London for long Thanksgiving weekend - recommendations?
 

Hi,

A common question... We'll be going to London for a long weekend over Thanksgiving: departing NYC Wed. morning, returning Monday afternoon. This will be my first time to the UK, so I'm open to any recommendations for things to see/do in this short amount of time. I'd like to explore the countryside, but on this short trip, I think it's best to stay in the city. We'll be staying with my g.f.'s family in Islington.

I will continue searching this forum for advice, but please share your tips. Thanks!

I agree you should spend all your time in London. We were there 2 1/2 days and didn't even scratch the surface.

What are your interests?

Lee Ann

Click on DESTINATIONS above and check out the London info. Good suggestions for a short visit such as yours.

What sorts of things do you enjoy? You are lucky to have a place to stay. Islington is close in and pretty convenient for touring around.

Thanks for your replies. I enjoy some of the standard touristy things: namely, museums (especially fine art) and architecture. I also enjoy history, so some historical sites would be of interest. Not really a foodie, and the hosts who live there will likely take us to their recommended dining spots, so really looking for tips on things to see/do. The British Museum is the obvious thing that comes to mind....

There is so much info about London - have you looked?

If it were me, given your interests, I'd try and fit in the BM, obviously. Also you could spend a day just in the area between Westminster Abbey and Trafalgar Square.

Check it out on a map. Everything from the Abbey, to the H of P, to Churchill's War Rooms, Horse Guards (with the funny men in costume on horses) up to the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery. Take in a show or some serious theatre, or opera, or ballet in the evening. Because just off to the East or NE of Trafalgar Sq is theatreland.

On another day, take the river boat out to Greenwich. Sail under Tower Bridge, and past the Tower of London and St Pauls and visit Greenwich with all the Wren buildings and lovely park. Oh, you could stand over the GMT meridian too.

But then you might not have time to visit St Pauls itself. So an alternative would be to take the tube to Borough (I think) check that - and walk along the south bank past The Globe, and on to the Tate Modern, and over the footbridge to St Pauls. A great way to approach it. Then bus it down Fleet St. on the #13 (I think) - whichever one goes to The Aldwych) then you are back in the vicinity of Covent Garden and theatreland.

Nuff to be going on with, don't you think?

But, yes, stay in the city.

You might also visit some nice towns in Kent. Rochester is about 1hour and 20 minutes from Charing Cross by train.
http://www.hotelara.com/travel/uk/en...rochester.html

If you enjoy history, you might want to consider Hampton Court Palace or Windsor. Both are about 1hr out of London, easily accessible via trains and give you a sense of greenery out of London proper.

Greenwich is an easy half-day trip. You can go down by boat and see a good view of government/historical buildings and museums, visit the observatory, clock museum, maritime museum, the prime meridian, and have lunch, and return quickly via Docklands light rail.

But then you might not have time to visit St Pauls itself. So an alternative would be to take the tube to Borough (I think) >>>>

London Bridge is the station you want.

Thanks to all, especially chimani. Yes, I've browsed the info on this site, and also am reading our Frommer's guide. It's the sheer volume of info and the myriad options that have inspired this posting. With so many choices and so little time, I thought the "experts" could help me narrow our options. Which you have, thank you!

A follow-up: I was reading that the Banqueting House at Whitehall is the site of the execution of Charles I. Does anyone know of other specific sites in London where significant historical events like this happened? I feel a stronger connection to history when I'm standing on the very spot where I know something happened (e.g. the spot in the Piazza della Signoria in Florence where Savonarola was executed, the spot at Gettysburg from which Lincoln gave his address, etc.). Thanks again!

I'm drawing a blank on titles, but there are a few guidebooks which emphasize the historic aspects of London.

You might also take a look at the London Walks website - www.walks.com - which offers a wide variety of walks that should suit your interests.

Lee Ann

If you are interested in historic people have a look at the blue plaques

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.1494
http://blue.plaquemap.com
the plaques are put on buildings to commemorate the people who lived there. Some commemorate events rather than people eg the first regular TV broadcast.

Some are just a plaque on a wall, others, like Dickens house, are open to the public. BTW Dickens house is not far from where you are staying.

Let's start with Westminster Abbey, where many British rulers were crowned and/or buried. You can see the Coronation Chair (the Stone of Scone was returned to Scotland, however), tombs of monarchs such as Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots, and much more--including the Chapter House.

St. Paul's church is filled with history. At the National Portrait Gallery you can see pictures of many of Britain's greats, and then of course there is the Tower of London. You can see the area where Anne Boleyn was beheaded and where Sir Walter Raleigh was imprisoned.

More?