First Time to London; 14 yrs old; 24 hours
Jan 14th, 2016, 04:56 AM
#1
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First Time to London; 14 yrs old; 24 hours
Imagine you are 13 or 14 again and you have never been to Europe. You've been given a chance to get a taste of London with 24 hours to spend there--midday Monday to midday Tuesday in mid June.
You've been to many of the larger cities in the US and you love the energy of NYC, the history of Boston and Philly, the buildings (esp Sears Tower) in Chicago, and the topography and architecture in SF. You aren't that interested in museums. You mostly enjoy seeing the sights and soaking in the atmosphere of a city.
You think you want to see Big Ben/Parliament buildings, London Eye and Tower Bridge, (but really have no idea the scope of all there is to see)
You are arriving in London via Euston and leaving via St Pancras so your hotel is in the area of those stations.
What do you do? And how (one of those hop on/off buses, tube/walking, etc)?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!
You've been to many of the larger cities in the US and you love the energy of NYC, the history of Boston and Philly, the buildings (esp Sears Tower) in Chicago, and the topography and architecture in SF. You aren't that interested in museums. You mostly enjoy seeing the sights and soaking in the atmosphere of a city.
You think you want to see Big Ben/Parliament buildings, London Eye and Tower Bridge, (but really have no idea the scope of all there is to see)
You are arriving in London via Euston and leaving via St Pancras so your hotel is in the area of those stations.
What do you do? And how (one of those hop on/off buses, tube/walking, etc)?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!
Jan 14th, 2016, 05:15 AM
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Get to know the ordinary public transport system - it isn't difficult, it's much cheaper than the HOHO buses, and you can use it to navigate around what you want to see rather than what they think you want to see. You can do this in advance:
http://tfl.gov.uk/maps/visitors-and-tourists
Options for the first afternoon might be to stroll along the South Bank up to Waterloo or Westminster bridges, or take the circular cruise or river bus, look at the people in Trafalgar Square, walk up to Covent Garden and around Seven Dials.
With this timing, actually going in to the Tower might not be that good an idea, since it's best done first thing in the morning before the crowds build up, but with a midday cut-off time on the second day, that could make it a rush to get back to wherever the onward travel starting point is.
The one thing about mid-June is that it won't get dark until gone 9pm.
http://tfl.gov.uk/maps/visitors-and-tourists
Options for the first afternoon might be to stroll along the South Bank up to Waterloo or Westminster bridges, or take the circular cruise or river bus, look at the people in Trafalgar Square, walk up to Covent Garden and around Seven Dials.
With this timing, actually going in to the Tower might not be that good an idea, since it's best done first thing in the morning before the crowds build up, but with a midday cut-off time on the second day, that could make it a rush to get back to wherever the onward travel starting point is.
The one thing about mid-June is that it won't get dark until gone 9pm.
Jan 14th, 2016, 08:14 AM
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I would agree with taking public transportation rather than the HOHO buses. Avoid rush-hour traffic, though, on a bus. And definitely ride on the upper level of the double-decker buses.
If you love the history of Boston and Philadelphia (NYC is pretty old, for the U.S., too), then focus on that part of London. Visit the Tower, either late in the day on Monday or as early as possible on Tuesday; a lot of history packed into a relatively small piece of real estate.
St. Paul's and/or Westminster Abbey would be interesting. Covent Garden and Seven Dials in the early evening, to enjoy people-watching and the history and old buildings of that area.
If you are at all interested in WWII history, then the Cabinet War Rooms warrant time, and they are near Westminster Abbey.
On our last trip, we (DH and 16yoDD) visited Temple Church and the area thereabouts; I like that area, it gives me a feel for the older London.
If you love the history of Boston and Philadelphia (NYC is pretty old, for the U.S., too), then focus on that part of London. Visit the Tower, either late in the day on Monday or as early as possible on Tuesday; a lot of history packed into a relatively small piece of real estate.
St. Paul's and/or Westminster Abbey would be interesting. Covent Garden and Seven Dials in the early evening, to enjoy people-watching and the history and old buildings of that area.
If you are at all interested in WWII history, then the Cabinet War Rooms warrant time, and they are near Westminster Abbey.
On our last trip, we (DH and 16yoDD) visited Temple Church and the area thereabouts; I like that area, it gives me a feel for the older London.
Jan 14th, 2016, 08:29 AM
#5
Sorry -- but visiting the Tower on Tuesday would be REALLY difficult -- assuming you actually mean mid-day - like <i>noon</i>
The Tower does open at 9:00 but assuming you need to be at St Pancras for the Eurostar, you need to be there at least 30 minutes before the train time for security and immigration. Plus presumably you'd need to return to the hotel first to collect your luggage. You need to count on at least 40 minutes from exiting the Tower to St Pancras - it is quite a walk to the tube station and if you hail a cab it will take almost as long. (don't know which hotel but it would likely take longer)
The conventional wisdom is to visit the Tower at opening time, which IS best. But by late afternoon the crowds have diminished a bit so if you do decide on the Tower (I certainly would) go Monday Afternoon.
The Tower does open at 9:00 but assuming you need to be at St Pancras for the Eurostar, you need to be there at least 30 minutes before the train time for security and immigration. Plus presumably you'd need to return to the hotel first to collect your luggage. You need to count on at least 40 minutes from exiting the Tower to St Pancras - it is quite a walk to the tube station and if you hail a cab it will take almost as long. (don't know which hotel but it would likely take longer)
The conventional wisdom is to visit the Tower at opening time, which IS best. But by late afternoon the crowds have diminished a bit so if you do decide on the Tower (I certainly would) go Monday Afternoon.
Jan 14th, 2016, 09:12 AM
#6
Just asked our 14 year old DD the question, and she replied, "Everything we did on our trip to London last year." http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...city-break.cfm
Obviously more than 24 hours is needed for this itinerary, and this was not DD's first visit to London, but it may be some insight into the interests of a 14 year old.
Happy Planning!
Obviously more than 24 hours is needed for this itinerary, and this was not DD's first visit to London, but it may be some insight into the interests of a 14 year old.
Happy Planning!
Jan 14th, 2016, 10:48 AM
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A market - Spitalfields for crafts and fashion, Borough or Broadway if you are more into food. A Thames river cruise as it'll pass all the sites you've outlined. The Eye at dusk so you go up in daylight and come down in the dark. Some Vietnamese nosh in Shoreditch.
Jan 14th, 2016, 05:05 PM
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Thank you all for the suggestions.
@fourfortravel, your trip sounds great. I wish we had the time for all the different tours.
A river cruise might be a great option. Any recs? I see one that combines with a ticket for the Eye that allows you to jump most of the line at the Eye. It gets good reviews, so that might be good choice.
And I notice it is just over a mile from the Eye to Buckingham Palace via Westminster Abbey, so it seems easy to combine all that at one time. Then we can head over to Trafalgar Square/Covent Garden in the evening.
If the kids want to go on the Tower tour, I think we'll see if we can swing it Tues morning. Our train leaves St. Pancras at 3:30 so we should retreive our luggage from our hotel near there by 2:30/45?
@fourfortravel, your trip sounds great. I wish we had the time for all the different tours.
A river cruise might be a great option. Any recs? I see one that combines with a ticket for the Eye that allows you to jump most of the line at the Eye. It gets good reviews, so that might be good choice.
And I notice it is just over a mile from the Eye to Buckingham Palace via Westminster Abbey, so it seems easy to combine all that at one time. Then we can head over to Trafalgar Square/Covent Garden in the evening.
If the kids want to go on the Tower tour, I think we'll see if we can swing it Tues morning. Our train leaves St. Pancras at 3:30 so we should retreive our luggage from our hotel near there by 2:30/45?
Jan 14th, 2016, 05:16 PM
#10
Oh, 3:30 is a lot different than 'mid day' which was in the OP.
In that case definitely go to the Tower tuesday AM.
Not quite sure if you really meant >>If the kids want to go on the Tower <i><u>tour</i></u>, I think we'll see if we can swing it Tues morning.<<
You don't need to go on a tour to the Tower. Just take the tube to Tower Hill and walk across the street. Get there just before opening time, as soon as you get inside head straight to the Crown Jewels and see them almost alone (later in the morning the queue can be an hour or more). Then if you want you can head back to the entrance bridge and hook up w/ a Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) tour - or not. You could spend that time in the White Tower which has all the armor, the chapel, etc.
In that case definitely go to the Tower tuesday AM.
Not quite sure if you really meant >>If the kids want to go on the Tower <i><u>tour</i></u>, I think we'll see if we can swing it Tues morning.<<
You don't need to go on a tour to the Tower. Just take the tube to Tower Hill and walk across the street. Get there just before opening time, as soon as you get inside head straight to the Crown Jewels and see them almost alone (later in the morning the queue can be an hour or more). Then if you want you can head back to the entrance bridge and hook up w/ a Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) tour - or not. You could spend that time in the White Tower which has all the armor, the chapel, etc.
Jan 15th, 2016, 01:31 AM
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The river cruises are nice, but a bit time-consuming.
If we're talking about a girl, I think she'd love the history of fashion exhibit at the V&A. They even have costumes you can don.
The Tower of London should please any kid, or adult. The Beefeater tours are entertaining, but not necessary. I agree with Janis to head for the Crown Jewels first, unless you don't care if you see them. The armoury is very interesting.
I would try to take a walk in one of the parks. They're all great, pick the one that's nearest to where you are.
Westminster Abbey would also be a top draw. You could combine it with seeing Big Ben.
The London Eye is also very time consuming. I've never gone, and it's not on my must-do-some-day list.
If we're talking about a girl, I think she'd love the history of fashion exhibit at the V&A. They even have costumes you can don.
The Tower of London should please any kid, or adult. The Beefeater tours are entertaining, but not necessary. I agree with Janis to head for the Crown Jewels first, unless you don't care if you see them. The armoury is very interesting.
I would try to take a walk in one of the parks. They're all great, pick the one that's nearest to where you are.
Westminster Abbey would also be a top draw. You could combine it with seeing Big Ben.
The London Eye is also very time consuming. I've never gone, and it's not on my must-do-some-day list.
Jan 15th, 2016, 01:56 AM
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River cruise would be a waste of time, if you are only there for a day.
Start at Tower of London (go in or not)- walk from there to Borough Market - continue to walk along the river, pass the Globe - Tate Modern (only peek in to see the great hall - or go to the top floor for a cup of tea with great view)
then cross the river towards St Pauls (visit, or not) and take the Nr 23 bus towards the west, get a seat upstairs and get off where you want; Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus (continue to Oxford Circus only if you want shopping).
Or after Tate Modern continue along the South Bank towards the London Eye and cross the river again to end up at Big Ben and Parliament, and Westminster Abbey if you have time.
If you want a view - add the viewing platform of the Shard to this, before going to Borough Market.
Start at Tower of London (go in or not)- walk from there to Borough Market - continue to walk along the river, pass the Globe - Tate Modern (only peek in to see the great hall - or go to the top floor for a cup of tea with great view)
then cross the river towards St Pauls (visit, or not) and take the Nr 23 bus towards the west, get a seat upstairs and get off where you want; Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus (continue to Oxford Circus only if you want shopping).
Or after Tate Modern continue along the South Bank towards the London Eye and cross the river again to end up at Big Ben and Parliament, and Westminster Abbey if you have time.
If you want a view - add the viewing platform of the Shard to this, before going to Borough Market.
Jan 15th, 2016, 01:58 AM
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With such little time, I'd suggest not going to the Tower.
It takes a lot of time to really do it justice and there are so many other things worth visiting in the vicinity of the Tower that can be done for less money (and more quickly) if you want a whistle-stop tour of some historic sites.
Rather than doing the Tower and the Eye, my suggestion would be to visit the Monument and Tower Bridge (with its new glass floor that now seem to be a legal requirement for any tall structure that people visit).
You can get a joint ticket for around a tenner if memory serves, and shouldn't have to spend any time in queues if you get there early enough on the Tuesday morning.
Both have amazing views of London (from angles that most people won't have seen before) so will have a lot of Instagram cachet for the young'uns and their photos will definitely look different from 99% of other people's.
Also within walking distance of the Tower is St. Dustan in the East church http://www.gardenvisit.com/garden/st..._church_garden which is a brilliant place to eat a packed lunch if the weather is fine. How many of your friends will be able to say they've munched on an M&S prawn sandwich whilst sitting in a bombed out church?
Also, what Havana128 said...
It takes a lot of time to really do it justice and there are so many other things worth visiting in the vicinity of the Tower that can be done for less money (and more quickly) if you want a whistle-stop tour of some historic sites.
Rather than doing the Tower and the Eye, my suggestion would be to visit the Monument and Tower Bridge (with its new glass floor that now seem to be a legal requirement for any tall structure that people visit).
You can get a joint ticket for around a tenner if memory serves, and shouldn't have to spend any time in queues if you get there early enough on the Tuesday morning.
Both have amazing views of London (from angles that most people won't have seen before) so will have a lot of Instagram cachet for the young'uns and their photos will definitely look different from 99% of other people's.
Also within walking distance of the Tower is St. Dustan in the East church http://www.gardenvisit.com/garden/st..._church_garden which is a brilliant place to eat a packed lunch if the weather is fine. How many of your friends will be able to say they've munched on an M&S prawn sandwich whilst sitting in a bombed out church?
Also, what Havana128 said...
Jan 15th, 2016, 02:06 AM
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I agree with bvlenci about the Eye; I've done it once, it takes a while and is not that interesting. Wouldn't do it again, especially not if in London for just a day. And you definitely don't want to book this in advance; it's a waste of time and money if the weather is not good.
You could perhaps go somewhere for breakfast that has a view. At the Shard (though the restaurants are halfway up the building, it's still a great view) or somewhere like Duck & Waffle, or Skygarden. Have an early start with breakfast, then the Tower and the walk along the South Bank.
You could perhaps go somewhere for breakfast that has a view. At the Shard (though the restaurants are halfway up the building, it's still a great view) or somewhere like Duck & Waffle, or Skygarden. Have an early start with breakfast, then the Tower and the walk along the South Bank.
Jan 15th, 2016, 02:17 AM
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This is a 14 year old so I think parks, gardens, churches (much as I love St Dunstan) and expensive eateries/viewing platforms like the Shard are a no no. The river cruise takes in all the sites you want to see and a boat won't get stuck in traffic eating into your already very short schedule (unlike a bus). The Eye is great and takes only about 35 mins to do a circuit - I have never had to queue for long so ignore the naysayers. The east end/Spitalfields will have street art, ethnic cuisine and plenty of fashion and crafts.
Jan 15th, 2016, 06:53 AM
#17
As Patrick says -- your timing makes Borough Market a non-starter.
Not that anyone <i>must</i> visit the Tower of London . . . but for most families it is THE iconic site in London. Most kids will remember it as the best thing they visited (other than perhaps Hampton Court Palace - which you don't have time for)
Not that anyone <i>must</i> visit the Tower of London . . . but for most families it is THE iconic site in London. Most kids will remember it as the best thing they visited (other than perhaps Hampton Court Palace - which you don't have time for)
