Hampton Court Palace vs Windsor Castle : lequel vaut le coup ?

Verdict comparatif, prix et conseils. Nous désignons un gagnant — mais les deux ont leur place si vous avez le temps.

Le verdict

Gagnant : Hampton Court Palace

Si vous n'avez le temps que pour un, choisissez Hampton Court Palace. Yes, it's arguably the best-value royal day out in London: a genuine Tudor palace, 60 acres of gardens and the famous maze for £28. Allow at least half a day plus the 35-minute train from Waterloo. Windsor Castle reste worth it, classez-le simplement en dessous.

The Tudor west front of Hampton Court Palace
8.5/10
Gagnant

Hampton Court Palace

From £28 · 4–5 hours

Yes, it's arguably the best-value royal day out in London: a genuine Tudor palace, 60 acres of gardens and the famous maze for £28. Allow at least half a day plus the 35-minute train from Waterloo.

Windsor Castle's Round Tower and battlements on a clear day
8.4/10

Windsor Castle

From £31 · 3–4 hours (+1 hour travel each way)

Yes, Windsor Castle is the best royal day out from London. Book the 10am entry, head straight for St George's Chapel before the coach groups arrive, and remember the castle is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Côte à côte

SpecHampton Court PalaceWindsor Castle
TripScore8.5/108.4/10
VerdictMust-doWorth it
From£28£31
Value (score per £)0.300.27
Time required4–5 hours3–4 hours (+1 hour travel each way)
SettingIndoorIndoor
Best time today10am opening, spring10am opening, Thu–Mon
Value for money8.7/107.9/10
Experience8.7/108.8/10
Crowds & wait8.3/106.6/10

Qui devrait choisir quoi ?

Choisir Hampton Court Palace si…

  • Henry VIII's Great Hall and the working Tudor kitchens are the real thing, not reconstructions.
  • 60 acres of formal gardens plus the world's oldest surviving hedge maze.
  • Costumed guides and family trails make it one of London's best days out with kids.
  • 35 minutes from Waterloo, yet far quieter than the central royal sights.

Choisir Windsor Castle si…

  • The oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, still a working royal residence.
  • St George's Chapel, burial place of ten monarchs including Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth II.
  • Lavish State Apartments with works by Rembrandt, Rubens and Van Dyck.
  • Easy to reach: under an hour by train, with Windsor town on the doorstep.