cpeicott

Hi,
My son is attending a college semseter in London this fall.
My 14 year old daughter and I will be visiting him for a week over Thanksgiving.
We have been to London twice before, so we have seen most of the major tourist sights.
My son will be in school during much of the time.
I am looking for some ideas on what we can do.
Any thoughts on day trips? I would like to be back most nights so that we can all have dinner together, but might consider 1 overnight.

yk

A quick search here on this forum - found you a similar question asked several months ago with your exact same title, and 23 responses:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34460592

cpeicott

Funny. Thanks, I will chck it out!

FromAtlanta

I was not at all disappointed with my day trip to Canterbury last time. I absolutely LOVED it, and the Canterbury Tales exhibit is really worth it.

Bath is awesome too - you can do a day trip, but night time in Bath is really fun.

Brighton is also a lot of fun

Warwick - the town and the castle- is AWESOME! (your 14 yr. old might really enjoy the teddy and doll museum there -I did!)

I am sure you will get a lot of advice and the only problem you will have is making up your mind

cpeicott

Thanks.
We went to Bath last time we were in London and enjoyed it very much.
How did you get to Canterbury?
How far is it?
Was Warwick you favorite?

FromAtlanta

I did love Warwick. It was such a charming town with a real English feel. The castle - although a bit touristy- was enjoyable too. Warwick was also the first place I ever sampled "fish & chips" (and it was the best I ever had)

Canterbury had its own charm. I was especially happy that I coincedently came on a Wednesday. That is when they have their street market!
I could care less about the Canterbury cathedral ... but I am such a HUGE fan of Canterbury Tales! I loved the exhibit very much. I went on a nice boat ride. I looked around ... it was beautiful!

I can't pick a favorite!!

Both are close enough to London. Can't remember exactly - think it was under 2hrs by train. PERFECT day trips. You can easily be back for dinner.

By the Way, I just found out that the London Walks does day trip excursions to both Canterbury and Warwick!! It is only 15GBP (cheaper for your daughter) plus the train ticket ... very worth it!

Merseyheart

I went out toe Brighton last summer and loved it, but in November, that could be too chilly for ya! I agree with a poster on the other thread about Earl Steinbicker's book. One advantage that a day trip to Oxford has is the transporation. You don't have to take the train. There are two 24-hour bus services, one called X90, and the other called the Oxford Tube. You can catch them at Marble Arch.

cpeicott

Hi,
I am ordering the book.
Thank you.
Any other suggestions? When I say we did most of the tourist attractions, we did the ones that were listed first on the lists of things to do.
I am sure that we missed many things right in London.
Any thoughts on things over and above the "usual sigts"?
We will be staying near the Gloucester Tube, which I understand can get us most anywhere.
Would you reccomend the tube from the airport, given our hotel location?

taggie

I would definitely recommend the tube for getting in from Heathrow as the GLoucestr Rd stop is on the Picadilly line so you won't have to transfer. I used to take the Airbus but the route to that area is cancelled. Last time we took the tube and it was fine; try to get a seat near an area where you can tuck your luggage - away from the doors that open to the platform is best.
As for things in London that are a bit different than the normal tourist things and that your daughter might enjoy....
how about visiting some of the museums that you may have missed? The London Transport Museum is pretty cool - I know it's recommended for kids but my husband and I really liked it too. You daughter might like the clothing history section in the V&A.
Did you have tea at the Orangery?
What about a boat trip down to Greenwich?
Did you go to any of the markets? Even if you did, there are lots of others to see.
How about a stroll along the canals in Little Venice?
Or try shopping in a different area from what you've been to - try Marylebone, or the Westbourne Grove area, Brompton Cross which is fairly close to Harrod's, or the King's Road.
Have you gone on the London Eye?
And finally an excellent thing is to check out the walks on London.walks.com - there's guaranteed to be something there that catches your interest.

rj007

cpeicott

Go up to the search this forum and type in what about 100 things to do in London. The list has expanded beyond that and I am sure it will give you more ideas of what to do. I have been to London 7 times and am getting ready for another visit. Love that city!

Another vote for London Walks. Their in city walks are fun as well as their Explorer day trips. Worth every pence.

kr

I took the train to Warwick with my family. The town is nice, small. Very cool old cemetery right by castle. I do not think it was worth the money or the train ride, it is very overpriced. My kids also didn't love it. There was a brochure at my hotel that had 5 castles on it including Warwick, I will see if I keep that brochure and post the castle names. They seemed to be nicer. and less of a tourist trap. Warwick is owned by Madame Tussauds.

If not IM sure you can DO A search on castles in England.

kr

I took the train to Warwick with my family. The town is nice, small. Very cool old cemetery right by castle. I do not think it was worth the money or the train ride, it is very overpriced. My kids also didn't love it. There was a brochure at my hotel that had 5 castles on it including Warwick, I will see if I still have that brochure and post the castle names. They seemed to be nicer. and less of a tourist trap. Warwick is owned by Madame Tussauds.

If not IM sure you can DO A search on castles in England.