London Itinerary
Aug 9th, 2005, 09:23 PM
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London Itinerary
Getting great information here for our trip to the UK in September. I visited twice in the 80's but never with my husband and this is our 20th anniversary/50th birthday present to ourselves. We are so excited!
We arrive in London, LHR on September 21 at 3pm, staying in Bloomsbury at the Morgan
Hotel, plan on walking around a bit then having dinner and an early night. We will be leaving Monday, the 26th.
Here's what we would like to see and do.I would love some help with grouping places together to avoid criss crossing the city and wasting precious time.
National Portrait Gallery (my personal favorite)
National Gallery(Just want to hit the highlights)
War Rooms
Changing of the Guard(My husband insists--he loved it when he was six)
Tower of London(Don't want to go on the weekend, was thinking of Friday)
British Museum(Hopefully since we are so close by we can drop in on the late nights)
Tate Britain(Do they still have a large collection of Pre-Raphelites?)
Banqueting Hall
Two musicals if we can get tickets--"Guys and Dolls" and "Mary Poppins"
Westminister Abbey
Dinner/Lunch at the crypt in St. Martin-In-The-Fields(is it worth it?)
My husband is a World War 2 buff and would love to see a Spitfire. I don't fancy the idea of spending a day at the RAF museum or the Imperial War Museum. If necessary which would be the least work in terms of location and travel?
Sorry it's such a long post but I certainly would appreciate some ideas. Thanks.
We arrive in London, LHR on September 21 at 3pm, staying in Bloomsbury at the Morgan
Hotel, plan on walking around a bit then having dinner and an early night. We will be leaving Monday, the 26th.
Here's what we would like to see and do.I would love some help with grouping places together to avoid criss crossing the city and wasting precious time.
National Portrait Gallery (my personal favorite)
National Gallery(Just want to hit the highlights)
War Rooms
Changing of the Guard(My husband insists--he loved it when he was six)
Tower of London(Don't want to go on the weekend, was thinking of Friday)
British Museum(Hopefully since we are so close by we can drop in on the late nights)
Tate Britain(Do they still have a large collection of Pre-Raphelites?)
Banqueting Hall
Two musicals if we can get tickets--"Guys and Dolls" and "Mary Poppins"
Westminister Abbey
Dinner/Lunch at the crypt in St. Martin-In-The-Fields(is it worth it?)
My husband is a World War 2 buff and would love to see a Spitfire. I don't fancy the idea of spending a day at the RAF museum or the Imperial War Museum. If necessary which would be the least work in terms of location and travel?
Sorry it's such a long post but I certainly would appreciate some ideas. Thanks.
Aug 9th, 2005, 10:53 PM
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When I first saw the length of your list I thought "no way". But looking closer it really isn't THAT much.
National Portrait Gallery, National Gallery, and Martin-In-The-Fields are all across the street from each other and are an easy "three-fer". Or better yet - go to St Martin's for an evening concert and eat afterwards in the Crypt. The National Portrait Gallery has changed a lot since you were last there and the is a nice restaurant on the top floor with views over the rooftops and the Eye.
The Cabinet War Rooms, Banqueting Hall and Westminister Abbey are very near each other and the Banq. Hall doesn't take much time.
Changing of the Guard - well your husband has got to do what he's got to do - maybe while he is hanging around the the Palace waiting for the Guard, you can nip around the corner to the Royal Mews or Queen's Gallery.
Tower of London - go in the morning to avoid the crazy crowds.
British Museum - you are staying so near and it is free so you can nip in on the way to other places and see a few galleries. Then stop by another day for a few more. It has also changed a lot and there are restaurants/cafes in the Great court. You can eat there at night even when the Museum is closed.
Tate Britain
Two musicals - these won't conflict w/ anything since they are at night.
"I don't fancy the idea of spending a day at the RAF museum or the Imperial War Museum." If you really have no interest, your hubby could go out to the RAF Museum and you could do some shopping in town or go to a matinee musical/play. But I'd be willing to bet you would REALLY enjoy the Imperial War museum. It is one of the best attractions in London.
National Portrait Gallery, National Gallery, and Martin-In-The-Fields are all across the street from each other and are an easy "three-fer". Or better yet - go to St Martin's for an evening concert and eat afterwards in the Crypt. The National Portrait Gallery has changed a lot since you were last there and the is a nice restaurant on the top floor with views over the rooftops and the Eye.
The Cabinet War Rooms, Banqueting Hall and Westminister Abbey are very near each other and the Banq. Hall doesn't take much time.
Changing of the Guard - well your husband has got to do what he's got to do - maybe while he is hanging around the the Palace waiting for the Guard, you can nip around the corner to the Royal Mews or Queen's Gallery.
Tower of London - go in the morning to avoid the crazy crowds.
British Museum - you are staying so near and it is free so you can nip in on the way to other places and see a few galleries. Then stop by another day for a few more. It has also changed a lot and there are restaurants/cafes in the Great court. You can eat there at night even when the Museum is closed.
Tate Britain
Two musicals - these won't conflict w/ anything since they are at night.
"I don't fancy the idea of spending a day at the RAF museum or the Imperial War Museum." If you really have no interest, your hubby could go out to the RAF Museum and you could do some shopping in town or go to a matinee musical/play. But I'd be willing to bet you would REALLY enjoy the Imperial War museum. It is one of the best attractions in London.
Aug 10th, 2005, 12:08 AM
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On the IWM/RAF Museum point, in terms of travel and location: the RAF Museum is well out towards the end of the Northern Line about 45 minutes from central London, while the IWM is in Lambeth, within 10-15 minutes walk of the London Eye, the South Bank and Westminster. I would second Janis's point about the IWM in general - it's not just about boys and their toys (there is some machinery on display, but not a lot, all things considered). There is a lot of thoughtful material about the experience of different sorts of warfare and the effects on more than just the military. At the moment, there is an exhibition on "The Children's War". You might want to check the websites to see exactly what's where:
www.rafmuseum.org.uk
www.iwm.org.uk
www.rafmuseum.org.uk
www.iwm.org.uk
Aug 10th, 2005, 12:43 AM
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Just a couple more suggestions for you, which are all new additions to London's attractions since your last visit, and all located close together on the re-generated South Bank:
1) London Eye (a.k.a. Millennium Wheel) - this is the huge ferris wheel type structure which gives you fantastic views across London. It's the biggest in the world, and the 'trip' lasts about 30 minutes. It's located right on the river just across from the Houses of Parliament - nearest tube is Waterloo (or just across the bridge from from Westminster).
2) Tate Modern - even if modern art is not your thing, it's worth a quick visit just to see the massive turbine hall. Again located on the South Bank, maybe 10 minutes walk from the London Eye towards London Bridge (or just across the river from St Paul's Cathedral using the new Millennium Bridge). Free entry.
3) Shakespeare's Globe - a fairly impressive re-creation of Shakespeare's Globe theatre. Again on the South Bank, 5 minutes walk from the Tate Modern.
If you haven't got time for all three, then IMO priority goes to the London Eye - a fantastic experience (provided visibility is good!).
Have a great trip.
Dave
1) London Eye (a.k.a. Millennium Wheel) - this is the huge ferris wheel type structure which gives you fantastic views across London. It's the biggest in the world, and the 'trip' lasts about 30 minutes. It's located right on the river just across from the Houses of Parliament - nearest tube is Waterloo (or just across the bridge from from Westminster).
2) Tate Modern - even if modern art is not your thing, it's worth a quick visit just to see the massive turbine hall. Again located on the South Bank, maybe 10 minutes walk from the London Eye towards London Bridge (or just across the river from St Paul's Cathedral using the new Millennium Bridge). Free entry.
3) Shakespeare's Globe - a fairly impressive re-creation of Shakespeare's Globe theatre. Again on the South Bank, 5 minutes walk from the Tate Modern.
If you haven't got time for all three, then IMO priority goes to the London Eye - a fantastic experience (provided visibility is good!).
Have a great trip.
Dave
Aug 10th, 2005, 03:54 AM
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Book tickets to "Guys and Dolls" ASAP I heard that they are hard to come by!
Check the changing of the guard as I think it may be every other day after 15 Aug
London Eye is great around dusk is a suggestion so you see the lights coming on!
You will have a great time just relax and enjoy!
Let hubby do war stuff you go shopping!
Check the changing of the guard as I think it may be every other day after 15 Aug
London Eye is great around dusk is a suggestion so you see the lights coming on!
You will have a great time just relax and enjoy!
Let hubby do war stuff you go shopping!
Aug 10th, 2005, 06:07 AM
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guarros' mention of Tate Modern reminded me of something I forgot to mention . . .
There is a direct water taxi that links Tate Britain and Tate Modern w/ a stop at the Eye. A "Tate to Tate" is a great way to kill 4 birds w/ one stone -- two fantastic galleries, a boat trip and the Eye.
There is a direct water taxi that links Tate Britain and Tate Modern w/ a stop at the Eye. A "Tate to Tate" is a great way to kill 4 birds w/ one stone -- two fantastic galleries, a boat trip and the Eye.
Aug 10th, 2005, 06:49 AM
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Get busy with the "Guys and Dolls" tickets, as that show is very popular. If you cannot get tickets to your two first choices, you might try the half-price booth at Leicester Square when you get to London. We bought tickets for 4 different shows there last week. ("Chicago," "The Woman in White," "Phantom of the Opera" and "As You Like It." Only Phantom was a big disappointment.)
We went to the Tower of London on Friday, July 29, and it was not crowded at all. We got there shortly after opening, and had all the time in the world to see the Crown Jewels. The guards told us we could go by them as often as we wished. I did not have that experience the last time I was in London, when the lines were miles long and you were rushed right through! Do take the tour with one of the Beefeaters--this was our second time doing so, and the guides are really wonderful and funny.
The good news for you is the Tube lines are all open now, so getting around should be quick and easy. The Circle Line and part of the Piccadilly Line were still closed when we were there, so it took us longer to get where we wanted to go, since we had to keep changing lines. We almost missed our scheduled time at Buckingham Palace because of that. If the Palace is still open in September, and I think it is, that was one of the highlights of our trip. We bought the tickets online before we went, and both my daughter and I were hugely impressed. We actually skipped the Changing of the Guard (which you must also check, as I think it is only on odd days in August) in lieu of seeing the actual palace, since it is only open to visitors in August and September. I figured I could see the Changing of the Guard at another time. But, if your husband's heart is set on it, then I would indulge him, as you never know if you will have the opportunity to return.
We went to the Tower of London on Friday, July 29, and it was not crowded at all. We got there shortly after opening, and had all the time in the world to see the Crown Jewels. The guards told us we could go by them as often as we wished. I did not have that experience the last time I was in London, when the lines were miles long and you were rushed right through! Do take the tour with one of the Beefeaters--this was our second time doing so, and the guides are really wonderful and funny.
The good news for you is the Tube lines are all open now, so getting around should be quick and easy. The Circle Line and part of the Piccadilly Line were still closed when we were there, so it took us longer to get where we wanted to go, since we had to keep changing lines. We almost missed our scheduled time at Buckingham Palace because of that. If the Palace is still open in September, and I think it is, that was one of the highlights of our trip. We bought the tickets online before we went, and both my daughter and I were hugely impressed. We actually skipped the Changing of the Guard (which you must also check, as I think it is only on odd days in August) in lieu of seeing the actual palace, since it is only open to visitors in August and September. I figured I could see the Changing of the Guard at another time. But, if your husband's heart is set on it, then I would indulge him, as you never know if you will have the opportunity to return.
