Windsor and Hampton Court

I would not want to try and do both in the same day as to me Hampton Court takes at least 3/4 of a day without even spending time on the grounds. I've generally spent more than a 1/2 a day at Windsor Castle as well and have always run out of steam before I had time to explore the town!

I'd pick one or the other unless you have plenty of days in London.

Totally agree with Pam. Give yourself enough time at each place not to rush. We enjoyed walking around Windsor after seeing the castle. Lots of little side streets with cobblestones, interesting buildings, shops, cafes and pubs.
Walk down to the river and enjoy the views from the bridge and the swans. Maybe walk across the bridge to Eton and admire some of the buildings there.

I've been to both - at separate times - and I am the King of doing as much in one day as humanly possible.
Each is fascinating in its own right (at Windsor, there are times when they have the Changing of the Guards) and each, if I recall correctly, is at least a 60 to 90 minute drive from central London. So one day per event (although there are web site tour groups that bundle Windsor Castle or Hampton Court with a side trip to Stonehenge/ Bath or Oxford with the latter destinations only allowing you 1 hour or so for touring.

I also agree with Pam. Between the castle and town, Windsor is worth a full day. To me HC is worth between 2 and 3 hours, but I visited in November when there was nothing growing outside. After visiting the palace we went to the Mute Swan across the road for Sunday roast.

I agree with Rebecca about each should have their own day, but if you don’t have time to devote two days seeing them then yes it’s possible. There is a shuttle service between Windsor and Hampton Court, it’s a 30 minute ride, you have to have to get tickets before the day, Google..shutter bus from Windsor Castle to Hampton Court.

Thanks for your help. Yes, I think we’d better just stick with one castle...probably Windsor.