First-Time London archived
Ceremony of the Keys at Tower of London. It takes place every night. Admission requires mailing for passes with return envelope and pre-paid postage certificate. It requires about one month advance.
Joyce and I attended this on two occasions and it is fun...like you are back in 16th century England....except for the guard with the automatic weapon.
I read about this in an old Fodor's guide. If you need more information, I will look for it.
Special passes to walk on the floor of House of Lords when they are not in session. I don't know if they still issue these but it is fun if you have seen House of Lords on cspan.
Tower of London during the day.
Greenwich and the Prime Meridian.
Stonehenge
River cruise,
Tower bridge.
Joyce and I attended this on two occasions and it is fun...like you are back in 16th century England....except for the guard with the automatic weapon.
I read about this in an old Fodor's guide. If you need more information, I will look for it.
Special passes to walk on the floor of House of Lords when they are not in session. I don't know if they still issue these but it is fun if you have seen House of Lords on cspan.
Tower of London during the day.
Greenwich and the Prime Meridian.
Stonehenge
River cruise,
Tower bridge.
Yes, check on visits to Parliament in advance/there is somewhat limited access by non-EU/UK residents. I thought it would be boring and didn't book it but then my husband told me there are dozens (?) of pubs down there so maybe it's more interesting than I thought!
Royal Horseguards changing ceremony every day at 11; get there 10 minutes early and you are fine. Less crowded than Buckingham (every other day at 10, I think).
Completely agree with Tower of London/yeoman's tour, which you can combine with a river cruise back to Westminster if you go on the hop on/hop off tour bus. National Gallery is right at Trafalgar Square and is free. Great art of course but the building is also beautiful.
Royal Horseguards changing ceremony every day at 11; get there 10 minutes early and you are fine. Less crowded than Buckingham (every other day at 10, I think).
Completely agree with Tower of London/yeoman's tour, which you can combine with a river cruise back to Westminster if you go on the hop on/hop off tour bus. National Gallery is right at Trafalgar Square and is free. Great art of course but the building is also beautiful.
Our kids (they were a little younger: teen/preteen) really liked the London Eye and the Tate Modern Museum.
Apr 28, 2011 at 5:08am Edited
Our kids (they were a little younger: teen/preteen) really liked the London Eye and the Tate Modern Museum . . . they're close to each other.
With an older teenager, try one of the themed walking tours on a subject of her interests.
TimeOut London should help.
http://www.timeout.com/london/
Maybe:
http://www.timeout.com/london/around-town/event/207851/the-alfred-hitchcock-walk
Best Regards,
Ron Carter
TimeOut London should help.
http://www.timeout.com/london/
Maybe:
http://www.timeout.com/london/around-town/event/207851/the-alfred-hitchcock-walk
Best Regards,
Ron Carter
Do this one on a weekday. Stay away on Saturday and Sunday, it's way too crowded, but for clothes and cool stuff at teh age of 18, there's no better place in London: http://www.camdenlock.net/
What are her interests ?
This may seem cheesy , but whenever I visit a foreign city for the first time , on the very first day or evening, I take one of those tourist bus hilight tours. It provides a wonderful introduction, gives a good overview to the city, touches on all the tourist sights, and just as importantly, on a day that you are most likely exhausted from travel and jet lag, it's a nice opportunity to relax and see the sights at the same time.
I would also visit:
The Tower of London.
Westminister Abbey
Houses of Parliament
Buckingham Palace
Hyde Park and Speakers Corner
If she is a Harry Potter fan you may want to walk across the millenium bridge,which was famously featured in the last movie.
If she likes art and history a visit to the british musuem might be in order.
Interested in the Tudors - take a trip to Hampton Court Palace, where Henry VIII and QE I lived
Kensington Palace can now be toured as well as Windsor Castle.
Does she like shopping ?? Take her to Harrods,
Does she like fancy elegant things - high tea at the Ritz, Savoy or Dorchester.
Classical music - see if there are any concerts at St. Martin in the Fields.
Antiques - the flea market at Portobello Road.
In Oxford visit "The Eagle and Child" pub where C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien and their literary cronies met regularly while they were writing their respective masterpieces .
I once took a "ghost tour" of london which was surprisingly informative and a lot of fun. I think a teen would like it.
If she watches tomorrow's royal wedding it might be fun to stop by the shop of whichever designer winds up designing the wedding dress - just for fun.
If she's a Harry Potter fan this link provides info as to the real life locations used in filming the movies.
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/britain/hpotter.htm
Finally, you might want to rent some movies to provide some historical perspective for her. anne of the 1000 days, Elizabeth, Elizabeth the golden age,
A good and fun book for her to read might be Katherine, by Anya Seton -which is a fun romance/love story and historical fiction about the Mistress of John of Gaunt from whom the Tudors, Stuarts and present royal family are descended.
This may seem cheesy , but whenever I visit a foreign city for the first time , on the very first day or evening, I take one of those tourist bus hilight tours. It provides a wonderful introduction, gives a good overview to the city, touches on all the tourist sights, and just as importantly, on a day that you are most likely exhausted from travel and jet lag, it's a nice opportunity to relax and see the sights at the same time.
I would also visit:
The Tower of London.
Westminister Abbey
Houses of Parliament
Buckingham Palace
Hyde Park and Speakers Corner
If she is a Harry Potter fan you may want to walk across the millenium bridge,which was famously featured in the last movie.
If she likes art and history a visit to the british musuem might be in order.
Interested in the Tudors - take a trip to Hampton Court Palace, where Henry VIII and QE I lived
Kensington Palace can now be toured as well as Windsor Castle.
Does she like shopping ?? Take her to Harrods,
Does she like fancy elegant things - high tea at the Ritz, Savoy or Dorchester.
Classical music - see if there are any concerts at St. Martin in the Fields.
Antiques - the flea market at Portobello Road.
In Oxford visit "The Eagle and Child" pub where C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien and their literary cronies met regularly while they were writing their respective masterpieces .
I once took a "ghost tour" of london which was surprisingly informative and a lot of fun. I think a teen would like it.
If she watches tomorrow's royal wedding it might be fun to stop by the shop of whichever designer winds up designing the wedding dress - just for fun.
If she's a Harry Potter fan this link provides info as to the real life locations used in filming the movies.
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/britain/hpotter.htm
Finally, you might want to rent some movies to provide some historical perspective for her. anne of the 1000 days, Elizabeth, Elizabeth the golden age,
A good and fun book for her to read might be Katherine, by Anya Seton -which is a fun romance/love story and historical fiction about the Mistress of John of Gaunt from whom the Tudors, Stuarts and present royal family are descended.
Ca de lock is great but watch for pickpocket
London walking tours
Jack the ripper evening walking tour
London walking tours
Jack the ripper evening walking tour
Finally toured Buckingham Palace on my last trip to London a few years ago and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. (I usually go for earlier stuff.) It's open only at limited times, but if you can catch it, do.
Huge fan of Westminster Abbey, especially the royal tombs. You need some historical background to make this interesting tho. While there, I would not miss the display of royal effigies in the cloister. Some of these were made from life or death masks, so are accurate depictions of the sitters.
My other favorite church is St. Bartholomew the Great, the oldest in London except for the chapel in the Tower. Wonderful sense of antiquity which is rare for London.
PS I love KATHERINE! I've read a lot of historical fiction, but this one is glorious -- you really cannot put it down.
Huge fan of Westminster Abbey, especially the royal tombs. You need some historical background to make this interesting tho. While there, I would not miss the display of royal effigies in the cloister. Some of these were made from life or death masks, so are accurate depictions of the sitters.
My other favorite church is St. Bartholomew the Great, the oldest in London except for the chapel in the Tower. Wonderful sense of antiquity which is rare for London.
PS I love KATHERINE! I've read a lot of historical fiction, but this one is glorious -- you really cannot put it down.
Yes, interests would help....
Crepes at Hampstead Heath?
Stroll along the Kings Road or Sloane?
Tea at the Ritz?
Or Pr
Crepes at Hampstead Heath?
Stroll along the Kings Road or Sloane?
Tea at the Ritz?
Or Pr
These are all great! I don't know her that well, and every time I've asked about interests, she just tells me she's really excited and will be wowed by everything. I know she likes Indian Food (ergo, Brick Lane), and she's not into Harry Potter (was raised Born Again/Evangelical Christian of the sort that doesn't condone witchcraft and wizardry). I truly believe she WILL be wowed by everything, and I'm just going to let her take the lead on some stuff on the list.
We DO have tickets for the Ceremony of the Keys, so we're all set with that. Thanks, jerseyjack!
I'll look into Parliament. It honestly hadn't crossed my mind, but I think it would be good to do. So I'm glad I started this thread because there are a lot of great suggestions on it!!
And the one thing on my list is St. John, the restaurant to eat bone marrow. It may blow her mind or gross her out or both. Very excited. And I know Fergus Henderson just opened a hotel but we've got an air mattress on my friend's living room floor with our names on it!
We DO have tickets for the Ceremony of the Keys, so we're all set with that. Thanks, jerseyjack!
I'll look into Parliament. It honestly hadn't crossed my mind, but I think it would be good to do. So I'm glad I started this thread because there are a lot of great suggestions on it!!
And the one thing on my list is St. John, the restaurant to eat bone marrow. It may blow her mind or gross her out or both. Very excited. And I know Fergus Henderson just opened a hotel but we've got an air mattress on my friend's living room floor with our names on it!
If she's born again, she may like The London Dungeon. Not sure why I make that connection, but it's very cool, and you get to watch a lot of witches getting tortured. It's just across the river from the Tower of London and I believe you can purchase tickets that will get you into both, along with a boat ride across the river from one to the other.
Some random thoughts -
The "Eye" may sound corny, but it is spectacular. Any day where, when you wake up, it's sunny and clear, just immediately head for the Eye. First thing in the morning, you avoid all the tourist crush. When we went with our kids, our oldest was fascinated by the fact that the guidebook there pointed out where MI5 was located.
I'd pick Westminster Abbey over Parliament. On one trip we took a couple of years ago in August, we went on the Parliament tour (the time of year that they're off, so you can traipse through the chambers). It was great, but that was because we got to sit in the seats, stand where the PM stands, and see the rooms where they withdraw to vote. Oh, and rub the foot on Winston Churchill's statue, which apparently all the MPs do before making their first speech.
Anyway, back to Westminster Abbey. First of all, it's going to be on television on Friday. But, second of all, the fact that you're walking along the floors where people whom you've read about (as in Chaucer, Shakespeare) were walking, is awe inspiring (in my opinion).
Don't forget St. Paul's. If you're up to it, climb to the top.
I agree with the Camden Locks suggestion. I'd add Portobello Road on Saturday morning, just because of all of the crazy stuff people are selling there.
Harrod's is actually pretty entertaining, and of course there's always the food hall there.
And, just a stroll through Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens is great, just because you can meet some interesting Londoners, who are some of the friendliest people you'll ever meet.
The "Eye" may sound corny, but it is spectacular. Any day where, when you wake up, it's sunny and clear, just immediately head for the Eye. First thing in the morning, you avoid all the tourist crush. When we went with our kids, our oldest was fascinated by the fact that the guidebook there pointed out where MI5 was located.
I'd pick Westminster Abbey over Parliament. On one trip we took a couple of years ago in August, we went on the Parliament tour (the time of year that they're off, so you can traipse through the chambers). It was great, but that was because we got to sit in the seats, stand where the PM stands, and see the rooms where they withdraw to vote. Oh, and rub the foot on Winston Churchill's statue, which apparently all the MPs do before making their first speech.
Anyway, back to Westminster Abbey. First of all, it's going to be on television on Friday. But, second of all, the fact that you're walking along the floors where people whom you've read about (as in Chaucer, Shakespeare) were walking, is awe inspiring (in my opinion).
Don't forget St. Paul's. If you're up to it, climb to the top.
I agree with the Camden Locks suggestion. I'd add Portobello Road on Saturday morning, just because of all of the crazy stuff people are selling there.
Harrod's is actually pretty entertaining, and of course there's always the food hall there.
And, just a stroll through Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens is great, just because you can meet some interesting Londoners, who are some of the friendliest people you'll ever meet.
Apr 28, 2011 at 10:34am Edited
Just to revisit the Portobello Road point -
I took this picture a couple of summers ago, and it just represents, to me, what you can see there. This guy was selling these pristine Russian bombsight binoculars. He was on the street, and had this amazing stuff. That's an example of what you can encounter there, since it is the place that people go when they have amazing stuff (other than the internet, of course).
I took this picture a couple of summers ago, and it just represents, to me, what you can see there. This guy was selling these pristine Russian bombsight binoculars. He was on the street, and had this amazing stuff. That's an example of what you can encounter there, since it is the place that people go when they have amazing stuff (other than the internet, of course).
It's a great walking city; at some point it would be nice to simply have a good map and walk around. If you want to pay 10 GBP or so you can go on one of many many guided walking tours that meet outside a pub or tube station. It's not so much a city as a collection of villages: Marylebone, St. John's Wood, South Ken, Primrose Hill, Belgravia etc. each with their main street and character.
You could start a nice full walk from Bank Station and walk west across the City and just meander around until you get to Regents Park. They now have the rent a bike things they have in Paris but you have to sign in every half hour and the streets are still not bike friendly.
Everyone knows all the must sees I'm sure, no need to go over them.
A few random things I have really enjoyed that are worthwhile if you have time after you have done some "must sees":
The Wallace Collection
Walk up Primrose Hill
Walk through one of the Inns of Court, say Lincoln's Inn
You can walk in and see a court case at the Old Bailey with barrister's in wigs, etc.
The Serpentine Gallery if it has something good on
Tour of Parliament
Tour of The Globe
Imperial War Museum
Restaurants/Dining Experiences
I was just in Leadenhall Market yesterday. Go there for a ton of restaurants in an interesting space.
Best Breakfast in town: The Goring Hotel
Second best breakfast: Smith's of Smithfields
Third Best but best room for dining: The enormous room on the first floor (we say second floor) of RIBA
Best English: Rules and Simpson's (tie)
Best Indian: Tamarind
Best Chinese: the place in the basement of The Dorchester
Best Italian: Locanda Locatelli
Go to a gastro pub
I've found, what you want to do is have breakfast, attempt to do 2 things in the morning and know where you're going to lunch, attempt 1-2 things after, then rest, then dinner in an area you want to walk around for a post prandial.
Read Time Out online the week before you come.
I've been here all week and know the city very well. Would be happy to answer any specific questions.
You could start a nice full walk from Bank Station and walk west across the City and just meander around until you get to Regents Park. They now have the rent a bike things they have in Paris but you have to sign in every half hour and the streets are still not bike friendly.
Everyone knows all the must sees I'm sure, no need to go over them.
A few random things I have really enjoyed that are worthwhile if you have time after you have done some "must sees":
The Wallace Collection
Walk up Primrose Hill
Walk through one of the Inns of Court, say Lincoln's Inn
You can walk in and see a court case at the Old Bailey with barrister's in wigs, etc.
The Serpentine Gallery if it has something good on
Tour of Parliament
Tour of The Globe
Imperial War Museum
Restaurants/Dining Experiences
I was just in Leadenhall Market yesterday. Go there for a ton of restaurants in an interesting space.
Best Breakfast in town: The Goring Hotel
Second best breakfast: Smith's of Smithfields
Third Best but best room for dining: The enormous room on the first floor (we say second floor) of RIBA
Best English: Rules and Simpson's (tie)
Best Indian: Tamarind
Best Chinese: the place in the basement of The Dorchester
Best Italian: Locanda Locatelli
Go to a gastro pub
I've found, what you want to do is have breakfast, attempt to do 2 things in the morning and know where you're going to lunch, attempt 1-2 things after, then rest, then dinner in an area you want to walk around for a post prandial.
Read Time Out online the week before you come.
I've been here all week and know the city very well. Would be happy to answer any specific questions.
My favorite: a day trip to Bath. It's a 90 minute train ride from Paddington station.
http://visitbath.co.uk/
Unknown gem: Leighton House Museum in Holland Park. Built in the 1800s by painter, Lord Leighton.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturecritics/richarddorment/7556732/Leighton-House-return-to-dazzling-magnificence.html
http://visitbath.co.uk/
Unknown gem: Leighton House Museum in Holland Park. Built in the 1800s by painter, Lord Leighton.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturecritics/richarddorment/7556732/Leighton-House-return-to-dazzling-magnificence.html
Oh, just remembered something else.
The Churchill War Rooms. My kids loved it.
The Churchill War Rooms. My kids loved it.
I just reread: 8 days and her first trip on a plane?
You must spend at least a day in Paris; you could take the train in and out the same day, or spend one night.
But that I would say is an absolute must.
You must spend at least a day in Paris; you could take the train in and out the same day, or spend one night.
But that I would say is an absolute must.
Paris right now is a ZOO, btw. Not that it matters (it IS Paris) nor that London was that great either, but still. Eurostar same-day roundtrip is running about $200... no cheap day returns anymore that I'm aware of.
Yeah, Paris would be wonderful but I don't want to cram too much in, and I'm footing the bill for most things so we're going college backpacker style. You know, to keep us humble.
There are few pages of ideas of things to do in London here:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g186338-Activities-London_England.html#TtD
http://www.visitlondon.com/ (official English Tourist Board website)
and to get around you absolutely need to buy an Oyster card (you need one for each person). You can buy them here in Hoboken or on Fifth Avenue, NYC:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/14836.aspx
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/14481.aspx#USA (US agents for Oyster cards)
http://maps.google.com/maps/place?hl=en&rlz=1R2ACAW_enUS405&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1345&bih=496&wrapid=tlif130404012331510&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=visit+britain+new+york+office&fb=1&gl=us&hq=visit+britain+new+york+office&hnear=Summit,+NJ&cid=11684831816742622227&dtab=2&ei=xRK6TeKXMsf50gHUtomFAQ&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CDkQqgUwBA
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g186338-Activities-London_England.html#TtD
http://www.visitlondon.com/ (official English Tourist Board website)
and to get around you absolutely need to buy an Oyster card (you need one for each person). You can buy them here in Hoboken or on Fifth Avenue, NYC:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/14836.aspx
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/14481.aspx#USA (US agents for Oyster cards)
http://maps.google.com/maps/place?hl=en&rlz=1R2ACAW_enUS405&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1345&bih=496&wrapid=tlif130404012331510&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=visit+britain+new+york+office&fb=1&gl=us&hq=visit+britain+new+york+office&hnear=Summit,+NJ&cid=11684831816742622227&dtab=2&ei=xRK6TeKXMsf50gHUtomFAQ&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CDkQqgUwBA
Apr 28, 2011 at 4:59pm Edited
For a kid who doesn't know what she likes, Portabello and Camden Locks. What kid doesn't like shopping?
I already have Oyster cards for each of us (from previous visits). I had no idea you could buy them here. Can you top them at those locations?
Oxford st for cheap, funky teen clothes. (Primark, warehouse for starters)
Sat & Sun street markets
Day trip to Stonehenge
Day trip to town of Windsor & windsor castle
A play ( I recently saw wizard of Oz in London and loved it)
Strolling around the parks
Fish at The Sea Shell- marylebone tube stop
The eye is very cool
Tate modern is great
I second the double decker bus suggestions on one of your first days- great way to get your bearings and get the whole picture
Sat & Sun street markets
Day trip to Stonehenge
Day trip to town of Windsor & windsor castle
A play ( I recently saw wizard of Oz in London and loved it)
Strolling around the parks
Fish at The Sea Shell- marylebone tube stop
The eye is very cool
Tate modern is great
I second the double decker bus suggestions on one of your first days- great way to get your bearings and get the whole picture
Posted By: annemarieI already have Oyster cards for each of us (from previous visits). I had no idea you could buy them here. Can you top them at those locations?
Sign up online and top them up from home.
You can also buy Heathrow Express tickets in the States.
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annemarie