Is this itinerary doable for two first-timers to London?
 

We are two active 60+ yr old adults on our first trip to London at the end of June. Please critique our tentative itinerary. We welcome any suggestions. Our last day in London we kept pretty open to allow for some wiggle room to shop/visit a site we might have had to skip due to time running out.


Day 1 (Monday): Arrive at Heathrow at 7:30 AM
Take taxi (justairports.com) to lodging at St. Katharine Docks
Purchase Travelcards (7 day) from Nat’l Rail tx booth at London Bridge or Fenchurch St
Explore Kensington Palace & Gardens/ Hyde Park
Tea at Orangery
Harrods??

Day 2 (Tuesday): Tower of London at opening (9AM)/ Tower Bridge
St. Paul’s Cathedral
Globe Theatre?? (worth seeing???)
Westminster Abbey
Big Ben

Day 3 (Wednesday): Day tour already arranged for Cotswolds

Day 4 (Thursday): Buckingham Palace—changing of Guards
St. James Park,
Trafalgar Square—brass rubbings at St. Martin
Churchill War Rooms
Theatre in evening?

Day 5 (Friday): Greenwich or Kew Gardens (Any votes on which one to see??)
Ceremony of the Keys at 9:30PM (already have tickets)

Day 6 (Saturday): Portobello Road Market
British Museum
British Library

Day 7 (Sunday): Victoria & Albert Museum

Day 8 (Monday): Fly home

Thanks in advance for all of your help!

Looks alright to me, nothing too strenuous.
Museum of London on Day 2?
Covent Garden area for lunch on Day 4? London Transport Museum. And a wander round Chinatown.

I have to disagree w/ the lad. Day 2 is nigh on impossible. There is really no way one can manage the Tower, St. Paul's, the Globe and Westminster Abbey. The Tower + either St. Paul's or Westminster Abbey would be a full day w/ maybe one other smaller site. W/ a 9:00 start at the Tower count on being there til at least lunch time. Then travel time to either the Abbey or St. Paul's and touring them - that is the best part of your day right there. Both churches shut for visitors around 3:30/4PM so you would not have time for both on the same day.

Your day 4 is very light except that the guard change eats up a huge amount of time.

I also think you are overly optimistic re what you might accomplish on day 1. Assuming you can get into you flat in the AM, don't count on getting there until 10:30 or later. Then you'll be settling in, hitting the Waitrose or Tesco Express and heading out maybe 1PM and you want to travel all the way back across London to Kens Palace - while jet lagged.

Check The Globe schedule and determine if you can actually see a production. It was a wonderful experience for us.

You will enjoy Ceremony of the Keys!

Okay, so it would be best to move Westminster to Day 4 ??

London Walks offers a Buckingham tour. Would that save time in not having to get there far in advance to see the Changing of the Guard as well as afford a better viewing place?

What would you suggest as an alternative to Kensington on our arrival day?

Rncheryl---we thought we hit the lottery when we received the Ceremony of the Keys tickets!

@Janisj<<<I have to disagree w/ the lad. Day 2 is nigh on impossible.>>>

You're right.
I never seem to be able to get past The Lord Moon of The Mall, on Whitehall!

:)

Kew or Greenwich?

Greenwich is an old "small town" core around the Old Naval College, Cutty Sark and Maritime Museum, now surrounded by London sprawl. There is a huge park leading up to the Observatory and Blackheath beyond. The town centre has plenty of places to eat and drink. Part of the Old Naval College site is home to the University of Greeenich and Trinity Laban Academy (music and dance). There is always something going on.

Kew Gardens is a big, beautiful and historic botanical garden, with something to keep the botanically/garden-minded interested all the year round.

Marlene: yes, Westminster Abbey makes much more sense on day 4. But honestly, I'd really think about dropping the Guard Change. It's timing messes up everything and no matter whether it is on your own or w/ London Walks, it will shoot you whole morning.

Do the Abbey in the morning, maybe have lunch in their cafe and then walk over to the Churchill museum/Cabinet War Rooms. Both sites are quite time intensive. And both are better that the CotG.

On you arrival day, you probably should wait to see how you feel after the over night flight. You could just have a nice lunch in one of the many restaurants in the Marina, walk across Tower Bridge, walk along the southbank a bit, see the Shard up close (or even go up it if that fits in your budget). Borough market won't be open but southwark cathedral will be. Dinner in a cafe or pub along the river. Then back to the flat for an early evening.

Day 1 seems "odd". You go from Heathrow to St Katherine's then half way back again.

You'll see Tower Bridge every day you'll be in London, if you collect your tickets at London Bridge it's a short walk to The Globe from where you can walk across the Thames to St Pauls.

Kensington Palace & The Orangery (goodness knows why) could be added to the V&A day.

Westminster Abbey & Big Ben are very close to Trafalgar Square

Dotheboyshall---We wanted to experience an afternoon tea somewhere and heard the Orangery was nice and not too fancy. Any other suggestions?? We thought waking thru Kensington Gardens would be a good activity when dealing with jet lag.

Janisj--Your plan of walking across Tower Bridge and Southbank might be a better option for our arrival day. Thanks!

PatrickLondon--Kew would be my choice....maybe weather will dictate where we end up. Assume Kew would be more of an outdoor activity.

Tea at the Orangery is indeed nice and not too fancy.

If you go to Portobello on Saturday, go early. It gets very busy. You could go to Westbourne Park instead of Notting Hill Gate, take a short walk down Westbourne Park Road past All Saints Road and start from the north on Portobello Road. You will start at the food market end. Blenheim Crescent has some nice little shops (including the bookshop of 'Notting Hill' movie fame) and Books for Cooks.

Continue on to Notting Hill Gate for the antiques and bric-a-brac.

Re portobello road (I just did one of my regular 2 or 3 times a year visits yesterday AM)

Get there EARLY. Not every stall will be open yet but most will be. My general m.o. Is to get there by 8:30 at the very latest. Yesterday I was w/ 2 friends who are late risers - that plus the Circle and District lines being down all weekend meat we arrived about 9. We did the whole loop from the bottom to the top of the road and back. But by the end of the loop we really couldn't see anything. I told the girls we'd want to leave by 10 or 10:30 and they sort of pooh poohed the idea . . . That is until they saw the masses streaming in. We literally had to fight our way against the flow at 10:45. It was a total ZOO (like regularly) you really do need to get out by 10:30 at the latest.

Hint since you are staying out at the marina - in the 4 or 5 times I've stayed there, the tower hill station has been closed on weekends twice. If that happens you can take the #15 bus down to St Paul's and then catch the central line to Notting hill gate.

. . . AND yesterday was crappy weather. If it is a nice day in June the crowds will be worse.

Janisj---Any way of knowing ahead of time if Tower Hill Station will be closed?? Thanks for the bus # tip. Assume our Travelcard works for the bus lines as well.

Tulips--Thanks for reaffirming our choice for tea and Portobello route!

Okay---I'm beginning to be convinced to skip the Changing of the Guard...but a photo of a Guard is a tourist must! I've read where you can get up close to a Guard at St. James' Palace. Is this still true? Do they stand guard there 24/7??

Find out when London Walks does a walk that includes changing of the guard if you really want to see them walk right past you without having to stand in line for hours to see nothing but other people.

Kensington Palace is just meh in my opinion and I think a lot of others agree. Plus my son got food poisoning from the Orangery--he ordered a shrimp salad and it was bad. Tea and cake is okay there but if you want a fancy afternoon tea then I recommend you book at one of the posh hotels like Claridges.

If you want to see a fantastic palace, I highly recommend Hampton Court Palace--wonderful gardens and great palace rooms to explore plus the tudor kitchens etc. Not far from London at all--30 minutes by train from Waterloo Station I believe.

The Churchill War Rooms are excellent but on your Trafalgar day you include brass rubbing at St Martin in the Fields but not the National Gallery or National Portrait Gallery?

Also don't underestimate the time needed for the Tower of London. We spent 5 hours there. There is a lot to see--get there early--see the crown jewels, then circle back to the front to go on a Beefeater tour. Don't miss the White Tower with the arms and armour and the other buildings to explore.

Enjoy and it would be nice if you write a trip report when you return.

The LW tour does let them see the guard change, but it still eats up nearly 2 hours . . . I'd still use that time in Westminster abbey instead.

Oh meant to add - the posh hotels are great for afternoon tea . . . But they are MUCH more expensive. The Orangerie is fine for tea, but there are other moderately priced places for nice afternoon teas.

Europeannovice--This is what is so great about this forum! Hampton Court Palace was totally under our radar. In looking at photos of the palace and gardens on-line, it looks magical. Now, I'm giving serious thought to visiting HCP over Kew Gardens. In reading about travel there, it appears we will need Travelcards for zones 1-6. Love this suggestion--thank you!!

Definitely "listen" (as you have) to janisj and europeannavoice above.

I'd suggest you look at TfL (Transport for London) website; it has scheduled maintenance works listed and is a good website to get familiar with before you go. IF you have access to wifi/internet while there, it's a good idea to check that site at least every other day, if you are dependent on the Tube, for updated (live even) info of closures and problems.

Definitely follow the advice about early arrival at the Tower and do go straight to the Jewels. My last trip there (I've been 3 times) I circled back to the entrance and went on a Yeoman Warder tour--what a hoot! Glad I finally did this. Definitely at very very minimum allow 3 hours inside.

I've not been to Kew Gardens, but between Hampton Court and Greenwich, I'd definitely choose HCP.

Also pairing the British Museum and British Library is smart; however, I'd suggest you go first to the Library--the Treasures room can be "done" in about an hour (of course you could spend longer and read more). Then you can go to the BM and spend until closing if you can make it, rather than "limit" your time at the Museum in order to make it to the Library.

I'd never spend my limited time just waiting around for a photo of the Changing--it's a great photo op ONLY if you are in the front somewhere and the chances of that happening without standing around a long long time with nothing else happening are slim.

Nobody said anything else about your Globe visit; it's not to be missed (and can't be) from the outside as you are along the Southbank and/or the Millennium Bridge. As far as a visit inside--it is wonderful, too, but depends on your time and interests. I wouldn't put it before St. Pauls (or the Tower) on that day. However, one of my top moments in all travel was seeing a play there; as an English teacher, seeing King Lear in the Globe was beyond words! But I don't think you were thinking of a performance, and tickets are sometimes hard to get, unless you want to be a groundling!

Also, I hope you are able to walk to the dome of St. Paul's and have the amazing views. Take your camera. No photos INSIDE but if you are able to go up and get outside--wow!

Enjoy!

Janisj--Any suggestions for places for afternoon tea? What is the attire for attending a tea?

Texasbookworm--Ok, got it....lots of time at the Tower! I will take your suggestion of seeing the Brit Library before the Museum. If time permits, an inside visit to the Globe is on our list.

If you are going to be outside, walking off your jetlag in Kensington Gardens, the Orangery is ok for afternoon tea. If you want lunch, continue on to Aubaine on Kensington High Street - they do nice pastries too.

The afternoon tea served in hotels is much more formal, and takes longer. Some places still have a dress code (the Ritz, I believe). We had tea at the Connaught recently, and that was lovely. And Mount Street is a beautiful street for window shopping. I think they said no shorts or something like that. Jeans were not a problem.

Ok, I've done some tweaking to my original itinerary taking into account all the wonderful info the board has provided. Does day 4 look like too much??

Day 1 (Monday): Arrive at Heathrow at 7:30 AM
Take taxi (justairports.com) to lodging at St. Katharine Docks
Walk across Tower Bridge
Purchase Travelcards (7 day) from Nat’l Rail tx booth at
London Bridge
Stroll Southbank/Shard


Day 2 (Tuesday): Tower of London at opening (9AM)/ Tower Bridge
St. Paul’s Cathedral
Globe Theatre (time permitting)

Day 3 (Wednesday): Day tour already arranged for Cotswolds

Day 4 (Thursday): Big Ben (walk-by)
Westminster Abbey
Churchill War Rooms
Buckingham Palace (walk-by)
St. James Park & Castle(for guard photo-op)
Trafalgar Square—brass rubbings at St. Martin-in-the-Fields
National Gallery/Portrait Gallery (time permitting)
Theatre in evening?

Day 5 (Friday): Hampton Court Place & Gardens
Ceremony of the Keys at 9:30PM (already have tickets)

Day 6 (Saturday): Portobello Road Market (arrive by 8:30am)
British Library
British Museum

Day 7 (Sunday): Victoria & Albert Museum
Explore Kensington Palace & Gardens/ Hyde Park
Tea at Orangery ??
Harrods??


Day 8 (Monday): Fly home—flight leaves at 4:20pm What time should we
be at Heathrow for check-in/security??

The changing of the guard is a bit of a hoax. Yes, the guards change. They do so to music including showtunes and brass band transmogrifications of popular music. It's like halftime at a college football game with better hats. And you have to get there early and wait crammed against the newest friends you didn't think you'd meet. Yeesh. It's not something "quintessentially British" because it's an event that has been reconfigured for tourists. And it lacks both the meaning and solemnity of an event like the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Day 4 is busy but not at all impossible.

St Martins in the Field is practically across the street from the National Portrait Gallery and the National Gallery. The Portrait Gallery is a smaller museum.. As for the National Gallery, you can look at the website and see if a highlights self tour would suit your interests.

if you want to go to the theater in the evening, money by going to Leicester Square to the discount booth or save time by getting tickets in advance.. you can call the box office in advance, use your credit card and then just pick up the tickets when you get to the theatre... you can look and see what will be on at the national theater and the barbican and also donmar warehouse, a small theater with many excellent productions. or in the major west end theater district,, or perhaps go to the Globe ...if you go to the globe rent a seat cushion...

also on your first day, depending on how tired you are,, you can stroll down the embankment to the Tate Modern... great views across the river from the terrace on an upper floor

all the national museums in London are free. and many have evening hours.. special exhibits only have a fee.

when going to Portobello Market, be extra mindful of your possessions,, wallet purse camera or phone.. the crowds attract pickpockets and even the vendors have had merchandise lifted ..its perfectly safe otherwise....

look at the website of bea's of bllomsbury for afternoon tea.. they have a location next to St Paul's too

As you are planning to see the V&A and Harrod's, there is a Richoux Tea Shop on the V&A side of the street a little before you get to Harrod's. You can Google for a menu; they serve meals as well as tea, but we always get the Tea for Two service. There are three or four of them in London and they are charming shops that are reasonably priced. You don't need to dress up to go, and the food items are delicious.

Good info!!!

sorry I meant you could save on theater ticket prices by going to Leicester Sq. however, it is day of sale only and you have to spend time waiting in line.

I know you have tickets already on Friday for the ceremony of the keys so you have to be back by the Tower at a set time, but the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery are open until 21:00 (that is 9PM) on Friday. On Thursday, only the National Portrait Gallery is open until 21:00 while the National Gallery closes at 18:00.

You don't need to buy a zone 1-6 travel card for the 7 days. You just need to pay the add on for the Hampton Court day. And if you get the paper travel card from the national rail station and print out the daysout two for one voucher--I think Hampton Court Palace is on it for a two for one discount on admission. I think you will love Hampton Court Palace. My son loved it. The day we went they did live kitchen demonstrations and he got to light the tinder box and turn the meat on the spigot. The cooks were there preparing the meat and showing us the spices used. We all loved the gardens too. Plus you have the opportunity to "meet Henry and Kathrine Par" as they dress up and do skits around the property.

As far as afternoon tea, we went to the Claridges. We went late in the afternoon so it served as our dinner. They kept coming out with sandwiches until we told them to stop and we were ready for the next course-scones and jam etc. We dressed business casual--slacks and a nice blouse for me, DH wore a button down collared shirt but no tie or jacket was required at Claridges. At the Ritz they still require formal attire. We enjoyed the tea at Claridges very much. You can also get afternoon tea at the Wolsely (spelling?) which would be a cheaper alternative or Fortnum and Mason-the department store based on what I read from others comments.

The National Gallery has some great works--check out their website and they list some of the top draws (no pun intended):)

Also if you know in advance what play you are interested in seeing then you can book directly with the box office from home. They can hold your ticket at will call and you pick it up on the day of the play or they can mail it to your home ahead of time. If you want a discounted ticket though then you have to stand in line at the ticket kiosk at Leicester Square.

Regarding Heathrow, they say to check in three hours ahead for an international flight. The security lines are long and slow at least from our experience so better to wait at the gate than have to rush. We ended up rushing --long story.

We plan to see either 39 Steps or Once and getting discount tickets at Leicester Sq. Hoping the line isn't too long.

Europeannovice---is it a hassle to pay the extra fare for Hampton Court? When I asked about Kew in an earlier post, I was advised to just purchase the zone 1-3 as it is a hassle to purchase the extra zone---not true??

Thank you all for sharing your suggestions. Fodorites are the best!

Hi Marlene,

I am not an expert (still a novice in many ways) on the tube/rail of London so I will defer to the real experts--PatrickLondon or Janisj or one of the others to chime in on that one. However, if I remember correctly Hampton Court Palace is further than zone 3. However, since you only need the extra zone for that one day because everything else you want to do is in zone 1-2, it doesn't make sense to pay for the extra zones for the full week that you won't be using. Cost wise I think it would make sense to buy the week long travel card for zones 1-2 and then just pay the difference for the rail for Hampton Court Palace. You won't be taking the tube to Hampton Court Palace--you will need to take the railroad and I think it is from Waterloo station that is the direct line but the others will confirm or correct me.

Europeannovice--I believe HCP is zone 7. I will take you advice and just pay exta the day we travel there.

Carolyn--Thanks for the tip on Richoux Tea Shop near Harrods.

Maxima--Will keep Tate Modern in mind on our first day. We are always looking for scenic views.

BigRuss--I've been converted on the Changing of the Guard---guess it's more like a fancy shift change??We have seen the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and that is very moving.

< -I believe HCP is zone 7. >

6.