Hampton AND Blenheim?

A great deal of this depends on the total amount of time at your disposal . Hampton and Blenheim are totally different animals , they deal with different components of British history . If your time in London is limited , Hampton is more readily accessible , Blenheim is a more involved trip especially without a car . Blenheim dates from the early eighteenth century , Hampton was extant in the early sixteenth century and figures historically during the reign of Henry the eighth .

Echo of the first two posts! They are entirely different...Blenheim is much more of a stately home while Hampton is a true palace. Blenheim is still inhabited by the family while Hampton is infrequently used for formal occasions but is more of a museum now. Hampton is in a town and Blenheim is out in the country.
How much time do you have in the London area? I would start by listing everything you want to do and prioritizing...that will tell you pretty fast if you have time to go to both or need to choose one or the other.

Two different periods of history. Hampton Court Palace was built during the Tudor period by Cardinal Wolsey (1514). Shortly thereafter, it became the possession of Henry the 8th, who did some Tudor additions. Part of Hampton Court that remains today is Tudor; later additions that you will see were added by King William III in the late 1600's, designed by Christopher Wren (famous for St Paul's Cathedral). Blenheim is the ancestral family home of Sir Winston Churchill built in an English Baroque style in the early 1700's by John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough. Winston Churchill was born there. His parents were visiting but did not own the house. The house belonged to Winston Churchill's grandfather, then passed to the oldest son, Winston's uncle, then on to his first cousin. Which period of history are you most interested in? That may help you decide which one to go visit. If you are into the Tudors, Henry the 8th, Elizabeth I, definitely go to Hampton Court. If you are interested in Churchill, go see Blenheim.

"Is it redundant to go to both?" No.
"Is one better than the other?" Different. I'd choose Hampton Court myself, because I love Tudor history, plus it's easier to get to from London for a day trip. Just out and back on the train; leave London in the morning, return to London mid-afternoon.

Both it is! Man, you people know your stuff!

Just to add a little extra to Rebecca's remarks ; Take a bit of time and watch the fine film about Henry the eighth , Cardinal Wolsey , and Sir Thomas More . " A Man for All Seasons " starring Paul Scofield and Orson Welles and a stellar cast . It gives a wonderful dramatization of the historical sea changes taking place in reformation England in the early to mid sixteenth century , it will greatly advance your appreciation of Hampton Court when you visit .

I'd recommend watching "The Tudors" on Netflix. Best I've ever seen on the life and times of Henry VIII.

Susan, I have it queued, I'd better get to watching it there are atleast 4 seasons of the Tudors!

Anne of the Thousand Days is well worth watching too if you are into Henry the VIII

The Tudors is severely lacking in accuracy in places. Might as well watch Carry on Henry ...

How and where does one take a boat in London to get to Hampton Court? Thanks. Gladys

Anne of the Thousand Days is great. Richard Burton is superb as Henry VIII; the best Henry ever, and one of his very best performances. Geneviève Bujold is lovely as Anne, and is a marvelous actress. Parts of Hampton Court Palace were used as a filming location. Other film locations were Penshurst Place and Hever Castle. Hever Castle is the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, and is open to the public. It is located in Kent, and makes a nice day trip from London. Penshurst Place is also located in Kent and open to the public. You can visit both in the same day; my sister and I did, and we enjoyed both places, especially the gardens at Penshurst.

Boats to Hampton Court go from Westminster Pier but they do take a while - 3.5 hours or so. Departure time depends on the tide. You could join later enroute.