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IMO Day 13 has too much on it, especially if you really consider those things "the best". The British Library is not THAT close to the British Museum, so I would do them on separate days.
As much as you love books, give the British Library a good 2+ hours ( the Treasures Room is amazing and I could have tarried there a lot longer than we did) and I've heard the shop is quite good (never got there). Of course, the British Museum will take as much time as you decide to give it - it's huge. So Brit. Mus. + Brit. Lib. + a walk = too busy!! |
I agree w/ noe. The Museum/Library/Walk is a lot and being your last day you will also be busy packing, picking up last minute gifts/goodies.
I'd leave you last day pretty open free/easy since you don't want to be rushing about. Maybe flip what you have planned for day 11 or day 5 w/ your day 13 plan. I'd also really REALLY try to fit in the Tower. The "Tate to Tate" boat does run year round. |
Hi nessa,
We were in London 3rd week of January 2007. We were there for a week and we only had one day of rain. It was cold but not as cold as I thought it would be. We saw Wicked in Victoria Theatre, got our tickets in Leicster Square. There are tons of deeply discounted same day shows available. Since you are there in the off season, chances are you will get tickets to the shows you want to see. My kids loved our trip there (they were 8 and 10 and the highlight for them was watching Wicked). Maybe we were lucky but who knows, maybe you'll be lucky too. Have fun. |
I've made two trips to London in January (2006 and 2007) and I had fun both times. Very few tourists, I found I was able to see and do a lot more, and I never had problems finding inexpensive seats for the theater.
Going to the theaters themselves rather than the TKTS booth in Leicester Square can sometimes get you a lower price, as long as you don't mind sitting way up or way back. Enjoy planning your trip!! |
Show tickets: Prices depend on the show and the location of the seat. Bring 'binoculars'. Matinees are less expensive. Visit the West End your first day and call on the theaters with the plays you want to see. My experience with the 1/2 price scheme was that they never carried top show tickets. The South Bank theaters are great. The noon music is fantastic! And it is free! Remember that the London population operates 12 months a year.
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Thank you for the great advice everyone!
I'll go back and change my itinerary around. :) |
Nessa -
My husband and I spent a week at the end of January last year - my 50th birthday present! We had fantastic weather - sunshine for almost the full trip. The daffodils were even blooming!! I realize that we were lucky, but we have visited the UK a few times in the spring and had tons of rain and even cooler temperatures. So it is best, as other posters have said, to layer your clothes so you can adjust either way. I brought a full-length all-weather coat ("London Fog" brand - HA!) with a zip out lining. My reasoning was that it would keep my legs warm and dry if it got blustery. But a water-proof parka with a zip-out liner would do. I hardly used my liner, nor my hat, but I always wore my woolen scarf and my gloves. I wore winter weight dress pants or jeans with a sweater or wool blazer and tee-shirts or turtlenecks. I brought a decent pair of leather walking shoes that looked good with jeans or dress pants, and my runners in case my feet got really sore. Now - about the London Eye: that was the only "Must Do" on my list. It is worth every penny!! If you plan to go on it during the week, you don't need to pre-book -- we just paid and walked right on. The were no line-ups at all, and we shared our capsule with only 2 other people. We did notice, when we were out walking on the weekend, that the Eye was very busy then, so I would highly recommend a mid-week ride. We didn't want to pre-book because we wanted to go when the weather was good. You do NOT want to go when it's raining. We actually timed it for a full moon and a spectacularly clear night. It just couldn't have been any better! We started the ride just as the sun was setting, and by the time we got to the top, it was dark. The view was just beautiful. Travelling to London off-season has definite advantages - you really won't have as many tourists to compete with - and your accomodations should be cheaper, as well. |
Thanks for the tip Susie! I was actually planning to go on a Saturday at the same time as visiting the South bank but I think it fits great on a Monday so it'll probably be better if the weather permits (but still is early in my trip to reschedule if the weather isn't so good)!
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Since you like books, you might want to walk down Charing Cross Road one day. It isn't what I understand it used to be, but it does have a number of bookstores. Murder One is great if you like mysteries.
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I'll check that out for sure.
My favorite genre of literature is definitely 19th century Victorian stuff though. Everything from Austen, Bronte sisters, Nightingale, Wolfe, and all the others. If anyone has any tips on that it would be great! I started to read through an old topic on this forum that talked about the main sights related to the Victorians but I'm sure there's more! |
If you are interested in Victorian England/London check out this site http://victorianresearch.org/ and click on "Fun Stuff" which will take you to a long list of museums/sites/activities in London and elsewhere in the country. Look at the list and you will find lots of off the beaten path/interesting Victorian sites.
BTW - the "Lectures" list on that site is for last year, and was compiled by a long time Fodorite who has passed away - Ben Haines was about the ultimate resource. But his legacy does continue. |
There's a Florence Nightingale museum at St Thomas's Hospital, by Westmonster Bridge:
http://www.florence-nightingale.co.uk |
If you define "Victorian" as including Austen (who died before Victoria was born), you obviously really mean 19th Century.
Which is fine, because London is essentially a 19th century city. In fact, of course, it's THE 19th century city. Asking about "sights related to Victorians" is like asking about "sights related to Italians" in Florence: practicaly everything here - except for a few distinguished older buildings, and a fair amount of more recent mediocrities - is 19th century. Impossible to know where to start. Try "London in the 19th Century" by Jerry White, recently out in paperback, for a pretty comprehensive summary. It will, at least, help you narrow down your questions. |
Maybe you know, but there is a Dickens Museum in a house he once lived in. It's pretty close to the British Museum.
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The Dickens you say
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flanneruk -
I guess I meant both. Victorian literature is a big part of 19th century lit. But Austen is, you know, Austen. I'm taking a class on Victorian lit right now but we're watching one of the BBC Austen movies so I guess it's all related. Anyways, back to travel talk! PatrickLondon - I already knew about that museum. In fact, it was already on my must-do's list! |
Day 1 (Thursday)-
Arrive at LGW early morning Leave luggage at hostel and take the hop on bus tour to see the main sights Day 2 - Explore the South Kensington museums (NHM and V&A) and do a little shopping in the area Day 3 - Visit Borough Market, Southwark Cathedral Tate Modern and Tate Britain (Tate-To-Tate boat) Day 4 - Visit the Spitalfields Market Take a walking tour of the East End Come back to Kensington to visit the Science Museum, if time permits Day 5 - Southbank Centre Book Market, Gabriels Wharf and OXO Tower London Eye, if weather permits Visit the Westminster Abbey Take the Jack The Ripper Walk Day 6 - Day trip to Bath Day 7 - Take the Westminster Walk in the morning Visit the National Gallery Visit the Florence Nightingale Museum Day 8 - Visit Greenwich and Maritime Museum Come back to Central London for afternoon tea (any nice formal place to suggest? Brown's? Dorcester? Claridge's?) Visit the National Portrait Museum (late night on Thursdays and Fridays) Day 9 - Visit the Courtauld Gallery and Covent Garden See lunchtime concert at St. Martin in the Fields Shop on Oxford St. and around Day 10 - Explore Notting Hill and Portobello Market in the morning Visit Guildhall Art Gallery and Museum of London in the afternoon Day 11 - Explore Hampstead Heath and Camden Town Day 12 – Visit the British Museum Take the Inns of Courts walking tour Day 13 - Visit the British Library Also take the Literary Bloomsbury and Old Museum Quarter Walk. Relax, shop and pack for the rest of the day Day 14 - Bye bye London. |
My previous post is the new itinerary will a few changes (I think I found a great alternative for the British Museum/Library things on day 12/13!) And I managed to put the London Eye on a weekday to avoid crowds. If the weather is crappy, I'll re-arrange my schedule to go later in the week!
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We had a Saturday identical to your Day 3. We went to Borough early and bought our breakfast there. We also got fixins for a lovely picnic lunch. The walk from Borough/Southwark to the Tate Modern takes you on a nice route past the replica Golden Hinde ship, Winchester Palace ruins and the Globe theatre. We got a discount on the Tate to Tate with our Oyster card.
It's kind of a pity that you are splitting up the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery, as they are literally next to each other. When you shop on Oxford, be sure to stop in Liberty, which is not far (Regent and Gt Marlborough St), and to walk/window shop on New and Old Bond Streets. |
I think it's okay to split up National Gallery and Portrait Gallery - so that you don't get too overwhelmed by looking at paintings all day.
On Day 8, I can't help with a "nice formal place" for afternoon tea. But, you can consider the cafe at the National Portrait Gallery (since you're heading there anyway). The cafe is on the top floor and has a decent view ~ and it serves afternoon teas. |
What about tea at Fortnum & Mason?
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just a couple of quick comments . . .
I notice you don't have any theatre listed. You will be in London long enought to go to 3 or 4 (or 10 :) ) shows. And then there is the Jack the Ripper Walk - ugh :( There is <u>nothing</u> left of the Ripper sites. Nothing at all. Over and over, you will here things like "over there - that car park was the site of such and such", and "the block of flats stands on the site of . . . . . " I would go to afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason, or in the restaurant at the top of the Great Court in the British Museum, or the Portrait Restaurant at the National Portrait Gallery, or in a nice place in Bath. |
Well, even if you split the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery, I'd combine one of them with St. Martin in the Fields - it is directly across the street from the two museums. You've been so careful to group your sites, that this just jumps out to me.
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I agree with Janisj about seeing at least one show - any show really for the experience of the London Theatre
street clothes OK |
This was many years ago, but on my last visit to England we had tea at both Fortnum & Mason (twice) and the Pump Room in Bath. Both were very good, although I would give Fortnum & Mason a slight edge on food quality. The Pump Room (I'm assuming they still have tea there) was SO COOL for any fan of the Regency period, and I think it was a little cheaper.
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Was in the Bath Pump Room in Feb
yes still tea and also you can buy a glass of Bath Spa water (free i think if you buy something else - if not they charge and you need not sit down, etc.) |
I think your new itinerary looks great. I don't think splitting Natl Gallery and Portrait Gallery is a bad thing. The National Gallery deserves a great deal of time. We were exhausted afterwards and yet we still drug ourselves to the Portrait Gallery and really probably didn't enjoy it nearly as much as we should have.
I'm not sure if you're planning to do the walks/tours with London walks, but I'd like to recommend The Along the Thames pub walk. It is really a lot of fun! |
Splitting up the National and the National Protrait would be OK -- but Splitting up the Nat'l, the Nat'l Protrait and St Martin's-in-the-Field into 3 different days just doesn't make much sense.
They are literally 2 minute's walk from each other -and that is only because you'd have to wait for the crosswalk signal to/from the church. You would be going back to the exact same intersection 3 different times and just creating a lot of un-needed extra travel. So at least combine 2 of the 3 on one day. |
The reason why I put St. Martin on a different day is because the lunchtime concerts are only on certain days of the week so it didn't work if I put it with the Nat'l Gallery or the Nat'l PG.
For the theater, I plan on going for sure but I'll just wait to get there and get tickets from there. |
Are you really not visiting the Tower of London?
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Hum, yes. Aside from the Crown Jewels, I can't figure out what's so fun and interesting about that place.
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"<i>Hum, yes. Aside from the Crown Jewels, I can't figure out what's so fun and interesting about that place. </i>"
You are kidding - right?? |
No.
I guess I'm really more of an art museum kind of person. Not an history buff for sure. I get the whole history there is behind it, but still. That really doesn't convince me to go. I'd rather spend more time at the Nat'l Gallery instead. Maybe I'm missing a big thing. But maybe I'm not. Different people like different things. |
What about:
Day 7 - Take the Westminster Walk in the morning Lunch in the Covent Garden area Visit the Courtauld Gallery Visit the Florence Nightingale Museum Day 9 - Visit the National Gallery See lunchtime concert at St. Martin in the Fields Shop on Oxford St. and around Of course, if it were I, this is what I'd do: Day 7 - Take the Westminster Walk in the morning Lunch in the Covent Garden area (lots to choose from) Visit the Courtauld Gallery Visit the Florence Nightingale Museum Day 8 - Visit Greenwich and Maritime Museum Come back to Central London for afternoon tea Shop Oxford Street, etc. Day 9 - Visit the National Gallery See lunchtime concert at St. Martin in the Fields Lunch at St. Martin or restaurant nearby Visit National Portrait Gallery (the concert and lunch would give me enough time to recharge my "art viewing" capacity. Anyway, my real question is: Now that you've planned in so much detail, what are you going to do until January! |
noe-
I'm starting an internship at the hospital (soooo excited about it!) in mid-June and I'll still be working part-time so my free time for the summer and fall will be pretty much nonexistent. That's why I wanted to start planning ahead. Now for the Nat'l Gallery and Portrait Gallery, I still have no clue what to do. I keep thinking about that day in NYC a few months ago when I did the National History Museum and the MoMA in the same day. It's not even 2 art museums and I had my museum dose for the day. |
nessa - If you really like art museums, then I'd suggest you split them up into 2 days. National Gallery is truly HUGE and so many gems in it. noe847, to be honest, there's no way I could only spend 1/2 a day at national Gallery if it were my first time visiting!
I don't know if there's a particular period of paintings that you like, say Italian Renaissance. If that's the only thing you're interested in, then you can "do" NG in 1/2 day. But with its huge collection of Flemish Primitives, Dutch Golden age, Impressionist etc, I'd say enjoy it to the max! I personally wasn't that interested in the Portrait Gallery (what's so interesting about looking at dead people's faces?) so I barely spent any time there. But like you said, different strokes for different folks. Enjoy! |
nessa, it does sound like you will be busy! It's great that you're doing your homework; every bit of your preparation will pay off.
I can see your point about the art museums. I am very interested in art, so maybe my tolerance of museums is greater than most. The Portrait Gallery is small, and what we did was pick the exhibits/areas that interested us the most. We saw the Tudor portraits, the modern portraits, some photographic exhibit, and a special exhibit of fashion photography (separate admission, for a rather hefty fee). We hit up the shop and that was that. At any rate, I'd at least consider swapping the National Gallery to Day 9 and the Covent Garden/Courtauld to Day 7. And I couldn't imagine going to London for that many days and not seeing the Tower, but if you don't care for history, I guess it makes sense. Castles, churches, and art are my favorite things to see. |
Any suggestions for the theater? I can't say I'm the biggest theater fan but I definitely want to experience a play in London. Should I reserve in advance? And what should I expect to pay for a ticket?
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since you don't have a specific "must" show - definitely just go to TKTS in Leicester Sq (TKTS is about a 2 minute walk from the National Portrait Gallery) the day(s) you want to a play/musical.
They sell the best seats in the house for 1/2 price and there are many shows to choose from - both matinees and evening performances. No need to go right at opening time -- so the days you go to the Nat'l Portrait, or National or St Martin's-in-the-field would be good since you will be in the immediate neighborhood. |
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