Aly_Scott

I'm planning a surprise getaway to London for my husband's 50th birthday in late May. We've never been to London (except the airport), and we're going to see Clapton in concert at the Royal Albert.

We'll only have two days there (crazy, but that's all the time we can take with leaving our kids at home) plus two travel days which are shot. We fly in from NY and arrive late that night, then the next day is the concert, then our last day is free, before we get up at the crack of dawn to fly home out of Heathrow. We're not big tourists but we love to explore particularly on foot - the road less travelled, well, that's us. Museums perhaps, stores no, theaters - well, we'll be at the concert! but we're not into the theater scene even in NY.

1. We'll have very little time and will likely be jet lagged - and we don't like to preplan much so we can explore and find unique spots. What are the one or two key sights to see or neighborhoods to explore? I'm thinking possibly Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, or St. Paul's Cathedral (or some combination).

2. Where to stay that is romantic, reasonably priced, clean, and in the center of things (or at least a walk/cab ride/subway ride away from things? I care about value but I need not go crazy about being on budget - tickets are already outrageously high (new fee for UK travel?) plus the exchange rate not exactly in our favor, so it's going to be a pricey trip.

I reaiize this is nutty - I could not begin to tell someone what to see in NY in two days, but I suppose I could recommend some "must sees!"

Thanks for your advice! I can hardly wait to surprise my dear love! I wish we had more time to explore the British Isles, where my family is from, but that will be a future trip (with kids next time) I'm sure.

sarahmarie

Greetings! I don't have much advice but I do want to applaud you for the fun adventure you're surprising your husband with. My husband and I once attended a Van Morrison concert in Stratford and three American women who had been college roommates had flown in for the concert! I'm just sorry my husband and I will not be in London until the end of June so we will miss Clapton on his native soil!!
I highly recommend the Tower of London. For walkers on a first time, short visit to London I suggest beginning at Westminster Abbey, passing Parliament, Big Ben to Trafalgar Square, up The Mall to Buckingham Palace. From there back track to Leicester Square and head towards Covent Garden. Not unique but a bit of London.
Enjoy the concert!!

PatrickLondon

As a Londoner I can't help on hotels, but I'd suggest staying somewhere in Kensington, close to the Albert Hall. That way, you don't have to worry about getting through the crowds after the concert; and you can spend your first jetlagged day maybe dropping into the museums at South Kensington (they're free), strolling in the parks, and maybe nipping back for a nap so you're up to speed for the concert.

For the next day, maybe, Tower of London first to avoid the crowds, boat ride back to Westminster or walk along the South Bank. Abbey if there's time and crowds permit, and/or the walk that sarahmarie suggests, with or without Buckingham Palace (again depending on time and preferences).

texasbookworm

How fun! Aren't surprising spouses great! Mine surprised me with a trip to England for our 30th anniversary, so I know what a treat he's in for when you tell him.

First, staying within walking distance of the Royal Albert is a great suggestion and includes lots of areas; we stayed in a B&B in Belgravia, near Hyde Park Corner tube stop/rather near Harrod's and walked to and from a concert there our last evening. Plus if you stay in the Kensington/south Kensington/Belgravia area, you can ride the Tube using the Picadilly line from LHR and not have to change lines and would be the cheapest way to get to your rooms (provided you are within walking distance from a tube stop; I'm assuming you won't have much luggage).

But for getting back to LHR, I'd look into getting a car service, like justairports; that's what we did when we needed to be at LHR really early, too. You could have them pick you up at the airport, too, of course; a tube ride will be much cheaper and not a whole lot longer than a car ride, but I'd only suggest that for the ride in, not back to LHR.

For your first day when you might not wake up too perky, maybe as suggested above go to the Westminster area--see Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Bridge, etc. Go into Westminster Abbey and then if you want and have time walk up the street to Trafalgar Square. I'd make the Abbey the only planned touring site that day and play the rest by ear, depending on how you feel, weather, where your rooms actually are, when the concert is, etc. There are lots of different places to stroll and explore this day, but making the Abbey a prime destination would work well.

The next day, do try to be at the Tower at opening time, spend the morning, walk across the Tower Bridge and along the Southbank to the Milinneum Bridge and across to St. Paul's and you'll probably have time to go in there, too.

(Except the Abbey and St. Paul's aren't open for tours on Sundays--you don't say when you are going but need to keep that in mind.)

Aly_Scott

Thanks for the suggestions! What is the area around Royal Albert like? The last thing I want to do is travel all this way to stay at an American-style Marriott or Hyatt (though I have to say, we stayed at a Marriott in Rome a few years ago and it was a gorgeous property).

I'm toying with adding a day - my original plan was to fly out Friday and fly back Monday, but the Saturday concert is completely sold out, so I can either get tix for Friday night or Monday. The challenge is our youngest's last day of nursery school is that Friday, and I really wanted to be there. *sigh* It's Memorial Day weekend, leaving either Thu or Fri (arriving same day late) and returning probably Monday (alternate if we go to the Monday concert would be flying in Sat and returning on Wed).

I have to thank the royals for scheduling their wedding in April - seems like everything is wide open the end of May!

Walking tour of Westminster area sounds terrific, esp. for our first day. If you had an extra day, where would you head? I'm assuming we should skip a car and just ride the tube. But given our very late arrival at Heathrow, I think I will pre-book a car to the hotel.

Other must sees? I find the neighborhoods a bit overwhelming as I know nothing about the city. Also, I'm thinking of surprising hubby on the plane with a travel book (though he's not really into that - it will be a long flight) - any suggestions?

Thanks!!

mamcalice

We love the London museums. The British Museum and the Victoria and Albert are two of my favorites. If you add a day, try to see at least one - and they're free!

bachslunch

Aly_Scott, I'm in agreement with your assessment of Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's, and Tower of London as "musts." Different people have different sightseeing interests, of course.

Depending on the day, a good one-day combination would pair the last two of these, starting at the Tower of London right when it opens. Go see the crown jewels first, as this can get crowded as the day progresses. A Yeoman Warder tour can happen next (I found these to be very entertaining and informative), then walking the grounds and seeing the White Tower exhibits. St. Paul's is not all that far away from here.

I'd save Westminster Abbey for the second day, adding on other attractions as time and interest permit.

mamcalice is right --- there are scads of excellent museums in London, large and small, that address many interests. I'd do some guidebook or forum research to pin down those whose subjects appeal most to you.

lizziea06

The Pelham Hotel is right in South Kensington near to the Royal Albert and walking distance from the V&A, Natural History Museum, Kings Rd, Belgravia, etc., etc.

http://www.pelhamhotel.co.uk/

Conversely, you could stay at the Notting Hill at the Portobello, which is FAB:

http://www.portobellohotel.com/

Both of these are the antithesis of Hyatts with great locations and easy access to Royal Albert Hall

ssander

Not a lot of time in a very big city, so here are my thoughts of must-sees:

(1) The Tower is #1 on my list.

(2) Then choose either Westminster Abbey or St. Paul. If doing the Abbey, take the Thames cruise from one to the other.

(3) Find a good self-guided walk in the Westminster-Trafalgar area.

Other than those, you'll need to do some research and tailor your last few choices to your personal interests (art, history, shopping, royalty, etc.)

Whatever you choose, you're sure to have a great time.

SS

Aly_Scott

Thanks all so much! It's a go - got the sitter, so I'm going to schedule it for the longer weekend - Thu through Monday (so we'll have three days for enjoying the city). Now it's a matter of booking everything and getting a guidebook, and trying to keep it a secret for the next two months.

I'll check here if anyone else has other hotel rec's or suggestions on to-do's, how to navigate around the city, or whatever else you might offer! Thanks again!

texasbookworm

Keep enjoying the planning and mum's the word from here! Do remember to check opening times for stuff--can't tour churches on Sundays.

Will watch for other questions and hope you post a TR!