Windsor or Hampton Court Palace?

Old Dec 2nd, 2014, 06:00 PM
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Windsor or Hampton Court Palace?

Hi all, I know this is an age-old question, but I have a slightly different spin on it because I've got my girls (12 and 9) on this trip. Would love to get your thoughts, highlights, impressions of the two places---so that I can rank them on the list of all the things to see this trip.

We'll be in London 6 nights after we land. (From there, we'll travel to France for 2 weeks, then return for 1 last night in London before our afternoon flight home.)

More than likely we won't leave London at all, but if we were to choose just *one* day trip out of London (something to keep in our hip pocket if we want to get out of the city center), which would you choose, and why?

This technically isn't our first trip to London, but our last trip (my "Virgin Voyage" with a teething toddler) involved a lot of long walks pushing baby in stroller through Hyde Park and visiting with family. So we have a LOT we want to see this time, not counting Windsor or Hampton Court Palace.

The girls have seen French castles (Loire Valley in 2013) and might enjoy the grandeur and architecture of an English castle or palace... even if they won't be able to relate to all the history specifics. Not to mention, we all might enjoy a relaxing train ride out of London for a half a day as well, if the pace of London ends up being too much.

We'll want to travel by public transit and spend no more than a half day.

Thoughts?

Thanks!
-sk
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Old Dec 2nd, 2014, 06:41 PM
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This is coming from a US tourist that's been to both, once each (no expert):

I think the weather would make a difference. There was so much more to see and experience outdoors at Hampton Court, that if it was a beautiful day I would want to take a 12 and a 9 year old there.

Windsor was more waiting in line and walking a very specified tourist path through the castle, whereas at Hampton Court we were able to wander around.

The period reconstructions and displays at Hampton Court, as well as the extensive grounds and gardens were more appealing to me.

At Windsor, I especially enjoyed St George's Chapel, but I don't know if that would interest your girls.

I'd take them to HC.
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Old Dec 2nd, 2014, 07:10 PM
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Even w/o the weather I'd choose HCP first. A quick train ride out, and if you arrive at opening time you can be back in central London by mid afternoon.

W/ all the historic characters/guides, the Medieval Kitchens, the Henry VIII/Anne Boleyn connections, etc.

Windsor is terrific but HCP is just a bit more so. The Dolls' House, States rooms and St Georges
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Old Dec 2nd, 2014, 08:17 PM
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Thanks folks. Just the kind of information I needed to know. HCP does sound more in line with what we'd want. Most likely the week in London will go by in a blur and we won't have time for a day trip, but this is good to have filed away as an easy option if the opportunity presents itself.
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Old Dec 3rd, 2014, 04:37 AM
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skatterfly I would make time for HCP, I would think the girls would love it. It's a very special, fun and interesting place, easy to go through at your own pace.
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Old Dec 3rd, 2014, 05:46 AM
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Skatterfly, My limited experience with girls of that age suggest they would love the haunted palace tour at Hampton Court. Your hotel can advise you which train station to use, and you can purchase tickets from a machine with a credit card. You may also be able to use Oyster Cards to board. Check to tour schedule on line or via brochure. The last time we took someone, a great-nephew, on this tour, we found we had to leave too early to take advantage of the 9:30 a.m. and after cheap day return tickets. I think the walk from the train station to the ticket purchase entrance was about ten minutes.
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Old Dec 3rd, 2014, 05:54 AM
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Don't forget the maze at Hampton Court....
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Old Dec 3rd, 2014, 06:33 AM
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Forget the Maze - IF it is bad weather. Few things are more miserable than being stuck in the maze getting soaked. (Yes - personal experience )

To clarify/complete Jeff's post -- To get to HCP you take the train from Waterloo Station - trains are very frequent, approx every 30 minutes and the trip takes about 30-ish minutes. The Palace is in zone 6 so you use your Oysters - as long as you have some PAYG loaded on it. If you just have the typical zone 1-2 travelcard on your Oyster, you will need to add enough PAYG to cover the distance between zone 3 and zone 6 and back. Don't try to work it out on your own -- the ticket agent will do it for you.

Which leads to info re your transport in general: If you are buying your Oysters at LHR, then you'll need PAYG ££ anyway to cover you from the airport into central London. So just tell the ticket agent you want a 7 day zone 1-23 travelcard plus enough PAYG to cover one trip in from LHR and one additional round trip into zone 6.

And yes, even though you are only there 6 days, you will want 7 day travelcard - by far the best option. Your 9 yo travels free on the tube/buses. Your 12 yo would need a photocard which AFAIK needs to be applied for on line ahead of time. If you do that then the 12 yo will pay the Child rate on the tube and travel free on buses.
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Old Dec 3rd, 2014, 07:12 AM
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Generally I agree with the preference for HCP, but I wanted to mention my favorite items at Windsor Castle. One was a large dollhouse, complete with electricity and running water. The other was a gift from the French people to the young princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, two large dolls equipped with an exquisite wardrobe designed by French couturiers. Some girls would really like to see these.
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Old Dec 3rd, 2014, 07:18 AM
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Thank you all! Super information.

Janis... transportation for our entire stay was the next thing I was going to investigate. We'll technically be there 7 days (6 nights) so the 7 day travelcard should work great for us. Our last trip in London, I was there with a baby in a stroller, visiting my inlaws with a baby in a stroller. They had moved there for work and were flush with extra money, and they were touting the theory that "taxis are the same price as the Tube for 2 people" and easier with a baby... so I didn't investigate any of the tube options. I took the Tube one day to the British Museum from Earl's Court... but most other days I walked, and walked, and walked.
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Old Dec 3rd, 2014, 07:18 AM
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If the weather, I suggest you take the boat in one direction insread of the train.
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Old Dec 3rd, 2014, 08:17 AM
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Skatterfly,

Bvlenci's suggestion is very good. Weather permitting, the boat trip is very nice, particularly on the way back. But, be certain to check the tides. I failed to do so once, and spent a good deal of extra time in the boat, grounded on the river bottom, waiting for the tide to rise. This did not endear me to my traveling companion, and is unlikely to please your girls as well.
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Old Dec 3rd, 2014, 09:04 AM
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Agree that HCP is better for kids - there is so much about how life was lived at the time and you get to see much more of the site. At Windsor you can see certain historic areas but so much is closed to the public I think it's better for adults who know the history.
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Old Dec 3rd, 2014, 12:36 PM
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>>they were touting the theory that "taxis are the same price as the Tube for 2 people" and easier with a baby… back from HCP, and then only IF the weather is nice.

If you take the boat to HCP you can't there before lunch time and possibly even later. The river is tidal and the trip's length can very quite a bit depending on whether the is coming in or out. After visiting the palace, then is the weather is nice and you have a few hours to kill you can take the boat. It could take 3 hours or more. That can be a very dreary trip in wet weather
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Old Dec 3rd, 2014, 04:44 PM
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Hi Janis, hah, yes... not so flush from my perspective... but it was his first "big" job and was paid a fairly nice salary in pounds and his eyes kind of glazed over when he kept thinking about how much money that was in dollars. Except that, of course, he had to pay all of his London expenses in pounds, which defeated any potential windfall. But they get to say they lived in Europe for a few years. I do kind of envy them.

To everyone, I really appreciate all of your thoughtful responses. I always like to know what my options are, and investigate a lot of places ahead of time and have a mental list of what we might like so we can make a really informed (and quick) decision once on the ground. We don't typically have an "itinerary" but a mental list of places to see, and we wait and check weather or how we're all feeling each day and decide from there... so the kinds of information you've provided above is really helpful. Thank you!
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Old Dec 4th, 2014, 07:14 AM
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Why do the PAYG on the Oyster for HCP? Buy the national rail tickets @ Waterloo and use the 2-for-1 offer on www.daysoutguide.co.uk, with the voucher, and one of you will get in for no admission fee (and the fee ain't peanuts).
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Old Dec 4th, 2014, 08:57 AM
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BigRuss 2 of the 3 of them are children so the Days Out special won't save much, (less than £9 on line/£9 at the door)

But yes -- a paper travel card and the voucher would save them 1X£9
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Old Dec 4th, 2014, 09:20 AM
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Oh I see from your other thread it is two adults + the 2 children (W/ the "I's" in the OP I assumed it was just you and the girls)

The 2-for1's change everything . . . .
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Old Dec 4th, 2014, 11:31 AM
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oops, sorry I said "I"... yep it's me and the hubs, and our 2 kids.
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Old Dec 4th, 2014, 01:37 PM
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Then you have to think about getting 7-day paper travel cards for at least you and you husband.
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