Am going on a short trip to London at the end of March. Have read many posts here recommending visits to these two castles, but will most likely only have time to do one or the other. Which should I chose, and why? Does either one or the other have a great display of spring flowers at the end of March?<BR><BR>Also, I have a 19 year old son very interested in medieval history, most particularly the Crusades. Any suggestions for an exceptionally good souvenir I can bring back for him that won't take up all my free time to find?<BR><BR>Thanks so much for any help you can give.

Can't help you with the souvenir. Windsor is a beautiful castle with a look into today's royal life. Also Queen Mary dollhouse is on display for an additional fee and if you like that sort of thing it is unique. The town of Windsor is a great place to walk around and see as well.<BR>Hampton Court is a fabulous look into the history or past royals, particularly Henry the VIII. The gardens are beautiful and there's a garden maze if you're so inclined. The town around it isn't much but there are places to get lunch etc. <BR>Both are convenient to train stations. Both offer various kinds of tours. Both are about the same amount of time out of Central London. I am facinated by Engilsh history and if given only one choice would choose Hampton Court.

Haven't been to Windsor, but Hampton court is beautiful (we went in June with Gardens in bloom). We were able to take a horse and carriage ride all around the gardens. The inside is fabulous, rich in history, with the kitchens set up just like they were then, with an audio guide if you'd like to listen. Very convenient to the train. Good luck!

Hi Dutchie,<BR><BR>Have been to both. The difference in a nutshell is . . .<BR><BR>Windsor - current day <BR>Hampton Court - historical<BR><BR>each is very different from the other; both are worth the time. <BR>

John.. Windsor has hundreds of years more history than Hampton Court.. but maybe what you meant to say is that the rooms that one sees on the Winsdor tour are more relating to the past 200 years.

Having been to both I would definitely recommend Hampton Court. It is an incredible palace in a unique setting. Windsor is nice but all you can really see are some of state apartment rooms and the chapel. The town of Windsor, unfortunately has lost all charm as it has been turned into a huge shopping mall. The grounds at Hamptom are certainly more impressive than Windsor's which doesn't really have any.

I also am trying to decide between the two for a trip in mid March. First question - will there really be much in the way of gardens at that time of year, and if not, doesn't that mean Hampton Court would be less interesting? Another question - looking at pictures, Windsor looks more like a traditional &quot;castle&quot; while Hampton seems to look like a big rectangular building. I 'm more interested in the outsides of these buildings, and the settings. Historic looking (even if touristy) towns/surroundings would be of interest to me. So does that mean Windsor would be better for me? Thanks

We visited both places in late May a couple of years ago. I didn't expect much in the way of flowers at Windsor, but we were disappointed that even at Hampton Court there was very little in bloom. It seemed as though the bulbs (tulips, daffodils, etc.) were finished blooming, but the roses and other summer flowers weren't out yet. They were just beginning to plant their summer beds. I suspect that there won't be anything in bloom in March.<BR><BR>Will you be going to the Tower of London? We shopped in their souvenir shop, and I seem to recall seeing interesting things there that were old and historical, We were mostly &quot;just looking,&quot; so I'm not sure they have anything as old as the Crusades.

I've been to both and probably would choose Hampton Court over Windsor if I really had to choose one. I just thought there was more to see and it was more interesting. I was at both in August and don't really recall the garden aspect of Hampton Court, but found it fascinating anyway as I enjoyed seeing all the other things--now that I think of it, I guess I do remember seeing the gardens a little, but that wasn't as important to me as the buildings. My main interest in both was the inside, though, so I'm not sure what to recommend if you didn't care about that. Hampton Court sure wasn't of any interest in itself as a town (although I didn't see anything except the area right around the palace and the train station); I don't remember much about Windsor although I do recall some nice park vistas driving near there (which were part of the property, as I recall -- at least belonged to the royal family).