GraceCO

I've already posted a message asking for accommodation suggestions in London for a trip 1/20-1/28, but would also appreciate any ideas on places to visit.

I've been to London many times and went to school there for several months as a college student, but haven't visited in nearly 10 years. Curious to know what tops your lists of "must-sees" these days.

Many thanks.

jamikins

So many - here are a few ideas:

Tower of London - I think the best site to see (1/2 day)
Borough Market on a Thurs or Fri for lunch (Sat is too busy)
Walk along Southbank from Tower Bridge to Westminster
St Pauls
Westminster Abbey/Parliament
Walks with www.walks.com they are all great and affordable, their pub walks are good fun for an evening
Spitalfields Market on a Sunday
Hampton Court Palace - 1/2 day
Theatre - www.tkts.co.uk to see whats showing and get discounted tickets in Leicester Square
Visit the top of One New Change on Cheapside by St Pauls to get a free and amazing view of St Pauls
Museum of London - free and intimate
British Museum
V&A Museum
Greenwich Market and Cutty Sark

That should get you started

GraceCO

jamikins, thanks very much!! I'm adding your suggestions to my list. Any opinion on the London Pass or the Oyster Pass?

jamikins

London Pass is a rip off - do a search here to see why.

Whether you use Oyster or a paper travel card depends on whether you want to take advantage of 2for1 deals www.daysoutguide.co.uk will give you the details.

I am away right now but do a search above for oyster and you will bring up tonnes of posts on the 2for1 and the oyster card!

janisj

If your "I" means you are traveling solo . . . then the Oyster makes most sense. Very easy - foolproof really.

London Pass is a marketing success which is primarily a money maker for them and a huge money waster for the users. Avoid it.

GraceCO

jamikins and janisj--thanks for the heads up on the London Pass. My daughter told me about the Oyster Pass. She's in grad school in London so I'm traveling solo to visit her there. Will purchase one of those before I depart.

As for travel from Heathrow--the Heathrow Express? Want to save money wherever it makes sense.

MmePerdu

I'd add to jamikins' list:

Dennis Severs' House, http://www.dennissevershouse.co.uk/
National Portrait gallery (my favorite place in London) http://www.npg.org.uk/

Hampstead Heath, village & historic properties properties (Fenton House, Keat's House, 2 Willow Rd, Kenwood House, among others) all walking distance from one another.
http://wikitravel.org/en/London/Hampstead

janisj

>>As for travel from Heathrow--the Heathrow Express?<<

The HEX almost never makes sense. How you get into London partly depends on where you are staying and your budget. So - determine where you are staying and then we can tell you the best way to get there . . . almost definitely NOT the HEX.

MmePerdu

From Heathrow I prefer the tube if it's convenient or the Heathrow Connect, less expensive, same station as Express (Paddington) just a few more stops. A deal if you aren't in a huge hurry, just a few minutes more.

MmePerdu

As janisj says, it depends entirely on where you're going and also how adept you are at handling the amount of stuff you're dragging along. Travel light, take the tube and save!