hmathis

in one day...on a Sunday? What is the best order to do these 2 sites in one day and suggestions for travel between the two? We are staying at the Marriot County Hall and I would love to take a boat but I don't think they are running yet? Any suggestions?

GeoffHamer

The boats from London to Hampton Court start running in April, but the journey averages three hours (it depends on the tides) so it would be difficult to do both Hampton Court and Windsor in one day this way. County Hall is close to Waterloo station from where trains run every half hour to Hampton Court and to Windsor (www.swtrains.co.uk). The two lines diverge at Clapham Junction, so you could do Waterloo - Windsor - Clapham - Hampton Court - Waterloo (get a London travelcard for six zones which covers Hampton Court, plus a day return from the boundary of zone 6 to Windsor). Otherwise, use a bus to Hampton Court from, say, Richmond (train Waterloo - Windsor - Richmond, bus R68 to Hampton Court, then train Hampton Court - Waterloo).

bbib

Trying to do both Hampton Court and Windsor in the same day will be a push using public transport, (esp' on a Sunday!)

Not sure where your hotel is based, however, you can get a train to Hampton Court from Waterloo (35 mins). It is then a 5 minute walk to HC.

The river trips are not running yet and don't think they go to Windsor from HC anyway, when they are running.

Your best bet is to take a taxi, from HC to windsor. There is a taxi company called Headway at HC station and they do this route. But be prepaid to pay at least £40!!! if not more.

To go via public transport from HC to Windsor would take hours... no direct route.

If you have to choose between the two, I would go for Windsor.

Hope this helps.

janis

hmathis: Please don't try to squeeze both in one Sunday. Especially on public transit. Both close earlier on Sundays (4:30 for HCP - and I think the same for Windsor) in the off season.

If you get to HCP at opening time the EARLIEST you can expect to leave is about 2:30PM (or later, since presumably you will want to stop to get a bite to eat in the garden cafe.) It would take a minimum 1 hour to get to Windsor by bus (the trip doesn't take that long but you will not likely make connections immediately).

You will not have time to see much if anything at Windsor.

bbib

Ok forgot £40 taxi transfer. I was at HC station today and its £25 to Windsor from HC... its the only way you're going to do both places in one day, without being short of time...

kaudrey

Just to agree with Janis - I went to both of these, on different days, and in order to enjoy them, you could never do it in one day. They are no where near each other and it would take too much time to get between them.

You can do Windsor in a morning, and then spend the afternoon in London. Then, on a different day, do HCP (we spent 5 hours there not including transportation), and spend the rest of that late afternoon back in London.

Have fun!

hmathis

That is exactly what we are going to do..Windsor on Sunday and then Tuesday do the HCP and then come back into London and go to the Tate Britian...All of your advice has helped so much...we revisited our itinerary last night and we feel much more confident about it all now...This board is a great resource...can't wait to give a full report when we return!