Ghost Tours
3 hours
Free cancellation
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Recommended by 100% of travellers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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£186
per group
Hobnob Tours
Hobnob Tours
5
City ToursCultural ToursWalking ToursSightseeing ToursPrivate Tours
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
About
Hobnob Tours provides fun and entertaining tours of Hampton Court Palace, the City of Westminster and Southwark bringing history to life through storytelling. Tours of the City of Westminster include the areas of St James', Mayfair and Westminster. Tours at Hampton Court Palace explore Henry VIII's and William III's palaces including Henry's splendid apartments, his vast kitchens, the gallery haunted by the ghost of one of his wives and William's sumptuous state apartments. Adult and family groups are equally welcome and content is adapted to keep all parties completely enthralled! Southwark was the first of London's boroughs and is a fascinating look at the history going all the way back to the Romans. Hobnob Tours is owned and run by Sandy Rhodes who is a fun and entertaining guide - her relaxed style and storytelling technique has prompted some to say: 'it is like exploring with a close friend'.
Tours and Tickets by Hobnob Tours
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Private Sightseeing Tours
150–180 minutes
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 100% of travellers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
£161
per group
Private Sightseeing Tours
150–180 minutes
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
£153
per group
Private Sightseeing Tours
3 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
£160
per group
Private Sightseeing Tours
210–240 minutes
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
£226
per group
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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5.0
155 reviews
Excellent
155
Very good
0
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Catherine
2 contributions
May 2023 • Solo
We had a great experience on our tour of Hampton Court Palace. Sandy was an excellent tour guide and did a great job making the history of this special place come alive for us. Would definitely recommend her as a tour guide.
Written 11 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Catherine and Michael, many thanks for a lovely review. as you say, Hampton Court is a special palace and we were so lucky with the weather! so pleased you enjoyed the tour and I hope to see you again when you're next in London. All the best. Sandy
Written 13 May 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Richelieu-Drouot
Houston, TX51 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
Very well organized three hour intro to this complex and important historical site. I minored in English history and Sandy has insightful responses to even quite arcane questions. Plan to spend some time after the tour at HC to revisit parts that interest you or that couldn’t be covered on the first pass.
Written 24 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Ned and Nanette, thank you for a lovely review. I thoroughly enjoyed taking the pair of you around Hampton Court and debating some of the more complex issues around Henry's break from the Church of Rome and setting himself up as the Head of the Church of England. As you say, though, it is simply not possible to include everything in a 3-hour tour so it is always worth setting aside a day so that you can explore things like the Young Henry Exhibition and the Baroque story once the tour has finished - oh and, of course, the Maze! So pleased you enjoyed the tour. Regards. Sandy
Written 24 July 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
GGW67
Raleigh, NC37 contributions
Sept 2024 • Friends
Sandy was a delightful guide for our day at Hampton court. She was efficient and thorough in her communications after we booked. She also helped us with the travel details to meet her at the palace on the day of the tour. During the tour, Sandy brought the palace to life with her command of history, knowledge of architecture, and humorous anecdotes. She melded into our group easily with her tremendous people skills (she had a former career in HR). Not every history guide can do this!
We were fascinated with her stories of the Royal court life at the palace. Sandy did not spend 3 hours lecturing us. She deftly fielded our questions and sought our input on the topics to cover. It was a fantastic time! Don’t hesitate to book Sandy for this tour. I highly recommend!
We were fascinated with her stories of the Royal court life at the palace. Sandy did not spend 3 hours lecturing us. She deftly fielded our questions and sought our input on the topics to cover. It was a fantastic time! Don’t hesitate to book Sandy for this tour. I highly recommend!
Written 21 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Gail, thank you so much for a lovely review. Hampton Court is such a special place; I'm glad I managed to bring it to life for you. All the best. Sandy
Written 22 September 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jeanette P
2 contributions
Jun 2023 • Friends
A very informative tour by our tour guide, Sandy. Really enjoyable and full of amazing facts and anecdotes. Highly recommended. Jan Tomlins
Written 14 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Jan, I'm so glad you enjoyed exploring Royal London. St James' has everything from palaces to parks, Gentlemen's clubs to exclusive shops set up to provide those gentlemen with everything they could possibly want. Add to that the colourful pageantry to the ancient ceremony, the Changing of the Guard, and the tour is a humdinger! Thanks again for joining me. Sandy
Written 14 June 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Runner mom
Atlanta, GA8 contributions
Sept 2018 • Family
I love to travel with my tween/teen kids and bring history alive for them by visiting significant landmarks with experienced guides. Sandy did just that for us in London as we walked around Green Park, St. James, and Buckingham Palaces and made sure that we were in the right spots to get the best views of the events leading up to Changing of the Guard. We then had a lovely lunch near Trafalgar Square and grabbed a train to Hampton Court where we learned so much about the Tudors. My girls and I not only enjoyed the tour tremendously, but it was so nice to spend the day with Sandy who made us feel so welcomed and at ease.
Written 23 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Shannon, you were my guinea pigs for this new tour and it worked so well! It makes a great day comparing and contrasting the different palaces and when it all coincides with the Changing of the Guard ceremony, it is an added bonus! I am delighted you enjoyed the day. Sandy
Written 27 September 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dianne C
11 contributions
Jul 2018 • Friends
There was about 20 of us on very hot day. Sandy was very considerate to us getting hot and bothered and made sure our visit was pleasurable. Extremely friendly and funny yet bossy when necessary to ensure we heard her talks and had room to see the rooms. Visit was made much more interesting having her with us.
Written 21 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Dianne, you are right - it was a hot day but hot days seem to be the norm these days! I try to find every bit of shade as we are going round and where possible, places to sit, even if only for a short time! Thank you so much for a lovely review. It was a pleasure showing your group around the palace some of whom had visited years before and so were enjoying repeating the experience. We were lucky too that the food historians were busy cooking which is always something to marvel at! It gives the word 'banquet' a whole new meaning! Sandy
Written 25 July 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Davidgpf
Grosse Pointe Farms, MI86 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
Sandy Rhodes conducted two tours (St. James/Westminster and Hampton Court) for our three generation family. Both of the tours and Sandy were wonderful. The ages of our family unit ranged from 76 down to 14 with varying levels of interest and knowledge of English history. The grandparents had been to England four previous times, the parents had visited once before and this visit was the first for our granddaughter. Sandy was able to hold all of our attention and interest.
One example of Sandy's expertise was evident in our getting stationed for the changing of the guard at St. James and Westminster Barracks. We arrived at both locations about five minutes before the action and positioned with perfect views. At Hampton Court her knowledge was so encompassing that we wondered if Sandy had been a time traveler in another life.
My wife and I have probably done tours with 25 to 30 guides in our long life of traveling and our two tours with Sandy were the most enjoyable. and worthwhile You would be most fortunate to spend time with this very intelligent, lovely woman.
One example of Sandy's expertise was evident in our getting stationed for the changing of the guard at St. James and Westminster Barracks. We arrived at both locations about five minutes before the action and positioned with perfect views. At Hampton Court her knowledge was so encompassing that we wondered if Sandy had been a time traveler in another life.
My wife and I have probably done tours with 25 to 30 guides in our long life of traveling and our two tours with Sandy were the most enjoyable. and worthwhile You would be most fortunate to spend time with this very intelligent, lovely woman.
Written 5 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi David, what a lovely review, thank you! I so enjoyed guiding for you all and am delighted you found the content interesting. We are so lucky in London to have all the pageantry and if the Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place at a time to coincide with a tour time, it's a lot of fun trying to see the ceremony at its different stages. Do let me know when you are next in London and I'll introduce you to the aristocracy of Mayfair! Thanks again Sandy
Written 6 July 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
connectedkeith
Louisville, KY108 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
My wife and I arrange for private tours on each of our foreign trips and Sandy Rhodes was one of the best. She is knowledgable and fun and her pacing of the tours is fantastic. This particular tour answered so many questions about the Royal Warrants and where the Royals shop, Gentlemen's Clubs, and St. James Park itself. We had the most fabulous perspective for the Changing of the Guard ceremony, watching the old guard march from the Friary and then catching the new Guard from Wellington Barracks. We stopped by several Royal Warrant holders, including Berry Brothers for King's Ginger, Floris, and then a cheese tasting at Paxton and Whitfield. It was the tour that brought everything together for us. The next time we come to London Sandy and Hobnob tours will be our first call.
Written 11 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Keith (and Leah), thank you so much for a lovely review. You were such good company and I was delighted you managed to see the band and the old guard marching past in the Mall - a magical setting. I look forward to seeing you again when you are next in London.
Sandy
Written 3 July 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sarah W
San Francisco, CA10 contributions
Mar 2017 • Friends
Sandy took a group of us on a tour of the Hampton Court Palace, and truly brought the history to life. She really got us to visualize how things would have been when the Palace was still utilized by royalty, and made sure to give us enough historical context to ensure everyone understood what she was talking about. I would love to go on another tour with Sandy, and highly recommend her to anyone looking for a knowledgeable, entertaining guide!
Written 26 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Sarah, I am so pleased you enjoyed your day at Hampton Court - you were lucky that the sun came out for the afternoon! I would love to guide for you again, perhaps at another HRP property Banqueting House or alternatively, a walk in the centre of London. I hope to see you soon. Sandy
Written 27 March 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
gailphillips1
Greater London, UK1 contribution
Jul 2016 • Friends
What an additional Hampton Court treasure Sandy proved to be! Her delightful delivery of some dry historical facts coupled with wonderfully mind provoking stories of life at court, ensured that the attention of our U3A group never waivered. Even though our day had started rather badly and arriving on time at our rendezvous with Sandy proved a bit of a challenge, this lively, knowledgeable and humourous guide took everything in her stride. Some members of our group were familiar with Hampton Court, but everyone came away having learned new and interesting facts. Thank you, Sandy, for adding your special touch to the day. We look forward to seeing you again soon!
Written 6 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Gail, thank you for a lovely review. Your group settled into the tour so quickly despite the travel problems you all encountered on the way to the palace and I'm glad they all had a good time. Sandy
Written 7 August 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hello: Your tour of Hampton Court sounds like something I'd really like. Do you also do a tour of Windsor Castle? Id also like a guided tour of Westminster area. Do I need a reservation?
Thank you
Mary Harvey
Written 12 March 2015
Hi Mary, thank you for getting in touch. You do need to make a booking with me for any tour that you are interested in. I guide at Hampton Court Palace and around Westminster at any time of the year and am happy to guide for a minimum of an hour and a half. Are you by yourself or will it be for a group of you? My charges range from £90 for an hour and a half, £105 for two hours and £120 for two and a half hours. You will need to pay the Hampton Court entrance fee on top of that. Would you be interested in a tour of the Mayfair or St James's areas of Westminster? Do let me know.
Kind regards
Written 12 March 2015
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