Hampton Court Palace
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Hampton Court - by AloeCloe from Pixabay
Description
The Hampton Court Palace is a Royal Palace built in the 16th century under Henri VIII. It was then expanded to such an extent under King William III at the end of the 17th century that the palace ended up with 2 different and contrasting styles: Tudor and Baroque. The estate is also well known for its large garden, many works of arts, and its maze. The palace is owned by the Crown but managed by an independent charity, the Historic Royal Places which receives no government funding - thus it relies on public visits and donations.
Access & Transport
Located 19km to the Southwest of central London within the borough of Richmond upon Thames, close to Surrey, the easiest way to reach is by train from Waterloo Station to Hampton Court railway station, a 5' walk away. There are also some bus services from Richmond and Kingston that stop outside the gates but make for a longer journey overall.
Instructions & Recommendations
Try to pick a day when the weather is fair to be able to enjoy the garden and maze. Also plan the transport logistics a little in advance to avoid just missing the train
Environmental & Social
The mix of gardens and running the place make this activity neutral from an environmental perspective, in our opinion. Social impact is slightly positive, helping to keep jobs and economic activity in the countryside.
Conclusion
Hampton Court Palace is a great option for anybody with a deep interest in British history and specifically that of their monarchs and lifestyle. However, it can be quite time consuming to get there, so if you do not fall in that category and have less than 5 days earmarked for London, you might want to pick an option that is faster to get to.
Key positive
The estate forms a comprehensive package with the buildings, garden and maze
Interesting for fans of the British monarchy
Key negative
Time consuming to get to, not in absolute terms but as compared to other London-based options
Expensive (partly understandable given the ongoing maintenance cost involved)
Suitability
Suitable for all ages, this is a very family friendly option. Accessible for visitors with mobility issues except for the maze, which is not suitable for wheelchair users
About this Rating
TYPE
Onsite
RESEARCHED IN
May 2024
PROVIDER
Koreval
av. transport time:1h 15m
est. visit time:3h
Start of Season 1:Mar, 31
MONDAY -
TUESDAY -
WEDNESDAY10:00 - 17:30
THURSDAY10:00 - 17:30
FRIDAY10:00 - 17:30
SATURDAY10:00 - 17:30
SUNDAY10:00 - 17:30
Start of Season 2:Nov, 01
MONDAY -
TUESDAY -
WEDNESDAY10:00 - 16:00
THURSDAY10:00 - 16:00
FRIDAY10:00 - 16:00
SATURDAY10:00 - 16:00
SUNDAY10:00 - 16:00