Hi, I am hoping to visit both Windsor Castle and Hampton Court from London on Thursday, July 12. I understand that this is a lot in one day, but I have a limited timeframe. My hotel is in Victoria, right by the train station and the bus station. My plan is to visit Windsor Castle first, spend some time walking around the village and then take the shuttle to Hampton Court. As far as transportation goes, am I better off taking the bus from Victoria to Windsor or the train? And for the return trip, should I take the train back to London from Hampton Court? Will it go directly to Victoria? I’m not very good with logistics and don’t want to waste time getting lost so the more direct, the better. 😁
Posted by
Australia
111 posts
I’ll be interested in following this thread to see what people think. It would be good if you could get to Windsor as early as possible. Could you go there the night before?
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32829 posts
I don't see why kristen needs to move to Windsor overnight to get there from her hotel in Victoria.
13 minutes on the Tube, including a quick change at Oxford Circus, and 26 minutes on the train to Windsor and Eton Central. For such a short journey there's not much of a need to relocate which will take half a day.
There is an occasional bus which takes something like 1:13 plus traffic. I'm afraid I don't do much in long distance buses. Might work for you though....
The Tube - Victoria Line change Oxford Circus - easy short tunnel change - to Bakerloo Line to Paddington. Fast train to first stop, Slough, change to the little train to Windsor and Eton Central, exit the station and walk across the road to the Castle.
At the end of your time (you've seen the previous comments as to the wisdom of doing both major attractions with acres and acres to cover, but your choice) at Hampton Court Palace go out of the entrance, turn left, cross the river and the station is directly in front of you. Train to Waterloo, either leave the train at the end and hop a bus back across to Victoria (or wherever you having dinner) or change at Clapham Junction for any of hundreds of trains into Victoria and home.
It sounds very complicated but actually it isn't. I know you don't want changes, but for the combination of places and your hotel it is necessary. You might be tempted to take the Waterloo (Clapham Junction) to Windsor and Eton Riverside route and walk through Windsor up from the river but it is considerably slower than the route I suggested and every minute is valuable when you are trying to do so much in such a short time.
Pray for cold weather and rain. Temperatures at the moment as exceedingly hot, and doing so much as this plan will leave you cream crackered in this weather.
Posted by
Troy, Oh, USA
2776 posts
I highly recommend you taking Nigel’s advise, you won’t get any better information.
Posted by
OP
New York
521 posts
Thanks so much for the wonderfully detailed reply. Although I'm a bit "direction impaired", I think I can follow it step by step! :) I realize it's a ton to do in one day, but my sightseeing philosophy is to see as much as I can with the idea that if I love it, I'll go back at my leisure next time. Thanks again!!
Posted by
2 posts
Nigel, is the route you gave from Victoria Station to Paddington Station better than taking the Circle line? Thanks in advance!
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32829 posts
it may or not be be better by your requirements, whatever they may be.
It is certainly faster, 7 stops in a straight line with a quick, easy, and short change of line mid way. Versus no changes but 7 stops around the outside of the circle using the usually much less reliable Circle Line.
They both work - and if there is a problem the other can substitute as in so many places in London - but if I had a choice it would be Victoria Line/Bakerloo.