First day in London...arrival at 11AM....plans
 

We are staying at Hilton London Kensington where we plan to start our afternoon. How long for immigration? Heathrow, we are USA citizens. Fast and convenient way to get to hotel not using a taxi? We have 2 full days to see highlights....any suggestions. Bus tour, private, do on own? We hope to climb Tower of London, see Buckingham Palace,Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral,Big Ben, London Bridge, and Theatre District. All suggestions appreciated. We have no problem with walking.Thanks

>>How long for immigration? <<.

No way to know until you are in the queue. I've seen 15 mins, and I've seen 2+ hours. If you land at 11AM I would not plan on arriving at the hotel until 2 or 3 PM at the earliest.

>>Fast and convenient way to get to hotel not using a taxi?<<

No one with any sense would use a taxi. That hotel is really in Holland Park and the only nearby tube stations are Shepherd's Bush, and a little bit farther - Holland Park. Neither station is convenient to LHR. So a pre-booked car service such as justairports.com would be your best bet.

>>We hope to climb Tower of London<<

Not quite sure what you mean there - the Tower of London is a castle, not a 'Tower' as such. There is a three story building in the center that is called the White Tower - but it isn't a tower one 'climbs' but a building one visits.

Buckingham Palace is a 5 minute 'walk-by'

By 'London Bridge' I think you probably mean Tower Bridge (London Bridge is a modern concrete span)

Big Ben is covered in scaffolding, not much to see. Try to get reservations for a Verger Tour of Westminster. Well worth the wait. Why a view of the theater district. Try to see a play/musical. Great place for pre theater meal: Le Balcon. https://www.thebalconlondon.com/lunc..._redirect=true

True re Big Ben -- it will be under scaffolding for several years. Missing from your basic list are places like the v&A, British Museum, National/National Portrait Galleries, or any of the many other museums/galleries all over London.

>>Bus tour, private, do on own?<<.

If you mean the Hop-on-Hop-off buses -- huge waste of money. No need whatsoever for a private tour (most museums do have have terrific in-house tours, sometimes free sometimes for a small fee). Also take a look at the walking tours here London Walks "London's best guided walks" Time Out - London Walks

Not sure where to stay that would be most convenient to major attractions..the hotel was was made as a suggestion to me. Moderate priced elsewhere that is a better choice? Good to hear about bus hopping! Thanks for information.

I personally would not stay there unless it was free on points - but even then, there are much more central Hilton properties.. It is not in a terrible location but it is quite far west and only on one tube line. You would be traveling quite a bit to get to most major sites.

'Moderate priced' doesn't tell us much. What is your actual budget? But there would be many MANY of hotels in the same general range as that Hilton.

Not to hi-jack the thread, but we DO have Hilton points. Which Hilton property would you suggest for best location? (First trip to London!)
Thanks so much.

>>Which Hilton property would you suggest for best location?<<

Well -- I don't use Hilton rewards myself but understand that each property will be at VASTLY different points level.

Some of the better located places would include the Trafalgar St James's, Double Tree Victoria, THE London Hilton (Park Lane), DoubleTree West End (NOT the Double Tree Westminster), and the Conrad St James's.

Many thanks!
Tammy

I don't think the location of the Hilton Kensington (which is actually located by the Shepherd's Bush roundabout) is bad, it's close to the tube station for getting into central London (central line) and loads of bus routes, where ever you stay in London you are not close to all sites you want to see, from LHR you can take the train from Heathrow (T2&3) to Ealing Broadway then the central line to Shepherds Bush. It's easy. It's close to Westfield Shopping Centre and even if you don't want to shop, it has lots of restaurants.

It's not right in the middle, more towards the west - it's an upmarket residential area, with some nice restaurants nearby. The central line easily takes you to other places. For example it would take you 30 minutes door to door to get to the British Museum (Check Citymapper for travel times). But there are no major sites within walking distance, apart from Notting Hill/Portobello Road.

The location isn't 'bad', and it is certainly an upmarket area. But to give you an idea to get to say Covent Garden from the hotel would take 36+ minutes by tube with a change and 10 minute walk. Or to say the V&A about 30 mins. I would do anything in London other than spend my time at the Westfield Mall.

I'd live in the area in a heartbeat. But for a short visit to London as a 'tourist' - not me.

You don’t have to spend anytime at Westfield Mall, alot of the restaurants are just outside of it and are outdoors. They are not upscale either, more of the better branches of some chain restaurants in quite pleasant surroundings close to good transportation links. And it’s not compulsory to visit if it’s not your thing, there are plenty of other options towards Notting Hill etc. Some who visit London who might not want to pay $$$ for a more central location, bus services are very good from Shepherds Bush & Holland Park Road & Central Line is perfect for getting to most places you want to get to, with changes of course.
Park Lane Hilton is obviously in a much more central London location and I like the restaurant and cocktail bar in one of the higher floors, food and views are great.

Westfield Mall. You came across the pond to visit that dump?

Odin - you are the one who brought up Westfield. My point was why spend any time in/near it when London is what one wants to see . . .

>> Some who visit London who might not want to pay $$$ for a more central location, bus services are very good from Shepherds Bush & Holland Park Road & Central Line is perfect for getting to most places you want to get to, with changes of course.<<

One does not need to spend a fortune to stay more central. As I said it would be a great area to live (all that shopping and good bus service) but if your reason for visiting is to see things in the center it would be better IMO/IME to stay more central. Many nice hotels are walking distance to more than one major site and w/i a short tube or bus ride of many others. This OP only has two days for London so staying at Shepherd's Bush doesn't make sense.