4 Days in London and questions
 

I would like some help with our plan for London. we have never been and want to see the most with the amount of time we have. We will have 4 full days in London and here are the list of places we want to go:
British Museum
Tower of London
Big Ben
Parliament
Westminster Abby
St. Paul cathedral
Buckingham
And some unique shopping streets.
If there is a place that you think we should see while we are there and i have miss please let me know.
We are staying near the Earl's court tube station and we are planing on buying an oyster card. Please help us schedule what we should do on what days and tube stations near by.
Open to suggestions!

First thing: get a map and familiarize yourself with the general layout. This will help you figure out your plan before you get there *and* feel more confident when you're actually there.

You actually have time to do more if you like, I think, though it depends on how full you like to make your days. I've grouped your list and added suggestions in parentheses.

British Museum (British Library is also nearby, as is Covent Garden; for shopping, you'll be nearer Camden Market than you would be on any other day, but whether you'd like that depends on what you mean by "unique" shopping streets)

Tower of London (get there when it opens)
St Paul's
(cross the river at Millennium Bridge and walk along the South Bank, see the Globe Theatre and get a great view of other landmarks)

Big Ben/Parliament (five minutes, unless you want to sit in on a session of Parliament, assuming it's in session)
Westminster Abbey
Buckingham Palace (again five minutes, unless you'll be there at a time when you can tour the building)
(Trafalgar Square, National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery)
(walk down Piccadilly - Fortnum & Mason may fit your "unique shopping", again depending on what you mean)

Then you've still got a full day. Are you interested in any theatre? Any other museums? The Victoria & Albert is one of my favorites, but it's not near anything else on your list.

You can easily get to all those places (and probably more) in 4 days.

Big Ben, Parliament and Buckingham Palace are basically 'walk by's' so you don't need to schedule them. You'll see them in your comings and goings. In fact Big Ben and Parliament are across the street from Westminster Abbey.

Plan two major sites a day (the Tower and St Pauls; Westminster Abbey and the Cabinet War Rooms or something else; British Museum and maybe the British Library; etc.) and you'll have time to squeeze in shopping/other sites some days.

There are sooooo many other great sites - so what sorts of things interest you?

didn't see jent's post . . .

Oh, yes, the Cabinet War Rooms! I forgot about that but also recommend it if you're at all interested in history.

Thanks for your suggestions so far. We are major history buffs and can't want to visit the British museum, the Cabinet War Rooms sounds like something my husband would love. My teenager wants to do a Harry Potter tour and I would like to take the Jack the Ripper tour.My teenager and I would love to go to Hampton Court, but don't know how hard transportation would be to get out there.

Our major interests be history the most, we love to experience the true culture of London, and we just want to have some fun.

What are the tube stations near all these sites. We are going to be very new to the public transportation thing and are kind of nervous about getting lost.

We appreciate all the advice very much!

Transit is very easy to Hampton Court - its in zone 6 and you take the train from waterloo.

Based on what you are doing you may want to forgo the oyster and buy a paper travel card from a train station to take advantage of 2for1 deals. www.daysoutguide.co.uk You can only get these deals with the paper travel cards, not the travel cards on the oyster.

Definitely get a map - that will show you all the tube stops as well. And you can get transit maps and journey planners at www.tfl.gov.uk

"<i>I would like to take the the Jack the Ripper tour. My teenager and I would love to go to Hampton Court, but don't know how hard transportation would be to get out there.</i>"

Jack the Ripper tour ((N))

Hampton Court ((Y)) ((Y)) ((Y))


Sorry, but the Jack the Ripper tour is not a good choice IMO (and a few Fodorites will tell you why it is a good idea-- so you can make up your own mind). There is not one single original site remaining -- you'll get a lot of >><i>that car park is where yada yada yada happened<i><< and >><i>over under the foundations of the block of flats is where the body of xyz was found <i><<. The tours can be massive (150+ people) wandering through an area and disturbing the residents. And do you really want your son listening to stories about women being disemboweled??

Hampton Court Palace onn the other hand (of course Henry VIII had his own 'woman problems' :) ) is ENTIRELY worth it.

Getting there or anywhere else is very easy -- you can take the train (30 mins) to Hampton Court and either the train back - or if the weather is nice you can take a boat back. But the boat ride takes approx 3 hours so in your time frame maybe not the best use of time.

the tube is a piece of cake and from earls Court you can get to many sites w/o a change of tube lines. The Tower, Westminster, British Museum, Cabinet War Rooms, Buckingham Palace and lots of others are on direct lines from EC.

I would highly recommend picking up the on/off bus tour for London(usually around Victoria Station and other points).It really gives you a great overview if you have never been to London and you can get on and off at anything that you want to stop at for a brief visit-the other sights I would just use your Oyster Card.
I stay near the Glouester Road tube station for work every month which Earl's Court is on.It is perfect for getting to Heathrow and back up to alot of the main places you would like to go to on the Picadilly Line such as Covent Garden or Russell Square for the British Museum.
My son lives in London and it is a wonderful place to visit with people that will stop and help you if you need directions,etc.The underground is VERY easy to use so don't worry-just watch your purses when traveling because unfortunately there are pickpockets in crowds(as in every city).
The Cabinet War rooms with the Churchill Museum is interesting so please include it in your itinerary-my family loved it!
Walk through Harrods department store just to see the food halls-amazing!
Walk around Covent Garden area-just because there is so much always going on.
Catch a play or musical-some of our favs(because I am NOT really into musicals) have been Lion King;Jersey Boys and Priscilla,Queen of the Desert.
Just spend an evening meal at a pub and people watch-great fun!
I could go on and on but just have fun and enjoy!

There are a couple of Harry Potter walks. I believe they're on Sundays and Mondays. For more information check www.walks.com. I'm also of the opinion that the Jack the Ripper walks are a huge waste of time. There are many wonderful walks available, Jack the Ripper just isn't one of them.

As already mentioned, Hampton Court Palace is one of the easiest and best trips from London.

Oops sorry - I neglected to turn off the <i>italics</i>. This may make a bit more sense . . .

>>Sorry, but the Jack the Ripper tour is not a good choice IMO (and a few Fodorites will tell you why it is a good idea-- so you can make up your own mind). There is not one single original site remaining -- you'll get a lot of >><i>that car park is where yada yada yada happened</i><< and >><i>over under the foundations of the block of flats is where the body of xyz was found</i> <<. The tours can be massive (150+ people) wandering through an area and disturbing the residents. And do you really want your son listening to stories about women being disemboweled??

Hampton Court Palace on the other hand (of course Henry VIII had his own 'woman problems' :) ) is ENTIRELY worth it.

Getting there or anywhere else is very easy -- you can take the train (30 mins) to Hampton Court and either the train back - or if the weather is nice you can take a boat back. But the boat ride takes approx 3 hours so in your time frame maybe not the best use of time.

the tube is a piece of cake and from earls Court you can get to many sites w/o a change of tube lines. The Tower, Westminster, British Museum, Cabinet War Rooms, Buckingham Palace and lots of others are on direct lines from EC.

My first question Is about getting to Hampton Court, if I we was to buy an oyster card does it cover the train out there or wouldni have to buy different tickets?

I have another question, I know that there are admission fees to get in to places like Hampton Court and The Tower of London, would you recommend buying them online or buying the tickets when we get there? Also I have been reading about getting a family membership that get us admission 5 place( which includes Hampton Court and The Tower of London) , is that I good option?

I hope my questions arent too silly.

You will likely have a zone 1-2 pass on your oyster. You will need an extension to zone 6 - just go buy an extension at the ticket booth at waterloo.

Like I said above - instead of getting an oyster look into getting paper travel cards form the train stations. they are good on the tube and buses as well and will get you 2for1 on many sites (see the link I posted above) including the Tower and Hampton Court (subject to changes - the offers are all dated but have been extended since I moved here in 2007). They are the same price, but oysters will not get you the specials.

You would still need an extension if you get a travel card on oyster or the paper one (same product, just two different vehicles).

Compare that to the membership and I think you will find this way is cheaper.

Sorry - if you are using pay as you go oyster then you just need to ensure you have enough on the card (ask at the ticket booth if you are unsure) and remember to tap in and out at hampton court.

I meant the paper travel card and the oyster travel card are the price/product, just two different vehicles for using them.

Listen to janisj and jamikins--they know London.

Go get a good map of London at a book store and pour over it; you also might try walkit.com and go to the London page to plan walking routes; and/or use something like googlemaps to see general areas and relative distances.

It's good to not have an unreasonable and un-do-able amount of "want-to's" on your list. I'd suggest you keep the ones you have--they are the tops ones in my opinion. Allow, as it seems you are, PLENTY of time for each (all those major "go-inside" ones need 2-3 hours at a minimum) as well as remember how spread out London is and 1.group your sites and 2.allow for transport time.

I'd include the British Library after the British Museum.

We LOVED the Imperial War Museum (which is across the Thames but not too far--across Westminster Bridge).

We enjoyed Greenwich which might be possible to get to after a half day at Hampton Court. I'd totally support suggestions to go to Hampton Court if you want to do a half-day trip (over Greenwich). There really is plenty to keep you busy in London but Hampton Court is great, too.

Hampton Court is easy. Go to Waterloo station, get tickets on the train to Hampton Court, take to last stop, get out, walk to Palace. Repeat in reverse to get back to London.

Go to daysoutguide.co.uk to print 2for1 vouchers for Hampton Ct Palace. Take with you and present at the ticket booth with your rail tickets and you get in free with hubby's admission. Don't pre-purchase for HCP.

I'm thinking txbook meant Greenwich would NOT be possible to get to after a 1/2 day at HCP -- completely different side of London from each other.

P.S. -- when Jamikins says "train stations" she does NOT mean Underground stations (the "Tube"), she means the national rail stations, of which there are nine main terminals in London (Paddington, Euston, Kings Cross, St. Pancras, Liverpool Street, London Bridge, Charing Cross, Waterloo, Victoria).

P.P.S. -- even though this is geared toward hotels, this is a good online map for central London and shows the nearby Tube stations for whatever you want to see: http://www.hotelmap.com/hotelmap/?pro=M5X7V

Hampton Court Palace is wonderful--both the Palace and the Gardens are great. It is very easy to get to by train as others have said. If you happen to be there when they are doing the live kitchen demonstrations, it is fabulous. My son loved it. We spent most of the day there.

If you are a history buff, don't miss the Cabinet War Rooms and also the Imperial War Museum. At the Cabinet War Rooms we spent about 2 hours and the IWM was another almost full day. London has wonderful museums. The British Museum is great with all the artifacts collected by the British Empire over centuries. The National Gallery is another great museum too.

The Cabinet War Rooms are right across from Westminster Abbey.

If you did a half day at Hampton Court, I think when you get back to Waterloo you are not too far from the Imperial War Museum--check closing times though since both places demand a good amount of time to fully appreciate.

I enjoyed a few hours at the Imperial War Museum recently, but would tend to think it would not be a priority if it's a first trip and you only have four days. Found the staff very helpful, the large exhibits not quite as numerous or interesting as I expected (granted there's only so much that can be displayed), the Secret War exhibition fascinating and the Blitz experience pretty lame.

Yes, BigRuss is right--I didn't proofread well! Greenwich could take only a half day, as would Hampton Court, but didn't mean to suggest to do both on the same day--too much travel in between.

You might also think of combining Greenwich with the Tower, with a Thames ferry ride in between, but check closing times. I recently took the train from Charing Cross to Greenwich, had a good few hours there, then ferry from Greenwich Pier to Tower Bridge - great views on approach - and having already been to the Tower on a previous visit spent the rest of the afternoon walking back west along the embankment. One price - five pounds fifty - on the boat regardless of where you disembark I believe, with only 50p off if purchased with an Oyster as I had, but about a third off with a Travelcard (I tried for a better discount as the boats - catamarans - are apparently made in Australia, but dropped that line when told they keep breaking down).

So after all the suggestions here is what I have come up with. Let me know what you think

Day 1
Hampton Court for the first half of the day and then visit Westminster Abby, then do a walk by of Big Ben and Parliament and Buckingham Palace.

Day 2
British Museum and the Library, along with going to Covent Garden and maybe Camden Market.

Day 3

The Tower of London and St. Paul's.

Day 4

I don't know, maybe a garden or something. Just kind of relax.

I hope what I have is realistic, let me know if it's not or a missing an important part of London!

Day 1 might be doable, but I wouldn't combine two such important things. Maybe Hampton Court and maybe a garden or shopping or something IF you get back in time.
Then Day 4 only plan Westminster Abbey first thing (before it gets way crowded) and have the afternoon for whatever.

Of course you are "missing an important part of London"--no way not to even if you had 4 WEEKS so no fret. You're hitting some major spots.

Remember that churches cannot be toured on Sundays.

>><i>Day 1
Hampton Court for the first half of the day and then visit Westminster Abby, then do a walk by of Big Ben and Parliament and Buckingham Palace.
</i>""

Not a good fit really. (<u>unless</u> day 1 happens to be a wed.) Last admission to the Abbey Mon/Tue/Thur/Fri is 3:30 and on Sat @ 2:30 and no touring on Sun. Now if day 1 IS Wed., then this would be doable since the Abbey stays open later.

HCP doesn't open until 10AM and most folks spend about 1/2 a day there so you'd have to cut it short to get back to the Abbey -- and THEN you'd be cutting the Abbey very short.

I agree w/ texasbookworm -- HCP + Shopping, or HCP + maybe one of the major museums/galleries late opening, or HCP + The London Eye, or something else not super time-intensive.

Ahhh, shopping. London is a shopper's paradise. Men hunt, we don't shop, so it's an urban hunter's paradise.

Go to Jermyn Street for men's (and some ladies') stuff and to Fortnum & Mason for foodstuffs, and nearby is Oxford Street with all manner of chains (I'm thinking the teen is a bit old for Hamley's, the famous toystore, but maybe not).

The first day was something I was worried about, but that is why I ask you guys about it. I didn't relizes that Westminster Abbey closes so early. That will just have to be moved to day 4 along with see Big Ben and ect.

After Hampton Court, I don't know what to do. I have mapped going to Harrods after, but it seems far. We might do Cabinet War Rooms because its open till 6, but I don't know how long it would take for use to get through there. But I think it might be best just to shop after wards.

The first day was something I was worried about, but that is why I ask you guys about it. I didn't relizes that Westminster Abbey closes so early. That will just have to be moved to day 4 along with see Big Ben and ect.

After Hampton Court, I don't know what to do. I have mapped going to Harrods after, but it seems far. We might do Cabinet War Rooms because its open till 6, but I don't know how long it would take for use to get through there. But I think it might be best just to shop after wards.

Just to clarify -- the Abbey is open later --but those are the times of the last admission. If one gets inside the Abbey before the doors close at 3:30, they can stay until 4:30. But an hour is not long enough to see the Abbey.

It's been a couple of years, but I think the War Rooms took me an hour and a half or so. Not a ton of time, but it's not something I would want to rush through either. Hampton Court, as everyone is saying, is a pretty major thing to do. Since it's your first day, you'll still be getting familiar with the city, the transit, all of that. I'd do yourself a favor and schedule something low-key for that afternoon - the Eye would be a good fit, or if the weather's nice, London has SO many great parks. Or a late museum opening. Just nothing that you need to rush back for or try to cram in.

I would suggest adding some park walks to your plans. If you find yourself near any of London's great parks, it is easy to visit. If you have a map, you'll find it very simple.

There is so much great shopping, and the markets are fascinating. You might want to do some reading and shopping and markets, as well as opening and closing times at other attractions, in a guide book, or on Fodors destinations, where the information is good.

Oh boy, been there done that, know your dilema. Many good suggestions but one. Since this is your 1st time to London and you want to maximize your time with only 4 days get yourself a good guide book. The best for a 1st time visitor is (hands down IMHO) is Rick Steves London guide book. He has his critics(food and hotel suggestions)but for a 1st time visitor his books are invaluable(imo). He will cover all your questions you have asked (transportation and time mgt.)plus he give you sample itineries, self guided tours thru the major sights(British Museum, Library)some suggested walks and some great tips. He even has a self guided tour of Hampton Court and how to get there. Go to a bookstore peruse his book before you buy and I think you'll agree that this is a valuable tool especially for a 1st timer

When you come back from Hampton Court, you will be coming back to Waterloo and I think the Imperial War Museum is very close by if you have time. Or you could take a ride on the London Eye.

We took a bus after Hampton Court to Kew Gardens because Kew Gardens was open until 7:30PM that day. I was trying to cram in too much as usual and don't recommend it because we didn't fully explore Kew. The glasshouses closed at 5:30 so we only had time for one glasshouse and the outdoor areas. We spent from 10-3 or so at Hampton Court--pretty much a full day by itself especially if you want to cover all the buildings and grounds including the maze.

Use day 4 for Westminster Abbey, a walk by of Buckingham Palace, Parliament, Big Ben and go see the Cabinet War Rooms across from the Abbey. If you go to Hampton Court, there will be plenty of gardens there and they are wonderful.

If Day 4 is a Friday, I highly recommend the London Walks Royal London tour at 10:45AM. You get to see the changing of the guard--they pass right by you and you don't have to wait a long time and then they take you into the Abbey for a 45 minute tour. They spend less time than the verger tour the Abbey gives but they cover the important highlights inside the Abbey.

"<i>The best for a 1st time visitor is (hands down IMHO) is Rick Steves London guide book.</i>"

Sorry -- but IMO there are MANY better guide books then RS'. He is absolutely fine for many countries and the best for some. But he just is not the be-all-and-end-all for the UK. He just isn't as expert about England. In fact some of his suggestions for England/London are daft.

The Michelin green guide or the Eyewitness series are head and shoulders above Rick Steves. And the Fodors guides are pretty good too (plus you'd get all those quotes from other Fodorites :) )

We loved the fodor's books and the Eyewitness series as Janisj mentions. The Eyewitness books show you pictures or maps by area so it helps you to group things in geographic order. Also you can use the TFL Transport for London website and use their journey planner. It helped me to organize how to get from point A to point B very easily.

Also on day 4 you probably have time to walk to Trafalgar Square. Don't miss the National Gallery. It was not on your original list but it is fabulous. The National Portrait Gallery and St Martin in the Field (brass rubbing) are in the same area. Literally right across from each other and around the corner.

Thanks for the book suggestion, we have a few and are using them as well to help us with our itinery. Our itinery is still a work in progress, but I have a question about tickets for the Tower of London and Hampton Court.

Should we buy our tickets online or there? I have been reading on their websites about family packs or even a membership (which is pretty cheap, even if we are only going once). But they consider a child as 16 and under, correct? Our oldest is 17, so we would have to pay adult price for h, so I don't if a member ship we be better or individual?

If you are buying train tickets to get there you can get 2for1 tickets when you get here (dont forget to print the coupon). www.daysoutguide.co.uk

Sorry about the ticket post, I was logined in as my husband.
I just notice what a good deal the 2for1 deals are, that's nice to know now.
So if I do the 2 for 1 tickets I buy when I get there? Are the lines long to buy tickets?

yes - but you have to have a train ticket from national rail (oyster will not give you this discount). Lines shouldnt be too bad - especially if you are getting there first thing in the morning.

I spent a good 2-3 hours at the Cabinet War Rooms when I went. Besides all the bunker rooms and such to see, at the time there was a large and very informative exhibit on the life of Churchill. You could easily combine this with a visit to Westminster Abbey on the same day, probably Day 4 on your itinerary, as they're close by each other.

See who is playing at St Martin in the Field - we went to an amazing candlelight concert there one Spring, and it was one of the highlights of our week in London. You may want to order tickets ahead of time if you decide to do this.

http://www.stmartin-in-the-fields.or...ommand=concert

The groups that play usually pick music that is familiar to people who may not frequent events like this.