maureen

My daughter & I leave in 30 days! We're so excited.<BR><BR>I'd like some comment on what things to see together, on which days. Here's what we'd like to see, in no particular order. We'll be arriving on Thursday morning &lt;read jet lag &gt; and departing for Glasgow on Monday morning. I'm not locked into doing it by tour or on our own.....would like comments.<BR><BR>Buckingham Palace &lt;guards&gt;, Tower, Madam Tousauds &lt;prob last on list&gt;, Kensington Palace, The Eye, Harrods, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral and maybe one day out to either Windsor Castle or Hampton Court.<BR><BR>I'd love any input from those of you with much more familiarity!! Thanks!! This board is SO helpful!!<BR><BR>

Martha

Maureen -<BR>I would definitely see Westminster Abbey and St. Pauls - also Buckingham Palace and Harrods. The Tower of London is a great day to spend the better part of a day, and the Tower Bridge is next to it, so you could also do a tour of the Tower Bridge, if you like. I thought Hampton Palace was very interesting, but Kensington Palace was overpriced, with not much to see. I'm getting to London on March 1st, for the first time since the London Eye has been there, and am looking forward to going up in the Eye as well.<BR>Martha<BR>

Howard

London for the first time! How exciting! Definitely don't miss: the Tower of London--plan most of a day to see the whole thing; it's worth the time. Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's, both fabulous, but in different ways. A couple of hours for each one. Harrod's is great, and it's not far from Hyde Park if the weather's good--take a walk there and leave the noise behind. Piccadilly Circus, down to Trafalgar Square. Walk it. Buckingham Palace and the changing of the guards is over-rated, and can involve a long wait if you get a good spot. A day trip out of London to Hampton Court is a wonderful thing. I prefer HC to Windsor because it's more historically interesting. If you go, be sure to take the tour of the Tudor kitchens. Let me know how things work out--I'm jealous!

janis

Think of it as 3 days in London - true you are there for part of 4 days but you don't know how bad your jet lag will be so don't count on too much on Thrsday.<BR><BR>Some suggestions - unlless your daughter is under 12, skip Madame Tussauds. It is actually sort of fun (despite what some on this board will tell you) But it takes too long to see, the queues to get in (unless you buy advance tickets) can be over an hour, and it is expensive. Save it for another trip when you have more time.<BR><BR>Skip the changing of the guard - it is a "must" for most tourists and that means you have to be in front of the Palace more than an hour ahead of time to have any chance of seeing it. And just standing in one place that long with nothing to occupy you is very tiring.<BR><BR>The Tower, St Pauls and Westminster Abbey for sure. You need to be at the Tower at or just before opening time to avoid massive crowds. <BR><BR>Both St Pauls and Westminster Abbey have evensong services every day so you need to be at either one before about 2:30PM to be able to see all of them (They close off most of the bldgs about 4M to prepare for the service - you can get in but much will be off limits.)<BR><BR>Kensington Palace is special IF you are really interested in Princess Diana. Otherwise it take a very long time to tour. You can visit the gardens and the orangery cafe even if you don't enter the Palace.<BR><BR>Harrods is closed on Sundays so be sure to get there Fri or Sat.<BR><BR>Hampton Court and Windsor are absolutely wonderful - but on a short trip like this you may not have time to visit them.<BR><BR>Do visit Trafalgar Square - Just for the site but also for St Martins in the Fields, The National Gallery and the National Portrait gallery. The last one has a really nice cafe on the top floor with views out over the roofs towards Big Ben.<BR><BR>And the Covent Garden area is great - many theatres, cafes shops (pretend you are Eliza Doolittle)

maureen

Anybody care to comment on groupings? What i should do with what on which days? &lt;location proximity, etc&gt;<BR><BR>Thank you!!

jpm

Hi,<BR><BR>I would agree with skipping the changing of the guards. It takes half a day and really isn't worth it.<BR><BR>As far as how to "group" your day, it really doesn't matter that much. Realize that the Tower will take at least a half day (get there early and head strait for the jewels - then go back to the gate to catch a tour). After the tower you can easily go to St. Paul's and perhaps make your way to Westminster Abbey before the day closes.<BR><BR>Hampton Court will take a full day (and I would assume Windsor would as well but I haven't made it there yet). <BR><BR>Be sure to book tickets for the theater at night.<BR><BR>I believe with what you have listed and the time that you have that you will find that you will be able to get more done that what you currently have planned.<BR><BR>Have a great time! London is a blast. I'm not sure how old you daughter is but whatever the age she would love Mamma Mia! But get tickets now!!! Use www.Ticketmaster.uk.co<BR><BR>John<BR>London travelogues posted at www.appleberryroad.com

Grasshopper

Your first day consider taking the Big Bus Tour. Particularly if it's not raining and you can sit on top. You'll get fresh air which will help with the jet lag, won't have to work too hard to see a lot and get your bearings.<BR><BR>Thursday afternoon, go into to Harrods and have tea at one of the cafes in the Food Court. You and your daughter will be blown away!