We have some free time after a Sunday trip to Hampton Court (noon entry.) We are not going to book anything specific (like a show) as we want to keep the schedule open, but would also like to have some ideas ready in case we have time and energy.
I am assuming things close up a bit early on Sundays? Thanks for any suggestions…
There is nothing open on Sunday evenings apart from bars and restaurants and some small shops. Best advice is to book somewhere for dinner. Some theatres do a Sunday matinee but I think evening performances are rare.
The two times we visited the palace we walked across the street to The Mute Swan for dinner when we were finished. Reservations are recommended, although we didn’t have one, as it is very busy.
I’ve had a delicious Sunday Roast lunch twice at the Mute Swan, once on my own, and the second time with my husband. It’s a pub on the ground floor, and restaurant seating upstairs. The convenience to Hampton Court, right across the street from the entrance, can’t be beat. Unfortunately, they don’t open until 11:30 AM on Sundays, and they start running out of roasts as the afternoon wears on. That timing’s probably going to conflict with your schedule for the Palace. Depending on how long you’re planning at Hampton Court, or if you retime your entry there, having a Sunday Roast might be an option.
Thanks for the suggestion of the Mute Swan. We are going on a day when HC has a Food Festival in the gardens, so I am assuming we will eat there, but it may be crazy and maybe the Mute Swan is the best option. I am curious about the narrated Thames tours at night ( no meal.)
Since we will return to Waterloo Station afterwards we are considering a boat ride. I can’t get a good handle on whether the narrated Thames river cruises (no meal) are round trip or one way. Thinking maybe a boat trip one way, and double decker bus back to hotel?
See if any of the London Walks have a nightime walk that interests you. www.walks.com
Many pubs that serve a Sunday roast lunch do not serve food on Sunday evenings or else have a restricted menu. You can easily spend 4 to 5 hours (or more) at HCP so I would not plan on being able to get to a pub lunch that day. I'd try to find somewhere where you can get an evening meal and book a table there - assuming you want one after the food festival.
My (limited) experience of food festivals is that the food can be over-priced as they have a captive market. If you have a frequent flyer card or hotel loyalty card you could look as to whether that might give you access to a lounge or pavilion at the festival
Yes the plan is to have a big breakfast and head to HCP for a noon entry. I hope most people will be taking a lunch break so we are less crowded inside. We will probably just find a snack at the food carts and maybe a drink at the Mute Swan before we head back. We have a limited time in London, so probably want to spend the rest of the day/night in the City.
Some “Sunday” things I found in our research that we may do:
- Thames boat cruise from London Eye to Tower Bridge. Pick up point is near Waterloo Station where the train from HCP will drop us
- Open air bus tour (2 hour night ones start at 7 PM.) Hoping Sunday evening means less traffic; pickup point also near Waterloo.
- Tube to Hyde Park and enjoy a stroll back to our Resident Victoria hotel through the park. Maybe a drink at Serpentine; maybe rent bikes
