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Going to London for vacation/holiday

Salmissra

Salmissra

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OK, so I'm going to London for a week next month. I'm staying at a friend's flat, in Kensington off Brompton Road. Anyone familiar with the area? Any good restaurants? :b:

Things I know I want to do:
The Eye
British Museum
The Tower (including a lot of what's inside, so possibly most of the day inside)
See the changing of the guard
Walking tours - especially ones that showcase architecture, royalty, or both
Kew Gardens

I will have most of the days to myself, as my friend has to work. But we're both doing the museum, so that'll be a weekend thing.

Things that I might do, depending on other factors:
West End show
Jack the Ripper tour
Victoria & Albert museum
Double-decker bus tour
Buckingham Palace

So, what am I missing? Remember, I only have a week! If there's something you think I shouldn't miss, let me know!!

For any of you Londers out there: do I need to get advanced tickets to any of these events? Nothing is set in stone except arrival and departure from the airport, so a couple days in advance is no problem.

I am very excited about this trip!!:D
 
Two places i went to (and loved)

1. Westminster Abbey (its $$ but well worth it for the history)
2. Tate Modern (if your an art fan)

If your at the Tower of London, you may as well go to Tower Bridge :D
and a trip to Trafalgar Square and Oxford Street :D

From what i know, you have to book ahead to get into Buckingham Palace, and im not sure that they allow the public in all year round.

How exciting, hope you have a great time!!
 
Definiately go to St. Paul's Catherdal and certainly to go the top of the dome.

Also, I really enjoyed the Imperial War Musuem.

Lastly, just walk around and get "lost" in the inner nieghborhoods - it was/is great to just witness how "average" Londoners live.

I spent a week there in 2000 over a long spring break - it was great.
 
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Salmissra said:
OK, so I'm going to London for a week next month.
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London in November? Brrrr...it won't be really cold, but it will be damp/chilly (and likely raining).

I'm staying at a friend's flat, in Kensington off Brompton Road. Anyone familiar with the area? Any good restaurants? :b:
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Great location! You'll be close to the Science Museum and Harrod's. Hyde Park is at your doorstep too. We found a great pub called "The Victoria" which is on the other side of Hyde Park from you, near Lancaster Gate.

Things I know I want to do:
The Eye very expensive but at least the line-up shouldn't be too long!
British Museum You could easily spend the whole day here - and it's free!
The Tower (including a lot of what's inside, so possibly most of the day inside)
See the changing of the guard Not sure if they do the full ceremonies in the off-season
Walking tours - especially ones that showcase architecture, royalty, or both
Kew Gardens

If you're interested in royalty I would consider adding Windsor Castle (a short rail journey from London), Hampton Court, Clarence House.
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Things that I might do, depending on other factors:
West End show
Jack the Ripper tour
Victoria & Albert museum
Double-decker bus tour - Expensive, and if you're doing a lot of walking anyway not really worth it unless the weather is bad. If you have no particular destination just hop on a regular double-decker bus for a bit
Buckingham Palace - As Natski said, it might not be open (usually not when the Queen is home)
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So, what am I missing? Remember, I only have a week! If there's something you think I shouldn't miss, let me know!!
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Doing any shopping? Like I mentioned, your place should be close to Harrod's. If you're into gourmet food stuff visit Fortnum and Mason's. Oxford Street is the main shopping drag, but it is mainly chain stores that you can get most anywhere. For something funkier try Soho or Camden Market.

If you like Shakespeare, the rebuilt Globe Theatre is pretty neat. The London Museum is also good.
 
I'm thinking of adding a day in Bath. I can take the train out there, catch the Mayor's Guides first tour of the day, then roam for a bit before heading back to town.

Anyone have some ideas about what to see in Bath that might not be on the guided tour?
 
Bath is a wonderful town. We enjoyed two days there many years ago.

We went through the historic Roman baths, walked and spent time at the Crescent and Circus (both very good planning related items). The day we were there hot air balloons were taking off from the Crescent Lawn.

You might want to consider a day trip to Cambridge also.

It's worth the day to get out of London and see something different.
 
Salmissra said:
I'm thinking of adding a day in Bath. I can take the train out there, catch the Mayor's Guides first tour of the day, then roam for a bit before heading back to town.

Anyone have some ideas about what to see in Bath that might not be on the guided tour?
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Not sure what the guided tour takes in. The high points of Bath are the Georgian architecture and Roman baths (already mentioned). Can't think of much else to see there, though it is certainly worth a day trip.
 
Salmissra said:
I'm thinking of adding a day in Bath. I can take the train out there, catch the Mayor's Guides first tour of the day, then roam for a bit before heading back to town.

Anyone have some ideas about what to see in Bath that might not be on the guided tour?
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I spent 2 nights in Bath- took the train from Paddington Station. Day 1 i went on the free tour (was really good) and visited the Cathedral and Roman Baths. Second day i took a tour to Stonehenge as it isnt too far away from Bath, and we went around the Cotswolds, which i would also recommend.

I also went to the costume museum there.

I really liked Bath, is such a pretty place. Another place i would recommend is Oxford, which isnt far from Bath as i recall
 
Draft Agenda

OK, here's the very rough schedule for the trip. Comments/suggestions/alternatives welcomed.

Saturday, November 20
Arrival: early morning
I’m thinking Kew Gardens if the weather’s clear, and shopping (Fortnum & Mason, Harrods) if it’s not

Sunday, November 21
British Museum, getting there when they open at 10am. Might spend all day there, don’t know yet. Depending on timing/weather, a walk

Monday, November 22
Morning: start day with walking tour of South Kensington, with a stop inside the V&A (don't plan on seeing it all)
Afternoon: Walking tour including Trafalgar Square and The National Gallery (10-6p)

Tuesday, November 23
Morning: St. Paul’s (opens at 8:30) and surrounding area
Afternoon: Tower of London. Plan on several hours to see all items, including the Crown Jewels, and lunch/snack – closes at 4:30. Trip includes a walk across Tower Bridge.

Wednesday, November 24
Option 1:
Walk around St. James and Picadilly Circus, shopping, maybe some of Hyde Park
Option 2:
City of Bath

Thursday, November 25
Option 1:
Westminister area (Abbey opens at 9:30), and depending on time, a walk through part/all Hyde Park
Option 2:
River Thames walking tour, including the Eye

Friday, November 26
Option 1:
Westminister area (Abbey opens at 9:30), and depending on time, a walk through part/all Hyde Park
Option 2:
River Thames walking tour, including the Eye

Saturday, November 27
Depart: early afternoon
 
Sure.....

How about a visit to the Imperial War Museum?
I also enjoyed walking around Brighton and visiting the museums and Royal Pavilion.
How about a train ride to Stratford upon Avon to visit the Bard:D
 
Before moving to the USA three months ago, I lived and worked in London for two years. It's funny though, I'm not particularly hot on the tourist type activities. Your friend lives in Kensington, eh? He/She must do fairly well for themselves ;)

Bath is lovely.

Another beautiful city is York, where I went to university. It's small, quaint, has museums and tea shops, and is surrounded by the ancient city wall. It's quite far North though, a two/three hour train journey, which will be expensive.

Or Cambridge. Cambridge is great.

Windsor is also very nice, and not too far out of London.

The Eye... personally I wasn't too impressed. It was a great view, sure, but I was a bit bored after 15 minutes. I think it's quite expensive as well, if I remember rightly.

The British Museum is great. You could definitely spend the whole day there, and more, although it might be advisable to break it up into more manageable chunks.

I'd disagree with the poster above who recommended just jumping on any bus! Probably not a good idea. You'll get whisked away to somewhere you don't want to be! I've heard the double decker tours are good, but the problem is that they are much better on the open topped buses, and when you're there it'll be quite cold. Wrap up if you're going to do it!

Hyde Park is quite nice. I'd recommend Green Park or St. James Park which are nearby, or if you take a short tube journey north, Regents Park and Hampstead Heath are worth a visit.



Haha! I'm not very good at this. Maybe I'd be better at responding to specific questions you might have about London life, or practical issues :)
 
Pretty good agenda - think you've grouped things logically so that you're not having to do too much traveling between your morning and afternoon itinerary.

Have fun! :D
 
I realized I haven't let all of you know that I had a wonderful trip to London, despite the freezing temps at the end of it!

Did the British Museum's Book of the Dead exhibit, and saw a few of their 100 Objects project. Walked around afterwards, and then did a bus ride home.
I saw everyting on my original must-see list, but not in the order of my draft agenda. Oh well. I also had some extra time, so I went to Hampton Court - Henry VIII's palace. While I thought it was very interesting, the freezing temps kept me from viewing the garden or the maze. I'll do that next time (and I really hope there is a next time!).
Did get to Harrod's and Fortnum & Mason's, and I think I prefer F&M. National Gallery is awesome, the V&A was not to my liking, and I will definately go back to the British Museum if given the chance. Kensington Park is fabulous, Hyde Park is beautiful with the colored leaves, and I think the Eye should be done either in full daylight or full night, but not dusk.
 
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