cadd

Do I need to pre-book anything in London like sites/museums like you would need to in Italy? i.e. Uffizi, Academy, Colosseum tours, etc.

bilboburgler

Virtually nothing, though if going up on the Eye there are timed and zero queue type tickets which are worth it

Most major museums are free so you just roll up and walk in.

There may be some date dependent visits that need booking, but that is different, while theatres can be booked or you just buy on the night if indifferent to what you are seeing.

Interesting use of the word "pre" surely you just book not pre-book. I ask this as a linguist as I notice that more things are being pre-planned in the states. Any thoughts?

MmePerdu

I have a friend who is driven crazy by use of another redundant phrase, "this point in time". I'm sick to death of the current craze for beginning sentences with "so". These, too, shall pass.

thursdaysd

While it is true that a lot of the good stuff in London is free, there are some places with admission fees, and some of those will allow you to buy ahead of time on the internet, perhaps at a small discount. It's not clear whether that will always let you skip the line, however. The Tower of London website says you get your tickets at the ticket office just like everyone else.

I agree with bilbo about the use of "pre", seems odd to me, too. Either you book, or you don't.

PatrickLondon

The only other footnote I'd add is that you would have to book and pay for major temporary exhibitions, even at the free museums. But even then, unless it's really popular, it usually wouldn't be a problem to get in either on the day or by booking a day or two beforehand, especially towards the end of its run. You'd need to keep an eye on the websites of any you're particularly interested in; but if you just want to see what the main museum is like, just stroll in.

PatrickLondon

Ah yes, the Tower: I'd aim to get there for opening time, to avoid the worst of the crowds. You also need to pay for Westminster Abbey and St Paul's but I've no idea whether early booking is necessary or advised.

flanneruk

"more things are being pre-planned in the states. "

It's not necessarily redundant.

In marketing and similar disciplines, a "planned purchase" is when you intend to buy a shirt when you're next in town or online. A "pre-planned purchase" is when you plan to buy a blue Oxford button-down shirt.

Indeed a ""pre-planned purchase" in America is when you plan to buy a Van Heusen blue Oxford button-down shirt.

The distinction varies a bit depending on context.

The bizarre fad for "So," answers is simply beyond explanation of course.

janisj

What you would need to pre-book are any A list restaurants, blockbuster and limited run plays, and the huge exhibitions (like in the past - the Alexander McQueen at the V&A or the Matisse at the Tate Modern)

But museums - most are free, and for many other sites you cannot book ahead IF you want to use the 2for1 DaysOut discounts.

thursdaysd

@PL - I've been seeing the advice to get to the Tower early for years. Does it really still work?

Somewhere else you can buy ahead of time is Buckingham Palace, does that have a limit on the number of visitors? I seem to remember I did book ahead when I visited, but I don't remember why.

MmePerdu

...and @ before a name.

thursdaysd

Tweet tweet.

MmePerdu

Oh no, lost my way on the way to fodors.