How easy to drive to Hampton court palace?

[Itallt0omuch]

I am due to go here in a few weeks and assumed I would take the train but from where I live looks like it would be a long complicated journey. If i drive id be coming off the M25 j9. Can anyone comment on how easy the roads are around there as I'm not the world's most confident driver and I'm imagining the roads to be like Central London which would terrify me!

I drove there once for a craft fair. It was bloody awful. Just sat in traffic forever. The roads weren’t scary though - too slow to be!

Easy but slow - and I am a nervous driver.

The roads are nothing like Central London HCP is in a suburban area and the roads are what you'd expect for the 'burbs.

The area immediately around the palace does get very congested around rush hour, so if you can avoid that then it should be fine. If you're coming for a specific event at the palace there may well be some congestion and the palace car parks will probably be full.(or nearly so). You can park in the residential streets in East Molesey for free, if you don't mind a small walk.

From j9 of the m25 it's quite an easy journey, I assume you'll be going up the a3?

Hampton Court Palace isn't in an urban area, so not proper scary London driving as such.

It's easy from J9 or J10 - just the A3 through Esher and up to the palace. Traffic is worst on weekdays commuter times, and on weekends during the middle of the day, but the rest of the time it's fine.

Oh, pp are right - it's always busier if there are big events happening. This weekend is concors of elegance (a car show) and next weekend is handmade fair, so traffic will be worse and parking more difficult. Besides that, the next big event is ice rink in December/January and the Festive Food Fayre in early December, so not much more happening.

It's an easy drive off the M3/A316.

I'd say go in off the M3 rather than the A3. Sunburn Cross roundabout isn't nice but has lights on it so just take your time. Once off that you just follow the road all the way there.

What time do you need to arrive for?

M25 is a doddle really as the exits on and off have a lane of their own unlike the craziness of Manchester Motorways 😳

It’s usually very congested so easy enough but very dull.

I am going for the handmade fair so I thought to arrive about 10 but haven't checked what time it opens... Thank you this is all very helpful

It will be busy and slow, but the events are normally clearly signposted. If coming in via the M25, jct 10 is much better than jct 9, as you are then on the A3 and can get to Hampton Court Palace via Esher. Using junction 9 means driving up through Ashtead & Epsom, and then via Kingston or Esher anyway.

M3 then A308 going around the racecourse is the best.

I would send anyone around the Scily Isles "roundabouts" in Esther they are hideous!

We drive from Beaconsfield for the flower show last year and gave up after 2 hours!
I’d get the train.

Is there parking for the event?

I drove from the M3 to the flower show this summer. I'm not sure if the sat nav took us a weird way or it really does have lots of wriggly roads past shops to get there 😫.

Park for free in the Bushy Park, Diana fountain car park . Walk up to the exit from the park which is opposite the Lion Gate entrance to Hampton Court Palace.

I'm going to the Handmade Fair as well...but from Brussels, so Eurostar and train. I'm hoping the walk from the station isn't too far, as I might buy a lot of stuff.

It's almost next door to the station so you'll be able to buy loads

Have you looked at what buses go there and to which station? You may be able to take a train then a bus.

@mrsmuddlepies don't tell them about Bushey Park! It's a secret!

Don't go all the way round to the M3, it's a huge detour for no benefit. Come off at junction 9 and go through Oxshott - straight roads, nothing faster than 40mph - as a PP said, they just normal suburban roads.

There's generally extra parking for the big events - it's usually signposted, but if not, go past the Palace, left at the roundabout and there's a car park on your right. If there's extra parking, they'll just overflow onto Hampton Court Green from this car park.

Or you can park in a local road if you don't mind a short walk - lots of residential parking, just don't block me in!

Is the handmade fair any good?

Brilliant tips thank you it's looking like driving is more likely. It'll save us £££s in train fares as well.