I’m traveling to London in May of next year. One of my must do activities is a tour of Windsor and Hampton Court.
I found a couple companies that offer these tours. But neither one sounds very dependable or reputable. Specifically, golden tours and gray line tours.
Are there any other tour companies that visit both places in one day?
If not, how easy is it to get a taxi from Windsor to Hampton? And then how would I return from Hampton to London?
Thanks for any advice!!
Posted by
Charleston & Birmingham
4627 posts
You take a train to Windsor and it is very easy. I have not been to Hampton Court, but I think it is the same. I wouldn't want to do both in the same day.
Posted by
Singapore
590 posts
Taxi or Uber between the two is possible, but very expensive and not advisable. Windsor Castle is a 3-4 hour affair (note there can be queues for some elements) and Hampton Court is large and has extensive grounds, and is half a day at least (and could actually be a full day). Both are very easy to reach from London by train, and neither require a tour. I really can't see what value a your would add, to be honest.
So I'd recommend doing them on separate days. Any tour that does both the same day is going to rush you through, and you'll end up not getting the full experience of either.
To answer the final question, to get from Hampton Court back to London, you just take the train from Hampton Court Station (not Hampton, that's a different station so don't confuse the two) to London Waterloo - you can pay by contactless or Oyster.
Posted by
Downingtown, USA
2456 posts
We did both last spring as two separate days trips. We were staying right by Waterloo.Station so.was.very easy for Hampton Court.. No.change of train. I seem to.remember Windsor required change at Slough but again very easy. I totally agree to do these on your own and allow at least three hours at each to enjoy the day. Both are wonderful and should not be rushed.
Posted by
Lake District, England
8134 posts
While I agree with the previous posters I must point out that both Grayline and Golden Tours are thoroughly reputable and well established companies, and dependable. I don't know where you are reading anything else from, but whatever you are reading isn't factual.
They may not add much value, but add convenience if you were trying to do both sites on the same day which isn't adviseable.
On their own each is an easy train ride from London. Train or bus between the two is awkward and time consuming.
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5466 posts
There used to be a company that ran a lunchtime coach between Windsor and Hampton Court. It went out of business in 2020 (not hard to work out why) and no one that I can see has put on a replacement.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14818 posts
I, too, vote for doing them on separate days as trips out of London on your own. Both have Audio guides that are excellent so you do not need any kind of guided tour of the insides....although I doubt either of those big bus tours offers that anyway. Transport for both is pretty straightforward with the train station at Slough having good signage for the shuttle train to Windsor.
BOTH of these venues are "worthy" but if you have to choose one, Windsor is probably the easier of the 2 to do.