Windsor Castle, Hampton Court - Tour trip or Solo?

You definitely tour both places on your own. Both places are great sights and you can spend as much time as you want without being herded along. At HCP we enjoyed lunch in the tearoom. After touring Windsor you can easily walk to Eton. Lots of cute shops in Windsor. Have a great trip!

I would definitely go on my own. They are both lovely places to mooch around. If you like history you are going to want to spend longer on the bits that fascinate you which won't be possible on a tour.

I agree that you can do both on your own and get lots out of it. Both are easy and inexpensive to get to on the train. At Hampton Court, the headsets are part of the entry fee and were pretty good. Also, have lunch in their cafeteria. We were there in November and lunch was pretty fun in front of the fireplace. Ofcouse, a tour would probably give you more information, so it's really up to you as to how much you want to get, but in my opinion, you won't miss by going on your own.

Wonderful tips - Thank you, all!

Windsor is easily done on your own- just take the train from Paddington. In fact, the tours get you to the town and basicly turn you loose- they don't conduct you through the castle or the town usually. Windsor castle is one of my favorites! Since the fire it is only better- they have displays showing what they found as they cleaned up and restored!

Also if you join a tour from London, you have to leave Windsor or Hampton Court when the tour group leaves.

Your train tickets to Hampton Court will entitle you to the 2 for 1 entrance ticket offer for the Palace.

ttp://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/hampton-court-palace

You could take the train from Paddington Station to Windsor tour Windsor Castle, take a walk to Windsor Great Park (5 minute walk) as you exit the castle turn to your right, when you get to the road turn to your left and follow the road to the park. You can great a fantastic view of the Royal Residence of the castle from the park. Also, the Long Mile is there which is the private road for the Royal Family to use to enter and exit the castle. You could also walk to Eton which is about an 8 minute walk. To get to Eton if you stand in front of the castle (on the other side of the road) turn to your left and walk to the second road on the left, turn left walk a block cross the bridge (The Thames) and you are in Eton. Eton College is there, this is actually an elementary and high school, this is where the Royal's send their sons. You can take the train from Windsor to Hampton Court. When you get to Windsor just walk up to the road and there will be the castle (two minute walk). Have a great time.

We took the train from Waterloo to Hampton Court. The line ends there, you follow the other people, and there it is. If you're a Tudor fan, you'll love it. Don't miss the kitchens under the palace. Depending on weather and time of year, you might consider the train one way and the boat the other.

http://www.hrp.org.uk/hamptoncourtpalace/

One tour you might want to consider is the one run by London Walks [www.walks.com]. I've been on a number of their London itineraries and always enjoyed them; the guides are incredibly knowledgeable! They do "explorer days" to places outside London; the Richmond/Hampton Court tour is being run twice in April, but the schedule for later this year is not yet complete.

You may well be fine on your own, as many have suggested - but if you want a tour I highly recommend London Walks. Have a wonderful trip!

Fun ideas! Thanks Susan and all! Tea room is always a fun idea - for lunch or otherwise. And ideas for places to have (reasonably priced but fun) tea?