Let’s delve deep into England’s royal history as we explore the country’s storied treasures.
Starting at Windsor Castle, the UK’s oldest working castle, we’ll wander through the grand state rooms, learn all about the Order of the Garter, and visit St George’s Chapel, the final resting place of monarchs like Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, and Henry VIII. Next, we’ll head to Hampton Court Palace to step back into Tudor times, exploring the palace itself, the famous maze, and the enchanting gardens for a truly memorable British experience.
Itinerary
Private Windsor Castle & Hampton Court Palace Tour
Pick-up from your accommodation
Begin your day with a collection in a premium vehicle by your private driver-guide as you depart and travel through the picturesque English countryside.
Windsor Castle
Discover the world’s oldest inhabited castle. Stroll through magnificent State Apartments, uncover their royal history, and soak in the unique atmosphere of this iconic royal residence.
Travel to Hampton Court Palace
Look forward to arriving at another of England’s most treasured royal landmarks as your adventure continues.
Lunch Stop
Relaxed time to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant or café
Hampton Court Palace
Immerse yourself in the world of Tudor England. Wander through the palace’s majestic interiors and historic kitchens, and take your time enjoying the stunning gardens or exploring the famous maze if you wish.
Return Journey
Comfortable drive back with drop-off at your accommodation
Windsor Castle, and why it takes the morning
Windsor is the larger of the two by some way, which is why it gets the fresher half of the day. The State Apartments are still used for state occasions, so what you walk through is a working royal residence rather than a preserved one, and Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House tends to hold people longer than they expect. St George’s Chapel is the other reason to be there, with Henry VIII, Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mother among those buried beneath its floor and the banners of the Order of the Garter hanging above the stalls. One practical point before you settle on a date: Windsor Castle is closed to visitors on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so this pairing runs on the other days of the week.
Hampton Court after lunch
Hampton Court is really two palaces sharing a wall. Cardinal Wolsey built the first of them and handed it to Henry VIII as his own position began to slip, and that Tudor half holds the Great Hall with its hammerbeam roof, the astronomical clock in Clock Court and the kitchens built to feed the whole court. The other half is baroque, raised for William and Mary to Christopher Wren’s design, and walking out of one into the other makes the change in English taste unusually easy to see. Outside there are the formal gardens, the great vine under glass and the maze, which is entirely optional and takes as long as you let it.
What the day costs
Each itinerary is priced on its own, because the figure depends on how long the day runs, how far we travel to collect you and what gets booked on your behalf. Tell us where you are staying and which date you have in mind, and you will have an itinerary and a firm quote before anything is confirmed. If you would like to read up beforehand, our beginner’s guide to exploring Windsor Castle and our piece on Henry VIII’s Hampton Court Palace go further into both stops than a tour page has room for.
