london
 

can anyone suggest an itinerary for a 4.5 day trip to london. never been. want to see the major sights, gurards, eye, jewels etc.

1st Day - hop on the Eye Over London, a huge Ferris Wheel on the Thames and this will give you a great overniew - a bird's eye view of greater London, with orientation maps in each capsule pointing out all the famous landmarks.

Take a srtoll along the South Bank promenade, one of London's most popular strolling venues - it goes along the south bank of the Thames down to the New Tate Gallery, of modern art interestingly set in an old power plant - it's free so take a look even if not into art - Shakespeare's Globe Theatre is also near here if that is on your radar - and you can go thru the museum and see the theatre if not in use - then go over the newish Millennium Bridge right to St Paul's Cathedral.

Day 2 - Houses of Parliament area with Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace - Changing of the Guard many days around 10 or 11am is popoular for its pomp and pageantry -stroll thru St James Park and Green Park towards Piccaddily Circus and the heart of London's theatre district - amble over to trafalgar Square and then to Covent Garden and see the old markethalls now hosting shops and ubiquitous street entertainers

Day 3 - Tower of London and British Museum and perhaps another museum like the National Gallery or the V & A, with its eclectic collections that everyone will love. Or hop over to Oxford Street, London's premier shopping drag - look into ornate Selfridge's deapartment store.

Day 4 - Hyde Park, Kensington Palace (Princiess Di's former home with lots of her dresses last time I visited - perhaps william and Kate will move in? Bop over to nearby Knightsbridge and experience Harrod's, London's most famous department store - also known for its food halls and tea cafe and restaurants.

Some night take in a West End London play - check out the TCTKS Half-Price ticket booth in Leicester Square for well not necessarily half off but sizeable discounts on many plays.

and perhaps take a boat cruise in early evening some night on the Thames. Could take the boat all the way to Greenwich, with its amazing architecture of the old Naval College and sweet riverside setting and also Cutty Sark boat, etc.

Day 4-

Museums or not?

Look at London Walks.

Many travelers also find the Hop on Hop Off open-air doubledecker buses that circulate constantly between main sights and let you for a whole day get on and off en route and also provide commentary as the bus moves to be a great way to orient yourselves to London and also get around between major sights. there are zillions of these buses, by various companies but all seem to be about the same - just buy ducat when boarding.

Noo one can give you useful advice or suggestions unless you tell us something more. PQ's itinerary may be just what you want --or not at all. I wouldn't do several of those sites on a first visit myself.

What things are you already considering? What sorts of things interest you? Click on 'Destinations' at the top of this page and read the overview/short itinerary Fodors suggests.

Then give us something to work w/ and we can maybe help you figure things out . . .

PalenQ's suggestions are okay. It's feasible but if you're new to the place, maybe give a little adjustment on the time and all. Since you're relatively new to the place, you might have a difficult time getting around especially if you are not good with directions.

PQ's itinerary may be just what you want --or not at all. I wouldn't do several of those sites on a first visit myself - especially the Changing of the Guard but that is a perpetual 'must' for many American tourists.

I was replying to the OP's desire to see 'major sights' and yes I would not prioritize my trip that way either - to me visiting the Camden Lock market or Pettitcoat Lane market is as nice as anything in London - but for major sights I tried to break up by areas for a day in each. OP was asking for major sights as well as the Crown Jewels - in The Tower of London.

Take the first 3 days of Pal's itinerary and spread them over your 4.5 days.
Add time in a park if the weather is good and a West End show if that appeals to you.

Allowing for jet lag and your unfamiliarity with London transport this will be more than enough and it's a reasonable introduction to London that you can tailor to your own interests with a little further research.

Have fun!

"<i>What things are you already considering? What sorts of things interest you? Click on 'Destinations' at the top of this page and read the overview/short itinerary Fodors suggests.

Then give us something to work w/ and we can maybe help you figure things out . . .</i>"

What I meant --you told you want to see jewels - assuming that means the Crown Jewels but not sure. If so, that means the Tower of London; and the Eye - OK that takes 1/2 an hour. There are a hundred other major sites so tell us what sorts of things interest you . .

when folks who have never been to London ask for major sights it is really only a handful of them that are indeed major sights for every first-time tourist and that is is what OP is asking - not about some special interests - they just want to have an outline of major sights and a time frame to do them in.

All of us who have been to London zillions of times know what the major sights are for the first-time visitor - what we consider major sights now after being jaded by being there so much may differ.

Put yourself in the shoes of a first-time London visitor who yes wants to see the top major sights and not diddle around at some lesser things at the expense of at least seeing what everyone wants to when going to London.

Not a bad itinerary Pal.

It's just that we need a bit more. for example, time of year, any children, any mobility issues, like art or hate it, like walking or not,etc..

Plus, by reading a guide, they may decide that something like Inn of Courts, or St Paul's, Portabello market, or Brick Lane may have been something they would love to see.

HOHO bus as a day 1 activity, then some fill in tourism is a good one.

I think PQ gave a great overview and gives a first-timer a lot of ideas to pick/choose/skip. Is there ever a time that the changing of the guards isn't crowded beyond belief so that you can't see anything anyway? I'd skip it until there's absolutely nothing else to do; sleeping in would be a better use of your time.

"<i>Put yourself in the shoes of a first-time London visitor</i>" I do -- since I take lots of folks to London - usually their first time

"<i>when folks who have never been to London ask for major sights it is really only a handful of them that are indeed major sights for every first-time tourist and that is is what OP is asking - not about some special interests -</i>"

A <i>few</i> of the major sites in no particular order:

Westminster Abbey
National Gallery
St Pauls cathedral
British Museum
Imperial War Museum
V&A
Tower of London
Tate Modern
Theatre
the Eye
Hampton Court Palace
Churchill Museum/Cabinet War Rooms
Greenwich
a boat ride on the Thames
Tate Britain
Madam Tussauds (not my choice but many first timers think it is a must)
a H-o-H-o bus tour
the Royal Parks
Street Markets and other shopping

You only have time for a few of these, so -- what sorts of things interest you?

(There are other 'major' sites and MANY other worthwhile ones)

or - let PQ plan your itinerary :) . . .

Get a London guidebook.

love the info.thanks. janis, with your list of highlights can you suggest and order to do in because i do not know what is near each other. thanks

or - let janis plan your itinerary - sorry can't do sad smily face!

A few of the major sites in no particular order:

janis - what no Buckingham Palace on your top list? Or Changing of the Guard or Trafalgar Square or Piccadilly Circus or Coven Garden - those IMO are ALL Top sights any first-time tourist will want to see - much more than the likes of the Imperial War Museum or the Churchill/Cabinet War Rooms or Tate Britain - all fine sights but not major ones for first-timers on limited time.

Hampton court I agree is great and a sweet little day trip from London that is actually still in greater London - can use your Oyster Card there and back - to me one of europe's finest palaces - the English Versailles if you have it and the presentation is so so superb as well - as nice as any palace I've been in - and you also have the Thames (could take a boat at least part way from Richmond there and train back, etc) and palace has tons of Queen's art collections such as the famous Cartoons in the Orangerie and outside formal gardens and a vast park with a famous Maze (don't get lost) and the most complete Tudor kitchens anywhere, etc.

I think Wiindsor too is a great day trip - the town and the famous castle - easily done by train - two different routes, take the one via Wimbledon and Kingston - goes thru a leaft suburban area and then rolls lovingly along a tranquil lush stretch of the Thames. Eton and Eton College are a nice add-on to Windsor - just across the bridge from the castle area - the train station for this line is smack on The Thames opposite Eton.

BTW janis I have taken about 1,000 Americans to London - how many have you taken? Just curious.

>>janis - what no Buckingham Palace on your top list? Or Changing of the Guard or Trafalgar Square or Piccadilly Circus or Coven Garden - those IMO are ALL Top sights any first-time tourist will want to see - much more than the likes of the Imperial War Museum or the Churchill/Cabinet War Rooms or Tate Britain - all fine sights but not major ones for first-timers on limited time.<<

I'm not janisj, but we weren't particularly interested in seeing any of the places you mentioned as must-sees for the first-time London tourist. We did want to visit the Cabinet War Rooms and Churchill Museum, though. :-) Everyone's tastes differ.

Lee Ann