Windsor or Hampton Court Palace
 

If I only have time to do one day trip outside of London, which do people prefer: Windsor or Hampton Court Palace? I'm just curious about everyone's opinion. I love British royal history.

If you can only visit one, then make it Hampton Court, just because of it's varied styles of architecture, it's history, the Tudor kitchens, the gardens etc.

Hampton Court, and if the weather is nice and you can take the boat back into London.

HCP is wonderful, Windsor is also terrific - but they are totally different experiences.

This is one of those "which one should I see" questions that's impossible to answer either way, because the answer is "both". However with time constraints and for the river journey, then Hampton Court.

As janis says, they are completely different.

Hampton Court may not have a current royal resident - but it has a great history, a wonderful program with docents and fantastic grounds with a lovely maze - so I vote go here.

If you must have a palace with a current (sometimes) royal resident do windsor (but most is closed to the public).

Another vote for Hampton Court. We went on a warm day in the second week of December last year, and practically had the place to ourselves. (I guess most of the other tourists were shopping.) The docents were happy to provide nearly private tours, and we got to appreciate the history far more than on our previous visit.

I would choose Hampton Court. The river is prettier in this area than Windsor, you can take a (long) walk along the Thames towpath to Kingston or in the other direction to Sunbury Locks. There is almost always something going on at HCP, fairs, exhibitions, concerts.
There are some great lunch places nearby, which I don't think tourists know about, as they seem to get off the train, go to HCP and then back without taking a look at some of the local restaurants in the vicinity ie Bridge Road.
If there is time, Bushy Park is a lovely place to go for a walk and see the free range deer and chestnut trees. This was used to be the original grand entrance to the Palace.

If it's a nice day, Hampton Court. If it's rainy, Windsor.

With your interests, you'll really enjoy both places.

The charm and intrigue of HCP is more the exterior and grounds. Windsor has its semi-museum displays and the cathedral. Much of Windsor is closed to the public because: bloody commoners.

We voted for Hampton Court Palace by going there last time in London. We'd go again.

Another vote for Hampton Court. We went in February and virtually had the place to ourselves. Loved it!

Thanks everyone! Hampton Court it is. I'm going to try to do both but I'm not sure I'll be in London long enough so I am going to make Hampton Court my priority. I have a particular interest in Tudor England so I think it will be great. Planning to take the boat there and the train back.

Hampton Court.

My mother was born and grew up in Old Windsor.

Thin

Sanderskin: it is much better to take the train TO and the boat FROM. The boat takes a very long time and you would not get to the palace til well after lunch time. Take a morning train and spend as much time as you like exploiting HCP. The if the weather is nice you can take the boat back to town in the mid to late afternoon.

Janisj, that is very good advice! Thank you!