Sites to see in London
Feb 8th, 2011, 07:32 PM
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Sites to see in London
We have booked a 6 day trip to London for the end of March. We would love to know your "must do" sites and any/all great tours. It's our first time in London, but would consider day trips out to the country. (Oxford and the Cotswolds). Feel free to suggest restaurants in town. If you purchased the London Pass was that worthwhile? Thanks. Cheerio!
Feb 8th, 2011, 07:53 PM
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You will hear from the experts relatively soon. I am surprised janisj hasn't chimed in yet. I am not an expert by any means. I just traveled to London over the christmas break for the first time. My research was that the London Pass is not worth it.
Depending on what you want to see, a paper Travelcard that you can buy at a train station is great for getting 2-for-1 deals, assuming that there are at least 2 of you. We used the paper Travelcard to buy tickets to the Tower of London and St. Paul's Cathedral. We went for 7 days and wished we had more time in London proper. Other great sites are all the museums: National Gallery of Art, National Portrait Gallery, Tate Britain, Tate Modern, British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum. What are you interested in?
Depending on what you want to see, a paper Travelcard that you can buy at a train station is great for getting 2-for-1 deals, assuming that there are at least 2 of you. We used the paper Travelcard to buy tickets to the Tower of London and St. Paul's Cathedral. We went for 7 days and wished we had more time in London proper. Other great sites are all the museums: National Gallery of Art, National Portrait Gallery, Tate Britain, Tate Modern, British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum. What are you interested in?
Feb 8th, 2011, 08:09 PM
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As you are about to find out when others respond to your question, there is more to see in London than you could possibly cover in six days.
You might want to read DW's trip reports at:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...y-trips.cfm?93
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...d-wales.cfm?96
My two cents: Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Parliment, Tower of London (Crown jewels), Tower Bridge (I'm an engineer and took the tour) are all key icons. British Museum and V&A Museum, British Library (everyone should see a Magna Carta) are worthy and educational.
For a day trip, Oxford is an easy bus ride. I like to take pictures and it has a lot of distictive architecture.
You might want to read DW's trip reports at:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...y-trips.cfm?93
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...d-wales.cfm?96
My two cents: Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Parliment, Tower of London (Crown jewels), Tower Bridge (I'm an engineer and took the tour) are all key icons. British Museum and V&A Museum, British Library (everyone should see a Magna Carta) are worthy and educational.
For a day trip, Oxford is an easy bus ride. I like to take pictures and it has a lot of distictive architecture.
Feb 8th, 2011, 10:45 PM
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It completely depends on what you are interested in. I recommend getting good guide book - I like the Michelin Green Guide - highlight what you want to see. Then organize the sites by location and see what you can fit in.
Some of my favourites - Tower (the best in London I think which takes 1/2 day, Westminster (parliament and westminster abbey), South Bank and Borough Market, great pubs, St James' Park and Buckingham Palace.
Dont forget to include travel time and a nice pub lunch.
I always recommend London Walks for 2 hour guided walking tours (their night pub walks are fun) and for their Explorer Days out of London - www.walks.com
Once you have an idea of what you want to see, post your itinerary and we will help you make it happen in the most effective way.
Enjoy your planning!
Some of my favourites - Tower (the best in London I think which takes 1/2 day, Westminster (parliament and westminster abbey), South Bank and Borough Market, great pubs, St James' Park and Buckingham Palace.
Dont forget to include travel time and a nice pub lunch.
I always recommend London Walks for 2 hour guided walking tours (their night pub walks are fun) and for their Explorer Days out of London - www.walks.com
Once you have an idea of what you want to see, post your itinerary and we will help you make it happen in the most effective way.
Enjoy your planning!
Feb 8th, 2011, 11:26 PM
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Hampton Court Palace is great and we loved Windsor Castle and either are good for an easy day trip. Windsor Castle is close to Eton College and there is quite a nice little village to visit.
I second Jamikins recommendation of Borough Market if you are a foodie. We bought lunch there and sat on the grass to eat, plus we could taste almost anything we fancied on the stalls at the market.
I second Jamikins recommendation of Borough Market if you are a foodie. We bought lunch there and sat on the grass to eat, plus we could taste almost anything we fancied on the stalls at the market.
Feb 9th, 2011, 04:12 AM
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I didn't vist Borough Market until my second London trip (I think it is only open Thu-Sat), but I did tour the adjacent Southwark Cathedral on both trips. The market was fun and we ate on the Cathedral gorunds with a lot of other folks enjoying the sunshine.
Also, I negelected to mention I think any Wren design is worth seeing, most notably Saint Paul's.
Also, I negelected to mention I think any Wren design is worth seeing, most notably Saint Paul's.
Feb 9th, 2011, 05:58 AM
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For travelling around you can get yourself a paper Travelcard for the number of days or load the same onto an Oyster card.
As far as sights are concerned apart from the usual ones like Big Ben, Westminister Abbey, Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's you may also want to consider a walk down Portebello road on a Saturday for the Portobello Road Market.
As far as sights are concerned apart from the usual ones like Big Ben, Westminister Abbey, Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's you may also want to consider a walk down Portebello road on a Saturday for the Portobello Road Market.
Feb 9th, 2011, 06:22 AM
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A guidebook will definitely help you out - we can tell you what most people see their first time (Westminster Abbey, St Paul's, the Tower, the British Museum), but you may not care about those things, or there may be specific things that interest you more than most first-time visitors. My other favorites are the National Portrait Gallery and the Victoria & Albert Museum.
Another vote for London Walks - I did their Explorer Day to Oxford and the Cotswolds in 2009 and really enjoyed it. It isn't a thorough visit to either, but is a great way to see a bit of both. I've also done several of their in-London walks and highly recommend them.
Another vote for London Walks - I did their Explorer Day to Oxford and the Cotswolds in 2009 and really enjoyed it. It isn't a thorough visit to either, but is a great way to see a bit of both. I've also done several of their in-London walks and highly recommend them.
