Hopefully something for everyone! Recommendations needed.
 

Family of four heading to London this Friday. Yes. A woman who normally would have had the i's dotted and the t's crossed basically has a flat rented in the Mayfair area and our flight booked. Suffice it to say, life has happened, and didn't allow for any planning. I have just spent a good portion of today going through posts and trip reports. It has been a while since I have been out here, but I am always grateful for all the wonderful information that fodorites share.

After reading all of these reports and creating my own file, I will need to digest and create an itinerary to get feedback from the experts. I do have a request; however, what day trip(s) would you say are musts? The we, DH is a self-imposed overworked architect who loves all things architecture, history, art and food; DD is coming from her first year of college at an art and design school as a fashion major, loves history, art, food, all things harry potter, and shopping; DS is a high school senior who has a bad case of senioritis, loves military history, will tolerate 15 minutes of art, will not tolerate any shopping, likes history in general, good food, harry potter fan and wifi so he can connect with his friends at night. Their interests cover mine (well I don't need to connect with my son's friends), but I do like gardens, I just don't know if this is a good time of year for them.

We arrive late Saturday morning, and leave the following Saturday, so basically 6 1/2 days in London. While my family would like to go to Stonehenge, I just don't know if it is really worth it. I would love to go somewhere for a day trip that would give us a different perspective from what we will have in the city. Any suggestions. I don't know if more than one day trip would work. My children are overall good travelers since they have been to so many places in the US, Rome, Berlin and Milan. They loved Rome. It's all about balance with the outdoors and museums/indoor activities.

Most people do Bath or Oxford, maybe Canterbury, but I'd suggest Brighton. The Pavilion is crazy, the Lanes are worth a wander, and it will give you a look at something a bit different from London.

Oxford--CSLewis, Tolkien, AND HP. Can bus there about as easy as train. Book a walk thru the TI for overview and/or see what special tours they might have available while you are there.

Dover--via train--for spectacular castle. And Cliffside walk if you have time and want.

Salisbury combined with Stonehenge is another great day trip.

These are my favorite 3, in that order.

In London--well, too much to suggest and put in any order for you, but here's my top 5:
the Tower, of course, takes half a day--be there at opening--then walk across the Tower Bridge and along the river--might see if want to go to Borough Market maybe this day--check for open times
the British Museum and the British Library--allow whatever time you want for this
Westminster Abbey--be there at opening--
then walk across the river and over to the Imperial War Museum
St. Paul's--climb the dome

Next time I have time (I'll be in London this June but won't have time) I am going to the Churchill War Rooms

There are of course all the art museums to add to your days.

Just remember it's a gi-normous city and it will take quite a while to get around. If you plan 2-3 sites per day, grouped fairly close together, you'll be able to see what you plan.

Greenwich as a half day at least is cool too.

I'd pick Bath by train. The architecture is interesting, there's a fashion museum, gardens. Don't know about satisfying your son. Maybe he'd like the Roman Baths. You can see hills in the countryside from central Bath.

However, the weather is not the greatest this time of year, and neither are the gardens yet. Bath offers enough indoor sights, Oxford even more. I wouldn't want to do Brighton unless you get a sunny day.

Are you willing to allow the kids to do some things on their own? Do they HAVE to do everything you do? I would not get too worked up about what to do and see...even a guidebook will give you some great ideas.

But for art and a mus

museum that might be off-beat for some, I recommend the Wallace Collection...small enough to be managed and some wonderful art.

With an architect and a fashion student in your party I would suggest that the Victoria and Albert Museum is a must see. It is situated right next door to the Natural History Museum and the two make a great twin visit. The Science Museum is also on Exhibition Road, just behind the Natural History Museum

The V&A is billed as the world's greatest museum of art and design.

Remember that entry to major museums in the UK is free.

For your DS, recommend the Churchill War Rooms, and all of you will be spellbound.

Hampton Court? Who could resist?

My goodness, thank you thursdaysd, texasbookworm, Mimar, Dukey1, Englishmaninfrance and rncheryl! You have all provided me with much to think about. I have my work cut out for me tonight. Fortunately, said overworked DH is out of town, DS is at rugby practice, and of course DD is at college, so I have a free evening to focus. I will be back to tomorrow with an itinerary. Again, thank you all.

With kids of college age who also are Harry Potter fans, and a husband into architecture and you all like history (and you gardens) - Oxford is definitely where you want to go. Very easy to get to. You take the "Oxford Tube" (http://www.oxfordtube.com/) - it's a bus - not to be confused with the London "Tube" which is the subway/metro. Be sure to walk out back behind the colleges - along the river, very bucolic. Lovely in March.

This is a good article on Harry Potter sites in London and Oxford. http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/desti...-locations.htm

Here are my photos of Oxford (in March) - http://www.pbase.com/annforcier/oxfo...ridge&page=all

I will be leaving WEDNESDAY for London with DD who is a senior in college - fashion major, DS 19 Beatles fan, niece - 19 and family friend - ALL Harry Potter fans. SOME HP places we are visiting are - Platform 9 3/4, Grimmual Place - few blocks away from Kings Cross - Boroughs Market there are two places from HP - Leadenhall Market.

have fun!!! we will be staying at a flat in Pimlico - leaving March 19 to come home!!

Just a quick endorsement of the Churchill War Rooms recommendation.

Also, the Imperial War Museum is currently closed for renovations.

I travel to London several times a month for work along with having two kids living over there so I may be bias to some things but here goes.
Make sure that you buy an Oyster Card for each of you to get around London on the tube and bus on a discounted fee-you can recharge them at any tube station and they are very worthwhile.
I would group certain"sites" together-

Churchill War Rooms which are wonderful(with a walk past 10 Downing Street and Big Ben) with a visit inside Westminster Cathedral(and all of the famous people buried there) will definitely make anyone into history have a great day.

Covent Garden is touristy but great fun with lots of restaurants , shops and the London Transport Museum which is celebrating 150 years of service this year.

The weather hasn't been great in the past couple weeks but I would definitely go up in the EYE for fantastic views and possibly the Thames River cruise down to Greenwich or at least halfway.

The British Museum is always a fav along with the special exhibits at the British Library. Try and get a WHERE magazine that are free at alot of hotels for what is going on this month. The Victoria and Albert Museum has a special starting this month on the treasures and artifacts of Pompeii for your history buffs.

I don't know if you can get to the library or bookstore in time but there is a wonderful book called
DAYTRIPS from London by E. Steinbacker(sp?). It has all of the cities within a day's journey from London and how you would get there,what to see and suggestions for hotel and restaurants. I have used this book with its revisions for over thirty years and definitely well worth getting for your trip.

Be aware that the train fares went up this past January so unless you have a pass the fares can sometimes be rather expensive for a daytrip unless you go off hours. Always try and get a family pass when traveling to save some money on fares.


If you are only doing one day trip-I would go to Stonehenge with Winchester and/or Salisbury because it is such a quaint town.Stonehenge has changed through the years I have visited with it being sectioned off and footpaths being put in,etc. but the stones are still amazing! Winchester is a cute Tudor and Roman town(with lots of history,king Arthur,etc.)It has a great cathedral,markets,cute restaurants and shopping cheaper than London,etc.

The trouble with Oxford is that is so congested as it is a college town with a main shopping area and then the various colleges spread out among the town. It is cute for the river when you have good weather but don't know at this time of the year if that would be worth it?

Plan on hitting Harrods for its food halls and how the other half lives along with the various stores on Oxford street.Notting Hill is always fun with its markets and eateries. Churchills Pub in Notting Hill is a combination oldest pub with a Thai restaurant attached and is very nice!

I would check out your guidebooks and have a Plan A and Plan B each day depending on weather and everyone's energy-you will never get tired of London. Have fun!

If I were doing only one day trip, it would be Bath for the architecture, Roman baths/ruins (a real 3* sight) and Abby, the costume museum and a free guided tour of the city for the history which is very interesting. Bath at times served almost as a second capital to London, both socially and politically. Take a long boat down the canal or hike the canal.
Stay overnight and take the short ride down to see Sallisbury Cathedral the next morning before heading back to London.. Any interest in the Jane Austen Connection?

Brighton would be exciting if you have a nice day.
Just thoughts:
The punting boats in Oxford if you go there.
A play at the Globe Theatre if you have an interest.
canal boat ride from Little Italy to Camden Market (if it is still there)
Tour Tower of London
Victoria and Albert Museum is great.

My suggestion for your day trip would be the beautiful city of York.
http://www.visityork.org/
Trains go regularly from Kings Cross, with the fastest taking an hour and three quarters. Once you are off the train you can be in the centre of the city in a few minutes.
Absolutely loads to see and do. Many people think York Minster is worth the journey alone. It's one of the most magnificent Cathedrals in the Western World.
www.yorkminster.org
You can 'walk the walls', go on a boat trip, visit museums including the excellent National Rail Museum or eat at Betty's which is a Yorkshire institution.
http://www.bettys.co.uk/bettys_york.aspx
York is gorgeous and has 'the most photogenic street in the country', part of the Medieval Shambles.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/201...et-view-awards

With a group of four you can take advantage of the 2-for-1 tickets. As I understand it, if you buy a Travelcard in a train station (for travel within greater London), you can get 2-for-1 tickets into various sights, like the Tower, the Eye, and Hampton Court Palace. Here are all the details: http://www.londontoolkit.com/whattod...ard_2for1.html. You must go to the website, print the 2-for-1 offers and present them with your Travelcard at the entrance. I understand you now need a passport-sized photo for the card.

London transport is so complicated: Oyster cards, Travelcards, the tube, the zones, buses, the DLR.

So everyone gets to do what they want you might want to break up into pairs for a couple of days - boys doing one thing and girls another.'I think girls really need to see the V&A - boys not - let them do something military.

One thing I would reco for all is a day at Hampton court Palace - with the trip one way by boat if possible.

Just now in southeast England there is snow and really unusual cold, and it's predicted to continue for at least the next few days; I'm planning a trip March 23, and normally I'd be packing a raincoat, but I'm thinking a parka might be needed! The daffodils are several weeks behind their usual time. I'd assume that gardens are not going to be very interesting this trip. I'd stick to places like Bath and Oxford that are relatively weather-independent.

(Not day trips, but I second the recommendation for the Victoria and Albert: your son will like the armor displays, your daughter will love the costume collection, and everyone will enjoy the historical displays. I have not yet been to the Sir John Soane museum, but I hope to make it this trip: it belonged to an architect with an amazing collection of art, architectural models, and everything else he liked.)

Punting in Oxford . No don't do it, far too cold and the punts should not be there.
I'd recommend Salisbury for the Cathedral alone, easily the prettiest one in the country, but don't approach it from the town, go south and walk up through the water meadows if not too cold and wet.

Wallace collection is a good recommendation and the surf tower of london on this site if you have never been.

Punting in Oxford and a play at the Globe are no go's . . . This is March and those are late Spring/summer things. And even a canal boat in London won't be much fun this time of year.

The suggestions to split up some and do what interests individuals is a good idea.

Janisj and bilboburgler are both right. Thanks for the corrections, guys. Sorry, I forgot how cold it is in England right now. I should have remembered because I've needed a jacket there in summer a couple of times.

My goodness, thank you all so much. I am currently working on my PhD in travelcard. Sheesh! So even though no one is willing to discuss this with me, I am forcing a conversation with DH and DS tonight to discuss our day trip.

Sounds like gardens are out for this trip. That's fine, it would bore the rest of my family to tears.

So right now, here's a rough itinerary.
Day 1: flight arrives 12:30, head to flat. I really need to play this one by ear. What appears to be a drawback on where we are staying is the lack of grocery stores in the area. After unpacking, I plan on heading to the nearest store and getting some things for breakfast and dinner. Then I guess we need to head to Charing Cross station to get our travelcards. I want to go to afternoon tea so I will find somewhere in Mayfair. Maybe we will just walk around that area for the first afternoon. Walk to Trafalgar square. Any suggestions on good places to eat in the area? We prefer casual, but good food.

Day 2: Tower of London a.m, and St. Pauls Cathederal and Churchill War Rooms p.m. Any suggestions for a good lunch place. Pub food? Is this day too packed? Dinner at the flat. I want to give enough time for the Churchill War Rooms. DS is so excited when I told him, and is imitating Churchill. Now my husband says he wants to go to the London Eye. So.....what works best here knowing we have to do the Tower of London and the Churchill War Rooms?

Day 3: Hampton Court Palace, train/bus to and boat back. This may be switched with another day if rain or colder day than the rest.

Day 4: Day Trip to ? Frankly, texasbookworm, your suggestion of Dover has me intrigued. A spectacular castle and the white cliffs of Dover. How far is that by train? Of course, Bath and Oxford are in the running, too.

Day 5: British Library, British Museum, Borough Market for lunch. Any suggestions for afternoon activities?

Day 6: Victoria and Albert Museum, Notting Hill just cause. While I know there is shopping in Mayfair, we cannot afford it, but I thought Notting Hill would provide the shopping fix for DD.

Day 7: Westminster Abbey and walk around, Big Ben, House of Parliaments, walk to Buckingham Palace.

How does that look? Again, do we need to get the travelcard considering where we are going? You all have been so kind with your suggestions. Oh, and Isabel, thank you for the HP link. I will try to work some of these into our trip. Gosh! Two more days of planning, and I feel overwhelmed. I haven't layered in lunch spots, at least one place for a good English breakfast, and dinner out at least once or twice. I don't want to book us up so much that we don't have time to just enjoy so walk, and talk.

Any suggestions for great places for afternoon tea. Will my guys feel uncomfortable going?

Thank you!

Just random notes:

On day 1 don't count on and afternoon tea. W/ a 12:30 arrival (LHR?) you'll be lucky to check in to the flat by about 2:30 PM and likely later. Then unpacking, grocery shopping, travelcard purchasing, -most of the afternoon is shot. Plan an nice dinner instead.

(BTW - where is the flat? Is it in Mayfair? There are very few areas that don't have some food/grocery shops. In/on the fringes of Mayfair are at least a small Tesco, a Sainsbury's and a Marks & Spencer food shop. And if it IS Mayfair - why are you going to Charing Cross to buy the travelcards. Victoria is closer/easier)

>>Day 2: Tower of London a.m, and St. Pauls Cathederal and Churchill War Rooms p.m. <<

Too much IMO. Tower - about 4 hours + St Paul's, maybe 90 minutes + travel time + lunch = late afternoon. The War Rooms take a couple of hours. But you could do something like walk along the South Bank, maybe ride the Eye.

>>Day 5: British Library, British Museum, Borough Market for lunch. Any suggestions for afternoon activities?<<

If you are visiting the British Museum and British Library - Do the Library first and plan on lunch at the Museum because those two sites will easily take til 2 or 3PM.

>>Day 7: Westminster Abbey and walk around, Big Ben, House of Parliaments, walk to Buckingham Palac<<

This is where I'd fit in the War Rooms. It is right there and you only have one other major site (the Abbey) the rest are 'walk by's'

Dang, I lost my response! So I don't know if I'll remember everything I just thought of.

1.Day 2 looks like too much. The Tower has always taken us at least 3 hours. St. Paul's at least 2. Travel in between. Plus eating and souvenir shopping. So---
just sayin'!

2.Day 5 looks impossible. You need to look at a map again; even if Borough Market is open this day (not open always) it's no where near the BM and BL. We always just grab something in the BM. And these will BE your afternoon activities! Ha. BM-minimum 2 hours and that would really be a joke--you should allow 3-4. BL--only need about an hour IN there, but there's travel time too. So even if you start when the BM opens (10) and do minimum, you're not done with the BL until 2 or 3 pm. Just sayin'!

3.I don't remember Dover travel time. We had a rail pass so just hopped on and I don't remember logistics. Hourish? If you do this, TAKE A TAXI from the train station. And it's a long steep slog between castle and cliffs, too. It is a day that needs planning. Oxford is easier. Just sayin'! Salisbury via train and a bus to Stonehenge and back is pretty easy too. Bath and York are FABULOUS but rather long day trips (esp. York, although it is doable and worth it!--We went there by car, though, not as a day trip.)

Day 6--For "shopping fix"--there're so many! Oxford Street, too, for that overwhelmed-by-London feeling. Carnaby Street but watch out for pickpockets. Regent Street. Don't ignore the experience (one time only!) of Harrod's as you are sorta near I think. But you should look for markets that might be open on the day you do this--like Camden Market. This is a pretty light day unless you just shop all day. But I wouldn't think Notting Hill would be only/best place to take DD. The VandA is terrific, though, so good place have a destination.

Day 7--I think this is the day to add the Churchill War Rooms. Abbey and walkaround stuff can be done by early afternoon and then not far to Rooms. And if this is a priority, just switch days.

Check RIGHT NOW possible days of closure and hours of operation for the DAYS OF THE WEEK you will be there. Don't want surprises.

Have a blast--take lots of layers and raingear and good walking shoes!

janisj--Ha. I really would like to travel with you--we seem to think alike a lot! Ha! We seem to have been giving rather the same advice!

And roris--janisj's advice for me has always been spot on and brilliant.

Wow - we were almost identical

(But I <i>did</i> beat you to it :-P . . . Barely!)

Have a great trip and be warned we are having weird weather right now. A week ago we had a couple of beautiful warm blue sky sunny Spring days when people were out in T-shirts. And now we have snow. Come prepared for anything!

Thanks texasbookworm, janisj, and nona1 for still sticking with me. I appreciate the advice in stereo! janisj, our flat is in Mayfair, on Grosvenor Street, and I believe it is near regent street. Looking at my map, I thought Charing Cross was closer. No?

Thanks for the warnings about weather. We are Minnesotans, but that doesn't mean we are hardy, we just dress for the weather. I have warned all family members. The DD fashionplate has been warned. I don't believe Vogue will be photographing her on this vacation.

After looking at the forecast of rain/snow showers for most of our trip, I think Dover is probably out. Looks like Monday is the only day that precipitation is not expected. So should we go to Hampton Court Palace on that day to take a boat back, or is it just too darn cold even for that and just take the train both ways?

At this point, I think Bath might be winning the day trip discussion. DD and I are Jane Austen fans, so that link along with the Roman ruins, etc. is pretty cool. We walked through the Roman coliseum on a drizzly cold day with a wonderful private tour guide, and DD and DS were captivated, so we don't shy from inclement weather. DD and I would love to just go on a literary tour with Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte in Thornton (DD's favorite novel of all time Jane Eyre) and Oscar Wilde. Another trip.

To throw another kink in plans--Winchester--where Miss Austen is buried and Arthur's round table is displayed (ha)--is a charming town, too. Closer than Bath. Not as much to see perhaps, but just sayin'! I've been to Bath 2 times and loved it, but not as a day trip from London.

Do come back and "trip report"!

>>our flat is in Mayfair, on Grosvenor Street, and I believe it is near regent street. Looking at my map, I thought Charing Cross was closer. No?<<

I believe Grosvenor St terminates at New Bond and doesn't meet up w/ Regent St (I don't have my AtoZ handy and am too lazy to look it up just now :) )

The closest tube station would be Bond St and next closest probably Green Park.

Green Park is one tube stop from Victoria Station. Or Bond St and Green park are both on the Jubilee line that goes to Waterloo. Any journey to Charing Cross would require line changes.

But if you wanted to walk it, Charing Cross is a tiny bit closer.

Oh - meant to add: Don't base any decisions on a long range weather forecast (or even a short range one)

The weather is extremely changeable and even if a forecast is 'accurate-ish', it might be raining in Mayfair, showery in Camden, and bright sun at the Tower of London . . .

Same for London vs Dover vs Bath.

How about Greenwich as a day trip ? No long journey and lots to see [10 minutes by train from London bridge or option to arrive by boat along Thames]. Architecture of the Queens house, stunning views and history of time plus Prime Meridian at Observatory, Cutty Sark, Royal Park. A full day trip of things to see but with minimal travel time.

By all means do chat with the older children. Husband too of course. Allow them to choose from list of places to see, things to do. No shrug of shoulders permitted!

roris, your routing looks OK, and indeed I would lean toward Stonehenge-Salisbury-Winchester with Magna Carta copy And no one has mentioned en route Chawton village with the Jane Austin house, Old Sarum (excellent book about this), and Avebury with stones as ancient as Stonehenge. Also of course Hampton Court could be seen en route. Further on, yes you will enjoy Bath.

Years ago we stayed in farm houses with dinners provided and lunch in pubs. So much to see in London itself.

Bill in Boston

I'll jump in here an suggest you learn a bus or two. it is soooo much more fun to be on a bus in London than the tube IMHO. There is a bus that goes from the Tower of London across to the London Eye so that is very simple transportation. I'll try to find my trip report that had those bus numbers on it.. or you can use the transport maps and figure it out.

I always go up to the Tate Modern for coffee and snack and enjoy peering out from their glassed-in café over the Thames .. not the London Eye but a great, free view.

Enjoy your time. Sounds like a great family trip.

iDavid Chipperfield is reconverting the Waterloo area which your husband will find fascinating.

http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/n...628653.article

We LOVED the Ledbury for lunch. They have a business lunch menu that was great value and excellent service and food for a special meal.

Here's that report with some more architectural comments. (not professional ones though)

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ay-getaway.cfm

>> I'll try to find my trip report that had those bus numbers on it.. <<

That would be the #15 :)

The #15 is one that goes across London past Tower Hill, St Paul's, Trafalgar Sq, etc.

Not to the Eye specifically but just across the river from it.

There's another one that crosses from Tower to Shakespeare in the round, then goes to tate modern and ends up near the eye.. ( right at ticket office practically!) it's in my report.. the RV1. I love that bus!

her is the route.. for all out there. it is a great sightseeing bus and goes almost everywhere you want to go along the river without the horrendously long walk.

Tower Gateway - London Bridge - Tate Modern - National Theatre - Waterloo - Covent Garden

I found Bath the be as dull and uninteresting. For a half hour longer train ride, you can go to York, England's second city and so big league stuff and experience some real history.

Also, for anyone visiting London I'd highly recommend the audio lecture series, "A History Of London" from the Teaching Company. The lecturer Robert Bucholz is the best I've ever heard. After listening to his course, your geographic walks through London become historical walks through Roman, Medieval and Victorian London.

A good choice to visit York but it was only England's second city back in the mists of time.

The walled city is a good mixture of medievel buildings and the railway age.