How much time to spend at these London sights?
 

Is two hours each enough time to spend at Kensington Palace and the Globe Theater (just the tour)? How about three hours each for St Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey? Four hours for the Tower of London? And I realize that so much depends on interests, etc, but I am mainly just going for an overall viewpoint right now. Thanks so much! :D

The Globe has a rather extensive museum attached, as well as the tour. We allowed 3 hours and wished we had longer. But our group included a rabid Shakespeare fan. Kensington Palace, on the other hand, was a disappointment and we wished we'd done something else with our time. For the Tower, 4 hours is about right; be sure to include a tour with the Yeomen Guards (Beefeaters).

Thanks, anonymous! Also, I have read some pretty bad reviews about the Tower Bridge Exhibit, but really would like to be able to see the view from the walkway at the top. Do you have to go through the exhibit, or can you just cross the walkway? Thanks!

You have to pay for the exhibit ticket to cross the Tower Bridge walkway. There really isn't much exhibit - a couple movies on the making of the bridge. Also, the views from the bridge are mediocre at best. I'd choose to either walk up the tower at St. Pauls (if that's an option) or do the London Eye. We were very impressed with the views from the London Eye, commercial though it may be. ;)

Also, depending on your interests, 3 hours at Westminster Abbey and/or St. Paul's may be way too much. If you climb the steps at St. Paul's that might be reasonable, but we were happy walking into Westminster Abbey and just strolling around for a few minutes. Obviously you'll need more time if you love churches. :)

I concur with Anonymous...give Kensington Palace a pass - I was very disappointed. The gardens are nice as is the outside. Spend your time elsewhere.

Also make sure you allot time for the lines (queues) especially at the Tower of London.

Deb

We are buying tickets for the Tower ahead of time, plus we plan on being there when it opens. We are going in mid-March, and are hoping this combination will minimize lines there. :) Honestly, we are hoping lines won't be too bad when we are there. (Like that will happen!) :) And I agree about Kensington Palace, but my sister wants to go, so compromises must be made!

I suggest the verger's tour at Westminster Abbey. It added so much to my knowledge of what I was seeing. I think it takes about an hour, and then you can spend time in the Poets Corner and the gift shop if you like them.

Heather, sorry, I can't answer your question about the Tower Bridge Experience, I've never visited it.

I agree with Carolyn's recommendation of the verger's tour at Westminster Abbey. Like the Yeoman Warder's (Beefeaters) tour at the Tower of London, it's an intrinsic, insider's look at an extremely historic place that helps make it real.

The Tower Bridge Experience was no big deal to us. The views were fine, but it was hard to take pictures from up there. I agree -- for a view, you are better off on the London Eye.
Two hours is probably right for Kensington Palace. The Orangery at Kensingon Gardens is a great place for tea, lunch, or a snack.
We toured the Globe theatre in less than 2 hours, but we were with kids. The tours themselves aren't that long, it's the time you spend in the exhibit that's variable.
Annette

I found a bit over an hour to be pleanty of time at St. Paul's. That was including climbing the 530 steps to the Golden Gallery and visiting the gift shop & Crypt Cafe.

2 hours would be enough for Westminster Abbey, including the tour. Less if you don't take the tour.

2.5 - 4 hours sound good for the Tower of London.

Keith

I also thought the Tower Bridge exhibit was a waste of time and money.
Kensington Palace is fine if you are interested in dresses, and there is a special section on Victoriana if you are into that era. Currently there is an exhibit on Elizabeth II's hats and handbags and I'm sorry but I can't think of a duller topic.

I must disagree with all the Kensington Palace bashing. Incidently, two hours is plenty of time and as suggested, the Orangerie is very nice for a rest and tea. While it is true that traditional court dress making is part of the tour, the overall theme of the audio guided tour is the traditions of English Court life. It was interesting and educational while allowing the visiter to see various parts of the palace. I agree that an exhibit of Elizabeth II's hats and handbacks might be less interesting to some, it is important to note that this portion of the tour changes from time to time and it might be different when you are there. The first time I visited, it was a collection of Diana's formal evening gowns - beatiful. The next time, it was a collection of outfits belonging to royal children dating back to Victoria's court.

In conclusion, I agree that this tour might not interest all but I also think that you are likely to enjoy your visit.

Enjoy your trip!

I agree with many folks on this forum that Kensington Palace and Tower Bridge can be skipped. The Verger's tour at Westminster Abbey is very worthwhile.

How about Windsor Castle? Would seven hours (including travel time) be too little time and make the trip worthless?

Depending on where you are staying in London you could spend up to three hours getting back and forth to Windsor. That would still leave you four hours at the castle which is plenty of time. Even if the state apartments are open it doesn't take all that long to get through all the castle has to see. You would probably have a little time left over to walk around town.

My seven hours includes travel time, leaving from Paddington Station. Thanks to all of you for your help, by the way!!!!!!!!!! :D

You can have a nice trip with seven hours. Go early and do your homework ahead of time on the best way to get there and then back to London.

Can't comment on Kensington Palace, as I never went there, but what I would defenitely recommend is that you climb the stairs at St. Paul's Cathedral to the golden gallery. It is defenitely worth the effort! To me, the view from here is just as good as from the London Eye and it is cheaper! Plus your money doesn't just give you a view of London, but admission into the church and crypt.