Getting to Kew and Hampton Court Palace - and back
Oct 28th, 2017, 06:33 PM
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Getting to Kew and Hampton Court Palace - and back
I will be in London next week - early November, and will be staying in an apartment near Westminster. I have never been to Kew or Hampton Court Palace, and would love to go to at least one of them
I need help to plan the journey!
Westminster to Kew: easy ... district line, 30 minutes
If I go on to Hampton Court Palace: bus R68 takes 45 minutes. A 20 minute taxi ride will then be better. Do I phone a taxi company, or will there be taxis in Kew?
From either Kew or HCP back to Westminster: a river boat sounds so nice. But: do they all stop end of October like it says here:
http://wpsa.co.uk/thames-boats/latest-sailings.asp
Are there water buses between Kew and HCP?
Are there more creative ways to do this?
As always, your assistance is greatly appreciated!
I need help to plan the journey!
Westminster to Kew: easy ... district line, 30 minutes
If I go on to Hampton Court Palace: bus R68 takes 45 minutes. A 20 minute taxi ride will then be better. Do I phone a taxi company, or will there be taxis in Kew?
From either Kew or HCP back to Westminster: a river boat sounds so nice. But: do they all stop end of October like it says here:
http://wpsa.co.uk/thames-boats/latest-sailings.asp
Are there water buses between Kew and HCP?
Are there more creative ways to do this?
As always, your assistance is greatly appreciated!
Oct 28th, 2017, 07:01 PM
#2
>>From either Kew or HCP back to Westminster: a river boat sounds so nice<<
Sorry but not nice in Nov. It isn't even nice sometimes in the summer
Yes, AFAIK they all stop by Oct. And don't run every day even then.
>>Are there water buses between Kew and HCP?<<
Nope.
Do you have to visit them on the same day? HCP is easy by train from Waterloo. The fastest route by public transport between Kew and HCP takes a little over an hour. So a taxi is the only real option. There most likely will be cabs driving past the Kew entrance gates since some people will be arriving by taxi so you can just hail one as they drop off other passengers.
Sorry but not nice in Nov. It isn't even nice sometimes in the summer
Yes, AFAIK they all stop by Oct. And don't run every day even then.>>Are there water buses between Kew and HCP?<<
Nope.
Do you have to visit them on the same day? HCP is easy by train from Waterloo. The fastest route by public transport between Kew and HCP takes a little over an hour. So a taxi is the only real option. There most likely will be cabs driving past the Kew entrance gates since some people will be arriving by taxi so you can just hail one as they drop off other passengers.
Oct 28th, 2017, 07:18 PM
#3
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No, I do not have to do it on the same day. It just seemed like a plan since they are in the same general direction.
So, it will be the tube.
@Janisj: I was hoping for your input. Thanks.
I see that you have been posting here in 2004. More than a decade of solid advice and excellent recommendations. Just know that it is highly appreciated!
So, it will be the tube.
@Janisj: I was hoping for your input. Thanks.
I see that you have been posting here in 2004. More than a decade of solid advice and excellent recommendations. Just know that it is highly appreciated!
Oct 28th, 2017, 08:25 PM
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"will there be taxis in Kew?"
...is a bit like asking "do they sell hamburgers in McDonalds?" Though Kew Gardens are fine (do remember: they're famous for their history and for being an open-air botany museum, not for their aesthetic qualities, which are no different from any other London park), few foreign visitors realise that they're surrounded by solid urban-ness.
There are several entrances, some considerable distance apart. In many ways, the finest part of the visit is outside the park: the glorious squarescape of Kew Green, with its cricket pitch and a church you'd assume had been transported from an original location somewhere in Massachusetts. We built only a handful of churches in the 18th century (and practically all of them were by cash-strapped Nonconformists), so that kind of ecclesiastical architecture is almost non-existent in England. Organise your transport so you come in or out through the Elizabeth Gate: Kew Bridge railway station is actually handier to it than Kew Gardens tube station.
If you look at a map, you'll see that most show a huge expanse of green between Kew and Hampton Court Palace. The obvious way to walk it would be along the Thames Path. It's only 11 miles, so if you've got three hours in your day and the weather's conducive (this is the best time of the year for walking, and right now the weather couldn't be better for it), it might be worth doing.
I say "might" because the path doesn't have particularly interesting views for most of this stretch. But an alternative route would take you past King Henry VIII's Mound in Richmond Park, from where the rest of London provides very possibly the finest urban view on earth. The view from Westminster Bridge, or Venice on the rare days the fog lifts, might compete: but nowhere else does. Certainly none of those cheap modern stunts like the Empire State Building or the ghastly wedding-cake basilica in Montmartre
Certainly more worth seeing, if you're pressed for time, than Kew Gardens. If you're really pressed for time, just googling the view, the three centuries of fights to conserve it and the London View Management Framework is, IMHO, the fastest way of getting a real insight into what makes Britain unique.
At almost any point along any of the walking routes between Kew and the Hampton Court area, you'll be close to buses or taxis, so planning for just a mile or two on foot is easy. walkit.com lets you devise walks as short as you like: I think you know about all the planning aids on the tfl website.
...is a bit like asking "do they sell hamburgers in McDonalds?" Though Kew Gardens are fine (do remember: they're famous for their history and for being an open-air botany museum, not for their aesthetic qualities, which are no different from any other London park), few foreign visitors realise that they're surrounded by solid urban-ness.
There are several entrances, some considerable distance apart. In many ways, the finest part of the visit is outside the park: the glorious squarescape of Kew Green, with its cricket pitch and a church you'd assume had been transported from an original location somewhere in Massachusetts. We built only a handful of churches in the 18th century (and practically all of them were by cash-strapped Nonconformists), so that kind of ecclesiastical architecture is almost non-existent in England. Organise your transport so you come in or out through the Elizabeth Gate: Kew Bridge railway station is actually handier to it than Kew Gardens tube station.
If you look at a map, you'll see that most show a huge expanse of green between Kew and Hampton Court Palace. The obvious way to walk it would be along the Thames Path. It's only 11 miles, so if you've got three hours in your day and the weather's conducive (this is the best time of the year for walking, and right now the weather couldn't be better for it), it might be worth doing.
I say "might" because the path doesn't have particularly interesting views for most of this stretch. But an alternative route would take you past King Henry VIII's Mound in Richmond Park, from where the rest of London provides very possibly the finest urban view on earth. The view from Westminster Bridge, or Venice on the rare days the fog lifts, might compete: but nowhere else does. Certainly none of those cheap modern stunts like the Empire State Building or the ghastly wedding-cake basilica in Montmartre
Certainly more worth seeing, if you're pressed for time, than Kew Gardens. If you're really pressed for time, just googling the view, the three centuries of fights to conserve it and the London View Management Framework is, IMHO, the fastest way of getting a real insight into what makes Britain unique.
At almost any point along any of the walking routes between Kew and the Hampton Court area, you'll be close to buses or taxis, so planning for just a mile or two on foot is easy. walkit.com lets you devise walks as short as you like: I think you know about all the planning aids on the tfl website.
Oct 28th, 2017, 09:03 PM
#5
I wasn't sure whether to bring up the Thames Path between Hampton Court & Kew, but now it's been mentioned, here is some of what's available along that section of path, my walk last year:
HCP to Ham House: http://www.travelgumbo.com/blog/tham...e-to-ham-house
Ham House: http://www.travelgumbo.com/blog/the-...use-and-garden
Richmond to Kew: http://www.travelgumbo.com/blog/engl...ichmond-to-kew
Kew Palace: http://www.travelgumbo.com/blog/engl...ath-kew-palace
Kew Gardens: http://www.travelgumbo.com/blog/engl...th-kew-gardens
Apologies to those for whom this is repetition.
HCP to Ham House: http://www.travelgumbo.com/blog/tham...e-to-ham-house
Ham House: http://www.travelgumbo.com/blog/the-...use-and-garden
Richmond to Kew: http://www.travelgumbo.com/blog/engl...ichmond-to-kew
Kew Palace: http://www.travelgumbo.com/blog/engl...ath-kew-palace
Kew Gardens: http://www.travelgumbo.com/blog/engl...th-kew-gardens
Apologies to those for whom this is repetition.
Oct 28th, 2017, 09:12 PM
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I've taken the R68 bus many times and it's quite good if not taken in the rush hour. Unfortunately the boat service between Richmond and HCP finishes in October and although not fast, is a lovely trip.
There are no taxis outside Kew Gardens, there is nowhere for them to wait but you will find several taxis close to Richmond station. Or you can order a mini cab to pick you up from outside the gardens e.g. from a company such as Addison Lee, journey is about 30 mins so does not save you a great deal of time but will cost around £30.
There are no taxis outside Kew Gardens, there is nowhere for them to wait but you will find several taxis close to Richmond station. Or you can order a mini cab to pick you up from outside the gardens e.g. from a company such as Addison Lee, journey is about 30 mins so does not save you a great deal of time but will cost around £30.
Oct 28th, 2017, 10:57 PM
#7
>>There are no taxis outside Kew Gardens,<<
There is no taxi rank but there would be taxis. Just driving down the street like everywhere else in London. If nothing else there would be taxis pulling up to drop people at the Maids of Honour.
flanner and Mme perdue have given great info -- walking part way at least would be good if you have the time. Problem is if you spend a couple of hours at Kew, and maybe 3 hours at HCP -- three hours for the full walk doesn't leave you enough time. HCP's is only open from 10:00-4:30 this tome of year. And Kew 10:00-4:15. So some walking and one or the other -- but both just wouldn't be doable.
>>@Janisj: I was hoping for your input. Thanks.
I see that you have been posting here in 2004. More than a decade of solid advice and excellent recommendations. Just know that it is highly appreciated!<<
Thanks -- I've been around even longer than that -- 2004 was just my last screen name change . . .
There is no taxi rank but there would be taxis. Just driving down the street like everywhere else in London. If nothing else there would be taxis pulling up to drop people at the Maids of Honour.
flanner and Mme perdue have given great info -- walking part way at least would be good if you have the time. Problem is if you spend a couple of hours at Kew, and maybe 3 hours at HCP -- three hours for the full walk doesn't leave you enough time. HCP's is only open from 10:00-4:30 this tome of year. And Kew 10:00-4:15. So some walking and one or the other -- but both just wouldn't be doable.
>>@Janisj: I was hoping for your input. Thanks.
I see that you have been posting here in 2004. More than a decade of solid advice and excellent recommendations. Just know that it is highly appreciated!<<
Thanks -- I've been around even longer than that -- 2004 was just my last screen name change . . .
Oct 28th, 2017, 11:34 PM
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<<There is no taxi rank but there would be taxis.>>
If you are pushed for time, you'll be wasting alot of it waiting around outside hoping to flag down a black cab. And the cost of taking a black cab running on a meter from Kew to HCP? Much better to prebook a minicab or get someone in the info office at Kew to recommend a local taxi firm. Otherwise there is a taxi rank at Richmond station which is a short bus ride away.
If you are pushed for time, you'll be wasting alot of it waiting around outside hoping to flag down a black cab. And the cost of taking a black cab running on a meter from Kew to HCP? Much better to prebook a minicab or get someone in the info office at Kew to recommend a local taxi firm. Otherwise there is a taxi rank at Richmond station which is a short bus ride away.
Oct 29th, 2017, 08:39 AM
#9
>>get someone in the info office at Kew to recommend a local taxi firm<<
That works too -- but really no matter the mode(s) of transport. trying to squeeze in two major sites on the same day would be tough, especially with transport issues. I would treat these as two separate half day trips from central London and add some walking to one or the other.
That works too -- but really no matter the mode(s) of transport. trying to squeeze in two major sites on the same day would be tough, especially with transport issues. I would treat these as two separate half day trips from central London and add some walking to one or the other.
Oct 29th, 2017, 08:52 AM
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I don't think I've ever - except at chucking out time from a Kew evening music festival - walked onto Kew Rd, or the bit of the South Circular that Kew Rd turns into as it passes Kew Green, without seeing a black cab showing a "for hire" sign lit up.
And over the years, I must have walked along Kew Rd several hundred times.
And over the years, I must have walked along Kew Rd several hundred times.
Nov 1st, 2017, 08:03 AM
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Thanks everybody, for such practical info.
Janisj: I have read some more, and I agree. I will not enjoy going to both places on the same day. If choices are to be made, I will go for the gardens this time - hope there are lovely autumn colours with 'seasons of mists and mellow fruitfulness' in evidence.
flanner & mmePerdu: the idea of the walk along the river is intriguing, and DD will probably do it. Thanks! I also enjoyed your (flanner's) description of the walk past King Henry viii's Mound in Richmond Park. That is what I have decided to do: enjoy Kew and then go on to this Mound. Will it be easy to find?
crefloors: I did wonder about the oyster card, thanks for that bit if info.
In 24 hours we will be in London! It looks as if the weather will be good, no real rain predicted. Coming from Dubai I always enjoy the grey days of autumn in London.
Janisj: I have read some more, and I agree. I will not enjoy going to both places on the same day. If choices are to be made, I will go for the gardens this time - hope there are lovely autumn colours with 'seasons of mists and mellow fruitfulness' in evidence.
flanner & mmePerdu: the idea of the walk along the river is intriguing, and DD will probably do it. Thanks! I also enjoyed your (flanner's) description of the walk past King Henry viii's Mound in Richmond Park. That is what I have decided to do: enjoy Kew and then go on to this Mound. Will it be easy to find?
crefloors: I did wonder about the oyster card, thanks for that bit if info.
In 24 hours we will be in London! It looks as if the weather will be good, no real rain predicted. Coming from Dubai I always enjoy the grey days of autumn in London.
Nov 1st, 2017, 02:06 PM
#14
Kew is in zone 2, HCP is in zone 6. So oysters would work for either, you'd just need some PAYG loaded to cover the journey out to HCP if you decide to go there since it is outside the typical zone 1-2 weekly travelcard most people buy.
Nov 1st, 2017, 02:11 PM
#15
"Kew is in zone 2"
Really? Looks like the border of zones three and four to me.
https://tfl.gov.uk/maps/track/tube
Really? Looks like the border of zones three and four to me.
https://tfl.gov.uk/maps/track/tube
Nov 1st, 2017, 03:16 PM
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Hi Thursday! Always nice to hear from you. I will find out about the zones when I am there.
About FLANNER's suggestion re Richmond Park: I still have to get my head around that. Richmond station is 30 minutes before Kew on the District Line, then some walking or bus. Looks like another good alternative.
Just fyi: I had a foot issue the last few months. Thanksfully it is now better, but still would not be walking many extra miles on this trip. I am willing to pay for taxis where needed.
About FLANNER's suggestion re Richmond Park: I still have to get my head around that. Richmond station is 30 minutes before Kew on the District Line, then some walking or bus. Looks like another good alternative.
Just fyi: I had a foot issue the last few months. Thanksfully it is now better, but still would not be walking many extra miles on this trip. I am willing to pay for taxis where needed.
Nov 1st, 2017, 03:47 PM
#18
Hi kovsie - envy you the trip. Sorry to hear about the foot. My first TR on Fodors was "The Sore Foot Tour", so I feel your pain.
Not sure where you are starting from, but did you try asking the citymapper app, or:
https://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/
Not sure where you are starting from, but did you try asking the citymapper app, or:
https://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/
Nov 2nd, 2017, 01:30 AM
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<<That is what I have decided to do: enjoy Kew and then go on to this Mound. Will it be easy to find?>> From Richmond station it's quite a walk to Richmond Park but you can take bus 65 which stops closish to the park & walk from there or take a taxi from outside Richmond station. Nearest gate is Richmond Gate and the mound is just before Pembroke Lodge (which is lovely BTW), you can follow directions to that. Quite frankly you can get the same view from Richmond Hill where many tourists stop to take photos, opposite the 2 hotels up there.
As for seeing the park itself, I usually cycle or take the car due to the distances between the various points of interest in the park. It's a big park and just seeing the Mound and the view isn't enough to get a feel of it.
The advantage of HCP is that you can see many things in one day, the Palace, the gardens, a little stroll by the river (in either direction) and the compact Bushy Park which is glorious at the moment, with the autumn colours of the chestnut trees & the deer plus it is an easy journey from Waterloo (2 trains an hour, less during offpeak times).
As for seeing the park itself, I usually cycle or take the car due to the distances between the various points of interest in the park. It's a big park and just seeing the Mound and the view isn't enough to get a feel of it.
The advantage of HCP is that you can see many things in one day, the Palace, the gardens, a little stroll by the river (in either direction) and the compact Bushy Park which is glorious at the moment, with the autumn colours of the chestnut trees & the deer plus it is an easy journey from Waterloo (2 trains an hour, less during offpeak times).
