I'm meeting my parents in London next Saturday and Sunday, and my mom is planning the sightseeing. She has listed a lot of palaces, as she is not crazy about art (Dad takes too long to go through, as I do now) and will be seeing museums in Italy afterwards.

She asked me how long Hampton Court or Windsor would take. I suggested about 5-6 hours including transport. I noted about 1 hour each way for transport (waiting for train, train, walking to palace) and about 3 hours for staterooms, gardens, etc. It seems like Windsor could also easily be a day trip with Eton, cathedral, town center, etc. I also said that if we just wanted to see the staterooms and a small part of the gardens, maybe 2 hours at each place.

How accurate is this? I've been to HCP and I remember it taking a good bit of the day.

Other choices were Kensington and Banqueting Hall, and I suggested Spencer House (the gardens will be open on Sunday). Both would be much faster to get to and less impressive, so would take less time.

Thanks.

To go to Hampton Court from Waterloo Station takes about 30 minutes one way. The Train station stop is only about a 5 minute walk to the Palace. When we went we toured the palace, the gardens and walked through the maze. We were the a total of 6 hours. We were back in the city by around 5:00 pm.

Also there is a 2 for 1 deal on the days out web page. You just need show your train ticket with the voucher.

Sorry I did do not have information on the others.

Thanks, Wolverine.

Your guesstimates are about right.

Windsor a bit shorter if you don't cross the river to Eton or wander around town.

HCP a bit shorter if the weather is nasty since you probably wouldn't wander around the gardens as much.

Basically either would be a full half day's trip from London.

The Banqueting Hall doesn't take much time. Kens Palace can take as long as you want - there are audio guides that are VERY long if you listen to all the links. Or a lot less if you just listen to the main room descriptions. I enjoy Kens Palace (many Fodorites don't) but it does not hold a candle to eithe HCP or Windsor.

Spencer House might be good since so few tourists see it.

Thanks, Janis. I have seen Kensington and HCP, but not the others. I was not crazy about Kensington, but I really can't remember why. In any event, I'll report back next weekend.

We were at the Banqueting House for about 45 minutes. You could make it 1 hour or a few minutes more, but that would be seeing it thoroughly. The ceiling is amazing and the proportions of the room very cool (it's a double cube). Nice combination with Horse Guards Palace - it's right across the street, and the walk-by of Downing Street. If you were to go to Cabinet War Rooms or to St. James Palace, they are also close.

Thanks, Noe. I think Banqueting is out, because Mom has dubbed it boring. Looks like it will be:

SATURDAY

Royal Mews
Queen's Gallery
Monet exhibition
London Eye at evening

SUNDAY
Kensington
Spencer House and Gardens