Just a quick reply: when I emailed to pre-book a verger tour at Westminster Abbey for our March visit, I received a reply that they did not take reservations for the tours.

noe847: I thoughtt the Verger tours were first-come-first-served too -- but the abbey's website has this info:

For opening times, Verger tour times and reservations for individuals and families, and other visitor information.
Tel: +44 (0)20 7654 4900
Fax: +44 (0)20 7654 4894
Email: [email protected]

Wonder if that is out of date or maybe they only book close to the date???

Yes, janisj, that is what I saw also on the website. I emailed to that address on February 20 requesting reservations for 2 people for a March 12 date, and received the following reply:

<i>&quot;We do not take bookings for the Verger tour. To take the tour you just need to come 15 minutes before the tour starts and buy your tickets from the information desk inside the Abbey.&quot;</i>

As it turned out, the day we ended up trying to go to Westminster was Commonwealth Day and the Abbey was closed to visitors. Since I'd been once before (but never taken the Verger tour) and it wasn't high on my daughter's priority list (she had not ever been) we didn't end up going at all.

Thanks everyone...
noe847 in light of the news on the verger tour, we might just take pot luck - go to the Abbey and if we get a tour then so be it! Seems like the way to go.
janisj and tudorprincess - I think you've sold me on the Globe as I'm curious about the Elizabethan period and love Shakespeare. Might well be worth dropping something else off that day's activities.
Audere_est_facere - we've checked the gig listings at Astoria. My partner is in to heavy music and sees a band that he likes playing on that night so I have said yes - small concession given I'm pretty well setting the itinerary and he's told me &quot;doesn't mind what we do&quot;... I'm still not sure about my &quot;convict transportation sites&quot; pilgrimage. It seems important so I'll leave it on for now - mind you many of my relatives were transported for crimes such as handkerchief theft so the definition of criminal has changed over the past 200 odd years!
I think if I had to choose I'd climb St Paul's dome rather than the Tower Bridge. We did the Storey Bridge Climb here at home and it took quite a long time with the safety checks, info sessions etc. (If the Tower Bridge climb is anything like that one)
Finally whereabouts is the OXO Tower in relation to the Millennium Bridge?
Many thanks!

The OXO tower is just to the west of the bridge, it's on the other side of the Blackfriars Bridge.

No - one doesn't climb Tower Bridge - you take lifts up and back - totally indoors inside the towers. Even wheel chair accessible. Then when you get up to the walkway it is also glass enclosed. They were thoughtful and have little windows you can open so you don't have to take photos through the glass.

A few more thoughts:
I was going to recommend lunch at the crypt of St. Martin-in-the-Fields church which is right across the street from the National Portrait Gallery, but it is closed for a 7 month period as the church does some construction work - reopening in October 2007.

On our March trip we ate lunch at Hamburger Union (gourmet burgers), which is right behind the National Portrait Gallery. Last year we really enjoyed our pre-theatre meal at Portrait, the restaurant at the top of the National Portrait Gallery. I believe there is a cafe in a lower level of the museum.

We ate at Belgo Centraal which is in the Covent Garden/Leicester Square area and had a great meal and a really good time. It's Belgian, featuring mussels and ale, but has other things also. From 5 to 6:30pm they have a Beat the Clock special where you order from a set menu and pay the price (in pounds) of the time you arrive at the restaurant.

In Salisbury, I'd think about reserving the Tower Tour at Salisbury Cathedral. It was around 2 hours and we climbed way up in the cathedral's steeple. The information was fascinating and the views wonderful. I'd also look into visiting Old Sarum; I regret that we didn't have the time to do that. Here is a link to my trip report from this summer, part of which covers our overnight visit to Salisbury/Stonehenge:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34870457
We took a taxi to Stonehenge and then called it to later pick us up. But we were there for a full hour with the Stone Circle Access, where we were able to go close and touch the stones, etc.

We were able to use the 2for1 coupons successfully at the Tower of London and the Cabinet War Rooms. For the Tower, you cannot use the 2for1 when buying at the tube station, however, just at the main ticket windows. I don't think the 3 day travelcards qualify for the 2for1, however (think it has to be a 7 day pass or a train ticket.) This won't help you, but I do want to note that both places accepted our computer printed vouchers for the Gatwick Express with no problems.

noe847 - Not sure how I missed your trip report during my researching but it is very helpful - especially the info about Salisbury. I figure while we're there seeing friends we might as well see some of the sights. I will look into tours of both Stonehenge and the Cathedral on your recommendations - thanks!&lt;BR&gt;
Just a question on the Tate Modern - how much time did you spend there? It is hard to factor in time especially in art galleries - time seems to fly. I am so keen to see this gallery - especially as we hit Paris, Florence, Rome and Vienna after London so I'm figuring modern art would be a great fit with the London trip. You mention that you loved the Tate Britain as well - time permitting the tate 2 Tate experience looks really good. Maybe on the bonus day while we wait for our flight out of London?&lt;BR&gt;
Janisj - thanks for clarifying on the Tower of London. I didn't think it was a bridge climb but wasn't sure. I think there's only a couple of them in the world - most in the southern hemisphere for some reason. That being the case with the lift it could be a goer with the limited time we have and I'm sure the views are great from up there.

Just did a little more delving and discovered that there are no inner circle access visits taking place during the time we are visiting (end June)- so it will be back behind the ropes for us! However, the Salisbury Tower Tour looks good and I will make enquiries...

Oh sheesh - should have noticed your datse re the Stonehenge inner access. Mostly because of some &quot;driud nut cases&quot; EH gets prety protective if the stones over the Summer Solstice.

As for how long to allow for Tate Modern - it entirely depends on how much you are into modern art. It is a big/fascinating place. Just absorbing the massivness of the bldg and its conversion from this hulking power station to a major icon takes time. You could take a glimpse of a few galleries in 45-mins to an hour. But getting to all floors, enjoying the views, having a quick meal, etc - probably 2 to 3 hours.

Tate Britain is also wonderful - just the Turner galleries are worth a significant amount of time. Depending on the temp exhibits, Tate Britain is another 2+ hour place - or more if you stop for a cuppa or a light meal.

Tate Britain, the T to T boat (which BTW also stops at the EYE) and Tate Modern would be a good 4 to 5 hour excursion. More if you are really into ar.

I completely understand the wanted to see as much as possible theory when visiting a new place. However, I think you have packed a LOT into three days. I'm not saying it isn't doable, but I would rather have time to really see the things I most want to see instead of rushing on to the next thing on my itinerary. For example, on the first day you will see Buckingham Palace, which isn't that amazing (IMHO). Other than that, it looks very ambitious, but great as long as you are a good traveller (ie can sleep on the plane). Day two I have done before - I happened to love seeing Stonehenge, and Salisbury is a really nice little town to walk around in. If you have time, go to the park on the outside of the cathedral close - it's really pretty and has good long-shot views of the steeple. Day three looks extremely hectic - I would skip the Old Bailey and see the inside of St Paul's. Also, if you haven't been to London before, I would take one of the open air bus tours of the city - you get to see a lot in a couple of hours, and then just go back to see the things that really interested you. Have fun! London's one of my favorite cities!

Thanks Heather and janisj. I should be able to fine tune this itinerary based on your feedback - I'm still aiming for ambitious, but will also be satisfied with whatever we can manage during the three days. I think it will be nice to break up the two London days with Salisbury so that should work out ok. Transport out to Salisbury will probably be the most painful aspect of that day! No doubt there will be peak hour public transport to deal with at the London end.

Revised Itinerary based on your very helpful feedback!
DAY ONE
Day
Take underground from Heathrow (buy our three day travel passes at the airport). Piccadilly line to Hammersmith station – change there for District line to Victoria station. Walk to hotel (Luna and Simone), leave luggage.

Walk up to Houses of Parliament and view Big Ben and Downing Street.
Tour Westminster Abbey (allow 2 hours - take pot luck with getting avergers tour when we arrive at opening)
Take Birdcage Walk down past Buckingham Palace and walk back up the Mall through Admiralty Arch to Trafalgar Square and Nelson’s Column. Have lunch. Something low key - ie sandwiches at PRET or Hamburger Union. Sit a little and watch London go by.

Visit National Portrait Gallery after lunch. Free. Then take Leicester Square Tube to Green Park. Get some supplies at the Marks and Spencer nearby and walk up to Fortnum and Mason via Jermyn Street and visit the food hall. Continue back up to Piccadilly tube.
Take tube back to hotel – check in, have showers, have a rest.

Evening
Early night! Have dinner at a pub close to hotel - thinking the Albert Hotel might be good - apparently some nice views from upstairs.

DAY TWO
Salisbury Day
Take train to Salisbury from Waterloo station. Then a local bus from outside the Salisbury station up to Stonehenge.
Bus back to Salisbury. Spend some time walking round the town and exploring.
Visit the Salisbury Cathedral, take the Tower Tour late afternoon.
Meet friends for dinner. (Back to London same night).

DAY THREE
Day
Take tube to Tower Hill and tour the Tower of London (get there at opening). *Pre-buy tickets at tube to save time. See Crown Jewels first then take a free guided beefeater tour.
Walk back towards Monument. Stop at Prince Henry’s Rooms to view the Samuel Pepys display.
Lunch at The Lamb Pub– Leadenhall Market
Take Monument tube to St Pauls
Walk past St Paul’s Cathedral, walk over Millennium Bridge and climb the OXO building to take in the view. Go to Shakespeare’s Globe and take a tour.
Tube back to Victoria.

Evening
Tube to Covent Garden to see gig at Astoria, with dinner beforehand.

I'm happy with these compromises based on the advice I've received and hopefully this will be manageable!

Ness, If you like Tex-Mex food you could try the Texas Embassy at Trafalgar Square, it's at 1 Cockspur St.
www.texasembassy.com.

A few comments:

Seeing the Tower takes a good bit of time. The Yeoman Warder tour takes around an hour (I think) and is fabulous (have done it twice and enjoyed both times) but it doesn't take you through the whole complex. You really don't go very far although you learn a lot. So, in addition to the jewels and the tour, I'd say the White Tower is a must, as it is the oldest part of the castle complex. To do just these things will take 2 to 2.5 hours. And there are more towers and palaces to see. If it were me, I'd bring a snack and plan on a late-ish lunch.

Both times I've been to the Tower we went in the afternoon, didn't see anywhere near everything, and closed the place down, which is a bit frustrating. For the admission cost, you don't want to rush yourself.

Also, I'd consider seeing the National Gallery rather than the National Portrait Gallery (they are next to each other on Trafalgar Square.) This now seems like it will be your only art museum in London. Both are fabulous, of course, but imo you just can't beat the quality of the National Gallery's collection. (It even has some very good Turners, so you won't feel the loss of Tate Britain as much!)

Another approach is to dip a bit into each (both are free) - pick your favorite period of history and view the corresponding rooms at the Portrait Gallery and your favorite period of art and see those paintings at the National Gallery.

Also, while you are at the south bank touring the Globe, I'd at least peek into the Tate Modern - the facility itself is worth a quick look (I'm not as wild about the collection and the way it's arranged) and it's just about next door to the Globe.

Thanks noe. We return to London on 13 July so I will have an entire afternoon (bonus) in London as our flight leaves on the 14th. I hadn't factored that in at first but I've decided to tackle both Tates on that Friday! and perhaps the London Eye. I was really very keen to not miss the Tate Modern so this works out quite well.
Just a question on Avebury - how far is it from Stonehenge and is it easy to get to?

Here's a link that tells you how to do Salisbury to Stonehenge to Avebury via buses:
http://www.wdbus.co.uk/htm/ta/sdo-stonehenge.asp

Thanks noe! It would be good to get in amongst the stones - I'll check out the times - if it is not too long with the transport - a definite must do!

I recommend taking the bus when traveling around London. It might take a bit longer, but worth being above ground to view the scenes and people.

If I buy three day travelcards at heathrow when we get there can these be used on both metro and buses? If so then yes, it would be nice to do a mix of transport types.