London for Thanksgiving - Itinerary

You might find Thursday a bit rushed, though Parliament and Big Ben are really just walk-past opportunities. You will probably be glad of the boat trip for a sit-down.

Are these walks timetabled guided tours, or are you just following a walking route in your own time? If so, you could probably fit in some time at the BM on the Friday. Piccadilly Circus shouldn't detain you for more than 5-10 minutes - or once you've seen it from the bus.

Unless you want the commentary on the hop-on hop-off bus, you could get about cheaper on regular buses:

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/central_bus_map.pdf

Yes the walks are following a suggested route and stopping along the way....very flexible!

Not sure if the weather will cooperate...we live in Dallas and rain and low temps may slow us down.

Just a suggestion but on Wednesday, arrival day, if the weather isn't dreadful, have a bit of a walk in Kensington Park either before the Palace tour or after or after the Orangery. Fresh air and a bit of exercise is a great way to tackle any effects of jet lag.


Congratulations on a good and very doable itinerary.

If I remember correctly, you'll go past Picadilly Circus on the hop-on hop-off bus, so you don't need to spend time there.

Yes, the British Museum is worth as much time as you can spend there. The Rosetta Stone, mummies, Assyrian sculptures, Greek sculptures, the Lewis Chessmen...it's fascinating! Have a look at www.britishmuseum.org

Lee Ann

Another thought for Sunday. Covent Garden may keep you busy, but you might also find time for Spitalfields Market (near Liverpool St station)

http://www.oldspitalfieldsmarket.com/index.php?pid=5

Is the cruise on an open-top boat? If so, I would take the weather into account when you decide whether to do it. If it's very chilly, personally I'd probably pass.

The British Museum is excellent and I can't imagine a trip to London without seeing it (I spent a whole semester living down the street from it, have visited every time I've been back since, and still find more to see). I would prioritize seeing it over Covent Garden. They're relatively close together, so you could go to Matins or Eucharist at Westminster Abbey (it's not a Catholic church, so technically it's not Mass), then go to the museum, then go to Covent Garden in the evening. That would work unless you want to do major shopping.

Logistically, I can't see the difference between attending Sunday service at the Abbey or the Cathedral. They're five mins apart and the Cathedral's handier to more convenient tube lines.

Yes, the Abbey usually has the better choir and it's a great deal prettier. But as we had it drilled into us at school "every Catholic is required, under pain of mortal sin, to attend Mass on Sunday". If that's important to a visitor, the odd uncertain note (from what's still one of London's half dozen best mainstream Christian church choirs) is easily outweighed by the reduced likelihood of an eternity burning in Hell.

HOWEVER, to meet all requirements, personally I'd:

- go to Covent Garden first thing on the Sunday
- go to the 1200 Mass (mostly in Latin, sung by a professional choir) at St Anselm & St Cecilia's on Kingsway
- then go to the British Museum.

Oh, sorry - I missed that you were going to Mass at the Cathedral rather than the Abbey. My apologies - guess I read too quickly!

Albatravels, we are one day behind you (departing DFW on Thursday) on your trip! We are going to the National Portrait Gallery to see the Beatles to Bowie exhibit and sit in the bar that evening to enjoy the view. If you can fit that in, it's a nice spot. Cabinet War rooms and Churchill Museum are one of our favorite spots. I'm sure you are looking at today's fog here in Dallas and thinking of London. Happy travels.

Dallas is foggie today and from what the Tennis channel shows of the BArcleys tourney it is SUNNY in London!!!!

I'll look into the B to B exhibit.....did not know about it!

And yes, we catholics go to mass every Sunday...at my age is definetly a choice and I love to hear mass in different cities .....it's part of the traveling expereince for my family!

Westmister Cathedral is close to our hotel and they have 5 or 6 masses satrting early so we may be able to do a lot on Sunday.

THANK YOU ALL for your input!!!!

Hey, what about good food.....all I can find is fish and chips or expensive restaurants....we have reservations for two....breakfast is served at out B&B but what about eating out inexpensively???

bookmarking

Hey, what about good food.....all I can find is fish and chips or expensive restaurants....we have reservations for two....breakfast is served at out B&B but what about eating out inexpensively???>>>>>>

London is the culinary capital of the world right now (yes it is). But it ain't cheap.

I'd give Simpsons a swerve if I were you - trading on past glories IMHO. And bloody expensive.

What sort of thing do you like?

I found the book Eat London: All About Food indispensable. Some of the pubs serve better food than restaurants.

Pret a Manger was a lifesaver for me for cheap (yes, cheap!) quality food.

Incorporate some alternates for weather. I visited in November also, and although cold, it felt very appropriate and was not an impediment. Just walking though Hyde Park was nice on sunny days, and I agree the British Museum is a must.

On Staurday, since you are going to Globe Theatre, you might like to visit nearby Borough Market to see all the food/produce stalls, most interesting, I never miss it if I happen to be in London on weekend.

Definitely avoid Simpsons...all hype and bad food and service, at least that was our experience. One of our favorites is Ebury Wine Bar...great food and nice atmosphere and not pricey. Great fixed price menu as well. Very friendly there too.

Other resources that are good to find restaurants or pubs:

on line weekly magazine www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/ (with restaurant search feature)

and www.fancyapint.com (let's you search by tube station and rates pubs with little descriptions)

Where are you staying? General area so we can give you specific restaurant suggestions.

Check out http;//www.london-eating.co.uk

Lots of 2 for 1 offers or 50% off

You have to reserve thru them but it's worth it

ttt