2 days in London
 

We've arranged for a 2 day layover in London - and want to make the most of our time. Should we concentrate on London proper or try and do England in a Day with one of the giant bus tours? So much to see...so little time! We are hoping to score tickets to a Globe Theater performance and would like to do a castle or two...plus the Tower, of course! Any suggestions welcome!

I would definitely stay in London - there is enough there to occupy a week!

The Tower is fantastic, expect to spend at least 1/2 a day there.

The Globe sells out far in advance so check here frequently:
http://www.shakespeares-globe.org/

By two days do you mean two full days, or do you fly in one and out the other?

You may also want to read this thread - its for three days but may give you some ideas:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...3-day-trip.cfm

I'm trying to imagine a bus tour that does "England in a day"!

I also have the same question as jamikins - do you arrive one day and leave the next, or do you have two full days to sightsee? Either way, the answer to your question is to concentrate on London proper.

Any castles are at least a half day trip from central London. Doesn't mean you shouldn't visit them if that's what you want, but you do need to realize that it will eat up a significant chunk of your time. The two closest are Hampton Court and Windsor Castle - searching here will give you lots of information.

The British Museum is high on my list; I also love the Victoria & Albert, but it's not on many first-timers' lists. Are you interested in anything in particular, other than castles?

Two full days is not very much time, there is no way you could see England. How about one day seeing the Tower of London plus maybe a guided walk with www.walks.com

The other day get the train to either Windsor Castle or Hampton Court Palace (I recommend Windsor although both are interesting) and get tickets to the Globe.

If you can't get tickets to the Globe - and be aware that a lot of it is standing only - you can get half price theatre tickets for that day at Half Price Tix in Leicester Square - look for the concrete booth - here is a picture as there are many similar establishments in the area
http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/tkts/

It's also nice to have a walk along the Thames, find the path near the London Eye and just stroll, there are a couple of bridges if you want to cross over and lots of landmarks to see along the way. You will find the time disappears.

Kay