First of all I want to wish everyone a new year filled with hope and good will. Also, my prayers for any of you affected (I guess that means all of us) by the tragedy in Indonesia. Because of the world events, I have not been in the right frame of mind to post here about a vacation itinerary, but after hearing our minister's uplifting message this morning in church, I am better able to deal with this horrific situation and don't feel as conflicted about talking about/planning for a happy vacation. You all have been so great in helping so far....here is "Plan A"- let me know what you think:

Day 1: Arrive (early or late) not sure yet- am waiting to buy airfare when the prices drop (hopefully they will soon!). Have booked Days Inn Waterloo (55-63 GBP/night).
Walk along Thames, London Eye, maybe #15 bus tour

Day 2: Westminster Abbey (Verger tour)
Houses of Parliament
Cabinet War Room
Imperial War Museum

Day 3: Tower of London
St. Paul's
Tower Bridge
Ceremony of Keys

Day 4: Horse Guard Parade
Royal Mews
St. James Park
St. Martin in the Field
(1:00 concert)
Theatre (daughter's pick)

Day 5: Hyde Park. Harrods. Picnic lunch in the park. Now here is where I have a coupple of questions. My son swims competitively and would like to swim somewhere in London. I read in a guidebook (London for Dummies I think) there is swimming in the Serpentine. They made it sound wonderful (as did the website I visited). Has anyone done this? I searched on the forum and found a couple of references but they are a bit dated. I would love to hear from anyone who has actually done this. If we can't do that, horseback riding or going out in the row boats are other "wishes" they have. Evening Tate Modern.


Day 6: Camden Market
SOHO
Covent Garden
Theatre museum
Theatre (son's pick)

Day 7: Day trip: Tube to Richmond,
walk - parts bus to
Hampton Court Palace. One of you
wrote about a great website and I
found a great self-guided walk (with
shortened version) for us.

Day 8: Walk around Mayfair, Chelsea
Imperial War Museum

Day 9: Hampstead Heath or Old Amersham?
Want to get your opinions on these
places. I thought we maybe could
have tea somewhere. Which would be
best?

Day 10: prepare to go home.

Sorry for the length, but there is the "rough draft". Have at it! And thanks everyone for your help!

Please see www.royalparks.gov.uk/parks/hyde_park/sport.cfm/. I used to swim in the Serpentine quite often thirty years ago, but my skin is infectious now. A pity: I shall jump straight back in if I recover. The feel is open and relaxed, with none of the echoing voices that mar indoor pools.

Days Inn Waterloo is at 54 Kennington Road, London SE1 7BJ, a mile or more south of Waterloo which means far from all tourist sights except the Imperial War Museum. If you want that price in Waterloo please think of the Travellers Inn in County Hall, or north of the river (and so more accessible) the Royal Adelphi hotel. Each has a web site with room rates, and I can send you user comment from this forum if you ask me to.

The lunchtime music at St James Piccadilly is usually better than that at St Martin in the Fields.

[email protected]

Hi
You've got the Imperial War Musuem on your Day 2 and Day 8. I wouldn't do it on Day 2 as it's not close to where you will be earlier in the day. Perhaps that afternoon do something lighter and less structured, such as Harrods and/or a walk around Chelsea.

For the Tower and St Paul's Day, perhaps do tea that afternoon, and again combine it with something freer in the afternoon, such as a walk around Mayfair, you could have afternoon tea that afternoon if you like.

On the visit to the Imp. War Museum, consider combining that with a tour of the Globe Theatre. It doesn't take that long, and since you have some interest in theatre I think you will really enjoy it. The Theatre Museum didn't impress me particularly, but some people like it obviously. Near the Theatre Museum and Covent Garden is St Paul's, the 'Actors' Church'--lots of memorials to theatre folk.

Usually people try to schedule too much for their trip, but you have lots of days and a relatively relaxed schedule, and you might want to consider one day farther out of London, such as a daytrip to Bath or Oxford or Stratford or Cambridge.

I have a long file on London; if you'd like to see it, email me at
[email protected]

I second Mr. Haines's concerns about the location of your hotel. Really not convenient.
You also have the Imperial War Museum down for 2 days' visits (2 and 8) in your itinerary - is this intentional? You might want to consider another museum, such as the V&A or the British Museum, instead - if you are museum lovers. What are your children's interests and ages?
Day 2 might be kind of rough, in that you have a lot of museum-type things planned, and you will be feeling the effects of some jet lag... it might be hard to keep your concentration. Just a thought - I know I'd probably doze off!

I suggest a look in at Fortnum & Mason (maybe when you're walking around the Mayfair area??) and possibly a stroll along the King's Road when you're in Chelsea.

For your day to Hampton Court you might want to consider taking a boat along the Thames for one direction (depending on the time of year you're going). More interesting than the tube (but longer). It'd also be kind of neat to explore Richmond a bit if you had time.

I am partial to Hampstead Heath and I love strolling through the village and looking in the shops, but whether or not I'd recommend it depends on your interests and what your gang would enjoy doing. I've spent afternoons walking the heath and also just sat for an hour people watching. It's a big, wild-ish park.

Again depending on the age of your crew, tea at the Orangery at Kensington Palace could be good - less formal and less pricey than the large hotels. And a nice location.

Were you planning to see the changing of the guard at Horse Guards Parade? Otherwise, there is really nothing to see there - just a field. On your Day 4 you may want to start with the Cabinet War Rooms, then a walk up Whitehall (take a peak at 10 Downing Street and the mounted guards at the front of Horseguards) to Trafalgar Square. Maybe do a brass rubbing at St. Martins, have lunch at the Cafe in the Crypt and the 1:00 concert. Then walk through St. James's Park to Buckingham Palace to see the Royal Mews. Then the theatre in the evening.

Day 2 is a bit crowded, but if you moved the Cabinet War Rooms to Day 4 it would work out. I noticed you have the Imperial War museum on two different days. Oversight?

Another consideration for the day trip to Hampton Court... You could take the train from Waterloo station and it stops just outside Hampton Court Palace. Then, if it's a nice day, you can take one of the Thames River cruises back to London. It takes several hours, but it's a nice relaxing trip. And since the Thames is a tidal river, you get to go through a few sets of locks.

elaine, I put the war museum on there twice by mistake. Actually I had it on Day 2 first and then thought later in the trip would be better. In planning for this trip I added two days, hoping to allow time to leisurely enjoy ourselves and not be exhausted at the end of each day after touring. Do you
think I should cut the time back?

Mr. Haines..I hoped you were going to reply I reserved the Days Inn Waterloo because of it had the lowest rates I could find and from reviews it seemed like a good choice. In researching Travel Inn County Hall, it was more expensive (by 25+ GBP/night)We do need a family style room for sleeping arrangements. I hope the Days Inn won't be inconvenient, but our budget is a big consideration here. Thank you for the advice on the music at St. James Picadilly.

Hi
If you can consider cutting your time back by even one day, then think of instead booking the more convenient hotel--you will come out ahead on the money and still make even better use of your time due to the location.
Even with 8 or 9 days you can see everything on your list if you want to, and/or do a daytrip outside of London.

The Imperial War Museum is diagonally across from the Days Inn, so it doesn't really matter where else you go on the day you visit it, because it's a two-minute walk from where you'll begin and end the day.

We found the Days Inn to be not in the least bit inconvenient; the #159 bus stops on the same block as the hotel, and goes from there into Westminster, where many of your objectives are.

I think we are all on here at the same time- we need Instant messaging! taggie- sorry I should have put the kids' ages- 10 and 14. We enjoy the outdoors a great deal, but with living near DC we been to many museums (although they are I am sure each unique unto themselves). What would be your choice of those two for a visit given the ages of my kids? The boat ride back down the Thames from HCP sounds great! Will add that definitely!Thanks so far!

If you can squeeze it in, a trip down the river to Greenwich might be fun for both you and the kids. Besides the Royal Observatory (where Greenwich Mean Time is manufactured), there's the <i>Cutty Sark</i> (a well-preserved sailing vessel), the National Maritime Museum, and a foot tunnel under the river (you can walk across and get on the DLR at Island Gardens to return to the City).

A few miles downstream, and accessible by boat or bus, is the Thames Barrier, a colossal flood-control structure.

I agree w/ everyone else about the Days Inn. It is not a terrible property - but you wouldn't be w/i walking distance of anything.

Whereas if you spring a little more for the Travel Inn you will be w/i a short walk of among other things: The Eye, Big Ben/Parliament, Westminster Abbey, all the sites/venues along the south bank, Trafalgar Square, Cabinet War Rooms, Horse Guards, St James Park, B'ham Palace, the Royal Mews, and many others. It is glorious to walk out the front door of the Hotel and literally walk a few yards around the corner be at the foot of the Eye and see Big Ben directly across the river.

If you can at all swing the extra money I'd definitely switch. If the money is a deal breaker then just know you won't be in the most convenient location.

Other than the hotel (I know budgets are important) your overall plan is very good. Not too crammed and w/ lots of wiggle room to add other sites that interest you.

For your day at Hamptom Court Palace I would recommend you do it slightly differently for more effective use of time and to let you see a bit more. Take a morning train from Waterloo to Hampton Court and spend about 1/2 the day there. Have lunch in the grounds and then take the river boat to Richmond. Wander around Richmond for a bit and then take the tube back to London.

I would hit the Palace first and spend as much time as you want before going back towards Richmond - Richmond is very nice but it would be a shame to miss out on parts of HCP because you were delayed or missed connections in Richmond.

Looks like the Days Inn Waterloo is close enough to the Lambeth North underground station (Bakerloo line). The #159 bus route is also close by. Maybe not a central location, but not that far out. And it's gotten good reviews on tripadvisor.com.

Maybe your kids would prefer NOT to add another museum?? Just wondering. They might like the Natural History museum... the V &amp; A might be too much for them, although there's a neat display of fashion through the ages. British Museum has the Rosetta Stone, Elgin marbles, etc.
Is your daughter the 14-year-old? (Sorry, can't recall from your other posts and I'm too lazy today to look them up). Maybe she would like to do some shopping on Oxford Street.

Just to say overall that you've got the right idea in not packing too, too much into each day at this point - you will undoubtedly find lots to fill the time!

Thanks thus far to all of you who have taken time to contribute. For a second day trip (with the first being Hampton Court Palace), Robespierre mentioned Greenwich. I had thought about Cambridge (I stayed there while in college many moons ago, so I thought it might be neat to go back), or I had read a lot about Rye or Lavenham from Mr. Haines' previous posts on day trips. Since it will be the last full day there, I wanted to (weather permitting) experience a place with a smaller, English-village type feel. Do you think Rye or Lavenham would be too far to go considering we would be flying home the next day?

In answering a few of your questions- Kayb95- yes, we would want to see the Changing of the Guard at the Horse Guard Parade ground. I read somewhere that it offers all of the pagentry without the large crowds. Is this the case? I like your idea about moving the Cabinet War Room to Day 4- I do think we may &quot;hit the wall&quot; the second day. I know we did when we went to Walt Disney World a few years ago! taggie- I think we may not add another big museum to the mix. My son is the 14 year old and loves the theatre (hence the Theatre Museum inclusion). He also is an avid reader and loves the written word. Do I want to include the British Library? If he goes into a bookstore, he is happy to stay for hours!

For your trip to Hampton Court, it would be much faster and more convenient to take the train (I'm talking the TRAIN - not the Tube) which goes from Waterloo Station direct to Hampton Court, you then just walk across the river and you're there. If you're staying at Days Inn Waterloo it will be a snap to walk to the train station. Can't however advise you on the cost of the train to HC as compared to the tube/bus/walk plan since I've always gotten a BritRail pass when I've gone to the UK so have never researched indivual ticket prices. But I think you can look them up at the National Rail site - www.nationalrail.co.uk.

I think Rye would be a stretch, since you'll be leaving the next day. Have you thought about Oxford? I often suggest that because there are two coach lines that serve London-Oxford 24 hours a day, and it can make a day trip really flexible for you. Your son might like the Treasures display at the British Library. Lots of maps,collectible books, and a nice inclusion of the Beatles And it's free (donation requested.) Be sure to spend some time on Oxford Street doing some shopping. Your daughter might like to buy clothes or toiletries at Marks and Spencer, or even Selfridges. I always like the record shops! HMV at Bond Street is my favorite.

Another vote for the Treasures Gallery at the British Library. An amazing collection. Some of my favorite bookstores in London that I have spent hours in include Stanford's, John Sandoe and Waterstone's.

Agree with most of the comments. I would say Hampstead Heath is the place to go on a dry day. You could take the Northern Line to Hampstead, wander the village before heading over to the heath itself. There are some splendid pubs such as The Holybush and The Flask for a beer and lunch.
If you can, walk to the north of the Heath and visit Kenwood House, a beautiful Georgian building with some fabulous paintings by Turner, Reynolds, Gainsborough and many others. A very good cafe next door as well and admission is free. Bus 210 would take you back to Golders Green Tube.

Old Amersham is pretty but there really is nothing much to do other than look at the Hotel where they filmed the bedroom scene in &quot;Four Weddings And A Funeral&quot;!

St Albans would be a better bet. Easy to get to with good shops, The Roman site of Verlulanium and the Abbey which is one of the finest in the country.

Like others, I would get to Hampton Court ASAP and see what time you have left at the end of the day.

For more info on The Serpentine contact the swimming club at www.serpentineswimmingclub.com
I think you have to be a member but they might make an exception.

Good luck with your planning and please ask more questions!

Adam C