London Itinerary - Leaving on Wednesday - Suggestions needed
Feb 12th, 2006, 07:07 PM
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London Itinerary - Leaving on Wednesday - Suggestions needed
Hello everyone,
As I have stated in past posts my mother and I are leaving for London this Wednesday (15th). It will be our second visit. Here is our itinerary so far...
Thursday
Arrive Heathrow @ 9:30am
Take Tube to Hotel (The Cranley in S. Kensington)
Breakfast/Lunch - Any suggestions?
Harrod's and shopping in Knightsbridge
7:45pm Blood Brothers
Dinner near theatre or hotel - Any suggestions?
Friday
Windsor Castle and Eton
Should we have dinner there or in London?
Saturday
Explore Notting Hill, Portobello Road etc.
Have breakfast/early lunch somewhere in the Notting Hill area
4:30pm Afternoon Tea @ The Lanesborough
Theatre that evening - haven't decided on the show
Sunday
Spitafields
A. Gold
Bayswater Road Market
Lunch - Any suggestions? Someone mentioned Canteen in another post. Mom hates Indian so that is out.
Not sure what to do that night
Monday
Antiquarius & Gray's
Covent Garden Market & Shopping
4:30pm Afternoon Tea @ The Dorchester
7:30pm Mary Poppins
Tuesday
Maybe a museum?
Flight Leaves at 5:50pm
We'd also like to incorporate the National Gallery and the V&A museum but I'm not sure where they would fit the best. This definitely needs some tweaking! I feel like I might be missing something. Maybe it is just because I have read SO much in the last few weeks. The shopping areas have me a little confused. Since I live in Manhattan I don't want to visit the same stores I would go to here. We love antique stores, unusual upscale boutiques, stores with cool accessories for the home, etc. Also, any recommendations on restaurants near our hotel, near the theatre for post or pre theatre dinner, or just in general would be great. I will be sure to post a trip report when I get back!
Many thanks,
Rachel
As I have stated in past posts my mother and I are leaving for London this Wednesday (15th). It will be our second visit. Here is our itinerary so far...
Thursday
Arrive Heathrow @ 9:30am
Take Tube to Hotel (The Cranley in S. Kensington)
Breakfast/Lunch - Any suggestions?
Harrod's and shopping in Knightsbridge
7:45pm Blood Brothers
Dinner near theatre or hotel - Any suggestions?
Friday
Windsor Castle and Eton
Should we have dinner there or in London?
Saturday
Explore Notting Hill, Portobello Road etc.
Have breakfast/early lunch somewhere in the Notting Hill area
4:30pm Afternoon Tea @ The Lanesborough
Theatre that evening - haven't decided on the show
Sunday
Spitafields
A. Gold
Bayswater Road Market
Lunch - Any suggestions? Someone mentioned Canteen in another post. Mom hates Indian so that is out.
Not sure what to do that night
Monday
Antiquarius & Gray's
Covent Garden Market & Shopping
4:30pm Afternoon Tea @ The Dorchester
7:30pm Mary Poppins
Tuesday
Maybe a museum?
Flight Leaves at 5:50pm
We'd also like to incorporate the National Gallery and the V&A museum but I'm not sure where they would fit the best. This definitely needs some tweaking! I feel like I might be missing something. Maybe it is just because I have read SO much in the last few weeks. The shopping areas have me a little confused. Since I live in Manhattan I don't want to visit the same stores I would go to here. We love antique stores, unusual upscale boutiques, stores with cool accessories for the home, etc. Also, any recommendations on restaurants near our hotel, near the theatre for post or pre theatre dinner, or just in general would be great. I will be sure to post a trip report when I get back!
Many thanks,
Rachel
Feb 12th, 2006, 07:25 PM
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We are leaving for London on Thurs. We are planning on spending time in the Spitalfield area on Sunday and for your information, Dennis Severs house is open this Sunday from I think 2 to 5. So maybe you want to add that to your Sunday itinerary. Jack the Ripper London walks is Sunday night also. I have done it twice and thought it was worth it.
Feb 12th, 2006, 09:21 PM
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Just a few minor comments -- don't worry about breakfast on Thurs. You will be fed on the plane. Plus you will definitely not be to your hotel until well after b'fast time.
Have you already bought tix for Blood Brothers? If not - I would most <b>definitely</b> recommend you go a different night. Going to the theatre on the first night is usually a killer. You will be very tired and jet lagged and sitting iside a theatre - especially for a long show like BB - is very hard. I have gone to the theatre on my first night when it was an absolute necessity to see a sold out show. But it is not something I'd ever do if I had a choice. Blood Brothers is always avaiable at TKTS and you can go any night - it is not a hard ticket . . . ..
Have you already bought tix for Blood Brothers? If not - I would most <b>definitely</b> recommend you go a different night. Going to the theatre on the first night is usually a killer. You will be very tired and jet lagged and sitting iside a theatre - especially for a long show like BB - is very hard. I have gone to the theatre on my first night when it was an absolute necessity to see a sold out show. But it is not something I'd ever do if I had a choice. Blood Brothers is always avaiable at TKTS and you can go any night - it is not a hard ticket . . . ..
Feb 13th, 2006, 07:05 AM
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Blood Brothers is already booked. Worst case we'll take a short nap sometime before the play to recharge. I think we'll be fine. Last time we went we were exhausted mid afternoon and then caught a second wind and couldn't sleep until late. The time change does strange things!
Feb 13th, 2006, 07:21 AM
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Purely from a geographical point of view I would try and fit in the National Gallery when you plan to go shopping in Covent Garden.
The V&A is very close to your hotel and is a relatively quick museum to visit (certainly compared to say the British Museum) so you might want to consider it for your first day.
Plus if you like antiques and upscale boutiques you should certainly check out the Brompton Road as you walk to Harrods and also the Fulham Road.
Don't miss Patisserie Valerie on Brompton Road either - the cakes are to die for. To get a variation on the pub experience but in a nice crowd you could try the recently redesigned Admiral Codrington pub on Mossop Street in South Kensington where the food is good too.
There is a good and popular creperie near South Kensington tube station and Thai Square is a very passable and relatively inexpensive Thai restaurant.
The V&A is very close to your hotel and is a relatively quick museum to visit (certainly compared to say the British Museum) so you might want to consider it for your first day.
Plus if you like antiques and upscale boutiques you should certainly check out the Brompton Road as you walk to Harrods and also the Fulham Road.
Don't miss Patisserie Valerie on Brompton Road either - the cakes are to die for. To get a variation on the pub experience but in a nice crowd you could try the recently redesigned Admiral Codrington pub on Mossop Street in South Kensington where the food is good too.
There is a good and popular creperie near South Kensington tube station and Thai Square is a very passable and relatively inexpensive Thai restaurant.
Feb 13th, 2006, 07:31 AM
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Hi!
I'm actually in London RIGHT NOW! Here's a bit of info:
I saw "The Lady in Black" last night - a play running in the West End at Fortune Theatre (just behind Covent Garden) and I really enjoyed it. You might give it a try. There are tons of "last minute" box offices here, so don't worry.
You might try the Victoria and Albert Museum (tube: South Kensington) -- it is right in your neck of the woods -- for your last day. I'm sure your hotel has a luggage storage place.
Try the Rock and Sole Plaice for a dinner (or lunch!) if you are in the area (47 Endell Street, tube Covent Garden). It was recommended by a number of Fodorites and I really enjoyed it. It is frequented, it seems, mostly by locals who take-out, or by locals who work in the theatre district. I found it to be great value for the money.
The Tube, or Underground, is quite expensive, at £3.00 a ride. If you get an off-peak day card, it will cost you £4.90, but you can't use the Underground before 9:30 am. Keep this in mind when budgeting!
Have fun!
I'm actually in London RIGHT NOW! Here's a bit of info:
I saw "The Lady in Black" last night - a play running in the West End at Fortune Theatre (just behind Covent Garden) and I really enjoyed it. You might give it a try. There are tons of "last minute" box offices here, so don't worry.
You might try the Victoria and Albert Museum (tube: South Kensington) -- it is right in your neck of the woods -- for your last day. I'm sure your hotel has a luggage storage place.
Try the Rock and Sole Plaice for a dinner (or lunch!) if you are in the area (47 Endell Street, tube Covent Garden). It was recommended by a number of Fodorites and I really enjoyed it. It is frequented, it seems, mostly by locals who take-out, or by locals who work in the theatre district. I found it to be great value for the money.
The Tube, or Underground, is quite expensive, at £3.00 a ride. If you get an off-peak day card, it will cost you £4.90, but you can't use the Underground before 9:30 am. Keep this in mind when budgeting!
Have fun!
Feb 13th, 2006, 10:50 AM
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Try the London Tourist Office in Victoria Station. Next read 'Time Out'.
You are late for breakfast..lunch at Harrod's. Try a Chinese restaurant. Eat at Windsor or Eton. Don't miss the Tate, both of them! The national Gallery is again a must. Use their cassettes. Why not the British Museum and library. Get up early and get going. Buy breakfast at the local,nearbye market. Everything is fresh..
You are late for breakfast..lunch at Harrod's. Try a Chinese restaurant. Eat at Windsor or Eton. Don't miss the Tate, both of them! The national Gallery is again a must. Use their cassettes. Why not the British Museum and library. Get up early and get going. Buy breakfast at the local,nearbye market. Everything is fresh..
Feb 13th, 2006, 02:35 PM
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There are lots of places to grab a quick sandwich, if you like. Just got back from "The Producers" -- well worth it, if you ask me!!!! Give this a try, too.
If you are here on a SUNDAY, take in the Old Spitalfields Market. This is on the East end of town (tube: Liverpool Station) -- it is clearly marked on all of the maps here. You will find a GREAT selection of neat, funky stuff from up and coming designers (bought a fabulous scarf from a young designer who was being interviewed and photographed by a Singapore high-fashion magazine -- and I LOVE the scarf), old books, records, and on one side, a TERRIFIC food market, with fresh breads, sandwiches, indian kiosks, etc. I had a super spring roll there, and thought I'd died and gone to heaven!
Remember that the Covent Garden market is decidedly more upscale, with Mondays stalls dedicated to antiques, and Tuesdays onwards to general stuff. If you go at the end of the day, you can get bargains if you pay cash...
Some recommend High Tea, and I think you have this planned, but be aware that it will cost you in the neighborhood of £25 per person (my hair stood on end when I went into the Ritz -- needless to say, my High Tea turned into a coffee at Starbucks...)
If you get a bus map at the tourist information at Heathrow, you can plan your travels on double-decker. It does take alot longer than the Tube, but the views are fantastic (much cheaper than the tourist double-decker bus at £16 for one day!). Remember to buy your ticket BEFORE you get on the bus -- your best bet will be a day pass available at any small convenience store (especially those in front of the bus stops!). A one-day pass from first thing in the morning until 0430 the next morning is £3.50. If you don't know where to get them, just ask anyone at the bus stop -- they will be more than happy to help you out.
Hope this helps!
If you are here on a SUNDAY, take in the Old Spitalfields Market. This is on the East end of town (tube: Liverpool Station) -- it is clearly marked on all of the maps here. You will find a GREAT selection of neat, funky stuff from up and coming designers (bought a fabulous scarf from a young designer who was being interviewed and photographed by a Singapore high-fashion magazine -- and I LOVE the scarf), old books, records, and on one side, a TERRIFIC food market, with fresh breads, sandwiches, indian kiosks, etc. I had a super spring roll there, and thought I'd died and gone to heaven!
Remember that the Covent Garden market is decidedly more upscale, with Mondays stalls dedicated to antiques, and Tuesdays onwards to general stuff. If you go at the end of the day, you can get bargains if you pay cash...
Some recommend High Tea, and I think you have this planned, but be aware that it will cost you in the neighborhood of £25 per person (my hair stood on end when I went into the Ritz -- needless to say, my High Tea turned into a coffee at Starbucks...)
If you get a bus map at the tourist information at Heathrow, you can plan your travels on double-decker. It does take alot longer than the Tube, but the views are fantastic (much cheaper than the tourist double-decker bus at £16 for one day!). Remember to buy your ticket BEFORE you get on the bus -- your best bet will be a day pass available at any small convenience store (especially those in front of the bus stops!). A one-day pass from first thing in the morning until 0430 the next morning is £3.50. If you don't know where to get them, just ask anyone at the bus stop -- they will be more than happy to help you out.
Hope this helps!
Feb 14th, 2006, 08:35 AM
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as someone who lives near spitalfields market, canteen cafe/restaurant within the recently refurbished area of the market is a good place to eat.
http://www.canteen.co.uk/tues10thoct.html
if you are in the westend, the national portrait gallery has a restaurant which has stunning views over the centre of london.....
http://www.npg.org.uk/live/portrest.asp
http://www.canteen.co.uk/tues10thoct.html
if you are in the westend, the national portrait gallery has a restaurant which has stunning views over the centre of london.....
http://www.npg.org.uk/live/portrest.asp
Feb 14th, 2006, 08:44 AM
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A followup to nospam's comments on buses: you will probably make good use of a 7-day Bus Pass season ticket (£13.50) which covers all of Greater London. You can buy it at the Tube station at Heathrow, and pick up a paper copy of the Central London Bus Map at the same time.
To see how the various areas are connected by bus, download this map and print it out:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/pdfdocs/tourist.pdf
If you're up for fish & chips, I highly recommend the North Sea Fish Restaurant on Leigh street, shown by the arrow just below the British Library here:
http://tinyurl.com/dob2p
To see how the various areas are connected by bus, download this map and print it out:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/pdfdocs/tourist.pdf
If you're up for fish & chips, I highly recommend the North Sea Fish Restaurant on Leigh street, shown by the arrow just below the British Library here:
http://tinyurl.com/dob2p
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