
TRAINS
From Waterloo and Clapham Junction: to Hampton Court terminus, then walk or R68 bus to Hampton on line to Shepperton (do not alight at Hampton Wick) then walk or 111 or 216 bus to ‘Garrick Villa’.
BUSES
The following buses stop close to the Temple at bus stop ‘Garrick Villa’ – R68 Richmond to Hampton Court. 111 Kingston to Heathrow and 216 Kingston to Staines.
OPEN HOUSE FESTIVAL 2026
Our Open House Sundays in 2026 will be 13th and 20th September. On Open House Sundays the Temple will open for the extended hours of 12 – 5pm. Tea, coffee and cakes will be served from the loggia on Garrick’s Lawn.
BOOKINGS AND SPECIAL VISITS
The Temple can be booked for arts related events and special visits.
For any enquiries please email: garrickstempletoshakespeare@gmail.com
All private hires are at the discretion of and subject to the approval of the Garrick’s Temple Trustees and Management.
EVENTS
For events administration please email: garrickstempletoshakespeare@gmail.com
DONATIONS
If you would like to support the Temple with a charitable donation click here
TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR MAILING LIST click here
Photograph of Garrick’s Temple by kind permission of Mark Goodman. With thanks to Langley Iddins for contributed website design.
Registered Charity No. 1107200
UPCOMING EVENTS
GARRICK’S TEMPLE TO SHAKESPEARE TRUST
Registered Charity No. 1107200
Patrons: Sir Geoffrey Cass, Michael Frayn, Sir Derek Jacobi, Robert Pennant Jones, Sir Ian McKellen, Claire Tomalin
Trustees: Sue Bell, Rosemary Carley, Professor John Davis, Hilary Dodman, Nathalie France, Clive Francis, Rupert Nichol, Councillor Suzette Nicholson, Dermot Taylor, Paul Velluet, Professor Richard Wilson
DONATIONS To make a charitable donation please click here to access our Givealittle donation page. Alternatively make a bank transfer payment to CAF Bank, sort code 40-52-40, account no. 00014584 or send a cheque made payable to ‘Garrick’s Temple to Shakespeare Trust’ to S. Bell, 3 Waterhouse Court, 66 Walpole Road, Teddington TW11 8TQ.
TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR MAILING LIST click here
USEFUL LINKS
Twickenham Museum
Garrick’s Temple A Shrine to Shakespeare, Twickenham Museum
Friends of Strawberry Hill
Dr Johnson’s House
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
Royal Shakespeare Company
Shakespeare’s Globe
National Theatre
The Rose Playhouse
Rose Theatre Kingston
Visit Richmond
thelondonphile
Arts Richmond
The Garrick Club