Getting to Greenwich - would like to avoid Tube
Mar 26th, 2003, 06:24 AM
#21
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Bree:<BR><BR>Thanks for the correction. I'm leaving for Venice in a few days and must have it on my mind.<BR><BR>I wanted to do the "Venice" walk in London but didn't have time this visit.<BR><BR>Therese
Mar 26th, 2003, 12:11 PM
#22
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Hi MHS ... "The 400th anniversary of the death of Queen Elizabeth I is being marked by an exhibition at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. The exhibition, called simply 'Elizabeth', opens on 1 May, and bring together the greatest collection ever assembled of paintings, manuscripts, and personal effects relating to her life. Many of them have never been displayed in public before. One of the star exhibits is Elizabeth's mother of pearl, ruby and diamond ring, which was reputedly taken to James VI in Scotland as evidence of her death. 'Elizabeth' will be open until 14 September."<BR><BR>I have to say I concur with the posting that a trip to Greenwich on your first day in London might be a bit ambitious. There is a lot of hill walking, especially since you won't want to miss the Royal Observatory and you can easily make a day of a trip to Greenwich. We've taken the Docklands Light Railway to Greenwich ... as with most things in London, it is not as complicated as it appears when you are sitting at home 
<BR><BR>I would not take the boat trip to Greenwich as that is a bit long. If it were me ... I would save the trip to Greenwich for a day when you have had at least one good nights sleep and can devote the better part of a day to exploring Greenwich. Then on the way back into London, I'd stop off at Canary Wharf. There are a number of terrific shops and restaurants - and if the weather is nice (even if it isn't as nice) walking along the Riverwalk is really pretty. <BR><BR>If I weren't going to grab a nap on my first day (Sunday) in London, I'd opt out for a cemetery tour. Really ... There are a couple of really neat tours - on our last trip we toured London's Kensal Green Cemetery. It was incrediably interesting (well - at least I thought so) According to our guide there are more mausloeums than anywhere else in England ... a son and daughter of King George III are at Kensal. There are two Sundays a month where you can descend into the catacombs ... at the moment I cannot think of the other cemetery tour .. but if that doesn't strike your fancy you might want to consider taking an abbreviated tour of one of the museums or a trip to the National Portrait Gallery (that is awesome). A nice way to spend your first day without draining the energy reserves. I plan on touring Churchill's War Cabitnet Rooms for the second time as I have read that there are a few more rooms that have recently been opened. (www.iwm.org.uk)<BR><BR>BTW ... I will be heading to Great Britain in June so I hope you have a chance to take in 'Elizabeth' and report before I leave.<BR>
<BR><BR>I would not take the boat trip to Greenwich as that is a bit long. If it were me ... I would save the trip to Greenwich for a day when you have had at least one good nights sleep and can devote the better part of a day to exploring Greenwich. Then on the way back into London, I'd stop off at Canary Wharf. There are a number of terrific shops and restaurants - and if the weather is nice (even if it isn't as nice) walking along the Riverwalk is really pretty. <BR><BR>If I weren't going to grab a nap on my first day (Sunday) in London, I'd opt out for a cemetery tour. Really ... There are a couple of really neat tours - on our last trip we toured London's Kensal Green Cemetery. It was incrediably interesting (well - at least I thought so) According to our guide there are more mausloeums than anywhere else in England ... a son and daughter of King George III are at Kensal. There are two Sundays a month where you can descend into the catacombs ... at the moment I cannot think of the other cemetery tour .. but if that doesn't strike your fancy you might want to consider taking an abbreviated tour of one of the museums or a trip to the National Portrait Gallery (that is awesome). A nice way to spend your first day without draining the energy reserves. I plan on touring Churchill's War Cabitnet Rooms for the second time as I have read that there are a few more rooms that have recently been opened. (www.iwm.org.uk)<BR><BR>BTW ... I will be heading to Great Britain in June so I hope you have a chance to take in 'Elizabeth' and report before I leave.<BR>
May 1st, 2003, 02:40 PM
#23
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Therese- I'm looking into the London walks to do a trip to Greenwich, but what I can't quite figure out is how long the london walks tour lasts (they never seem to tell you that on the site), and where they take you once you get to Greenwich. Can you, or someone who has taken one, fill in some information on the London Walks trip to Greenwich?
They leave at 11am on the boat ride, and I read in your post they take the DLR back-how long does the entire journey take to return to central london (approx. of course)? And how much does it cost since they give you the discount on the boat-but don't mention the Docklands Light Railway (is my tube pass good on it?) ? Also, where do they take you in Greenwich? Do you see inside any of the tourist attractions or is it strictly a walk through the town?
Also, I've heard about a foot tunnel under the thames-is this part of the tour at all? I ask because I'm travelling with a friend who would NEVER be Ok with walking through a tunnel under water...
Sorry to sound like I need everything planned but I'm trying to choose a day to do the tour based on other plans and the time and expense will impact my choice.
Thanks for any information you can offer me.
They leave at 11am on the boat ride, and I read in your post they take the DLR back-how long does the entire journey take to return to central london (approx. of course)? And how much does it cost since they give you the discount on the boat-but don't mention the Docklands Light Railway (is my tube pass good on it?) ? Also, where do they take you in Greenwich? Do you see inside any of the tourist attractions or is it strictly a walk through the town?
Also, I've heard about a foot tunnel under the thames-is this part of the tour at all? I ask because I'm travelling with a friend who would NEVER be Ok with walking through a tunnel under water...
Sorry to sound like I need everything planned but I'm trying to choose a day to do the tour based on other plans and the time and expense will impact my choice.
Thanks for any information you can offer me.
May 1st, 2003, 05:56 PM
#24
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We did this walk late March.
The entire walk (including boat ride) took approximately 2-1/2 hours. The boat ride itself was about 30 minutes.
Once off the boat in Greenwich we viewed the Cutty Sark. This walk does not go inside anything - it is strictly an outside walk. We walked through the grounds of the Naval College and around to Greenwich Park, stopped at the outside of the Maritime Museum, viewed the Observatory from the bottom of the hill, went through town past several interesting markets (this may not be in exact order) and ended in a churchyard where our guide gave us directions to the DLR station as well as how to get to the popular attractions in Greenwich.
You don't return with the group to London - once the tour is over you're on your own in Greenwich.
Not to worry! The foot tunnel is not part of the walk.
The trip via DLR was covered in our Zone 1&2 weekly Tube pass and took about 30 minutes to reach central London.
We did this walk on a Sunday - which is preferable because the markets are in full swing. I would recommend it. Sunday was our first "full" day in London-we arrived on Saturday-and we had no problems with any jet lag issues or excessive walking.
FYI-most of their walks last around 2 hours. And they don't always end where they start.
Have a lovely time!
The entire walk (including boat ride) took approximately 2-1/2 hours. The boat ride itself was about 30 minutes.
Once off the boat in Greenwich we viewed the Cutty Sark. This walk does not go inside anything - it is strictly an outside walk. We walked through the grounds of the Naval College and around to Greenwich Park, stopped at the outside of the Maritime Museum, viewed the Observatory from the bottom of the hill, went through town past several interesting markets (this may not be in exact order) and ended in a churchyard where our guide gave us directions to the DLR station as well as how to get to the popular attractions in Greenwich.
You don't return with the group to London - once the tour is over you're on your own in Greenwich.
Not to worry! The foot tunnel is not part of the walk.
The trip via DLR was covered in our Zone 1&2 weekly Tube pass and took about 30 minutes to reach central London.
We did this walk on a Sunday - which is preferable because the markets are in full swing. I would recommend it. Sunday was our first "full" day in London-we arrived on Saturday-and we had no problems with any jet lag issues or excessive walking.
FYI-most of their walks last around 2 hours. And they don't always end where they start.
Have a lovely time!
May 2nd, 2003, 02:27 PM
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MHS, it's a long uphill walk to the Observatory so only plan on going to Greenwich on a good day. Have an alternative planned. Also you might double check the 10:30 time for Horseguards, an old reference of mine shows 10:00 AM on Sundays.
We have taken the river route to Greenwich twice from Westminster Pier (once with the grandchildren) and felt it well worth the time. The commentary by the skipper is corny but amusing and informative. I think it's only done on the trip to Greenwich. We've also taken the DLR to Island Gardens and walked thru the foot tunnel for something completely different. Thanks, Monty Python.
The attached gives a little info on the foot tunnel: http://www.greenwich-guide.org.uk/tunnel.htm Checking the Home box on the bottom of the page takes you to an extensive Greenwich site.
We've bought a few antique prints in the Warwick Leadley Gallery near the market. Prints make nice souvenirs and gifts and they pack well.
The last time we came back on the doubledecker bus thru South London. It was an interesting journey thru an area that not many tourists would find a reason to visit.
We have taken the river route to Greenwich twice from Westminster Pier (once with the grandchildren) and felt it well worth the time. The commentary by the skipper is corny but amusing and informative. I think it's only done on the trip to Greenwich. We've also taken the DLR to Island Gardens and walked thru the foot tunnel for something completely different. Thanks, Monty Python.
The attached gives a little info on the foot tunnel: http://www.greenwich-guide.org.uk/tunnel.htm Checking the Home box on the bottom of the page takes you to an extensive Greenwich site.
We've bought a few antique prints in the Warwick Leadley Gallery near the market. Prints make nice souvenirs and gifts and they pack well.
The last time we came back on the doubledecker bus thru South London. It was an interesting journey thru an area that not many tourists would find a reason to visit.
May 2nd, 2003, 07:08 PM
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We were in London in March and took the boat to Greenwich around 11 am. It was a beautiful day and the boat ride was great...the skipper was full of information that we hadn't heard before, and it gave us a completely different perspective than the ride back on the light rail. Sit back relax and enjoy the trip. I urge you to take the boat! Have a great time. Karen
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