Hampton Court - would we like it?

[mummatotwo]

us and DS age 7?

Depends what you like. It's quite interactive. The king and queen wander round a lot and chat to you, as do courtiers. You can often watch tudor indoor tennis being played. In the big hall there are tudor board games your DS can play which is fun. Sometimes they teach you to dance. The kitchens are fun and the massive soup cauldron honks! There's a ghost (look for shadows on the walls, made by nothing.) For extra cost you can go for a (shortish) carriage ride, or go into the maze. The gardens are pretty.

I like it. If you like stately homes/castles generally, you'll enjoy it.

It's great, massive ornate palace, lots of histories and gory stories + actors wander around in costume etc.

I think there is an audio guide and you wear robes if you want, but we haven't done it, only seen it.

Gardens are amazing, with an actual maze, as well as lots of grass, ponds, formal spaces and bits that were good for hide and seek etc.

would check first that there is stuff going on - eg actors in the kitchens etc as doesn't happen all the time. Also, go on a sunny/dry day so the DC can run around in the gardens, picnic by the river etc, maybe get a boat down to richmond.
Also, if you take a friend for your DS they can run a round in the maze etc.

I went last week with DD 5 and my in-laws who are late 60s/70s. We all had a great time, huge grounds to run around in - fab (but short) shire horse tram ride which went down a treat, actors dotted around who interacted with members of the public, which my dd loved. We didn't see all of the inside rooms - partly because DD's interest waned somewhat and partly because the grandparents are not really up to too much walking around! Nice cafe (pricey obviously) with lovely outdoory bit for children to run around in - there was even some tree climbing going on so perhaps your son would be into that? Oh and if he's into it he can wear a green tunic while he's there. Ooo and the maze was good fun, smaller than i thought but still worth a go.