Southwark to Hampton Court travel for a summer festival concert...

You can get a train from Waterloo to Hampton Court, and to return just do the journey in reverse. Southwark station is within walking distance of Waterloo.

you don't say the day of the week but I've narrowed the Elbow dates to the 20th and 21st of June (The Longest Day) which this year are Friday and Saturday. The good news is that although the train timetables do change on May 17th it is unlikely that they will change much. Which means that we can look at the timetable currently in operation by going to South Western Railway's timetables at https://www.southwesternrailway.com/train-times

If the concert finishes at 22:30 you could be on a train by about 23:00 if you don't dawdle. Last trains on Fridays are leaving Hampton Court station at 22:54 (arrive Waterloo 23:31) and 23:24 (arrive Waterloo 00:01). There is a 23:59 which only goes as far as Wimbledon. You could change at Surbiton at 00:11 (platform 1) and change to platform 2 for the 00:17 departure to Waterloo arriving 00:40. Saturday lasts are the same as Friday.

Or you could hope that an (yuk) uber turns up and doesn't surge price you or other nefarious nasties.

Are you sure that you'll be up for an overnight flight from New York, and the Imperial War Museum and Churchill War Rooms and then the concert and then back at Southwark after midnight, then up to Milton Keynes first thing in the morning? You are doing better at 60 than I would have dreamt of.

Fair play.

It is only 1 stop to Southwark from Waterloo and the Jubilee service is full strength into the early hours.

there are trains from Euston station (Northern Line Charing Cross Branch from Waterloo) to Milton Keynes Central.

How early do you have to be in Milton Keynes? Or is your MK different to mine?

For the last leg from Waterloo to Southwark the night tube on the Jubilee line runs all night.

Extremely helpful. Thanks all! Somebody here was kind enough to mention a train to Milton Keynes. That isn’t necessary as I’m taking a tour bus that’s part of the festival in the a.m. on Sunday morning. And yes, the elbow show is Saturday night, the 21st. As for being 60, you should see the two weeks I have planned when I leave London that Monday for Paris, Normandy, and a week across northern Spain. My ADHD prevents me from spending much time in one place for very long. When I visit Europe, I don’t visit “through the back door“, as Rick would have us do, I use all the damned doors! lol

So you are going to Forever Now at Milton Keynes and using The Big Green Bus connection at 0930 from London Victoria, returning to London at just before midnight.
Thus you might get about 6 hours or a bit more sleep.
That is quite some stamina. I admire you for that schedule.

PS- as a train back up plan (if the concert runs very late) there is regular bus service from Hampton Court to Kingston on Thames Cromwell Road bus station until 1am then the N87 night bus every 15 minutes all night from 2350 to Westminster station (60 minute journey) for the Jubilee line Night Tube two stops to Southwark- but I really, really hope you don't need that.

Yep. Exactly the plan. I’m single with no kids…so I’m still very much a child. Also, I’m a musician so I live musicians hours who works as a therapist. No sleep is pretty much a way of life for me. That said I fully expect to sleep on the MK bus and maybe even through the first act or two at Forever Now if it’s UK Decay and Theater of Hate. Oh…and I take the.Chunnel Eurostar at 9:30am the next day. Yes, I’m an idiot. I settle down for the week from there though, so plenty of time to catch up on sleep. Elbow is a happy accident. Found out about the show after I’d already bought my flights. Can’t miss…a Top Five fave who almost never come stateside.

you are aware of the Eurostar check-in minimums and protocol?

I believe I do. I already bought my ticket so it’s on my phone and I know I have to be there about 2 to 2 1/2 hours early… hence, calling myself an idiot.

I think you are overestimating the arrival at St Pancras International. Current guidance is 75 minutes prior to departure. I'd personally allow 90 minutes. The official webpage shows the suggested times... https://www.eurostar.com/us-en/travel-info/your-trip/check-in

You rock. Thanks! I'll take any extra time I can sleep! LOL