The cruise from Kew to Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court Palace was built in 1515 by Cardinal Wolesey and presented to King Henry VIII in 1529. This tudor palace houses a large collection of orginal arms, armour, tapestries and fine paintings. It is famous for its gardens, maze and the Great Vine, planted in 1769.
The round trip from London to Hampton Court Palace is a day out in itself. If you wish to make more than a short visit to the palace we suggest you take the one way trip and return with British Rail. This is very easy to do as the Station lays just the other side of Hampton Court Bridge and every half an hour a train departs for London (Waterloo).
Certainly the most interesting and scenic part of the trip is between Kew and Hampton Court Palace, transit the locks at Richmond and Teddington as the river increasingly winds and twists, look out for fishing herons among the willows of the picturesque natural embankments.
Other sights and landmarks are: -
- Syon House. In the early 17th century James I gave it to the Earl of Northumberland and it has remained a home of the Percy family ever since.
- The London Apprentice. A famous inn where Henry VIII did some of his courting and close by, Old Isleworth Parish Church where victims of the great plague were buried
- Richmond Hill. Surmounted by the impressive 'Star and Garter'.
- Ham House. Can be seen on the south shore and Marble Hill House, residence of several royal mistresses in the 18th and 19th centuries on the north shore.
- Teddington Lock. The river above this lock is non tidal, the TV studios are on your right.
- Kingston. Where medieval Kings were crowned and just recently voted 'Top Town' in the Guinness Guide to the best place to live in the UK.
- Hampton Court Palace. The last stop on the tour, where you'll find grand state rooms, excellent gardens and that undeniable sense of history.