MissErin

My Friend and I are planning a trip to London for our reading break in february. We will arrive At the Heathrow airport on Saturday(18th) at noon (12) and we are planning on staying about 5 minutes(walk) from Paddington station and leaving on the next saturday at (2). So we were just wondering what is the best way to get around and see London, what days are good for shopping and site seeing and if there is anything that is a must see. And what venues are not going to be so nice in february ( we know the weather will be poor but we will suck it up and pretend we are ducks for a week )

We have a very long list of what we would like to see, between the two of us there is a lot.
the zoo,
houses of parliment,
westminster abby, st.pauls, london eye, bridge, tower of london.. other stuff like that.
the national gallery, science museum, a war/ haulocaust museum, a british music experience, we heard there was a beatles store next to sherlock holmes museum.
Kings Cross station (for Harry Potter of course)
Hyde Park, Trafalgar Square and Portobello Market

any information is appreciated
Thank-you

KayF

Sightseeing anywhere inside, such as a museum, is going to be best in February, to escape the cold. Make sure you have a warm coat and waterproof shoes, preferably with nonslip soles, also warm hat, gloves and scarf. You could have snow or ice while you are there.

If you are staying close to Paddington station then tube or bus are the best ways to get around. Buses are a bit cheaper than the tube and you get to see where you are going (sit upstairs) which is a big plus. The tube is quicker - no traffic. Depending on where your accommodation is, you could be close to more than one tube station which is good as you have access to different underground lines. Get an Oyster Card when you arrive and top it up if you run low.

Shopping during the week will be a bit quieter than on Saturday. Sunday is the worst day for shopping due to closures or short hours. You seem to have a lot of sightseeing on your list, I'd narrow it down to 3 or 4 things that you are really keen to see, then treat anything else as a bonus. Daylight hours will be short in February and did I say it will be cold? Brrr.

Kay

MissErin

Thank you for your reply and the tips, they will be helpful in narrowing down out itinerary. luckily we are used to cold and rain so we will be well equipped. we both attend school in vancouver, so lots of rain and are from central canada where it does get quite cold

janisj

"<i>we are planning on staying about 5 minutes(walk) from Paddington station</i>"

May I ask if you are staying there because you found a really nice place or are staying w/ friends . . . Or simply because you think Paddington is a convenient/comfortable area?

Because I can think of no hotel w/i a 5 min walk of Paddington where I would choose to sleep. Except for <i>maybe</i> the Hilton attached to the station -- but even that would not be my preference.

Paddington is not very convenient to LHR except by the very expensive Express or the less expensive but still pricey Connect train. Plus it is a long way from most of the sites.

It is not a nasty or dangerous neighborhood --just not the best for touring London. Now, if you are staying w/ family/friends--that is different. But if you are staying on your own/paying, you can do better.

qwovadis

Congrats on your trip.

www.eurocheapo.com/london great tips

www.londontown.com nice also for me

Museums that time of year are nice

I also like the Globe Theatre on the Thames

The Spires of Oxford make a wonderful day trip

Go there a lot for my oxfordgroup.com meetings

Always great for me to bring my London Fog

for the london fog then..still always have a wonderful time.

Happy Travels!