Hi all-
I will be in Paris in 3 days and just realized a quick zip over to London might be a blast. I've never been and frankly, just decided I'd do it, as I'll be in Paris for about 9 days. Any suggestions of what not to miss? A perfect restraunt, museum, or perhaps any wonderful dance clubs?

Thanks, Scooby

Scooby 2000 get yourself on the Big Bus tour. It's easy, all you do is buy a ticket (valid for 24 hours) and there are 3 different bus routes which take you past all the main sights. You can jump on and off as you wish at whatever takes your fancy. They also offer special rates into some of the sights. I honestly think that the Tower of London is not to be missed but the line up - if your time is tight - can be a hassle.

Hi,

My husband and I recently returned from our trip to Paris and we took a daytrip to London. We took the Eurostar and our train arrived in London at 8:30am. Our train back to Paris departed at 7:40pm (and you have to be at the station for check-in 30 min prior) so that gave us approximately 10 hours to spend in London. Originally we were going to do one of the bus tours, but we decided we would rather go on tours of some of the major sights rather than just have time to get an exterior overview of everything. Below is the agenda we followed:

9:30-10:45--tour of Westminster Abbey
11:30-12:00--Changing of the Guard
12:15-1:30--tour of Buckingham Palace
2:00-2:45--late lunch at Harrods
3:00-3:45--Kensington Palace & Gardens (no tour)
4:15-5:45--tour of Parliament
5:45-7:00--Trafalgar square/quick snack

Just to let you know, we walked everywhere with 2 exceptions--we took a cab from Harrods to Kensington Palace, and from Kensington Palace to Parliament. The 2 cab rides cost less than 1 bus ticket would have. We had a wonderful day in London and saw a lot considering the short amount of time we had. We didn't have time to see the Tower of London, but maybe next time. It all depends on how much you want to try to squeeze into 1 day. It would definitley help if you spent the night there, but we didn't have that option. Just a word of caution, the prices in London are considerably higher than in Paris--the exchange rate for the dollar is terrible, so be prepared!

Wow. Thanks so much. As always, very thorough replies. I can always count on Fodors. Thanks, Scooby

I'd try to hit the changing of the guard and the Tower of London/London Bridge.

If you can get tickets to Buckingham Palace, I'd do that as well.

The big bus tours are a nice overview. Also, one of the Jack the Ripper walking tours at night are quite fun and something that you can only do in London.

You'll get mixed opinions on this, but I'd avoid Harrods. Yes, it's big and has a neat food court, but it's out of the way and, when all is said and done, is just a really big department store.

For me the highlights in London were:

1. Westminster Abbey (I haven't been to France or Italy yet though).

2. The walk from the London Eye, across the river, via the parliament, westminster abbey, all the govt. offices to Trafalgar square. Get a good guide book that explains all the sights along the way.

3. The walk from the Tower of London, across the Tower bridge, along the Thames south bank, via the Shakepeare globe and Tate Modern, across the Millenium bridge to St. Pauls.

4. Tate Modern (I'm one of those people who don't get modern art, I trying to educate myself, but it's still very hit and miss for me. The Tate still blew me away)

The Tower of London is nice, but the crown jewels did not impress me much, nor did the tales of gore and torture. The really long line is for the crown jewels, so if you skip that, you shouldn't have to spend too much time on it. IMHO though, just a walk past it (esp. at night) is preferable for a 1 day schedule. If you do go get your tickets at the subway station, smaller line than at the gate.

Depending on what time frame you have in London (overnight / daytrip ?), I'd reccommend the evensong service at WestMinster Abbey, its beautiful (I'm not even christian) and you get to stay later and look at parts you wouldn't be able to otherwise.

PS: I was underwhelmed by Buckingham palace, though that could be because I visited Windsor Castle before Buckingham palace. And coming from Paris, you will probably have seen Versailles (sp?), so ....
The guards are fun to watch, but the ceremony itself IMO is not a must do on a 1 day trip. You'll see plenty of guards on the walk from the parliament to Trafalgar square.

Thank you all again : )