Advice on Sept Stay - Please help!
 

I am FINALLY taking the London trip I've promised myself for years. I have a week and am staying in South Kensington (with a package tour). I'd love some advice on what to do, specifically:<BR><BR>*Day trips - Canterbury/Leeds are at the top of my must-do list. What about Bath/Stonehenge - worth a day? Windsor?<BR><BR>*Museum - definitely want to do the BM and the V&A, but what other lesser known museums are well woth the time?<BR><BR>*In your opinion, was Buck House worth the wait?<BR><BR>*Markets- Portobello vs. Camden, but what is the "hot" market the locals are clamoring to right now?<BR><BR>*How about decently-priced, decent food and/or pubs in the south Kensington area?<BR><BR>Thank you so much in advance for your help in making my trip memorable!!

Just got back from London I also stayed in Kensington. Good pub food at the hereford pub on Gloster Rd.<BR> Took the Canterbury Dover and Leeds trip was great.<BR> Also took a Cotswalds trip so beautiful ,dont forget to walk to Kensington Palace and park so beautiful had tea at the Orangery was not impressed at all poor service.<BR> e Mail me if you need any more info.

A few answers: <BR><BR>re Buck House. it is definitelu NOT worth the wait for the changing of the Guard. BUT you will be there in Sept and the Palace is open to the poblic then (Only open during Aug / sept). You do not have to wait - all the tickets are timed so you only queue for about 15 minutes waitiing for your ticket time. Do tour the Palace but skip the Changingof the Guard.<BR><BR>Canterbury Cathedral is truly wonderful but Leeds Castle is not much. It's main claim to fame are the lovely gardens and the view of the outside across the water, but inside the castle itself is nothing to write home about. Not trying to talk you out of going but there are other wonderful Cathedrals (Salisbury, Yorkminster, etc.)<BR><BR>Either Winsdor or Hampton Court Palace would make a great, easy day trip.<BR><BR>Other Museums - depending on your interests: the Wallace Collection, Cortauld, Museum of London (it is really close to St Pauls so makes a good combimation for efficient sightseeing), Sir John Soanes (one of the most interesting places in London and near the Inns of Court), Geffreye.

Hi Michele, <BR>Day Trip: Stonehenge is a pile of rocks. Bath is a nice stop. A lovely, walkable town. Do consider Hampton Court Palace (a full day out) or Windsor. HCP is breathtaking. <BR><BR>Museum: The BM is pure antiquity, lots of it stolen. Pass it up for the Imperial War Musuem to tour the Holocaust Exhibit. It is amazing. Also worth the time is the Cabinet War Rooms. I'm not interested in warfare in general, but both museums are great history lessons and nicely done. <BR><BR>Buck House: Buy tickets over the internet if you decide to go, that way you don't have to buy them and wait around or have to return at the appointed time. It's a nice tour. But I mostly remember the survey lady who stopped me on the way out. I think I spent more time with her than on ahe tour of the house. Pass it up for Windsor Castle or Hampton COurt Palace. <BR><BR>My advice to first time Londoners, from a 3x Londoner (by no means an expert): choose to see one museum, one theater show or musical, one palace, one park. Spend the rest of your time soaking up the people, the architecture, the atmosphere. Buy your multi-day tube pass before you leave, so you aren't buying every day of your trip. Most importantly, go back.<BR><BR>Enjoy!!<BR><BR>

We just got back from London & Paris on Monday. I was disappointed in Portabello Road market. I had been there 12 years ago & it was better then. I went to Camden Market during the week & only shops were there but it looked more promising. If I could redo I would have gone there. Also I wandered through Covent Garden's market. It was fun but noisey because of the World Cup fans celebrating.<BR><BR>I was sad in Windsor only because the State Apartments weren't open this time. Make sure to check before you go. Otherwise it was fine. They are really adding landscaping to celebrate the Jubilee. It should be completed by July, I think.The Changing of the Guard there was good & less crowded than Buckingham Palace.We bought our tickets in advance & skipped the line & got right in.<BR><BR>Stonehenge was as amazing as ever. We took the train & Guide Friday bus tour of Salisbury & Stonehenge. The guide was very informative & had grown up near there.<BR>Have fun!

Thanks so much to everyone for the tips!! I can't wait until September!

don't know how long you are planning on staying..but why even consider day trips unless you are there for several weeks? I go yearly and have not seen or done nearly enough.But if you insist ,I would do windsor.smaller and closer.<BR><BR>If you know what you are looking for and know how to shop, Portobello would be my top pick.Camden PASSAGE on wed and Sat, Camden Town , Sundays. C.Passage can be worth it..Camden Town is mostly new articles(Junk and poorly made Crap).<BR><BR>The BM leaves me cold..isn't that a song, I like Museum of City of London with a trip to St Paul's thrown in.<BR><BR>There are so many places around South Ken. area, that that will be the very least of your problems, food wise

Wow...just goes to show how what we enjoy is very individualized. My hubby and I loved the British museum. We did the audio tour and thought it was fantastic!!!! If I had a week I don't think I would do any day trips outside of London. There are just too many things to do! We planned two "places" a day and really it was too much...lots of places were worth a whole day! *sigh* That's a reason for another trip!<BR><BR>We were impressed with the cabinet war rooms! <BR><BR>Sat. at Portobello market...it was "antiques" grouped for a number blocks and then definately junk. It was fun! I got a great 1940 postman whistle that I can use for yard duty!

In February, which is DEFINITELY off season, Portobello Road was PACKED! AN absolute sea of humanity. If you decide to go, make it EARLY - I understand that it opens at somewhere between 4:30 and 6 AM.

Thanks so much - after receiving your advice, I've decided not to take any day trips for my first visit and just stay in London. I will definitely be hitting Portobello early, too! The friend I am going with heard that the best things at any market are gone by 9:00 a.m., so we'll be shopping early, touring later, and hopefully, if the Melatonin thing works, getting the sleep at a decent time!!