What are your reviews of Kensington Palace and Blenheim Palace? Hampton Court Palace?

Blenheim Palace is the quintessential grand palace in England that you can actually visit. This is where Winston Churchill was born.

Hampton Court Palace’s construction started in 1514 and was Cardinal Wolsey’s residence before he gifted it to King Henry Vlll.

Both Blenheim and Hampton Court should be on your palace list.

I have visited Blenheim Palace 30 years ago and can’t remember in detail but can say it’s very worthwhile. If you want to know more about the life of Winston Churchill as Kenko already remarks it’s a mustsee. Even if history is not your priority, the whole package is just stunningly beautiful.

It’s also long ago I have visited Buckingham Palace, but more interesting if you like the Royal Family. You can’t go wrong with it either.

Hampton Court is on my list for next year. I am interested in the period of Henry VIII as it has also some interesting links with our (Dutch and Flemish) history. The website shows a wealth of things to see about his life, so looking forward to my next trip.

I always enjoy a chat with one of the stewards, always fun and instructive. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, it makes the experience much more involving.

They are all quite distinct. As others have noted, Blenheim Palace is the quintessential English country estate. It is grand and stately - and a must if you’re into Churchill. Set in beautiful grounds and gardens.

Buckingham Palace is beautiful, but for me is last on my list of interesting/beautiful. If you are into the royal family, though, it is a must.

Windsor Castle is OLD, and has wonderful grounds, including shops amd a chapel you can visit. It is gorgeous inside. And if you visit, you can walk into Eton and see Eton College - bonus.

Hampton Court is the quintessential Tudor palace and is really astonishing. The private chapel is glorious, and the kitchens are wild. There are also lovely grounds. And there’s an 18th century half that is beautiful - it isn’t all Tudor. The maze is fun, as well.

All are definitely worth visiting.

EDIT: oops! You asked about Kensington Palace! I have only seen it from the outside, so cannot weigh in. :-)

Kensington Palace (per your title include in question?) - Skip.

Occasionally a good temporary exhibit, but the permanent set-ups and architecture don’t measure up to Hampton Court or Blenheim. State apartments of George II - if you want state apartments Windsor or Buckingham Palace when open are better. Queen Victoria’s rooms - try Osborne House. Jewel room can’t compare with Tower of London.

Good comments above on Hampton Court. Blenheim may be under renovation now. You might ask people’s current experience. https://www.blenheimpalace.com/restoration/

thanks for your reviews. I will include Hamptom Court Palace, Kensington Palace, Blenheim Palace (if time permits) and Buckingham Palace (see how) in my itinerary.

Amended: Hampton Court Palace. Thanks.

It’s Hampton Court Palace, not Court Hampton Palace!

In order of "the best" in my opinion:
(first 2 are really a tie)
1. Hampton Court Palace
2. Windsor Castle
3. Blenheim Palace
4. Buckingham Palace
5. Kensington Palace

You didn't mention the Tower Of London. (I don't know if you have seen it during a previous visit) It was at one time a royal residence. The royal quarters/apartments can still be seen today. The Crown Jewels are here on display and are spectacular.

About Blenheim Palace.....To get there, you'd take the train to Oxford and then a bus onward from there. You could combine a half-day visit to Blenheim with a half-day visit to Oxford.

Hi, I visited Kensington Palace for the first time this year despite having traveled to London on other trips. I've been to Blenheim and Hampton Court as well, but that was years ago.

I enjoyed Kensington Palace. We went to see Dress Codes, which runs through November. We also walked through the three apartments open to the public on the tour and listened to a docent talk and had lunch in the cafe.

A few things: The wind dial in the King's Gallery is unique, and it is one of the most memorable pieces (to me) of any of the architectural artifacts I've seen in my UK and European travels. I live in Virginia, so William & Mary are kinda a big deal around here. Just a tad. I learned new things about their reign and had a good chat with the docent in their sitting room. I found the miniature opera theatre in the Queen Victoria apartments unique. In brief, I'm glad I visited. Is it the greatest? No, probably not, but if you're interested in the periods of history covered at Kensington, it may be worth your time.

Sure, Hampton Court and Blenheim are grander. If you haven't been to either, go, and Woodstock near Blenheim is a charming place, but with all due respect to posters here, I don't think that I would ever tell you to skip something. That's your decision. We all have different interests. I think many people may be turned off by Kensington because the furnishings are minimal or the displays aren't as attractive, or it's a self-guided audio tour. Who knows. I say make your decision based on what interests you. Good travels!

Of the three mentioned which you have not visited, in order:

Hampton

Blenheim

Buckingham

I found a monocular on Amazon by Celestron, it's half a little binocular, and came in very handy for Windsor Castle when you can't read the names on the giant portraits. :) Useful for lots of castles :)
-Alison

Haha, I already visited Tower of London last time. Superb but very crowded. It took me about 3.5 - 4 hours to complete the visit to the Tower of London.

I have to work out my itinerary for London & Oxford Palaces in order to fit the schedule:
1. Kensington Palace
2. Blenheim Palace
3. Hampton Court Palace
4. Buckingham Palace (not confirmed) Why? It is supercrowded. How can i buy the tickets when it is always crowded?

Regarding the trip to Oxford, i always wanted to buy some books from Blackwell bookstore plus the visit to Blenheim Palace. I am still trying to figure out how to get there to Blenheim Palace from Oxford. 30 minutes' drive from Oxford to Blenheim Palace. RS travel book says that i need to catch bus #S3 from the bus station at Gloucester Green train station. Which means that i have to go catch the train at around 8:30am.

As for Kensington Palace, I googled and watched Youtube clip, i estimate that it may take about 2 hours to complete the visit. It seems interesting to me.

I read somewhere that. Prince Williams lives somewhere near Kensington Palace if I'm not wrong.

Prince William and family live in Adelaide Cottage at Windsor Castle. They moved there in 2022.

I believe there is an official residence at Kensington Palace for the Wales' to work from. You won't see anything at Kensington with a contemporary royal.

I didn't find Buckingham Palace to be overcrowded. Windsor was much worse - to the point the visit was ruined for me. Tickets are timed and numbers should be controlled. Emphasis on the "should". Never a guarantee of a "good, uncrowded" visit anywhere.

Directions to Blenheim, bus info, on their website:
https://www.blenheimpalace.com/visitus/getting-here/

I stopped at Blackwell's last trip thru Oxford, 2 years ago maybe. It used to be a go-to for sheet music, but that business has dried up all over. Some music still there, but not like it used to be.

I enjoyed Hampton Court Palace a great deal. I appreciated Windsor Castle, but enjoy would be too strong a word for it. Of course, I saw Hampton Court Palace in October shortly before Halloween and they were doing a lot of special stuff for the kids. Everything is improved by giggles. I suspect Hampton Court Palace makes a point of keeping the kids entertained while serving up art, architecture and history to the older folks.

I have to say that @Rachel sold me on Kensington Palace with this:
"The wind dial in the King's Gallery is unique, and it is one of the most memorable pieces (to me) of any of the architectural artifacts I've seen in my UK and European travels."

I love mechanical stuff, especially when it was before its time. Then I saw a little video clip of the wind dial from Lucy Worsley. It's on my must see list now for my trip this Sept/Oct.

A little film of the WIND DIAL in the King’s Gallery Kensington ...

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2824641270977621

Facebook · Lucy Worsley