Windsor Castle, Hampton Court Palace, or Blenheim Palace

Hampton Court is the easiest day trip. Check the train schedules and the tides and you can take the train one way and a Thames cruise the other way. If Henri the Eighth is on your Bucket list this is the one to see. If Victoria and the current Royals are your thing: Windsor. Blenheim Palace is Georgian and can be seen in a day by taking the train to Oxford and then a bus to Woodstock.

I have vidited a ll three, my vote is Hampton court.

I would say Hampton Court Palace for these reasons:

1) it's easy and quick to get to & from London (30 minutes on the train)
2) it covers a whole range of different styles and periods of British history including Tudor & Georgian
3) it has extensive and beautiful gardens
4) the maze!
5) often has fascinating historical reconstructions

I'll be the sole dissenter here (so far) and recommend Windsor. Unlike Hampton Court, Windsor was built as a bonafide castle, is the oldest and largest continually occupied castle in the world - almost 1000 years - and is still a royal residence. Extant parts of it pre-date Hampton Court by at least 3 centuries, and St George's Chapel (15th century) is the burial church of ten sovereigns (Elizabeth II will likely end up here, and may be the last to have a tomb in the chapel.)

It's a piece of history that stretches back to William the Conquerer, and the state apartments will deliver on the "grandeur" piece as well.

Do be aware that the castle is closed on June 19th for the Garter Ceremony, and the state apartments are closed on June 18th and 20th.

Thanks everyone. I will ponder all these great suggestions.

I've been to Windsor and Blenheim and would vote for Windsor. Less travel time and the history, grandeur is spectacular. Also, we were on the front row for the changing of the guard at Windsor and then skipped the throngs of people trying to see it at Buckingham. Blenheim is great and certainly worth a trip, but it's a longer travel time for a day trip.

Blenheim is fine but too far compared to the others. Hard to choose between Windsor and Hampton Court, good arguments for both from previous posters. For "grandeur" Windsor would be hard to beat. Lots of history there too. And the fact that it's still used as a palace adds to the appeal, at least for me. Hampton Court is strictly a historical site, though very well displayed. So I'd go for Windsor on sort of a 55-45 basis.

I've been to all 3 and recommend Hampton Court Palace. I have been 5 times. Finally took my husband there on our last trip and he loved it. I think of the 3 an 18 y/o would enjoy it the most. They frequently have people in costume dressed as Henry VIII and Anne Bolynn wandering telling stories and doing enactments. The kitchens are really interesting too. Most times they are actually cooking meat on the spits.

Windsor may be older, but is much more modernized, and there is a great deal of it that is unavailable to the public. Blenheim is great, but again, much more modern than Hampton, and it is quite a bit farther and not too easy to get to unless you have a rental car.

Hope it's not too late to vote! I've been to all 3 and recommend Hampton Court as well for pretty much the same reasons as everyone, It's easy to get to and has a lot more areas open to the public compared to Windsor. Blenheim is beautiful but will be too hard to get to.

Hampton Court is a full day. Windsor is more like a half-day visit. What most remains in my mind from Windsor is Queen Mary's Doll House - probably not a big thrill for an 18 year old male person.

Blenheim is somewhat easier and quicker to get to these days without a car - train from Marylebone to Oxford Parkway then bus. Cuts out traveling through Oxford that way if you aren't intending to go there.

I have also been to all three. Blenheim is the hardest to get to and since it is someone's home you're limited to the rooms you can visit. It is lovely and if it bores you, Oxford is near. Love Windsor Castle but when you're done seeing the bits tourists are allowed in you're left with the town and the long walk. Mind you its a really cute town. Hampton Court Palace my choice. With the exception of the Grace and Favour apartments, you have the whole thing to explore. Plus the maze.

MrsEB
The Long Walk to which I refer is the long walk starting a the George IV Gateway to the Copper Horse Statue.. three miles I think. A long walk indeed for my tired old knees.
Re Ricks omission of Oxford. I noticed that too. He must have his reasons but I really like it.

All good arguments for all three places above. I have visited all 3, Hampton Court and Windsor more than once. All are certainly worth the effort, very enjoyable day trips and definitely meet your "grandeur" and history requirements. Music.....hmmmmmm, just don't know about that part. For a first time visit, I would highly recommend Hampton Court and for all the reasons others have already stated. I truly believe your 18 yr old would enjoy this site the most but of course, I don't know him. Maybe have him read up on the 3 sites and give you his opinion?

We spent the lion's share of a day at Windsor and didn't even do the "Long Walk." Walked into town afterwards (it's right there so not far) and hit a couple of fun pubs before jumping on a train back to London. Personal preference, maybe, but we found much of interest at the castle.

Mrs. EB,
The Long Walk which Laurel refers to is The Long Walk in Windsor Great Park, its the private drive for the royal family to use when entering or leaving the castle. It was made in 1680.

I can't say which I would choose over the others because we only went to Hampton Court Palace. It was well worth the cost of admission. You get to tour two residences from different periods, walk the maze, and enjoy the gardens. If you take the train check to see if you can take advantage of a 2 for 1 deal. It was an easy train ride and very doable in a day. We had plenty of time and managed to get back to London to attend a play that evening with no issues.