Help with London
 

I have been to London a few times, but I'm going in September with a friend who has never been. We have two full days - the first day is when we fly in from the US (early morning), so we might not have a lot of stamina. (We're 62 and 71.) Our must-do items were touring the Tower, a Parliament tour and Harrod's. Our hotel is near Trafalgar Square. We since have discovered that tours of Parliament are not offered on the days we're there. We also would like to see Westminster Abbey, but I couldn't quite figure out how that works from the website.

We were thinking that on day 1, we would make our way on foot to Harrod's, seeing sites along the way, then seeing how we felt. Maybe soldiering on to Chelsea Market, maybe doing a hop-on, hop-off tour.

I have found lots of negative opinions about hop-on, hop-off tours, but I think it would provide a good overview. I've never done one in London, and I expect I would learn a few things. Plus, for two tired people, it seems it would be a good idea.

Day 2 would be the Tower, but not sure beyond that.

So I guess my questions are:
How does it work to visit Westminster Abbey?
Which hop-on, hop-off would you recommend if you had to recommend one?
What is Chelsea market like? Would you recommend a different market instead?

Thanks in advance for your help. I've always found the Fodor's forums to be very helpful.

Go on the the Westminster Abbey website (www.westminster-abbey.org ) to book tickets. It gives you many options.We visit the Abbey every time we go to London, a major religious and historical site.
I am not a fan of the hop on hop off buses. You will sit in traffic!

Consider on your first day to get daylight and keep moving to get over jet lag a walk from your hotel to Big Ben/parliament, Westminster Abbey, horseguards and into St James Park behind there, to Buckingham palace, a much better way to see a good selection of landmark sights than HoHo where if you are tired you will just be rocked to sleep.

Harrods is a ways away but consider doing Tower the second day in the morning and popping over to Harrods later that day by tube. Near Harrods is also Kensington palace and the beautiful park there.

Enjoy the planning!

Not sure what is unclear about visiting the Abbey -- the website has a "Visit Us' tab and scrolling down there is a 'Buy Tickets' link. You book on-line just like most every other tourist attraction. UNLESS it is a Sunday when the Abbey is not open for visitors - only for services that anyone can attend, no tickets required but also no walking around 'exploring'.

What days of the week are you there -- that can make a difference re both what you can visit and the hours. Harrods can become a zoo in the middle of the day - not for the faint of heart ;) If this is during one of the bi-annual sales it gets so insane they often have to close the tube station exit for crowd control. The food halls are definitely interesting - but don't count on getting near some of the display cases between the hundreds of curious lookie-lou's and actual customers. The crowds are primarily on the ground floor though and it does get quieter on the upper floors.

Are you sure you mean the Chelsea Market? It isn't a 'thing' really -- yes there are vendors but nothing at all like other bigger/better/more famous markets in London (Portobello Rd, Borough Market, Covet Garden, Camden, etc etc ) - again day of the week makes a difference.

If you are staying near Trafalgar Square - you are walking distance to the wonderful National Portrait Gallery which just re-opened last Thursday after a 3 year total remodel; the National Gallery (though it is a bit of a jumble right now because one wing is being re-done) ;Covent Garden

I'd avoid the H-o-H-o buses for sure.

Good information – thanks, everyone!

Regarding the Chelsea Market, I really don't know anything about it. My friend asked about Chelsea, and I know nothing it except that Elvis Costello doesn't want to go there. A quick search returned Chelsea Market, so I thought that might be worth a stop.

We'll be there on a Thursday and Friday, so that might affect some of your responses. I did warn my friend about Harrod's because I've been there during a crush, but I figured we'd take our chances.

If you are going to the Tower on Friday morning -- then I'd try to fit in Borough Market in the afternoon -- it will be very crowded but its a great place to browse and eat.

Chelsea is a very up market/posh area to live but really isn't a sightseeing hub. There is Christopher Wren's Chelsea Hospital (google it and 'Chelsea Pensioners') and the smallish but quite interesting Physic Garden - other than that is is mostly upscale housing, boutiques, restaurants, the Saatchi Gallery, and Perter Jones (my favorite department store in London)

IF Harrods is a must maybe book an early dinner on Thursday in one of the MANY restaurants in the store. That way you can see Harrods and explore a bit before hand. You'll definitely want to pre-book.

There is a farmers market in Chelsea England and Chelsea Market is in New York

I don't know the lyrics by heart but AFAIK Elvis Costello just mentioned Chelsea and not the Market. It was written in the 70's and has nothing to do with today. I believe it was a slam aimed at the Kings Road 'dollies' and the luvvie culture in general.

given the dangers of jet lag, I'd avoid sitting down in a bus you don't have to get off, sleep will come. Get out in the sun and fresh air

Instead of taking the Hop-on hop-off bus take the number 9 and 11 bus, it will take you to most of the major sites.

A second vote for doing Tower of London on your second day then going to Borough Market after -you can walk along the river to London Bridge, cross there and then you are right there. It will be busy on a Friday but it's a crowd pleaser for sure.

I think the Hop On/Hop Off can be fun - it just depends on expectations. As long as you don't expect a captivating live tour guide I think it's a fun way to see some sights if you have nice weather. I did the Toot Bus with some friends visiting in April and they had bought tickets which included the Thames cruise. I had very low expectations for a crowded tour boat but we sat on the top deck in nice weather and there was a live guide who was entertaining. It was a very nice ride from Tower Bridge to Parliament.

Hope you have a fun trip!

I agree that a walk from your hotel to Big Ben/parliament, Westminster Abbey, Horseguards and into St James Park and Buckingham palace is a good option provided it’s not raining.
You can catch the bus from St. James’s to Harrods. It takes about 15-20 minutes. If you come back to Trafalgar Square by bus, get off just before Piccadilly and go into Fortnum and Masons.

On Day 2, you could make your way back to Covent Garden after the Tower of London and enjoy the boutiques, the market and having some tea & cake or dinner.