Has anyone taken a guided tour in HC ? I'm going in Jan,intend to arrive when the palace opens at 9.30. am, -to get back early in London- but the tours start 11 or even later.Is it worth to miss something in London just to attend the tour? Does it really make a difference?<BR>Thanks for any info<BR>Eva

www.hrp.org.uk<BR>this site will tell you and show you everything you ever wanted to know about Hampton Court~c

Well when Henry VIII saw the place, he thought enough of it to confiscate it from the good Cardinal.<BR><BR>It's spectacular with original furnishings. It's also small enough to achieve a feeling of the whole.<BR><BR>It's worth the trip. Unfortunately, it may be a little cold for a tour of the gardens.

It's well worth a visit, but you don't need a guided tour. Buy a guide book & tour at your own pace. It'll take you a couple hours to see most everything.

We were there in 2000 (May) and I would suggest:<BR>You can walk around the grounds and the whole place on your own.<BR>Catch a tour of the main part with the costumed guides. They love describing the bits where Tudor hygene habits were not the same as ours. (The Great Hall was the men's sleeping quarters at night. Where'd you get this "private room" idea? Only the royalty! Ploiteness meant spitting only in the corners.)<BR>There was a special tour of the recently restored Cardinal's(?)apartments. Fine old Tudor furnishings!<BR><BR>SO? Go wander while you're waiting for the tours to start. Wander after the tours...