Jubes2681

My boyfriend and I will be spending four and a half days in London next month from March 9-14th. We're interested in seeing the historical sites within the city with maybe one or two art museums along the way.(We're not interested in leaving London so no Stonehedge, etc., and no theater shows - nothing is playing that I'm interested in seeing during the four nights we'll be there)

Can anyone suggest a decent 3 day itinerary focused on the history and major art of London? I say 3 days since I would like to have some free time to walk around the city and maybe do a little shopping. Also, we're 24/25yrs old so walking isn't really an issue and would also love any advice on good but relatively inexpensive places to eat.

Thanks!
Traci

KathrynT

Have you checked the Destinations section here and a couple of guidebooks (most libraries will let you check them out.) There is so much to see and do in London that I think you will have to read the descriptions of various sights and focus on what most appeals to you.

My personal favorites (in no particular order) would include Westminister Abbey, the Cabinet War Rooms, walking by the Houses of Parliment and Buckingham Palace, the British Museum, the National Gallery, and the Tower of London. This is just the beginning of what could be a very long list.

Have a great trip!

EHJackson

If you're in town on a Sunday, consider taking a service at Westminster. It's really quite lovely. London is a great city for free museums, as most of their larger offerings are free, with donations optional. If you have the time, head over to the National Library and check out the literary collections (Gutenberg Bible, Shakespeare's signature, etc.) which is no longer in the British Museum. The Elgin marbles are spectacular (although they would be even more spectacular if they were in Greece...), but the rest of the museum can become tedious. War Museum is fantastic too. Before you rule out any shows, check out the TKTS booths (and all those booths nearby). We found cheap tickets (under 15 pounds) each night for shows that were never a let-down. If the Globe is open, check that out (standing tickets are 5 pounds). Get the 3-day tube pass. It's good on buses and the underground and will pay for itself almost immediately (and we still walked a LOT). If you have the time, visit the Orangery in Kensington Garden for tea and have the chocolate cake!

londonengland

Hello Traci

I hope you have fun in my hometown.

One of the things that's worth thinking about in planning your itinerary is the geography of the city. So you want to try and bunch together sites that are close by and save you wasting time crossing the city.

For example Tower of London, Tower Bridge and St Pauls Cathedral would make one good day

Then London Eye, Westminster Abbey, 10 Downing Street, Trafalgar Square, National Portrait Gallery and National Gallery would make another good day.

A third day could be the British Museum and shopping/hanging out in the Covent Garden area

Over places to eat if I was in my mid 20s I'd like some of the inexpensive Italian chains like Strada, Pizza Express and Ask. Also you have to try some Indian food and you could go to the Rock and Sole Plaice for Fish and Chips in Covent Garden. Chinese Dim Sum in Chinatown is also well worth doing. Wagamama for inexpensive and enjoyable Japanese food. Belgos for an entertaining evening of Belgian beer, mussels or steak and chips

You might want to look at going to an old fashioned pub like Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on Fleet Street.

Hope this gives you some ideas and that you enjoy your time here.

By the way forgive me for mentioning it but it is Stonehenge not Stonehedge

rd1

hello I will be there around the same time for 5 days and someone on here posted about London walks. I checked out their site and they offer many walks around London they have the jack the ripper walks at night and they also have walks in the morning and afternoon. You may want to consider doing one or two of those. I know I will
Have a Great time

GreenDragon

Good advice above, all

For a relatively inexpensive but tasty lunch, try Wagamama's noodle bar

nospam

If you go to the Tower of London for their church service on a Sunday, you don't have to pay an admission fee!
For history and major art, try:
The London Library -- see a Gutenberg Bible! See the original Alice in Wonderland! And MORE! I loved it.
The British Museum - pick and choose, as it is BIG.
The National Gallery - major art works throughout the ages.
The Globe Theatre - although a replica, still worth the visit.
Westminister Abbey (not Church) -- steep entry price (i.e. £10), but still nice to see just in terms of dead famous people.
This should get you going!
Have fun!

Jubes2681

Thanks for all the advice! I'll definitely add the restaurants to my list and I'll most certainly hit the museums mentioned. Also, thanks for the "grouping" suggestion - I was looking into that but was having a hard time making a list. (And sorry for the Stonehenge typo - I actually knew that but was posting quickly. oops!)

Only 16 days to go!!
Traci

Carolina

Decide on a few must see places and a few would like to see places and work from there. My favourites are the Tower of London, the British Museum, the parks, the area around Oxford Street for shopping, Trafalgar Square area and Covent Garden. Then there is Harrods and several museums in that area: like the Victoria and Albert. Add on St. Paul's and Westminster and that should keep you going indefinately!
Good luck,
Carolena

fishee

Museum of London was the highlight of my trip -- was able to meet the photographers whose work was being featured in the Black London Communities since the 1960s Exhibit -- Roots to Reckoning. There's also a queer communities exhibit in March that might be very interesting.

Marx's gravesite isn't far from the tube, find Robespierre's rec's on getting around the city. His map links were crucial to my entire trip --I printed out a few bus maps around my hotel and my major destinations -- I was able to figure out how to get everywhere I needed much more effectively than the concierge. And riding the bus was great although I took the tube a good deal as well.

Watching Les Miserables was totally miserable. I had great fourth row center seats for half the price and was expecting to see a play about the French Revolution. huh??! Couldn't make my way out to leave as I felt trapped in the center and I swear, people around me were literally weeping, so deeply moved they were by something that made me feel vaguely nauseated. (jet-lag contributed to my response just a little...) I think I would have really enjoyed The Producers. I was warned to only use the official TKTS box office at the center of Leicster Square as the other surrounding places tack on large fees.