Wife and I are visiting London in late April for 6 days before embarking on 10 days in Scotland on 5/1 for 30th anniversary. We are flying straight thru from Hawaii so we figure the 1st day will just be spent recovering. That leaves 5 days to play. Were there 1st time in 2001 and did Tower, Buckingham P, Westminster Abbey, St Pauls, Victoria and Albert, National Gallery, Kensington Palace, Piccadilly Circus. That's what I remember. We stayed in a little older hotel in I believe Bayswater across from a square and around the corner from a great little Greek restaurant, Aphrodite Taverna, so good we went twice. Anyway, looking for hotel suggestions in the Kensington area say $250/night max (is this doable?). Also, suggestions on other museums for European art (not modern), street markets, suggestions on restaurants and pubs in the area for Greek, Spanish, Italian, Mediterranean, anything not American, Mexican or Asian which we can get in Hawaii. Finally, is it possible to get tickets to a Premier League soccer game as a tourist? Or any good European soccer game. I think we are too early for the FA Cup finale? Appreciate any and all feedback.

You may want to research hotels near the Earls Court station, just south of the Kensington area. That station has the Piccadilly line (direct to and from Heathrow with no stairs) and the District line. There are several nice hotels within a block or so that should be in your price range. Last fall we stayed at the Nadler Kensington as a choice between that and the Indigo.

Thanks for the tip on the area. I saw the Nadler in searches but was not sure of it after reading the reviews. What was your take?

Highly recommend the Wallace Collection for museum. Wallace Collection.

Nadler: Modern interior and rooms. Room was small but not cramped. Superior queen sized bed with very nice bedding and very comfortable mattress. In room individual control of heat and AC. Closet kitchen with sink, microwave, water filter, electric kettle, selection of teas and coffees. Under counter fridge, basic cutlery and dishes and glasses. Flat screen TV with non-premium stations. WIFI with router for each room for security. Modern bathroom with shower. Rubber ducky available on request. Friendly helpful staff. Common room has computer for guests. Quiet.

I've said this here before, but I also like Nadler hotels. But with your budget, you should be able to find what you need. For me, though, I would prefer a hotel or apartment (generally rent apartments because of lower cost) a little closer than near the Earl's Court station. But really, it's minimal time between Earl's Court, Gloucester Road and South Kensington stations. Of course, this assumes that you will be using the Tube.

You don't mention having visited The Tate Britain and/or the National Portrait Gallery, both of which are favorites of mine. An under visited art gallery that I love is the Guildhall Gallery, near St Pauls.

Hampton Court is very interesting, well it was to me, I'm all about the Tudors. Makes a nice easy day or partial day as you choose. Some of the markets can be fun.

Tate Britain--great museum

You may look into going to Greenwich, Windsor Castle, the Imperial War Museum, Museum of London, the British Library (treasures room) and the British Museum.

Some ideas:

• Churchill War Rooms -- https://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/churchill-war-rooms -- Underground compound that has been preserved exactly as it was when the war ended.
• Courtauld Gallery -- https://courtauld.ac.uk/gallery -- Fantastic small gallery with great impressionists and even greater early 20th c. art (fauve, expressionists, etc.).
• Docklands Museum -- https://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/mu...ndon-docklands -- Exceptional museum covering that are of the city and its history - shipping, sailing, war, culture, politics, etc.
• ...and the already-suggested Museum of London -- https://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/museum-london -- IMHO a must, if you want to really understand the city, as well as the amazing British Library.

ssander

I've been helping my husband's parents find a hotel in Kensington. I was looking at the Kensington House Hotel. I liked it that it was so close to go for a walk in the gardens. Not sure it is close enough to the station though.

Also a vote from me for Hampton Court. My own wish list includes the Globe Theatre.

I second ssander's Courtauld Gallery recco. FWIW, below is my TR for London (Madrid is first so you'll have to scroll!):

Madrid and London

Scroll to "Day 5-Easter Monday-Last day in Madrid"

TDudette...

Read you TR. We've been to London a half-dozen times or so and almost always visit the Courtauld, and usually have lunch once each trip in their nice little cafe.

OFF TOPIC RANT: In your TR, Barnes in Phila was mentioned. We're from the Phila area, and IMHO The Barnes can't hold a candle to the Courtauld. The paintings are not organized in any logical fashion (neither by type nor era)...they seem to have been arranged on the walls by shape(!!)...yes, I know he had some reasons for it, but that doesn't help. And many are so high up you can't see them well, even if you stretch your neck. We were very disappointed there and have never gone back. END OF OFF-TOPIC RANT.

ssander

The Courtauld Gallery is wonderful but unfortunately for the OP it is closed for renovations.

Thanks for that update, rialtogrl! Disappointing not to see it.

ssander, I actually agree with you and here is what I wrote: Thanks for the Barnes link, europeannovice. There was a huge brouhaha about the move. As I mentioned, I was put off by Barnes’ dictating the order one should see those wonderful works. The building shown in the link is certainly different from the old Barnes. Were you referring to europeannovice's comment?

​​​​​​​Since then, I did visit the new Barnes and have the same attitude: A Day Trip to the Barnes Foundation

TDudette:

I wasn't referring to any specific comment -- just my usual ramblings and mind wandering that emerge whenever anyone mentions The Barnes.

I've lived in the Philadelphia area all me life and constantly heard raves about the Barnes when it was in Merion and read about the fight when it decided to move to the Parkway. Finally, in my late 60s, my wife and I decided to go -- and were sorely disappointed.

The main thrust of my rant was that the Courtauld IMHO is vastly superior to the Barnes...too bad for the OP that it is closed for renovations.

Actually -- and I don't mean to start a flame war -- IMHO the Courtauld is better than the Tate Modern...unless you love post-mid-century non objective stuff, like the following:





ssander

I've scrolled up and seen that no one has mentioned the V&A, which is worth half a day of wandering.

I'm not a football fan but for a visitor, this is a good place to buy your tickets. https://www.fanpass.co.uk/buy-football-tickets/
Yes, those are the real prices with nothing added on for management.

5/1 threw me for a minute, probably best to start thinking 1/5/19 as it is written across Europe.

Given the current very favorable exchange rate, I suspect you can find a better hotel in a more central location than Earl's Court. I've stayed in Kensington and Earl's Court but prefer to be a bit more central. Watford has a Premier League team and is also the home to the Warner Brothers Studio Tour (for Harry Potter fans, if you are those). Just a thought since it's very easy to reach by train from Euston Station. I don't know if there's a match while you are there.

The V&A is indeed worth a visit. Actually, since entry is free and the place is both huge and varied, several smaller visits to just one area at a time are warranted, sort of like a fill in for a blank hour in one's day. The special exhibits (fee, but 2 for 1 can apply) are also well worth it, judging from our experiences last fall.

No offense taken or meant, ssander. DH and I and another couple visited the Barnes in Merion and, again, I share your view about it.

I agree about the Tate Modern as well. It didn't feel as well-laid out than Tate Britain either. Concrete floors didn't help any.

KonaJoe, had you visited V&A? I second those who mentioned it above.