monique123

We'll be staying with friends in Hounslow. I had been planning to take the train, on 2 separate days, to get to Hampton Court or Windsor, then go into London for the rest of the day. But it looks like Hampton Court and Windsor are really not that far from each other. Would it make sense to combine into a full day trip. Would there be a transportation connection between the two. Would it be better to do Hampton Court in the morning, then Windsor, or vice versa. Please advise. Thank you in advance.

nini

It will be a real push to do both but probably can be done if you must do both on same day. We allowed a half day for Windsor and included a walk to Eton and lunch adjacent to the Thames at a restaurant with outdoor dining. We got on the train at Paddington Sta and if I remember correctly there was a wait for the train going and on the return as well. I don't mind overscheduling sightseeing if that is what I have to do. Enjoy!

JoeTro

I spent about 4 hours at HC and would have stayed longer had the Maze been open at that time. Plus, I went in January, and if you go in Spring or Summer, it probably will be even prettier.

flanneruk

There's not a terribly slick connection, and although they're physically close, it takes a lot longer than it looks.

You get the train from Windsor + Eton Riverside to Feltham, then the 726 bus. Allow about an hour and a quarter from the castle to the palace.

janis

While you COULD do them both on the same day - it should only be because you have no other way to squeeze them in. And even then I'd really recommend chooseing one.

Both Windsor (not just the castle but the town, river, Eton too), and HCP each take over 1/2 a day to even see the highlights.

So to do them on the same day by choice isn't a very good idea - especially since you lose so much time traveling between the two.

Go on different days - besides - two major palace/castles plus everything else at both sites would really cause sightseeing/memory overload.

ChevyChasen

i think it is possible,though i saw them on different mornings catching the 8:30 train.
i returned in both cases from both windsor and HC on the 12:25 train.
check on the national rail/southwest for connection times.if you miss a train you will have to wait a bit (1hr?) for the next and will ruin you r plan.

in 3 hrs i managed to see
HC: took warder tour (free), kitchens with actors,chapel,state rooms,a vie of garden and did maze.
Windsor:arrived before castle opening,took 10:10 warder tour (free),saw doll house,banquet rooms etc(saw everything they let you see,which is a small part of castle).st george chapel was closed for ceremony.did not go to eton.

Kayb95

I'm with Janis - I would only do both in one day if it were the only option. Doing both in one day will only allow you to do the "quick tour" of each. Each deserves more time.

tod

We have been to Hampton Court 3 times and Windsor just once, but I can assure you trying to do the two in ONE day is not worth the stress. Hampton Court needs a leisurely tour to see the inside and outside (gardens, vineyard etc.) Windsor takes even more time with the "Dolls House" and gardens.
Don't sell yourself short - do one or the other.

monique123

I'm glad I asked. I guess I'll keep it on separate days, since we have 9 days in London anyway (plus 1 full day on our return from Paris). Should I give up on going back into London in the evening after these day trips, or would that be too much going back and forth from Hounslow.

janis

Sure - if there is something you want to do in London in the late afternoon/evening go for it.

Or your friends might have other ideas for evening things to do nearby. But getting in/out of London won't be a problem if that is what you want to do.

GeoffHamer

From Hounslow, you can get to Hampton Court on the no. 111 bus (every 10-15 minutes), and you can get to Windsor by train (every half hour, changing at Staines). You won't want to spend any evenings in Hounslow - I live nearby so know how awful it is. There are more attractive places nearby, including Richmond which has a good selection of pubs and restaurants.