| Day 3 - London |
| It pays to get up early for the trip to Hampton Court Palace. The train takes about an hour but we opted to go by boat from Westminster Pier. Boats leave about every hour and take about 3 to 4 hours depending on how many rowers are out on the river - no one is allowed to cause waves! The trip down the Thames is full of interest - you may even get commentary, at least for the first part of the trip. Take food and drink with you - there may not be much to buy on board. On the way you will pass by Kingston, Richmond and Kew Gardens. When you arrive at Hampton Court Palace from the dock you will probably find yourself at the back of the Palace. It looks as grand as you would expect the front to look. You should explore the extensive gardens and see the manicured trees, the delightful waterways and the Maze in which you are guaranteed to get lost. You should also see the ornate Privy Garden, the Pond Gardens and the Great Vine all located at the side of the Palace near the Thames. You will soon find your way to the front entrance of the Palace. Inside you will discover there are three courts - the Base Court, the Clock Court and the Fountain Court. There are eight guided and self guided tours of the Palace and each one starts in one of the courts. The highlights are the King's and Queen's State Apartments, Henry VIII's State Apartments and the Kitchens, but you should have time to do all eight tours and spend some time in the Palace shops. Good food is available in the Palace or you can walk across Hampton Court Bridge to the town for more traditional fare - eg pub lunch or pizzas. From the nearby train station you can return to London (Victoria Station), This will have been a fairly full day but if you find you still have some spare time, we suggest you plan an evening's entertainment. We had early dinner at a good restaurant and then took in a show - the Lion King at the Lyceum near The Strand, which we booked before we left for England. Night outings are rewarding because London is certainly well lit up at night. In particular, you should go to Parliament Square. An illuminated Big Ben is a must for every photo album. Just remember not to stay up too late because the days are very full and tiring. With this in mind, tomorrow is the longest walking trip in our London visit. |
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