What is the best way to get to Hampton Court Palace? Im staying at the Harrington Hall and want to go to the palace for the day. Is it worth the trip? I will only be in London for 8 days and there is so much to see.

Jean, Hampton Court Palace is a quick 20 minute train ride from Victoria station. It is well worth seeing, and very popular. Take the first train out in the morning to avoid the crowds. Ask your hotel concierge- they can tell you when the first train leaves. Have a wonderful time!

Kathy's routing will work, but involves a change of train at Clapham Junction, and will take more like 45 minutes. Also, the first train in the morning is 6:15, arriving 6:57, which may be a tad early. I think Hampton Court is well-worth a half day out of your 8.

Hampton Court is one of the best day trips you could take from London; a huge building surrounded by gardens. Unless there's been a recent change, the train leaves from Waterloo Station, not Victoria. It's only about a 10 minute walk from the Hampton Ct station to the palace.

Jean,<BR><BR>Hanby is correct---you can get to Hampton Court from the Waterloo Station, without a change of trains. (Just did this in April.) Journey time is about 30 to 35 minutes. Frequent trains in each direction. If you go, sit in either the first or second car of the train so you can easily see the train stop signs on the platforms. Hampton Court is the end of the line.<BR><BR>You can call London transport and they will give you the outbound and return train times.<BR><BR>This was our second trip to Hampton Court and we enjoyed it as much as our first visit.<BR><BR>I would recommend that you sit in the first or second car on the train

You can also travel to or from Hampton Court by boat - we didn't do it, but on a nice day it might be a relaxing option. Check the Hampton Court website for details.

The boat trip to or from Hampton Court is indeed relaxing, and gives you a completely different view of the various London suburbs you pass but it is LONG, given how the Thames winds its way along - several hours from Central London. But you could always do a shorter ride to, say, Kew Bridge or Richmond and take the train back in from there.

From where Jean is staying, Kathy's Victoria route would involve one tube journey and two train journeys. Hanby's Waterloo route would involve two tube journeys and one train journey. Which is better, I have no idea, but I suspect the timing difference would be minimal. Note that whichever routing is chosen, it is the same train to Hampton Court, departing Waterloo and picking up at Clapham Junction.

You can also take the tube to the end of the line and then take the bus to Hampton Court. Cheap? Yes and No. Yes, it's cheap but you spend a lot of time (money). This is what we did but I wouldn't recommend it to others. Follow the advice above and take the train.

Since I was staying in West Kensington I decided to take the tube to Hampton Court Palace instead of going to the Waterloo station. I think the journey time was about the same. I think it was the district line, all the way to the end which is Richmond. Then take bus R68 which drops you off right in front of the palace. Taking the tube/bus combo gives you a different perspective from the city of London to the smaller town of Richmond. We were going to take the boat back, but I believe the times were 1pm and 2pm and we weren't finished touring yet. Definitely take one of the guided costum guides. Hampton Court is a great day trip from London.

Fom Gloucester Road tube station(close to Harrington Hall), you could take District Line to Richmond. There are buses leave every 15- 20 minutes right outside Richmond Station to Hampton Court(about 20 minutes),the bus stops right at the entrance.

I’ve been to London umpteen times but just made it to Hampton Court this spring and I loved it. It was no big deal getting there out of Waterloo Station and I rather like the “adventure” of the tubes so didn’t mind making a connection or two out of Russell Square. Whatever, don’t be intimidated by some of these rather daunting posts about this or that connection, just go, and don’t rush yourself. Also, ask a warder for directions to a pub called the Prince of Wales, I believe it was, good food and reasonably cold pints. Enjoy!

Jean, Sorry for the wrong info about train from Victoria station-train goes out of Waterloo. Thanks to everyone for correcting me!!