This excursion will be back soon. In the meantime we’d be happy to organise a private tour for you. Please contact us on 020 7624 3978 | [email protected] to make a booking.

Hampton Court & Richmond & “that” boat ride

Waterloo railway station, London

Guided by Simon

Why “the best tour I’ve ever been on.” All is revealed further down. But first, the practicals.

RICHMOND & HAMPTON COURT – THE PRACTICALS

We go to Richmond & Hampton Court on TBA. The meeting time is TBA. The meeting point is by the main ticket office – it’s directly across from Platform 16 – of  Waterloo Railway Station.

Anything else? Yes, the following…

Peace of mind can’t wait. Why should it have to?

Problem solved: we only go to Richmond & Hampton Court once this summer but you can reserve your place now.

What’s the cost? The cost is made up of the guide’s fee plus the Tariff (boat fare and admission to Hampton Court). The adult Tariff for the Royal Richmond & Hampton Court trip is £35 (there are usually further reductions for students and seniors). For children under 9 accompanied by their parent(s) a reduced Tariff is the only charge. For the total cost of the Royal Richmond & Hampton Court trip simply add the guide’s fee to the Tariff.

N.B. be sure to get an Oyster Card or a Zones 1-6 Travel Card – it’ll cover your rail fares.

*The guide’s fee for the Royal Richmond & Hampton Court trip is £25 for adults. Or £22 for Super Adults (over 65s),  students and people with the London Walks Discount Card. Youngsters aged 9-15 go for £8. Kids under 9 accompanied by their parent(s) go free.

The Tariffs for our Royal Richmond & Hampton Court trip and our other Out of Town Trips are normally a significant saving on what you’d pay were you to “go it alone” with your fares, etc. But if you’ve got some super cheap deal that’s better than what we’re able to get for you just say the word and your Tariff will be pro-rated accordingly. You’ll never have to pay twice or pay over the odds.

WHY “THE BEST TOUR”?

“Yes, best tour I’ve ever been on. And I’ve been on tours all over the world.”

The memory of that day, that trip. In my personal pantheon of great tours that I’ve been on – been on as a “customer” not the guide – the one that gets pride of place is our day trip made of that weave of Richmond – the lazy boat ride up the Thames to Hampton Court – and then the Hampton Court tour itself.

That trip is the only tour I’ve ever been on that’s hit what I would call a Wordsworth register  – stored up in me “sensations sweet, felt in the blood, and felt along the heart…” The pure serene of knowing that where we are, what we’re experiencing, what we behold “is full of blessings.” That’s some tour that can do that – and that trip did.

It must have been 15 years ago that I went on it and I still think about it – remember it – pretty much every day. Memories make us rich – and that one certainly did me.

What is it about that excursion? Haven’t really analysed it – we murder to dissect – but if pressed I’d put it down to the conjoining of those two extraordinary bookends – Richmond and Hampton Court – with that platonic ideal of a boat trip. The way time slowed down and history ghosted along with us. And of course it didn’t hurt that it was a golden day.

So, yes, this is a memory shared. And, yes – if I may be so bold – a gentle recommendation. Made not least because a certain slant of light is now here to remind us that summer is passing. And – narrowing the focus – this is our one and only Summer 2020 Richmond & Hampton Court trip.

I’ve asked one of our greatest cultural commentators to perform the honours – to break the bottle of champagne across the bow of this vessel. Here he goes…

“If Windsor is the grandest of England’s royal houses, Hampton Court is the most seductive. Its Tudor profile, its forest of chimneys, its mix of intimate chambers and grand state rooms answer to every emotion. Whether shimmering above the river in summer or set about with winter snow, its entrance is the epitome of the flamboyant and tyrannical Henry VIII. To the rear is a jolly William-and-Mary building crammed with chambers in the Dutch style. Hampton Court has something for every taste…. After visiting the house, there is nothing more restful than to walk by the river and to lose oneself in the great park to the east.” Yes, it’s a taster – the opening and closing – of Simon Jenkins’ wonderful essay on Hampton Court.

So much for the launch ceremony. Now it’s time to get stuck in. Here we go…

There are many ways to “do” Hampton Court, but this is the best. In the same way that tailored is superior to off-the-peg. Because with Hampton Court “content” – Great Hall, Haunted Gallery, State Rooms, Private Apartments, Maze – takes care of itself. What doesn’t take care of itself is “presentation”. And presentation makes all the difference – the difference between something that seamless and timeless and unforgettable as opposed to theme-parky. And that’s why we go by boat from Richmond. Just as Henry VIII did. It’s a living act of “restoration” – because Hampton Court is a riverside palace and was meant to be approached by water. It makes for a golden day – stimulating and peaceful, beautiful and companionable. And for a finale? Try this: London Walks, Winner of the Best Tourism Experience in England Award* 

It all comes down to the guiding (in this instance, Simon). 

 *And for good measure, The Best Tourism Experience in London Award.

LONDON WALKS REVIEWS

“Best Tourism Experience in England”  Gold Medal Winner, Visit England

“London Walks puts you into the hands of an expert on the particular area and topic of a tour…” The New York Times

“by far the most impressive series of walks that I have ever encountered are those offered by London Walks”  Travel and Enjoy

LONDON WALKS SOUPÇON I

“Richmond is the most affluent borough in London. It looks like it and feels like it, too – airy, leafy, parky, rivery. Richmond has more of the richest London wards than any other borough. Mick Jagger lives there and Zac Goldsmith [was] the local MP. It’s even too posh to be south of the river; it’s the river which goes south instead, and Richmond is to the east of it.” John Lanchester

LONDON WALKS SOUPÇON II

London Walks always aces it with the quality of the information that you get. Re the Real Tennis court at Hampton Court and learning that in early tennis the player might briefly rest, letting a servant throw in the ball, thus ‘service.’

Or that ‘timberhill’ was an old word for staircase.

WANT A PRIVATE TOUR TO RICHMOND & HAMPTON COURT?

If you can’t make the regularly scheduled, just-turn-up, public Richmond & Hampton Court excursions do think about booking one as a private tour. For a singleton or a couple or foursome is more expensive than going on one of the public tours but they’re still good value. Best value if you compare them with what’s on offer in the wider marketplace. And for a reasonably sized group they’re superb value – cost you less than going on one of the public outings. If you go private you can have the Richmond & Hampton Court trip – or any other London Walk – on a day and at a time that suits your convenience. We’ll tailor* it to your wishes and requirements. And – always with private London Walks and tours – we go to great lengths to make sure the guide-walker(s) “fit” is well-nigh perfect. Ring Fiona or Noel or Mary on 020 7624 3978 or email us at [email protected] and we’ll set it up and make it happen for you. A private London Walk – they’re good value for an individual or couple and sensational value for a group – makes an ideal group or educational or birthday party or office (team-building) or club outing.

GIVE THE GIFT OF LONDON WALKS

A private London Walk or Day Trip makes a fab present – be it a birthday or anniversary or get-to-know-your-new neighbourhood gift or Christmas present or whatever. Merchandise schmerchandise (gift wrapped or not) – but giving someone an experience, now that’s special. Memories make us rich.  *So if you want, say, just half of the day – in either Richmond or Hampton Court – no problem, just say the word.

MIND THE GAP

It’s not even close

LONDON WALKS – STREETS AHEAD!

Don’t just take it from us.

Reviews

There are no reviews yet.

Add A Review

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *