Hotels near London Olympics: Hampton Court Palace

The oldest surviving Tudor palace in England will make a stunning backdrop for the Road Cycling time trial events, which will begin and end at the historic Hampton Court Palace in south-west London. Held on Wednesday 1 August, the men's and women's time trials (44km and 29km respectively) take place over a single lap which will incorporate sections of Richmond, Kingston-upon-Thames and Surrey. Riders start 90 seconds apart and the winner is the rider with the fastest time over the course. What's more, both events are free to watch, which should make them a popular choice for spectators. Easily accessible by train from central London, Hampton Court Palace has housed some of Britain's most famous kings and queens, most notably the colourful Henry VIII. The Palace has a rich sporting history too, being home to the oldest surviving real tennis court in England, one of fewer than 50 real tennis courts in the world.