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. >

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