Getting Started in London
 

My husband and I, both in our early 50s, are going to the UK from Philadelphia for the first time this summer. We will start and finish our three-week trip in London and we both are doing a lot of reading and research about what we want to do. At this point, I have a couple of questions of this very experienced group of travelers:<BR><BR>1. We arrive at LGW at 6 a.m. After we deposit our luggage wherever we can deposit our luggage, would it be a good idea to plan to do a couple of sites such as museums, etc. on the very first day? I know we'll both be tired from the time change and flight, but believe that our excitement will help balance that out. How much would you recommend us planning for on arrival day?<BR><BR>2. We are almost overwhelmed at the choice of lodging and want to stay somewhere with the flavor of the area. In other words, I would prefer not to stay at a hotel chain, but we do want an en suite bathroom. In "the Complete Idiot's Travel Guide to London," I have read a good review of The Gallery in South Kensington. It is within our price range, but if anyone is familiar with the property, I would appreciate hearing some real feedback. <BR><BR>Thank you for any help/advice you offer. I know I'll have more questions as we nail down our itinerary.<BR><BR>

I don't sleep well on the plane so I'm usually pretty tired the first day. Because of this I try to plan a few things to do. It helps keep me awake so I can go to bed tired that first night rather than sleeping at the wrong time that day.<BR><BR>Hotels will usually hold your luggage even if you are there too early to check in. As an alternative the Heathrow Express takes you into Victoria station. Between train platforms 7 & 8 is a "left luggage" facility. You could leave your bags there and get started seeing London.

I don't know the hotel, but on Fodors and on the hotel's site, it all looks very good, and the location is wonderful for getting around London. The South Ken tube station is at an intersection, which means you can travel to more locations without changing trains. Also, there are several nice restaurants a short walk away on Old Brompton Road. For your first day, I'd suggest you do things that aren't too tiring, such as taking one of the bus tours through the city. It's a good idea to understand the layout of the city, you get to sit and see the overview, and then can decide where you would like to explore further on another day. You should take the Gatwick Express from the airport, which will take you in 30 minutes to Victoria. Your hotel is a short taxi ride away from the Victoria station, much better than trying to navigate the tube when you're tired and not sure of where to go.<BR><BR>Hope you have a wonderful time,<BR>Ellen

Most hotels will hold your luggage even if the room is not ready. I would choose events that keep you up and moving. Going to see a play on the first day/evening is a definite mistake. I would say try taking one of the bus tours on the first day. You can sit on top (with the breeze in your face) and get an idea of London without exerting too much energy.<BR><BR>Sometimes I will book a room in one of the big hotels just to assure that I can get in quickly. For example, I'll book one or two nights at the Palace Strand Hotel. It's not the greatest hotel in London but it has 780 rooms, so I am always guaranteed that when I get there, there will be a room. Then after I've recouped from jet lag, I move to another hotel for the rest of my stay.

I agree with Ellen -- for your first day, especially after an overnight flight, trooping through museums and even taking the tube might be just too much. Even with "excitement" to energize you, the trip could catch up with you. <BR><BR>Many people like to take one of the hop-on-hop-off tour buses on the first day. You'll get an overview of the city, see the outsides of many landmarks, and get some sunshine (if you're lucky and ride on top) to help you conquer your jet lag. Early to bed (try to stay up til 8 PM London time) and then you'll be ready for anything the next day. The ticket is good for 24 hours, so you can use it again next morning!

6 a.m. -- Good Lord! That will make for a VERY long day, even taking excitement into it. We travel from the west coast and get to London about noon, that's a lot easier to handle. That said I'd suggest you take the Gatwick Express train into Victoria Station. We stay in apartments so I am no hotel expert but I'd take a taxi to my hotel from the station -do not try and handle the tube with luggage - it will no doubt be rush hour as well. Most hotels will have a room to hold luggage in and you can always freshen up in the ladies room I guess. Hang on to your valuables tho, do not leave them in the hotel.<BR><BR>I'd plan a day with no major activities, skip the kind of places you really "must" see and do them another day, because quite frankly you may never remember them later on :-) if you see them that first day. Stay outdoors tho,it's the greatest thing for jet-lag. You should be able to get into your hotel about noon-ish. In your case I'd opt for a shower & quick nap (one/two hours or so, no more--set the alarm) since you will arrive so early. Get back outdoors again. One rule of thumb I always use when traveling and experiencing jet lag is to stay out of crowded areas the first day. You are not as alert and just being "off" a bit you can let you guard down so to speak. An environment where you are not crowded in always seems better to me that first day. Check out Hyde Park for example rather then Covent Garden. Take a boat ride down the Thames (you can sit and watch the sights go by - it's relaxing as well as lovely). I'd surely skip museums, The Tower of London, etc. the first day, too crowded and you won't remember half of it anyway. Never Never plan a theater outing for the first night. I know someone who fell asleep at a show when he went to the theater a few hours after a long flight .. we always see 4 or 5 shows, but never the first day in town. I'd stay off the tube as well, too confusing with jet lag :-), also very crowded. Maybe a bus ride .. it depends on how you feel. Excitement is great, but even that wears off eventually and dead tired kicks in. Plan on a good dinner, it does not have to be fancy, and an early night. We get to bed about 8 pm and are absolutely fine the next day, every time!! <BR><BR>The larger hotels will probably have rooms available earlier on (perhaps even by 11 am so give that a thought too).

Joyce - i have just done this! me and my wife arrived in LGW - and we left the luggage in the train station Vitoria central london luggage depot <BR>( VERY secure ) as we had arrived early in the morn' and it was the same idea to hit the museums etc ! we got on the double deccker tour busses ( availble everyhwere ) advantage -get on and off when you want - they go everywhere - and run every 5-10 minutes with live commentary ( well worth it - you;ll learn a lot and the Info' is light )<BR>disadvantage i am 35 my wife is 24 - she fell asleep on the top deck of the bus - and I could hardly keep awake - i neede to crash out desperatly - eneded up on a deck chair in green park - luckily it was a fine summers day . my advice is - you have 3 weeks dont rush the first day - your mind will want to like the sites but your body will win over :-)

Joyce & John - You asked about which neigborhood. My preferences are South Kensington or Bloomsbury, as these have the most neigborhood feel and are quite convenient to the sites. The Mayfair area is the most central but also the most expensive.<BR><BR>Do take the Gatwick Express to Victoria Station as you'll avoid all the morning traffic. Then take a taxi to your hotel. The tube is too much hassle and poping into a London cab at Victoria has to be one of the most exciting feelings. You get a little mini tour of the city on the way to your hotel.<BR><BR>You needn't leave your luggage at the train station. You can park it with your hotel until your room is ready.<BR><BR>Then, DO take either the Big Bus or the Original London Siteseeing tours. You'll get oriented to the city and not have to go walking. BUT, you can also hop off for lunch..and see what else you might like to peek at before falling into bed early that night.<BR><BR>Enjoy London and the UK!

Hi Joyce & John!<BR>Lori's post was bang on. My partner and I are in our late 30s and have been to London twice in the last 3 years. The 1st trip was for 3 weeks and the next was for 10 days. We live in the midwest here in the states and it is a very long flight. The first thing we do when we get to London is head for the hotel and check in, the hotel always has our room ready so we take a 2 hour nap and then get up and head across the street for a nice long walk through Kensington Gardens, then find a nice place to have a bite to eat and then back to the hotel at around 8pm and call it an evening. The next day we wake up bright and early and feeling no effects from jetlag. We will be doing the same thing when we go back to London again this June. If you have any questions I can help you with you can e-mail me directly I have listed my real e-mail address above. Hope this helps. Enjoy!!

Hi<BR>I don't have any info on the Gallery but you said it is within your price range--what is that range? Perhaps we can make some additional suggestions.<BR>I'm returning to London myself next week and I have a long file on it; if you'd like to see it, email me.<BR>

What do people think about strolling around the British Museum as a first-day jet lag activity, then having a cozy early dinner? It will be cold when we arrive, so I don't think a walk in the park would be so fun.<BR><BR>Julie

When I am new in any city I, personally, have a great need to get oriented to the place. That's why I like the orientation bus tours and have done this on my first and second trips to London. Even if it is cold, you can sit inside rather than up top. Or, at least, I'd want to head to some central place, like Buckingham Palace or Trafalgar Square to know I'm really in London. The last thing I would do is go indoors to a museum and wallow in minutia as my mine would be wandering to all those classic London sights awaiting me outside!<BR><BR>I'd save the museums for my third day...But that's just me and admittedly, if it's raining hard, outdoor plans can change.<BR><BR>I'm going to London on Saturday and, since I've been before, plan to make a beeline to the Portobello Rd Market, probably have a pub dinner near my hotel and go to bed early.

Julie: "Strolling AROUND the British Museum" might be a good idea - strolling through Bloomsbury, Inns of Court, etc. <BR><BR>But not going inside. The British Museum is almost always very crowded, warm, and overwhelming. Definitely not something to try while jet lagged.<BR><BR>If it is cold when you arrive - so much the better. As long as you are dressed for the weather, a cold bracing walk can help wake you up. Maybe not if it is storming and pouring rain. But the weather will be iffy the whole time you are there - so be prepared. If it is too cold or wet, you could go to Covent Garden. Lots to see but mostly under cover and lost of restaurants and pubs.

Well, I would not do a museum on my first jet-lagged day. No matter what the weather (unless it's a monster storm) try and stay outdoors. Just being in the daylight is good for the body and helps combat jetlag. A museum can be crowded, stuffy, etc. hence I'd save it for another day. Rarely is it so cold you cannot be outdoors so a nice walk really is better.

Not sure about the hotel you selected but if you can find a hotel for a reasonable price in Mayfair I would do that as that is very nice convenient area.<BR>As for the first day, I agree with the other posters who strongly advised against going to a museum. After an overnight flight to Amsterdam I fell asleep sitting on a bench in the Van Gogh museum. When I first arrive after a long flight I like to freshen up, get some breakfast/lunch and then go for a long walk. When I went to London last year on the first day we went for a long walk along the banks of the Thames. That is a great way to see London (cross to the South Bank so you can get a good view of the North side where most of the famous sites are) - you will see the houses of Parliament, big Ben, the London Eye, etc. It is important to get some fresh air (after sitting on the stuffy plane) and then you can move as fast or slow as you want. I like to head back to the hotel early, eat a quick dinner and then I am ready to pass out by 7 or 8 and will sleep through to the next morning and won't be jet lagged.<BR>Have a great trip.

Great recommendations and exactly what we needed to know.<BR><BR>Thanks to all who responded. As more questions come to mind, I won't hesitate to ask.<BR>

Thanks for the helpful replies, all. I especially liked Janis' suggestion about strolling around Bloomsbury and the Inns of Court. We will go ahead and visit the British Museum to see the Great Court and a little more, but we'll keep our visit short and sweet, then go for a nice walk.

I know you'll have a great trip.<BR><BR> I'd like to add my two cents, though, about the American obsession to have an en suite room. I tend to ramble but will try to be brief...<BR><BR>First, I like the family-run hotels, often in an 200-300 year old converted town-houses, former private home, business, whatever. These rooms are generally small to begin with. <BR><BR>Then, fairly recently in the scheme of things, many of these places decided, to get the American $, they were going to have to add a bathroom. Where?<BR><BR>Occasionally the only space is an old closet! (Not kidding...)<BR><BR>I've rented rooms with bathrooms that were COMICAL! Clean, modern and "brand new," but virtually useless. Showers so small that you nearly have to assume a fetal position to use them, often only inches from the child-size 'loo, which is inches from a goldfish bowl size sink!<BR><BR>I'll try to be delicate, here, but someone can stinkify you're sleeping quarters for HOURS...(some rooms are very poorly ventilated).<BR><BR>I've stayed in hotels with a "public" shower and it's rarely more than a few steps from your room to begin with. I've been lucky but 99% were cleaned several times a day. I take along some flip-flops, a light robe, and a can of Lysol, to be on the safe side.<BR><BR>The 'loo is often seperate and generally self contained, in other words you won't find yourself sitting next to other lodgers for your morning releif, army-style.<BR><BR>My point is that you may miss out on some real charm simply be insisting on en suite, you will certainly pay more for it, and you might very well to live to regret it.<BR><BR>Someone might well respond to this with a scathing example of their own experience(s) quite different from mine. The best advice is to check the room out before you check in. Oh yeah, make sure the "sample" room is the actual room you'll be renting.

Joyce & John,<BR>I think getting to your hotel via the train to Victoria and taxi is a good idea. If all goes smoothly, it will only be around 8:30 or so by the time you're done with this. Museums won't be open yet, and I even doubt if the various tour buses start that early. Plus, IMO if you want a sleeping pill, just try the British Museum after an all-night flight - vast halls, poor lighting on many of the exhibits, warm temperatures, straining to read small-print labels... geez, it's making me doze off right here. <BR><BR>Instead, I'd recommend a favorite walk for first-morning-in-London (I've done it a number of times and it never fails to please.) Take a taxi or the tube to Waterloo Station, then walk north a couple of blocks to the Thames. The view that's revealed of Parliament and the river is a take-your-breath-away scene. Close your mouth and cross Westminster Bridge, past Big Ben, then walk slowly up Whitehall, past the Admiralty, Horse Guards, Downing Street, the Cenotaph, and all the rest, all the way to Trafalgar Square. You can take anywhere from an hour or so to two or three to cover this distance; it's not a strenuous walk, but by the time you're feeding the pigeons you will know that you're absolutely, positively, here. All these images are icons for Americans, but seeing them in the early morning, in full 3-D color and motion, sound and smell, is a great way to begin your visit to London. Try it out.