5.5 days in London WWYD archived

if this was your first time? Shouldn't miss things to do would be appreciated. Time is tight but will have at least three full days to do some stuff.

Sounds cheesy, but I really enjoyed Tower of London.

Seriously though...check out the theater. New productions typically launch in London before making it to Broadway.

Tower of London.

There's nothing cheesy about the Tower of London.

Anyway, the musts are: Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square and then a walk down the Pall Mall to Buckingham Palace, the Diana Memorial in Kensington Garden, Harrods and Covent Garden. In passing, don't forget to marvel at the magnificent Prince Albert Memorial.

If you're a history buff, this is what I recommend (based on what we did the first time we took the kids there).

Tower of London - first thing in the morning.

Westminster Abbey - between that and the Tower, you get the whole history of Great Britain.

The "London Eye" - If you wake up, and it's a gorgeous day, go immediately to the Eye (the big ferris wheel with "pods" on the far bank of the Thames). One of our kids was fascinated by the fact that the guidebook pointed out where MI5 was, on the river.

And the Churchill war rooms. Kids like that, also. Actually, I also really liked that.

Other than that - just stroll along the south side of the Thames, just for people watching.

This was covered about two weeks ago in another thread. Go into search for London. All the recommendations are the same as would be for your visit.

TY jerseyjack. found it.

This has been mentioned in another thread and works great-take the open top tour bus on your first "tired" day...all around the city to Tower, which is amazing in terms of history...right next to it you can get on the boat to Westminster.

THe National Gallery could be a must if you love art and is free and right at Trafalgar. For war history, War Rooms/Churchill was best of that lot for us and can be combined with Horseguards changing ceremony as well as St James Park.

Without a doubt you should hit up Tower of London and Westminster Abbey. There is so much history between those two sites it is amazing. Don't forget to hit up some authentic (not touristy) British pubs for a couple pints.

my first thought ... go to Paris!

London over Paris any day of the week. :cool:

We did that, what a great ride through France.

I was surprised at how much I liked London...Paris is beautiful...but London is great! You'll enjoy!

I agree on The Eye. Go to a pub [one-off, not a chain] for a ploughman's lunch.

Also, no one has mentioned nightlife. Go to Ronnie Scott's club for music.

Nightlife: an early supper at Bistro 190 at the Gore in Kensington, a short stroll to Royal Albert Hall for a concert and then back to the bar at the Gore for drinks, the posh crowd and maybe even rub elbows with Kate Winslet.

How about a play or show? You can find out what will be running while you're there and buy tickets before you leave.

Do you want to do any day trips out of the city? Stratford on Avon is reachable, as are Stonehenge, Bath, and many other wonderful places. You can buy bus tours that will take you there and bring you back.

Sportsnut, I am going to London during the last week in May, been finding this website very useful for recos and planning logistics: http://londontopia.net/

Also am doing some guided walks with London Walks ( http://www.walks.com/ ) and possibly a museum tour with Context Travel ( http://www.contexttravel.com/city/London/all_walking_tours ) if the budget allows.

I'm there for 8 days and I don't think I'll have nearly enough time to do everything on my punchlist!

On one of our London trips, the Times had a promotion where if you collected 5 coupons from the paper, you could take the ferry from Dover to Calais. It was a great day trip.


Highly recommend London Walks.

We always find time to catch a play or two.

Imperial War Museum

IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM

Last time I went, they had a fully immersive World War One trench warfare experience. They also have "War Stories for Children".

Sticking to the War theme.

You could also see War Horse, which is an amazing and heart-breaking show, and I don't even like theatre. But I nearly lost it for this one.

WAR HORSE



It just came to Lincoln Center I think, but it would be fantastic to see it in London. Messr. Spielberg is going to make the movie.

Sn- where are you staying?

Festival of Britain is on now with a myriad of things going on til Sept. On the previous thread I left that off, and I think a trip to Borough Market Fri/Sat as well. Can bring home mags if anyone likes.

Os- see my other thread looking for a reco. May do 190 tonite, else the Goring.

Totally agree on the War Rooms. Also the Tate museum.

In the British Museum- the Elgin marbles-
also at Westminster Abbey allow more time than you think
nothing cheesy about The Tower of London
a walk in Chelsea- maybe a walking tour? a walk in Kensington Park
Harrod's

A nice restaurant that I always recommend is called the Bleeding Heart I think and is a location that has been an eatery for over 500 years if I recall correctly- good food and fascinating history.

If you like Indian food, London is a great place to get some really good stuff. Try Mohti Mahal in Covent Carden. Best Indian meal I've ever had.

Miro is at the Tate Modern now, and Wateau's drawings at the Royal Academy. Both were amazing.

camden town. I believe the market is only open on Saturday's.

Posted By: erasmuscamden town. I believe the market is only open on Saturday's.

The market is open all week long. There are certain sections of it that are open on the weekends, Friday through Sunday. If you really need to do it, I suggest going on Friday as Sat and Sun it is a zoo of epic proportions. Personally I'd say the best day to go is Wednesday, but I grew up there and can do without the crowds.

ETA: If you do hit Camden Market in the weekend, and I'd recommend this to anyone, go in the morning, then take a walk along the Regent's Canal westwards towards Regent's Park. Get out at the exit after the bridge that looks like a castle drawbridge (it's actually a children's canoe club called the Pirate Castle) and make a right and a left and you'll end up at The Engineer, one of London's best gastro pubs (right next to my first primary - or elementary - school). From there you can walk through Primrose Hill or Regent's Park. Beautiful, rarely explored area of the city.

Imperial War Museum also has/did have a "live" exhibit of the Blitz. You go into the subway and experience the bombing that is happening above.

Churchill's War Room is also good.

Regarding Camden market, watch out for pick-pockets --- same for Victoria rail station. I actually had a pair of prescription glasses stolen at Victoria.

Posted By: jerseyjackI actually had a pair of prescription glasses stolen at Victoria.

I'll bet that made the thief as angry as it made you...

I think London is like any major city in terms of pickpocket activity. Normal caution is called for, but you don't need to go overboard. Just be aware that anywhere you find a lot of tourists, you will also find people looking to make a buck off them, whether their means are legal or not. Stay alert, but have fun.