Any help would be great. I have heard that taking a ferry back from Hampton court. (not to hampton court because of the currents) But any other suggestions on Oxford and Winchester would be great. How far in advance should be buy tickets and what kind of tickets. My wife and I are both 24 years old. Will we qualify for a youth rate?? Thanks so much!

Easy to take a train from London Paddington to Oxford and London Waterloo to Winchester. Journeys should take about 1 hour in each case. I don;t think you'll get cheap fares unless you've a student card. No need to book in advance, just buy tickets at the station on the day. Sorry can't help with the boat to Hampton Court- never heard of problems with the currents before. Buses and coaches to Hampton Court from central London though- ask at any tourist information centre. Enjoy your trip to England.

Thanks so much. Any one else have help with these, or Hampton Court?

About the boat back from Hampton Court, do you mean that it takes longer to GET there than to get BACK because you're going against the current on the way to Hampton Court? I've never been there, but I believe that the Thames does flow toward London from Hampton Court. However, I think it's a pretty long trip either way, compared to taking the train from/to Waterloo Station in London.

I did Hampton Court in July. I took the boat to Hampton Court and the train back. It was a long trip, 3 or 4 hours, but I did enjoy it. Some people take the tube to Kew Gardens (or Richmond) and then board the boat at that point. The train runs frequently into Waterloo station.

if money is really an issue you can get the bus to Oxford (called the Oxford Tube) it leaves from outside Victoria Station (near THe Shakespeare pub) and costs about &pound;5 each way or &pound;8 return. Pay the driver.<BR><BR>Takes a fair bit longer than the train though.

And I forgot to say that yes you do qualify for a reduced train fare, but you have to buy a railcard to get the discount. You can buy it at any station, it will more than pay for itself.<BR><BR>Full details here:<BR><BR>http://www.youngpersons-railcard.co.uk/<BR>

I took the boat to Hampton Court in August and did not enjoy it. I would never do it again or recommend it. I don't know what you are referring to as the currents issue, the river wasn't rough or anything. It took a long time and was not that interesting (the scenery along the Thames there isn't that great, but gets old real fast). I think it took about 3 hrs and I was really sorry as later I wished I had had that extra time at Hampton Court instead. I just thought it was boring, and not that comfortable, either, but there were plenty of locals on it and they must have known what to expect, so some people do like it.<BR><BR>I took the train back, it was really cheap (a few pounds) and much quicker (less than an hour).