London Itinerary - Makes Sense...Suggestions?
Mar 12th, 2017, 07:16 AM
#1
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London Itinerary - Makes Sense...Suggestions?
Folks:
Please let me know if this makes sense or whether you have suggestions in better to align these activities. I based this location and what "seems" to be feasible to do. Obviously, things can change throughout the day.
This coming April...
Day 1 - Monday
- Arrive at Heathrow at 10am
-Trafalgar Square
-Sky Garden
-Covent Garden
-British Museum
Day 2 - Tuesday
-Westminster Abbey
-House of Parliament
-British Museum
-Churchill War Room
-London Eye
Day 3 - Wednesday
-Warner Brothers Harry Potter 12:30pm Entry
-Camden Lock Market
-Kensington Palace
-Harrods
Day 4 - Thursday
-Tower of London
-Museum of London
-Tower Bridge
-St. Paul's Cathedral
-HMS Belfast
-Shakespeare Globe Theater
Day 5 - Friday
-Buckingham Palace
-Greenwich
-British Museum
Day 6 - Saturday (will stay with cousin in Carshalton outside of London)
-Stonehenge
-Bath
Day 7 - Sunday
-Cotswold
-Stratford Upon Avon
Monday - Train to Edinburgh...
Key Notes:
-Day 7 - I'm not sure whether I should even try for this is reclaim it for leaving to go to Edinburgh?
-Edinburgh will be between Monday to Friday (flight back from Edinburgh to Heathrow morning and fly back home from Heathrow afternoon).
I'm open to other suggestions. I'm not sure if there is any other locations I'm missing that I should add to my itinerary. Overall help me tailor and refine it.
Please let me know if this makes sense or whether you have suggestions in better to align these activities. I based this location and what "seems" to be feasible to do. Obviously, things can change throughout the day.
This coming April...
Day 1 - Monday
- Arrive at Heathrow at 10am
-Trafalgar Square
-Sky Garden
-Covent Garden
-British Museum
Day 2 - Tuesday
-Westminster Abbey
-House of Parliament
-British Museum
-Churchill War Room
-London Eye
Day 3 - Wednesday
-Warner Brothers Harry Potter 12:30pm Entry
-Camden Lock Market
-Kensington Palace
-Harrods
Day 4 - Thursday
-Tower of London
-Museum of London
-Tower Bridge
-St. Paul's Cathedral
-HMS Belfast
-Shakespeare Globe Theater
Day 5 - Friday
-Buckingham Palace
-Greenwich
-British Museum
Day 6 - Saturday (will stay with cousin in Carshalton outside of London)
-Stonehenge
-Bath
Day 7 - Sunday
-Cotswold
-Stratford Upon Avon
Monday - Train to Edinburgh...
Key Notes:
-Day 7 - I'm not sure whether I should even try for this is reclaim it for leaving to go to Edinburgh?
-Edinburgh will be between Monday to Friday (flight back from Edinburgh to Heathrow morning and fly back home from Heathrow afternoon).
I'm open to other suggestions. I'm not sure if there is any other locations I'm missing that I should add to my itinerary. Overall help me tailor and refine it.
Mar 12th, 2017, 08:54 AM
#2
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Too much many days; too much to and froing, too.
You don't say where you are staying, which adds to itinerary plan, especially maybe Day 1.
Day 1--Drop the British Museum (which needs 2-infinite hours, once you are there)
Day 2--Drop British Museum
Day 4 seems too much; the Tower takes 2-4 hours, St. Paul's 1-3, Museum of London several hours, too, so....
Day 5 seems the day to devote to the British Museum and......are you planning on going IN the Palace? If not, you will walk by it Day 2.
You don't say where you are staying, which adds to itinerary plan, especially maybe Day 1.
Day 1--Drop the British Museum (which needs 2-infinite hours, once you are there)
Day 2--Drop British Museum
Day 4 seems too much; the Tower takes 2-4 hours, St. Paul's 1-3, Museum of London several hours, too, so....
Day 5 seems the day to devote to the British Museum and......are you planning on going IN the Palace? If not, you will walk by it Day 2.
Mar 12th, 2017, 09:01 AM
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Sorry I just realized what I did.
British Museum on Day 5 ONLY.
In addition, honestly, I want to go to one of the Museums.
-British Museum
-Natural History Museum
-Museum of London
If you had to choose one, which one should I not miss? I know they are all nice but as you can see, there isn't a whole lot of days and I don't want to be stuck in a Museum. I'll seek people's advice here if it can be best spent elsewhere?
British Museum on Day 5 ONLY.
In addition, honestly, I want to go to one of the Museums.
-British Museum
-Natural History Museum
-Museum of London
If you had to choose one, which one should I not miss? I know they are all nice but as you can see, there isn't a whole lot of days and I don't want to be stuck in a Museum. I'll seek people's advice here if it can be best spent elsewhere?
Mar 12th, 2017, 09:07 AM
#4
All of your London days need some serious re-thinking.
Day 1 likely isn't doable. With a 10AM arrival you probably won't be to your hotel until about 1PM and assuming you can check in then you won't be ready to hit the streets until at least 2PM. Plus doing something 'brain intensive' and indoors like the British Museum really isn' a good idea after an over night flight. Trafalgar Sq and Covent Garden are good -- outdoors and near each other.
Day 2 is pretty much impossible. (that is assuming you meant the British Museum this day and not day1). Parliament is just a walk by and the Abbey/War Rooms (about 2 hours each) are nearby so that is good and the Eye is just across the river -- but the Museum just doesn't fit
Day 3 is also impossible -- you won't be back from the studio tour until very late afternoon so Kens Palace will probably be a no go.
Day 4 is VERY full and even though all are in the same general area -- you won't have time to tour 5 attractions (I'm not counting the bridge since it is a walk across/look at sort of site)-- the Tower alone will take 3 or 4 hours
Day 5 really doesn't make a lot of sense -- (3rd time you've listed the Museum BTW). Buckingham Palace is just a walk by and close to most of the things you want to do Day 2. Greenwich and a river cruise would be good.
Day 1 likely isn't doable. With a 10AM arrival you probably won't be to your hotel until about 1PM and assuming you can check in then you won't be ready to hit the streets until at least 2PM. Plus doing something 'brain intensive' and indoors like the British Museum really isn' a good idea after an over night flight. Trafalgar Sq and Covent Garden are good -- outdoors and near each other.
Day 2 is pretty much impossible. (that is assuming you meant the British Museum this day and not day1). Parliament is just a walk by and the Abbey/War Rooms (about 2 hours each) are nearby so that is good and the Eye is just across the river -- but the Museum just doesn't fit
Day 3 is also impossible -- you won't be back from the studio tour until very late afternoon so Kens Palace will probably be a no go.
Day 4 is VERY full and even though all are in the same general area -- you won't have time to tour 5 attractions (I'm not counting the bridge since it is a walk across/look at sort of site)-- the Tower alone will take 3 or 4 hours
Day 5 really doesn't make a lot of sense -- (3rd time you've listed the Museum BTW). Buckingham Palace is just a walk by and close to most of the things you want to do Day 2. Greenwich and a river cruise would be good.
Mar 12th, 2017, 02:34 PM
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Janisj
Day 1 - British Museum will not happen. Thanks for confirming the other areas.
Day 2 - I can move British Museum to another day
I do plan to take a to take a tour in the house of Parliament which will probably take additional time.
Day 3 - I will see if I can move Kensington Palace another day.
Day 4 - I may skip Hans Belfast and the Shakespeare Globe theater.
Will Day 4 be ok then?
Day 5 - Let me rethink this one. If Buckingham Palace can be done in one of the earlier days then let me see.
I thought we had to see the changing of the guards at a certain time so I figured we would do it on a day that was not constraint on time.
Should I take out Cotswold Day 7 and just replace it to give an additional day to London.
Thanks again!
Please keep the suggestions coming.
Day 1 - British Museum will not happen. Thanks for confirming the other areas.
Day 2 - I can move British Museum to another day
I do plan to take a to take a tour in the house of Parliament which will probably take additional time.
Day 3 - I will see if I can move Kensington Palace another day.
Day 4 - I may skip Hans Belfast and the Shakespeare Globe theater.
Will Day 4 be ok then?
Day 5 - Let me rethink this one. If Buckingham Palace can be done in one of the earlier days then let me see.
I thought we had to see the changing of the guards at a certain time so I figured we would do it on a day that was not constraint on time.
Should I take out Cotswold Day 7 and just replace it to give an additional day to London.
Thanks again!
Please keep the suggestions coming.
Mar 12th, 2017, 06:25 PM
#8
>>I do plan to take a to take a tour in the house of Parliament which will probably take additional time.<<
Then Day 2 is really difficult. What time is your tour of Parliament? You have to show up early, go through security, wait for your timed tour . . . all in all it will eat up about 2 hours. Westminster Abbey and the Cabinet War rooms are approx 2 hour sites as well. But that doesn't factor in waiting in the queues or a meal so you could squeeze them all in -- but the spanner in the works is what time your Parliament tour is.
Re day 4: the Tower is a 3-4 hour site, St Pauls at least 90 minutes and the Museum 1- 2 hours depending on your interests. That 'seems' doable but is really rushed due to travel time, a meal, and the opening hours for the Cathedral and Museum. Re the Globe -- why not attend an evening performance -- that way you can see it but it won't interfere w/ daytime sightseeing.
>>I thought we had to see the changing of the guards at a certain time so I figured we would do it on a day that was not constraint on time.<<
Yes the Changing of the Guard is at a 'certain time' in the late morning. However it is a time eater. You need to arrive 1bout 90 minutes early to have a prayer of seeing anything - and then you can't move from your spot until the darned thing is over -- so your entire morning is shot. I would skip it myself.
>>Should I take out Cotswold Day 7 and just replace it to give an additional day to London.<<
IMO yes, (And I LOVE the Cotswolds and used to live just east of them). But you are hugely underestimating how long things take in London.
Then Day 2 is really difficult. What time is your tour of Parliament? You have to show up early, go through security, wait for your timed tour . . . all in all it will eat up about 2 hours. Westminster Abbey and the Cabinet War rooms are approx 2 hour sites as well. But that doesn't factor in waiting in the queues or a meal so you could squeeze them all in -- but the spanner in the works is what time your Parliament tour is.
Re day 4: the Tower is a 3-4 hour site, St Pauls at least 90 minutes and the Museum 1- 2 hours depending on your interests. That 'seems' doable but is really rushed due to travel time, a meal, and the opening hours for the Cathedral and Museum. Re the Globe -- why not attend an evening performance -- that way you can see it but it won't interfere w/ daytime sightseeing.
>>I thought we had to see the changing of the guards at a certain time so I figured we would do it on a day that was not constraint on time.<<
Yes the Changing of the Guard is at a 'certain time' in the late morning. However it is a time eater. You need to arrive 1bout 90 minutes early to have a prayer of seeing anything - and then you can't move from your spot until the darned thing is over -- so your entire morning is shot. I would skip it myself.
>>Should I take out Cotswold Day 7 and just replace it to give an additional day to London.<<
IMO yes, (And I LOVE the Cotswolds and used to live just east of them). But you are hugely underestimating how long things take in London.
Mar 13th, 2017, 12:30 AM
#9
Cotswolds and Stratford on Avon, I guess I'd have to question what you think the Cotswolds are? For me it is walks through the countryside.
I think we need a new itin to work with, oh, and I'd drop the changing of the guards.
I think we need a new itin to work with, oh, and I'd drop the changing of the guards.
Mar 13th, 2017, 10:31 AM
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I took my daughter to London in July, 2009. We were in London longer than you, but we also did more than you are doing. Here is a copy/paste of my notes and pre-trip schedule. It turned out well and was not too aggressive an itinerary. The days were laid out perfectly and we were able to do it all without being rushed. Maybe this will help you to realistically plan what you can do in a day. Also note, we visited Camden Market twice and Covent Gardens and Leicester Square two or three times. Doing so was not in the pre-travel plan, but we still had time for it. This is long, and I apologize in advance for not editing for your specific needs, but hopefully you will find helpful parts!
Thursday, Friday, Saturday: Stay in Salisbury – see Bath, Stonehenge, Glastonbury, Wells, and the Cotswolds – See separate notes
Saturday 18th: Arrive London by train at appx. 8pm, check into hotel, explore Leicester Square and/or Piccadilly Circus.
Sunday 19th: Westminster Cathedral for Mass (at opposite end of Victoria Street from Westminster Abbey). See Cathedral Tower Viewing Gallery - There is a small sign offering a lift ride to the top of the cathedral tower - no queues, great views and a quarter of the price of the London Eye! Open daily from 9:30am to 12:30pm and from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. In the afternoon, go to a park, do some shopping, or hang in fun areas like Covent Garden or Camden.
Monday 20th: Tower of London (allow 3-4 hours) – Buy tickets at the Tower Hill tube station before emerging from the underground – SEE THE CROWN JEWELS FIRST, also see the White Tower and take the Yeoman Warder's tour. Exit and walk to the Tower Bridge; Cross the Tower Bridge and walk along the South Bank of the river; it’s a nice walk with plenty of small sights along the way, as well as places to stop and eat. See Southwark Cathedral, the oldest cathedral church building in London, pass by the Golden Hinde ship, London Bridge, Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, and the Tate Modern, which is at the Millennium Bridge. Lots of photo ops along here. Cross the bridge to St. Paul’s and see the cathedral. If there’s still time in the day,go to Covent Gardens; head back to the hotel about 4:00pm, freshen up, go to dinner and see Les Miserable at 7:30pm.
Tuesday 21st: Go to Westminster Abbey – get there when it opens at 9:30. See Henry VII’s Chapel and the shrine to Edward the Confessor, and then Poet’s Corner; also very worthwhile is: the Chapterhouse, Pyx chamber, and a history of the church. Exit and see the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben for photo ops. Then, walk north on Whitehall toward Trafalgar Square – look down Downing on the left (blocked off with lots of security – home of the Prime Minister); Horse Guard Parade is on the right – take a photo, 11:00 is the guard changing - a mini version of the big one. Head toward Trafalgar Square, have lunch and go to the National Gallery – you can select what you want to see and computer will map it out for you (allow about 2 hours) and then check out the National Portrait Gallery – work from the top floor down. Exit at Martin’s Square and walk the Mall all the way to Buckingham Palace. Skip the Changing of the Guards and just walk around – see the guards in their watch posts, take a picture, etc. Take other photos, then go back down the Mall a short distance to Queen's Walk; follow Queen's Walk to a small alleyway on the right. Turn right and follow this alleyway to Cleveland Row. Walk along Cleveland Row and stop in front of St James' Palace on your right. This is where the London apartments of Princes Charles, William and Harry are. Photograph one of the Queen's Guards up close at St. James's Palace where a ramrod-straight and motionless sentry always stands on duty. Head back to Queen’s Court – follow it to Piccadilly and go to hotel to freshen up for high tea at the hotel @ 4:30. If we didn’t see St. James Park Sunday, we could do it now or something else in the evening. Late Dinner.
Wed. 22nd: Day trip to Oxford – leave early out of Paddington Station, take direct trains to and from.
Thursday 23rd: Tube to King's Cross, and find Platform 9-3/4 is at King's Cross from the Harry Potter movie; then go to the British Library to see Sir John Ritblat Gallery: Treasures of the British Library; then have lunch and go to the British Museum* (Open late Thursday & Friday) – it’s massive, we need to decide beforehand to focus on two or three sections that appeal most (allow about 3-4 hours).
Friday 24th: Windsor Castle via train from Waterloo station; tour castle; have lunch at The House on the Bridge. Explore Eton and the shops. Back to London – shop, do a walk, go to a fun night time area, see a play or a movie – Harry Potter will have just been released!
Saturday 25th: Hampton Court Palace in the morning, return to London at 2 or 3; and go to the Kensington/Knightsbridge area to shop and explore – Sloane Square; Harrod’s; King's road near Sloane Square. Go to Hyde Park – The park is huge, but be sure to check out its key spots, like Kensington Palace, the Round Pond, the Italian fountains, the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain and the Peter Pan statue, commissioned by the author J.M. Barrie.
Sunday 26th: Church; Take the Thames River Cruise up to the Tower Pier. If we didn’t walk from the Tower Bridge to the Millennium Bridge on Monday this might be a good time. Then go to Camden Market – have lunch there – they have good take away stalls.
Monday 27th: Do more shopping; go to parks . . . whatever we want – it’s our last day.
Tuesday 28th: Fly home . . . . EARLY
Tips:
Avoid the Tower on the weekend. Also plan to avoid museums on the weekend. VERY CROWDED - even more so than usual.
Check times of museums and rearrange schedule accordingly. Some are open as late as 11:00pm on certain nights to help make the most of the time we have.
Thursday, Friday, Saturday: Stay in Salisbury – see Bath, Stonehenge, Glastonbury, Wells, and the Cotswolds – See separate notes
Saturday 18th: Arrive London by train at appx. 8pm, check into hotel, explore Leicester Square and/or Piccadilly Circus.
Sunday 19th: Westminster Cathedral for Mass (at opposite end of Victoria Street from Westminster Abbey). See Cathedral Tower Viewing Gallery - There is a small sign offering a lift ride to the top of the cathedral tower - no queues, great views and a quarter of the price of the London Eye! Open daily from 9:30am to 12:30pm and from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. In the afternoon, go to a park, do some shopping, or hang in fun areas like Covent Garden or Camden.
Monday 20th: Tower of London (allow 3-4 hours) – Buy tickets at the Tower Hill tube station before emerging from the underground – SEE THE CROWN JEWELS FIRST, also see the White Tower and take the Yeoman Warder's tour. Exit and walk to the Tower Bridge; Cross the Tower Bridge and walk along the South Bank of the river; it’s a nice walk with plenty of small sights along the way, as well as places to stop and eat. See Southwark Cathedral, the oldest cathedral church building in London, pass by the Golden Hinde ship, London Bridge, Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, and the Tate Modern, which is at the Millennium Bridge. Lots of photo ops along here. Cross the bridge to St. Paul’s and see the cathedral. If there’s still time in the day,go to Covent Gardens; head back to the hotel about 4:00pm, freshen up, go to dinner and see Les Miserable at 7:30pm.
Tuesday 21st: Go to Westminster Abbey – get there when it opens at 9:30. See Henry VII’s Chapel and the shrine to Edward the Confessor, and then Poet’s Corner; also very worthwhile is: the Chapterhouse, Pyx chamber, and a history of the church. Exit and see the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben for photo ops. Then, walk north on Whitehall toward Trafalgar Square – look down Downing on the left (blocked off with lots of security – home of the Prime Minister); Horse Guard Parade is on the right – take a photo, 11:00 is the guard changing - a mini version of the big one. Head toward Trafalgar Square, have lunch and go to the National Gallery – you can select what you want to see and computer will map it out for you (allow about 2 hours) and then check out the National Portrait Gallery – work from the top floor down. Exit at Martin’s Square and walk the Mall all the way to Buckingham Palace. Skip the Changing of the Guards and just walk around – see the guards in their watch posts, take a picture, etc. Take other photos, then go back down the Mall a short distance to Queen's Walk; follow Queen's Walk to a small alleyway on the right. Turn right and follow this alleyway to Cleveland Row. Walk along Cleveland Row and stop in front of St James' Palace on your right. This is where the London apartments of Princes Charles, William and Harry are. Photograph one of the Queen's Guards up close at St. James's Palace where a ramrod-straight and motionless sentry always stands on duty. Head back to Queen’s Court – follow it to Piccadilly and go to hotel to freshen up for high tea at the hotel @ 4:30. If we didn’t see St. James Park Sunday, we could do it now or something else in the evening. Late Dinner.
Wed. 22nd: Day trip to Oxford – leave early out of Paddington Station, take direct trains to and from.
Thursday 23rd: Tube to King's Cross, and find Platform 9-3/4 is at King's Cross from the Harry Potter movie; then go to the British Library to see Sir John Ritblat Gallery: Treasures of the British Library; then have lunch and go to the British Museum* (Open late Thursday & Friday) – it’s massive, we need to decide beforehand to focus on two or three sections that appeal most (allow about 3-4 hours).
Friday 24th: Windsor Castle via train from Waterloo station; tour castle; have lunch at The House on the Bridge. Explore Eton and the shops. Back to London – shop, do a walk, go to a fun night time area, see a play or a movie – Harry Potter will have just been released!
Saturday 25th: Hampton Court Palace in the morning, return to London at 2 or 3; and go to the Kensington/Knightsbridge area to shop and explore – Sloane Square; Harrod’s; King's road near Sloane Square. Go to Hyde Park – The park is huge, but be sure to check out its key spots, like Kensington Palace, the Round Pond, the Italian fountains, the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain and the Peter Pan statue, commissioned by the author J.M. Barrie.
Sunday 26th: Church; Take the Thames River Cruise up to the Tower Pier. If we didn’t walk from the Tower Bridge to the Millennium Bridge on Monday this might be a good time. Then go to Camden Market – have lunch there – they have good take away stalls.
Monday 27th: Do more shopping; go to parks . . . whatever we want – it’s our last day.
Tuesday 28th: Fly home . . . . EARLY
Tips:
Avoid the Tower on the weekend. Also plan to avoid museums on the weekend. VERY CROWDED - even more so than usual.
Check times of museums and rearrange schedule accordingly. Some are open as late as 11:00pm on certain nights to help make the most of the time we have.
Mar 13th, 2017, 01:06 PM
#11
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Wow thanks for the suggestions. I'll take a look at this again and revise it. Thanks for being critical and honestly when I posted this, I expected this type of response because realistically I don't know what to really expect. This gives more of a reality so let me revise again.
-Aside from Changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace, any reason to even see Buckingham palace? Is that a tour in itself? (Sorry I haven't looked to the finer details) other than the general sight.
-I could skip Cotswold but I guess the question is, is there any major thing I'm missing for skipping it? I did want to see a bit of the countryside, even just to travel outside of London.
-Ironically enough, this was originally a London trip. 12 days span minus 2 days travel (14 days total). I think the only reason it was shortened was due to the fact that someone mentioned 5 days is enough to see London and I could also see Edinburgh. Edinburgh was supposed to be only a couple days stay then someone mentioned I should stay at least 4 days.
Yes, I know I have been bouncing back and forth with the plans and thanks everyone for being patient. I have traveled to every European country and this by far has been the most challenging to plan
.
-Aside from Changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace, any reason to even see Buckingham palace? Is that a tour in itself? (Sorry I haven't looked to the finer details) other than the general sight.
-I could skip Cotswold but I guess the question is, is there any major thing I'm missing for skipping it? I did want to see a bit of the countryside, even just to travel outside of London.
-Ironically enough, this was originally a London trip. 12 days span minus 2 days travel (14 days total). I think the only reason it was shortened was due to the fact that someone mentioned 5 days is enough to see London and I could also see Edinburgh. Edinburgh was supposed to be only a couple days stay then someone mentioned I should stay at least 4 days.
Yes, I know I have been bouncing back and forth with the plans and thanks everyone for being patient. I have traveled to every European country and this by far has been the most challenging to plan
.
Mar 13th, 2017, 02:38 PM
#13
My guess is that one of our 'favorite' Fodorites posted that 5 days is plenty to see London (he frequently posts that for a first visit 3 days is fine for any major city - but he has a short attention span . . .AND drinks paint 
)
You are visiting at the wrong time of year to tour buckingham palace, though many people like to at least see the exterior. The good news is it is in/near three nice parks so makes a nice respite.
)You are visiting at the wrong time of year to tour buckingham palace, though many people like to at least see the exterior. The good news is it is in/near three nice parks so makes a nice respite.
Mar 13th, 2017, 03:04 PM
#14
We went to Kensington Palace the afternoon after a morning visit to Hampton Court Palace. Unless you're dead set on Kensington Palace, that could be something you skip...especially after seeing Hampton Court.
Mar 13th, 2017, 03:33 PM
#16
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Nothing to see at BPalace, but the grounds, monuments and surrounding park are worth a cursory visit. You really should see it, but don't need to allow a lot of time.
As far as the Cotwolds, we did those as part of our first three days. We arrived London, had a driver take us immediately to Salisbury from where we based to see Bath, Stonehenge, Glastonbury, Wells, and the Cotswolds. Then we went to London and did the remainder of the trip. I loved spending the first few days in the "countryside." Here are the notes from that portion.
Thursday 16th:
Pick up from airport – go to Salisbury – CHECK Swindon to London train ticket!
Salisbury: Cathedral tour – SEE BEFORE 1:00 PM today!!! and Chapter House. Have late lunch, rest and go to Stonehenge in the evening.
Notes:
16th July 2009 from 1:00pm - 3:30pm The Cathedral - Due to the Southern Cathedrals Festival the Cathedral will close to visitors from 1.00-3.30pm today. The Shop, Restaurant, Chapter House (Magna Carta) remain open as normal. The Time Team Exhibition in the Cloisters will also be open.
The Morning Chapel - The Morning Chapel will not be open to visitors from 15-18 July due to the Southern Cathedrals Festival.
The Cathedral and Chapter House - Due to the Southern Cathedrals Festival the Cathedral will close to visitors at 5.45pm from 15-19 July. The Chapter House will close early at 5.30pm during this period.
Friday 17th: Wells and Glastonbury
Wells: Wells Cathedral, Bishop’s Palace, when at Wells, take a minute to step across the street to Vicar's Close, the oldest complete street from the 14th century in Europe.
Glastonbury: The Abbey, The Chalice Well, The Tor – The Abbey closes at 6:00 pm
Get back to Salisbury – maybe go to Evensong (4:30), or see what we didn’t on Thursday.
Saturday 18th:
Bath: Leave at 8:00 am. See the Baths first
Maybe take the mayor’s walking tour at 10:30 or see things on our own. (See below)
In Bath, tour the Baths (1 ½ to 2 hours) and the Abbey (1 hour). The other places we only want to walk by and take photos or quickly walk through: the Assembly rooms, Pulteney Bridge, Royal Crescent, and the Royal Circus. Take photo at Royal Theatre and Queens Square when we pass by them. If time permits, look at Victoria Park.
Leave Bath by 1:00 or so and go to the Cotswolds, Bourton-on-the-Water and Stow-on-the-Wold. Avebury????? Doubt there will be time. Check train times and be at train station in Swindon when we finish up the day at appx. 5 pm or in time for the train around that time.
Any questions, feel free to ask. I'll check back daily. =)
As far as the Cotwolds, we did those as part of our first three days. We arrived London, had a driver take us immediately to Salisbury from where we based to see Bath, Stonehenge, Glastonbury, Wells, and the Cotswolds. Then we went to London and did the remainder of the trip. I loved spending the first few days in the "countryside." Here are the notes from that portion.
Thursday 16th:
Pick up from airport – go to Salisbury – CHECK Swindon to London train ticket!
Salisbury: Cathedral tour – SEE BEFORE 1:00 PM today!!! and Chapter House. Have late lunch, rest and go to Stonehenge in the evening.
Notes:
16th July 2009 from 1:00pm - 3:30pm The Cathedral - Due to the Southern Cathedrals Festival the Cathedral will close to visitors from 1.00-3.30pm today. The Shop, Restaurant, Chapter House (Magna Carta) remain open as normal. The Time Team Exhibition in the Cloisters will also be open.
The Morning Chapel - The Morning Chapel will not be open to visitors from 15-18 July due to the Southern Cathedrals Festival.
The Cathedral and Chapter House - Due to the Southern Cathedrals Festival the Cathedral will close to visitors at 5.45pm from 15-19 July. The Chapter House will close early at 5.30pm during this period.
Friday 17th: Wells and Glastonbury
Wells: Wells Cathedral, Bishop’s Palace, when at Wells, take a minute to step across the street to Vicar's Close, the oldest complete street from the 14th century in Europe.
Glastonbury: The Abbey, The Chalice Well, The Tor – The Abbey closes at 6:00 pm
Get back to Salisbury – maybe go to Evensong (4:30), or see what we didn’t on Thursday.
Saturday 18th:
Bath: Leave at 8:00 am. See the Baths first
Maybe take the mayor’s walking tour at 10:30 or see things on our own. (See below)
In Bath, tour the Baths (1 ½ to 2 hours) and the Abbey (1 hour). The other places we only want to walk by and take photos or quickly walk through: the Assembly rooms, Pulteney Bridge, Royal Crescent, and the Royal Circus. Take photo at Royal Theatre and Queens Square when we pass by them. If time permits, look at Victoria Park.
Leave Bath by 1:00 or so and go to the Cotswolds, Bourton-on-the-Water and Stow-on-the-Wold. Avebury????? Doubt there will be time. Check train times and be at train station in Swindon when we finish up the day at appx. 5 pm or in time for the train around that time.
Any questions, feel free to ask. I'll check back daily. =)
Mar 13th, 2017, 03:44 PM
#18
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I agree with maitaitom on the Kensington Palace advice. We saw it from the outside, but after Hampton and Windsor, I feel it would pale in comparison. Spend that extra time in the park or elsewhere.
Mar 14th, 2017, 06:14 PM
#19
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Here are my 2 cents:
I agree with skipping the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Lots of time spent for not much payoff. But here is information about seeing the Queen's Life Guard at Horse Guards Parade: http://www.householddivision.org.uk/queen-life-guard
On the day that you're going to the Tower, St. Paul's, etc, if you find yourself short of time, I think you can skip Tower Bridge. To me, the tour of the bridge was nice, but not a highlight from our trips to London. From the Tower of London, you can see the bridge and take a picture with the bridge in the background...
Enjoy!
I agree with skipping the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Lots of time spent for not much payoff. But here is information about seeing the Queen's Life Guard at Horse Guards Parade: http://www.householddivision.org.uk/queen-life-guard
On the day that you're going to the Tower, St. Paul's, etc, if you find yourself short of time, I think you can skip Tower Bridge. To me, the tour of the bridge was nice, but not a highlight from our trips to London. From the Tower of London, you can see the bridge and take a picture with the bridge in the background...
Enjoy!
Mar 15th, 2017, 12:19 AM
#20
Oh - you really don't have time to 'tour' Tower Bridge no matter. You WILL see it - can't miss it really. But the tour itself after you' visited the Tower will eat up another hour or two you don't have.
