Official Ticket Office, Hampton Court Palace

The ticket office at Hampton Court Palace is your gateway to one of England's most sprawling royal palaces, and frankly, you'll want to get your entry sorted here rather than faffing about online. It's located right at the palace entrance near Walton-on-Thames, so there's no hunting around.

This isn't an attraction in itself - it's a functional building where you'll queue (sometimes quite a bit, especially weekends) to buy admission tickets for the palace proper. The staff know their stuff and can point you toward whatever interests you most: the Tudor kitchens, the maze, the gardens, or Henry VIII's apartments. The palace itself is genuinely worth the visit if you've got half a day to spare.

If you're camping nearby - and there are several decent options like Walton on Thames Camping and Caravanning Club Site just down the road, or Chessington World of Adventures Resort for families wanting a bit more entertainment - you'll find Hampton Court makes for an excellent morning or afternoon out. The grounds are enormous, so wear proper shoes and bring water.

Admission isn't free, but it's reasonable for what you get. Allow at least three to four hours if you want to actually explore the palace rather than just rush through. Summer weekends get rammed, so go early or aim for a weekday. History types will lose themselves here for half a day. Younger kids might get restless unless you lean into the maze or the water features outside.