London Travel Guide - Day Trips

Hampton Court Palace: is easily reached in 30 minutes from Waterloo station. This magnificent former Tudor home of Henry VIII sits on the banks of the River Thames. It was originally owned by Cardinal Wolsey, who had the Palace decorated to reflect his role as Lord Chancellor.

Amongst the many rooms that you can visit are those used by Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon and their daughter Mary. There are also 60 acres of riverside gardens and a world famous maze to explore.

There are actually 31 colleges for both men and women, spread around the city, so you need to plan ahead to make sure you see the most significant ones. The most famous of them is King's College which is known for its choir and musical concerts, and the stunning chapel.

Although many of the buildings date from the 19th century, the College Chapel was built in the Middle-Ages and is undoubtedly one of England's most treasured icons. The huge chapel has a wonderful stone faulted ceiling and windows that were designed by Flemish artists from 1517 and 1531.

The town also has some fine Elizabethan and Jacobean buildings to admire. On the banks of the Avon sits the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, where some of Britain’s top actors perform the writers plays. If you are interested in watching a performance, you will need to book tickets well in advance.

Windsor Castle: was built during the 11th century and is the largest inhabited castle in the world. A fire in 1992 destroyed the Royal apartments, but extensive renovations have been carried out and many of the rooms are open to the public. Amongst the highlights are the Queen’s private art collection, the gilded State Apartments and the King’s Dressing Room.

Former students include 20 prime ministers, the Duke of Wellington, George Orwell and Ian Fleming. Windsor can be reached by bus or train from central London in about 45 minutes.