Is Hever castle worth seeing and relatively easy to get to by train from London?
We (me, husband, 17 yr old daughter) will be in London for a week early June. I've got the itinerary set except for 1 day. We would like to spend it outside of London. We enjoy guided bus tours but have no problem navigating trips on our own with trains/buses. I'm considering a Cotswolds or Downton village guided tour, but I'm a lover of all things Tudor and also considering Hever Castle. I would love to hear some thoughts.
Our itinerary is:
Wed. Day 1 - arrive 11:30 (I welcome any ideas on what to do that doesn't require advance tickets)
Thurs. Day 2 - Hampton Court Palace (tickets purchased)
Fri. Day 3 - Tower, Borough Market, Midsummer Night's Dream at the Globe. (Tickets purchased)
Sat. Day 4 - Portobello Road Market
Sun. Day 5 - 1/2 day guided tour of Stonehenge, Sunday Roast
Mon. Day 6 - British Museum
Tues. Day 7 - OPEN
(Monday and Tuesday are interchangeable)
Wed. Day 8 - Departure
We prefer not to put too many things in a day because we enjoy wandering around and taking our time to enjoy where we are.
Posted by
Land of La
9261 posts
Bletchley Park: https://bletchleypark.org.uk/
Oxford: Hour train ride from Paddington Station
Cambridge: Hour and 1/2 train ride from St Pancras or Liverpool stations
Tide Square by the O2: Canteen food market
Greenwich Observatory and the Royal Naval Academy with the Painted Hall
Kew Gardens
Whitsable on the coast
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9436 posts
Hever Castle is very worth seeing, especially if you like the history of Henry XIII and the Boleyns. It’s a 1 to 1.5 hr train ride plus a short walk/taxi from London.
You are going to love Hampton Court Palace.
Posted by
Lake District, England
8136 posts
Hever Castle-
Hopefully the OP has seen the Castle's website on how to get there by train and taxi OR train and walk-
the rail day return costs £15
https://www.hevercastle.co.uk/visit/opening-times-directions/
Posted by
OP
42 posts
Thanks! Hever castle it is!
Should I reserve a cab from the station in advance?
Posted by
Lake District, England
8136 posts
Yes, in both directions. It's the kind of station where there is only a limited supply of taxis. Those there are are likely to be busy mid afternoon with school work, or get taken on the day for shoppers, even other castle visitors!