Windsor Castle & Hampton Court Palace VIP Black Taxi Tour

Visit: Capital Taxi Tours, Ilford SW1A 2TS England

Leaving London we take a short drive to Windsor. Here we visit the world's largest fully occupied castle. Home to Monarchs for nearly 1000 years. Your guide will explain the history of the castle, from the Motte and Bailey original built by William the Conquer to the present day. Visit the state rooms, (when available) viewing the treasures in each room. Visit St Georges Chapel, (except Sundays). See the tombs of Charles I, George III, Jane Seymour and Henry VIII. The Royal world will unfold before you. Windsor Castle is still regularly used for ceremonial and State occasions, St George’s Hall, which you will see, can seat 160 guests for a State Banquet. Leaving the castle your guide will take you on a short walking tour around the town crossing the River Thames to arrive in Eton. Here you can wander the little side streets and of course see the famous Eton College. This independent boarding school for boys educates more than 1,300 pupils, aged 13 to 18 years. Returning to the Taxi we drive through old Windsor and Windsor Great Park to the one-time island of Runnymede, where in 1215 King John sealed the Magna Carta. We stop here for photos. From Runnymede we travel cross country and have lunch in a traditional English Pub (own expense) Then it is on to Hampton Court Palace and your VIP Tour.

 2 options to this part of the tour

Option 1. This famous original Tudor palace was begun by Cardinal Wolsey in 1514, but later taken over by Henry VIII, who brought all his six wives here, (not all at the same time though!). Here you will be met by another one of our expert Guides, a lady this time, who will take you on a private VIP tour of the Palace. The tour will take you through the Tudor State Apartments and the famous Tudor kitchens. Highlights include the Great Hall, the Chapel, the Tudor Garden, Edward VI's Nursery and the gallery haunted by Queen Catherine Howard.

Hampton Court is the ultimate royal pleasure palace, embodying an indulgent and grandiose lifestyle. Its many rooms chart Henry's decline from fit young warrior to bloated womaniser, and they tell the vivid stories of the ladies who became his queens. Your guide will unveil an abundance of art, history and anecdotes that bring Hampton Court to life and you will be given special insights, not usually found by the public, as you walk the corridors of royal power and pleasure.

Option 2. Take the same Hampton Court tour as above around the palace but with a difference. You will explore Henry VIII's magnificent palace with a guide (in authentic 16th century dress) from the television show 'Secrets of Henry VIII's Palace', in which she featured as a guest historian. The show was broadcast on PBS, Channel 5 and Yesterday.

You can choose either option (before the tour day) We will treat you like royalty all day. Remember our company motto: "We Meet as strangers and part as friends."