A royal day trip is a great way to venture beyond central London and discover a little more of England’s history. Hampton Court and Windsor are both brilliant choices, but they offer quite different experiences, which is exactly what can make choosing between them a little tricky.
With Black Taxi Tour London, you can enjoy either destination as a private day trip, with the freedom to explore without being tied to a large group or a packed schedule. You’ll travel in your own iconic London black cab with a knowledgeable driver-guide who can share the stories behind the places you visit and shape the experience around what interests you most.
The journey is part of the day too. There’s plenty to discover along the way, and your driver-guide can share stories, history and local knowledge as you travel.
So, which royal day out sounds more like you – the Tudor history and impressive grounds of Hampton Court, or the grandeur and centuries of royal tradition at Windsor?
For help planning a trip, call 020 3633 5262.
What makes a private Hampton Court tour special?
If you love a good royal story, Hampton Court has plenty of them. This is the palace most famously associated with Henry VIII, and as you explore the Great Hall, Tudor kitchens and historic apartments, it’s easy to imagine the feasts, celebrations and royal drama that once unfolded here.
But Hampton Court isn’t just about what happened inside the palace. There are beautiful gardens to wander through, the famous maze to get lost in (hopefully not for too long!), and a lovely setting beside the Thames that makes it an enjoyable place to spend the day.
On a private Hampton Court Palace tour, you can make the experience your own. Fascinated by Henry VIII and his six wives? Your driver-guide can share more of their stories. Love architecture and gardens? You can spend more time exploring those. Travelling with children? The day can be shaped to keep younger visitors interested too.
And your experience starts before you even reach the palace. On the journey from London, your Black Taxi Tour London driver-guide can share stories, history and a bit of local knowledge along the way, helping you get to know Hampton Court before you arrive.
With your own private black cab and no large group to keep up with, you can simply enjoy the day at a pace that feels right for you.
What can you experience on a private day trip to Windsor?
Windsor offers a very different royal experience. At its heart is Windsor Castle, one of the world’s most famous royal residences, where centuries of British history sit alongside its continuing role as a working royal castle.
Depending on opening arrangements and your interests, a visit may include highlights such as the State Apartments, St George’s Chapel and the castle precincts. Beyond the castle walls, Windsor’s historic streets and views towards the Long Walk add another dimension to the day.
Black Taxi Tour London’s Royal Windsor tour from London is private for your party, giving you a much more personal way to experience the destination. Your driver-guide can bring the journey to life with stories, background and local knowledge before you arrive, rather than simply dropping you at the entrance.
And because every private tour is shaped around the guests taking it, the emphasis can reflect what matters most to you, whether that is royal history, architecture, photography or simply enjoying Windsor without feeling rushed from one scheduled stop to the next.
Important practical note: Windsor Castle is a working royal residence, so opening arrangements can change. Attraction admission should always be checked separately when planning your visit.
Why choose a private black taxi tour instead of a coach tour?
There’s nothing wrong with a coach tour, but sometimes it’s much nicer to have the day to yourselves.
With a private black taxi tour, there’s no big group to keep up with, no waiting around for everyone to get back on the coach and no fixed sightseeing schedule deciding how long you can spend somewhere. It’s your party, your own iconic London black cab and a day that can feel much more like your day out.
Your driver-guide is a big part of that experience too. Black Taxi Tour London’s private tours are led by knowledgeable London cab drivers who know their history and love sharing the stories behind the places you’re visiting. The conversation starts as soon as you set off, so by the time you reach Hampton Court or Windsor, you’ll already know a little more about the characters, scandals and stories that made them famous.
And if something catches your interest along the way, just ask! You might want to hear more about a particular royal, spend longer talking about a piece of history, or keep things fun and interesting for the kids. If you’re celebrating a birthday or special occasion, your guide can make the day feel that little bit more personal too.
Think of it less as being taken from London to a palace and more as heading out for the day with a friendly, knowledgeable London cabbie who knows exactly where they’re going – and has plenty of good stories for the journey.
How is your private royal day trip tailored to you?
One of the advantages of a private tour is that you do not need to fit yourself around a standard sightseeing formula.
When you book, let the team know who you are travelling with and what you are most excited to experience. Perhaps you are fascinated by Tudor history, travelling with children, celebrating a special occasion or hoping to spend more time enjoying the gardens and architecture.
Your driver-guide can then tailor the experience around those interests while taking practical considerations such as attraction opening arrangements and London traffic into account.
That flexibility is particularly valuable for international visitors who may only have a few days in London. Instead of trying to research every detail yourself, you have someone with local knowledge helping you make the most of the day.
Attraction tickets and admission should be checked separately where they are not included in the tour price.
Make your royal day out part of the London experience
Whether the Tudor world of Hampton Court has caught your imagination or Windsor is at the top of your royal wish list, the team can help you create a day that feels personal, relaxed and memorable.
Tell us what you would love to see, who you are travelling with and your preferred date, and we can help you choose the right private royal tour for your visit. Enquire online, call 020 3633 5262 or email info@blacktaxitourlondon.com.
Frequently asked questions
Do you offer separate tours to Hampton Court and Windsor?
Yes. Hampton Court Palace and Windsor are normally enjoyed as separate private day tours, allowing you more time to experience your chosen destination without trying to rush between two major royal attractions.
Which is better to visit: Hampton Court or Windsor?
It depends on your interests. Hampton Court is ideal if Tudor history, Henry VIII and historic gardens appeal to you. Windsor is a great choice for visitors interested in the monarchy, Windsor Castle and the atmosphere of a historic royal town. If you are unsure, tell us what interests your group and we can help you choose.
Are attraction tickets included in the tour?
Attraction admission is separate unless specifically stated otherwise. We recommend checking the relevant Hampton Court Palace or Windsor Castle admission arrangements when planning your tour.
Can the tour be tailored to our interests?
Yes. Every tour is private and can be shaped around your interests and preferences, while taking attraction opening arrangements, traffic and other practical considerations into account. Let your guide know what matters most to your party and they can help create an experience that feels personal to you.
