We are headed to London this June for 5 days before moving on. We plan on seeing Blenheim palace. In addition, should I see Hampton or Kensington? Or is this redundant? Which do you prefer? I am sending my husband off to the Royal Airforce Museum and am looking for an activity for me ( we will already have seen the Tower, Abby, changing of the guard, St Paul) I'm not a huge museum fan. Any thoughts? Thanks!
Posted by
Santa Rosa, CA, USA
1446 posts
Definitely go to Hampton. I was at Kensington many years ago - have heard negative things about it recently since the remodel.
Posted by
back in the Americas
725 posts
Hampton Court! I was very disappointed with the Kensington Palace tour. It was dark and you saw relatively very little. Windsor is also good. I enjoyed the Imperial War Museum and the Churchill War Rooms. If you have any interest in WWII history I'd recommend them. Greenwich is also a good option.
Posted by
Huntington Beach CA
1162 posts
I went to all 3 last year- Hampton Court, Windsor, and Kensington. I would have to say Kensington was my least favorite. As others have said, you dont really see alot and if you plan on having tea, the Orangery is expensive and over rated. You definitely pay for the ambience, not the food. But hands down, if you can only visit one of these three, Hampton Court is the best experience.
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5466 posts
Kensington Palace has a very odd profile in review sites such as Tripadvisor as each category from excellent to poor etc seems to have round about the same numbers.
If you have a particular interest in Queen Victoria there is a reasonable collection of real artefacts to see, but the other two main exhibitions have been done on an 'experience' basis with a rather weird / quirky twist depending on opinion. If you like walls whispering to you with tales of the past, then you'd like this; if you like to look at original furniture and antiques well-explained, probably not.
Posted by
Ithaca, NY, USA
750 posts
If you are at all interested in Henry VIII and his wives, you will love Hampton Court Palace! You'll find a lot in both the historical accounts and the "based on a true story" fiction and movies that is set there, so if you have a chance to do any reading/viewing ahead of time, it will definitely enhance your experience. If you can get beyond the bodice-rippers to the real facts about Anne Boylen, you will discover one of the most fascinating women in history. (And Henry VIII was a pretty interesting character, as well...) I think Hampton Court is definitely worth a visit.
Posted by
OP
Portland,Oregon
250 posts
Hampton it is! Thanks all!
Posted by
Clarksville, TN, USA
959 posts
Ditto to what Ruth said. I was going to do Windsor Palace, but realized that with my fascination of Henry VIII and all his wives, Hampton was THE place to go. It was exciting for me to be in the rooms that I've read about in so many books! It's SO easy to get there from London, too! Enjoy!