London vacation, 1st time in UK

Old May 29th, 2016, 04:45 PM
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London vacation, 1st time in UK

Hello, We are a family of 3 (me, husband and 17yr daughter) taking our first vacation in Europe. Our dates are July 2-10, 16. We fly July 2 out of NC to Heathrow July 3 at 8:45am and return July 10th leaving at 3:45pm. We are staying in the financial district. I'm trying to figure out what are must see's and should we attempt to do a day trip or two? Paris and Stoneheage are the day trips we are thinking of. Our daughter wants to see a Shakespeare play (Midsummer Dream) at the globe and a broadway production like the "Lion King" .

I'm trying to understand the 2for1 tickets and the oyster card and the other discount cards available.

We want to see some much but know we don't have time to see all, a reason to go back.

We will be the typical American family going to the touristy places but I'd like to find some really cool things that are not so advertised. Like if you where to come to NC, I'd show you some really neat things not on the beaten path.

One big thing is I'm a huge Harry Potter fan, my family tolerates it for my sake.

Also maybe some suggestions for eating? Budget is moderate, thinking $10 for breakfast $15 for lunch $25 for dinner? Not saying we couldn't grab a juice and pastry for breakfast.

Suggestions, ideas, links, help with my rambling.................
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Old May 29th, 2016, 04:57 PM
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There are many threads here on Oyster cards and the two-for-one deals. Since there is more than one of you obviously you want the deals, which require a paper travel card bought at a main line station, not an Oyster.

By the "financial district" do you mean the City? Doesn't your hotel include breakfast?

Have you read any guidebooks? Any of the major guides will cover all the usual tourist sights, including Harry Potter.

For a day tour to Stonehenge look at London Walks. I would forget Paris on such a short trip.

You have probably left it too late to book the Globe unless you are willing to stand, but check the website. For other productions start at http://www.londontheatre.co.uk or use the TKTS booth in Leicester Square for cheap tickets the day of the performance.
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Old May 29th, 2016, 05:07 PM
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You have 6.5 days in London (not counting your departure day on which you could really only squeeze in maybe a walk in the AM) and the first day or so will likely be jet lagged.

one note: A Midsummer's Night Dream at the Globe isn't a traditional "Shakespearean production". It is more of a rock concert, neon lit, flamboyant, risqué, Bollywood-ish extravaganza. Not that you won't enjoy it -- but it just may not be what you are expecting

IMO/IME you could squeeze in one day trip but I personally wouldn't go to Paris or even Stonehenge. You could do a little over half a day's trip to either Hampton Court Palace or to Windsor.

>>I'm trying to understand the 2for1 tickets and the oyster card and the other discount cards available. paper 7 day zone 1-2 travel cards from an actual train station, plus possible Oysters loaded w/ some Pay as You Go cash to cover any trips outside of zone 2.

If you decide not to bother with the 2for1's, then you'd get Oysters loaded w/ the same (a 7 day zone 1-2 travelcard plus some PAYG £)

Most museums/galleries in London are free but places like the Tower of London are expensive so you may want to do the 2for1 . . .
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Old May 30th, 2016, 06:04 AM
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Hi, mday.

RE: A daytrip to the countryside
You'll have plenty to see and do in London, but if your family was interested in seeing the countryside, the Secret Cottage tour is a lovely one that I took last year. I posted some pics on my blog if you want to take a look.

I really love the Cotswolds, and this was a nice way to see many of the villages and meet some nice people. You might find that once you're there in London, you'll want a slower day/a day with less walking. You might even be able to sign up when you're there...? Not sure. I booked a single the night before, but then the tour was sold out.

This day trip is scheduled so that a person in London can take the train to Moreton-in-Marsh, you're picked up by a van right there at the station, you do your tour with lots of stops (and LOTS of food) and then returned to the station in time for a return to London.

http://www.cotswoldtourismtours.co.uk
http://www.susannelord.com/blog/2015...secret-cottage

Have a great time! Envious of your first trip there!
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Old May 30th, 2016, 06:20 AM
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Back again after searching for this...

RE: Street Food/Food Markets

Your family should enjoy the wonderful Borough Market, but another option, for lunch on a weekday, there is the Whitecross Street food market.

Food trucks set up on both sides of the street offered Indian, Thai, British, French pastries, German and Brazilian food. I understand there are pubs that will allow you to eat in their establishments, but as the weather was nice, I walked a block over and sat in Fortune Park instead, along with several dozen of the lunchtime crowd working in the City.

This was convenient for me as I was visiting the Museum of London. When you start setting up your itinerary, consider searching for food trucks/street food that will be in the area. An inexpensive and wonderful lunch.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/whitecross-market-london
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Old May 30th, 2016, 06:23 AM
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Also cheap, good and ubiquitous is Pret a Manger. If you take out you don't have to pay VAT (tax).
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Old May 30th, 2016, 07:42 AM
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which financial district?
you need to start thinking in pounds not $
Paris trip, book your tickets early (like now) and go for a very early start with a very late return eating supper in Paris

What you will see to keep your food bills down is Mark & Spencer food for the best sandwiches and carry-out drinks, supper look out for early bird specials in pubs and restaurants. If you really want to keep prices down avoid Meat as vegetarians (or items on Menu with "V") always cost less), avoid spirits which will be silly prices and anything with loads of sugar in it. Sugar Tax on the way.

BTW I'd only go to Paris as I live in the UK, if this is your first visit going to Paris is just a bit weird as London is so D@@n big.

Harry Potter visit up at Luton I think https://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/plan-...t/getting-here

look at time out for some other ideas
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Old May 30th, 2016, 08:38 AM
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As you are [probably] staying in the City, if you enjoyed the Da Vinci code [or even if you didn't] you might enjoy a stroll down Ludgate Hill and along Fleet street as far as Temple Bar - then take a left down Middle Temple Lane and you will enter another world of barristers' chambers, gas lamps, and beautiful gardens, as well as the Temple Church, which features in the aforesaid novel.

Definitely off the normal tourist trail:

http://www.templechurch.com

https://www.innertemple.org.uk/index...-temple-garden
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Old May 30th, 2016, 09:15 AM
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I count 7.5 days on the ground, the half day being your day of departure, assuming you get up early in the morning.

Most people on short trips to Europe don't spend their first day sleeping or whatever janisj does when she is jet lagged, so I don't understand discounting the entire day of arrival. Landing in the morning means you really must try hard to stay awake and active that first day.

All that said, I would not do day trip to Paris. To me, it would be unsatisfying to spend so little time in Paris, and sad to lose a day in London--but if you really want to, it's your trip, so go for it, knowing you will want to come back some day.

I was somewhat underwhelmed by Stonehenge, myself, so I'd skip it in favor of another day trip. There's just not much "there" there. But again, if Stonehenge speaks to you for some reason, enjoy!
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Old May 30th, 2016, 09:20 AM
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By financial district I hope you don't mean Canary Wharf. If you do I highly recommend rethinking that.
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Old May 30th, 2016, 09:25 AM
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>>I count 7.5 days on the ground
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Old May 30th, 2016, 09:28 AM
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Which BTW is exactly what I said up thread

>>You have 6.5 days in London (not counting your departure day on which you could really only squeeze in maybe a walk in the AM)
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Old May 30th, 2016, 09:41 AM
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I don't think anyone suggested or implied that you shouldn't do anything on arrival day just that you will likely be jet lagged to some degree. You don't want to attempt any major outings and visiting museums and similar on arrival isn't generally the best option. Actually annhig's suggestion is a good one. Getting out and walking about always works well for me. I always enjoy the area around Middle Temple Lane and especially the Temple Church since William Marshall is one of my favorite historical characters.
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Old May 30th, 2016, 09:54 AM
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How on earth will it take until 1pm to get to their hotel, janisj?

Just admit it, you love freaking people out about how little time they have and how horrible they will feel. Why you choose to sow dread before bestowing your advice, I have no idea, but it's tiresome.

Unless these people go to bed at 5pm like toddlers, they will have a full day to spend upon arrival. They will be tired, but not unconscious. They will be excited to be in London and will hit the ground running.

I do not agree that they should not attempt major outings. Again, this depends on the person, but young, fit people do not need to spend the first day taking it easy. I do agree that walking around outside is good, but any activity is good, including museums.
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Old May 30th, 2016, 10:07 AM
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>>How on earth will it take until 1pm to get to their hotel, janisj?possibly 1PM'.

They land at essentially 9AM w/ a whole slew of other morning arrivals, and are staying in (we think the City which is an hour+ no matter the mode of transport from LHR. It is very easy to spend an hour+ w/ the formalities at LHR so the very earliest they should be at their hotel would probably be 11:30 -- but noon is more likely and 1 PM is certainly not out of the question.

Want to nit pick some more?
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Old May 30th, 2016, 12:17 PM
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friends recently waited in line at Heathrow customs/passport checks for over an hour in line - it could be 2pm!
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Old May 30th, 2016, 03:04 PM
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Is your food budget (you've budgeted in dollars) per person? To convert to costs in pounds you'll (I think) need to multiply by 1.5 roughly.

If I had only 7 days in London I would stay in the London environs and maybe take a day trip or two outside London to the Cotswolds and Hampton Court.

There
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Old May 30th, 2016, 03:09 PM
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...is just so much to do in London for a first time visit. The Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Fortnum and Mason for high tea, a city tour bus ride (Hop on Hop Off Type), British Museum, Harry Potter Studios (must have advance tickers) etc. You might be able to squeeze in Stonehenge but quite frankly I think that is a waste of time and would take an entire day to get there and back. It just is not worth it imho.

If you go to the Cotswold (which I recommend) you can catch a Shakespeare Play in Stratford Upon Avon. The Royal Shakespeare Company is the best in the world (obviously) and worth it if you like his plays. Advance tickets would be helpful. Although you can sometimes buy them the day of if someone doesn't show up.
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Old May 30th, 2016, 03:53 PM
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Forget the HoHo. It is an unnecessary expense when regular buses will do just as well. All buses are liable to be very slow, and the HoHo, I hear, are often full when you want to get back on.
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Old May 30th, 2016, 05:56 PM
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As for your food budget IMHO it's very limited. Not restaurants but fast food or food from markets or premade meals from delis or food departments of major stores.

You do need to tart thinking in pounds, not $. And as for a sit down restaurant even a chain, like Fridays or Hard Rock, charges higher than in the US and pounds versus $ - so probably almost double in an inexpensive area in the U. (Think NYC prices plus 50% due to the value of the $.)

I would not try Paris - would be a VERY long day, a lot of money and hot time to really see very much - besides becoming accustomed to a different language and transit system for just one day. I would be much more likely to go see Hampton Court Palace, which is fascinating - esp if you have any interest in the Tudors.
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