We would like to go to London the first week of May. Thinking about a travel agent or tour - but would love to find our own accomodations and create our own itineary. Ideas on B&B and accomodations; something under $90 per night with private quarters. Possible to obtain football tickets(last week of season). Food, travel (including air from Philadelphia). Any info will be greatly appreciated. I've read many messages however would like to hear more! thanks.

Bob, check out these links: Smoothhound hotel directory at www.s-h-systems.co.uk and London online reservations at www.demon.co.uk/hotel-uk or The Dolphin hotel at www.dolphinhotel.co.uk or The Shakespeare Hotel at www.shakespearehote.co.uk. The last 2 are in Bayswater, close to Paddington rail station. I'm planning a trip to London too and these are just some of the information i've found over the net. Also, go to a bookstore (such as BORDERS or BARNES & NOBLES) and buy the "London for Less" book that can be found in the travel section. I bought it for $19.95 but most people seem to get it for $24.95. Anyway, besides from being a guidebook, it also has a "London for Less" card included which entitles you to lots of discounts and a lot of restaurants, attractions, bus, rail, rooms, etc. It also includes a full-size street map of london. It's well worth the price to buy it! Good luck!

get a travelcard in the states for the subway,busses and such. also britrail offers a train in southeast england, 3 days and a three day travelcard for about 100 bucks. we did this and spent 3 days in london using the subway, and then took day trips to oxford and windsor one trip, canterbury, dover and rye one trip, and paid an extra 20 bucks for a trip to bath. it was worth the money as one trip almost paid for the whole thing. they also throw in a guided tour in one of the cities.. in london the tower of london, and british museum are must sees. email me if you would like more information.

I did not find much advantage to the London for Less card. You had to spend alot to save. Neither did I like the Great British Heritage card. The Visitors Travelcard is another matter. It is indispensable for getting around town. You must buy it from your travel agent here. B&B's are nice, there is a web site called Smooth Hound which rates and describes a great many. I stayed at the Regent Palace hotel at Piccadilly Circus in November on their "week away" rate of 42.50 pounds per night with full breakfast AND dinner included. It was a great value. This was a single rate, but I am sure there is a double rate also. Contact Forte' hotels at their toll free number and ask about "week away" rates. There is also a booth at Victoria station which handles bookings for B&B's if you have to courage to go without advance bookings. In any event, London is the One great city to visit. You will love it.

One of the best side trips I took while in London was to Wimbledon. We rented a car and drove through the country side. Wimbledon is a quaint little city.
Another great trip is one of the day-trips on the train to Wales and back. Stopping at places like Cardiff castle was wonderful. We did our own itenerary while in London, but the train trip was a guided tour for the day... very nice. On of the best restaurants, and a very unique experience is at Wheelers at St. James Place. There are several "Wheelers" restaurants, so make sure it's the one on St. James Place. My father went there in the 50's and he told me about it. I have been their once in '89 and again in '96. It was great both times. Reservation are almost a must. It's quaint and very good.
Another thought... if you take the train anywhere, buy a 1st class seat. It's not that expensive, but the trip is so much more enjoyable. Eating a meal in first class while watching the English countryside is fabulous.

hi Bill, just got back from my trip to London. I did not use the London for Less card all that much, however, for the activities/restaurants that I did use it for, the book did pay for itself very quickly. We took the London Pride double decker bus tour and that was 50%25 off the 12pound rate, saving us 12pounds on 2 tickets which is equivalent to exactly what I bought the book for. It also offers you discounted rates on the hotels listed in the book. It ended up being a free book, so why not get it, right? Also, we took a day trip to Windsor Castle and it was beautiful! But go early, because the line just to purchase admission tickets is long. We got there at about 12noon and waited in line for about 50minutes just to buy tickets (which were 9.8pounds each!). Our r/t train tkt from London's Waterloo station to Windsor was 11.4pounds each, however, we didn't really have to buy it because no one checked to see our ticket ever. Had we known that, we could have saved about $20.

Hi there. Sounds like you will be travelling with a fun group, and London is a great place to visit. You've got lots of advice re: B&Bs and travel cards, thought I would say a little about sights to see/miss. Harrods of course has to be on your list. You might not be able to afford anything (I usually buy something really small like soap to feel decadent) but you have to see the place. Walk through the cosmetics area and the most beautiful women in the world will spray you will all kinds of wonderful scents. Do this after you walk through the Food Halls - amazing! We always go to as many plays as we possibly can, even going to matinees and evening shows in one day. Some I would recommend: An Inspector Calls, Miss Saigon, The Mousetrap (although some say it's a tourist trap, we really liked it). There is a website, I think it's called London at Night that has all kinds of reviews, times, cost, etc. re theatre. Sights: I would not go to Madame Tussauds (too many people), Changing of the Guards. I would go once to the Tower and see the jewels, but never twice. The British Museum is amazing, but if you don't have the time make sure you walk through the Egyptian rooms. I spent a whole day at the National Portrait Gallery and wished I had more time - the gift shop is wonderful. The parks are all great, Victoria and Albert museum is worth another day. To see people wander around the theatre district, go to Ronnie Scott's jazz club, eat at the Basil St. Hotel - so English you could just scream. Have tea at Browns then go to the Courtauld and stand as close as you want to Van Gogh's self-portrait. Ride the tube, you'll see lots of 'characters', say a little prayer at the gates of Kensington Palace, then have lunch at San Lorenzo's. Have fun.

Just got back from London on 3-21. It was my first trip and overall...just WONDERFUL!! I did buy a tube pass and a 4 day Britrail pass, and a Heritage pass before I went. The first two were indispensable and I more than got my money worth!! I broke even on the Heritage Pass. Overall very seldom did anyone check my Britrail pass, but I sure wouldn't chance it!! I LOVED Windsor, and agree to get there early. It was absolutely fantastic. I enjoyed the Tower of London, as well as the Cathedrals (Westminster & St. Paul's). I did a side trip to Canterbury and thought the Cathedral was beautiful and the town quaint. Hampton Court was terrific ( I love history!!). I spent around 4 -5 hours there. Harrod's was fun but EXPENSIVE!!I travelled by myself for three of the 5 days and felt very safe. Don't pack too much in. I'm planning on going back to check out everything I missed the first time!! E-mail me if you have any questions.