We are going to be in london in mid july and are planning a trip to hampton court. What is the best way to get there? Is it hard to get tickets on the Thames boat or train and what is the most economical?
Posted by
Fort Wayne, IN, USA
2349 posts
We went in March, and took a train from Waterloo station. Tickets were cheap but I can't tell you more than that as I didn't buy them. The train to and from ran pretty frequently, maybe every 1/2 hour, and took about 1/2 hour. The end of the line is at the village of HC, and then it's a short walk to the palace. I think the boat ride up from London would be great but I think it takes a few hours and the weather is too iffy in March. I would do that next time I'm there. And I'll go back, because I loved it.
Posted by
Laurel, MD, USA
75 posts
Be sure to check the Hampton Court website. There are "living history" cooks some weekends in the Tudor Kitchen. We caught a lecture with two of them in the states and it sounds like fun. Check out the blog "tudor cook" on blogger.
Posted by
Sacramento, CA, USA
158 posts
Just returned from eight days in London in May...
The Boat is nice but it takes three hours...lots of time for photos and wildlife. We took the boat out to Hampton Court and the train on the return............all very doable........but you can't do the gardens and the castle in the same day if you take the boat........
Enjoy!!!
Posted by
Walnut Creek, CA
603 posts
We took the train from Waterloo also. My journal notes state we paid GBP 4.10 Round Trip per person. But I also wrote that my kid's zone 1-6 travel card covered their cost and my young daughter paid a GBP 1 for their tickets. The trip took 35 minutes. The train Runs often and stops at various stations before it gets to Hampton Court. The train station is a short walk across the river to the entrance gate. We were there during the flower show in the gardens.
At the castle, I recommend the costumed guided tour. Docents pretend to be court members and talk about court life in the upstairs area. The audio tour of the kitchens is well worth it and included in the price of admission. And then of course, the garden and the maze.
Posted by
Wodonga, Australia
440 posts
We were at Hampton Court on a Sunday, having travelled by train. The Sunday church service in the Chapel Royal(??) was a lovely treat. We had a wonderfl pub lunch somewhere near by the maze , but out of the HC grounds. There is a very easy rule for managing how NOT to get lost in a maze. I was glad to share it with a mildly hysterical British couple who felt that they would die in there!!
Posted by
Marion
177 posts
One time we took the train to Windsor castle then took the bus to Hampton Court. Then we went back to London on the bus. Another time we rented a car at Heathrow and stopped at Hampton Court and Windsor on the way to the Cotswolds. Anyway you go is a good way.