London in July
Feb 12th, 2010, 12:43 AM
#41
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Second the recommendation for Kenwood It really is wonderful - just a short walk from the town across the heath. It has a fabulous art collection (this is where the Guinness money went) .
One thing to remember is that at night the Heath becomes a gay cruising ground, and you may well find your horizons broadened (I used to have to go there for work).
There's also a couple of ponds where people bathe nude if you're prudish about this sort of thing - mainly very old people.
Keats lived there and his house is open to the public (as is Freud's).
There's a good small theatre - The New End (note the "Hampstead Theatre" is in Swiss Cottage. We do this to annoy tourists). The New End also used to have a very good restaurant but it went bust, but it might be worth checking out what's on the site now.
That's about it for the town itself - but you are a hop and a skip from Camden Town, Chalk Farm and Primrose hill which would be enough in themselves to keep you busy.
One thing to remember is that at night the Heath becomes a gay cruising ground, and you may well find your horizons broadened (I used to have to go there for work).
There's also a couple of ponds where people bathe nude if you're prudish about this sort of thing - mainly very old people.
Keats lived there and his house is open to the public (as is Freud's).
There's a good small theatre - The New End (note the "Hampstead Theatre" is in Swiss Cottage. We do this to annoy tourists). The New End also used to have a very good restaurant but it went bust, but it might be worth checking out what's on the site now.
That's about it for the town itself - but you are a hop and a skip from Camden Town, Chalk Farm and Primrose hill which would be enough in themselves to keep you busy.
Feb 13th, 2010, 05:02 AM
#42
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Thanks for the Hampstead suggestions.
Another question. Out flight arives at Gatwick airport 3:30 am and check in time at B&B Hampstead is after 6:00am. Options that I can see are:
Gatwick Express train to Victoria station leaves at 04.35. The next one isn't until 05.20.One way single fare £16.90
National Express bus from Gatwick to Victoria station 5:15am to 6:20 am
One way single fare £7.50 . Then underground to Hampstead station
First Capital train from Gatwick to St Pancras International Station, from there underground which starts running at around 5.30 a.m.
One way single fare £ 8.90
Minicab about £ 45
Bus seems to be the most economical. Any comments or suggestions?
Another question. Out flight arives at Gatwick airport 3:30 am and check in time at B&B Hampstead is after 6:00am. Options that I can see are:
Gatwick Express train to Victoria station leaves at 04.35. The next one isn't until 05.20.One way single fare £16.90
National Express bus from Gatwick to Victoria station 5:15am to 6:20 am
One way single fare £7.50 . Then underground to Hampstead station
First Capital train from Gatwick to St Pancras International Station, from there underground which starts running at around 5.30 a.m.
One way single fare £ 8.90
Minicab about £ 45
Bus seems to be the most economical. Any comments or suggestions?
Feb 13th, 2010, 08:20 PM
#43
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First Capital Connect plus the Northern Line from Kings Cross/St Pancras seems easiest to me, and the cost is only a little more than the bus. The main drawback of this one, I think, is that you will have a long walk from the train to the tube.
When you are at Gatwick, I suggest getting 7-day TravelCards that are appropriate for the zone you are in (I think it's Zone 2) and the zones you want to visit during your stay. Because you are have such a nice, long stay, you may well want to visit some attractions that are further out, so consider getting a TravelCard for Zones 1-4.
When you are at Gatwick, I suggest getting 7-day TravelCards that are appropriate for the zone you are in (I think it's Zone 2) and the zones you want to visit during your stay. Because you are have such a nice, long stay, you may well want to visit some attractions that are further out, so consider getting a TravelCard for Zones 1-4.
Feb 13th, 2010, 08:21 PM
#44
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With these TravelCards, you can get 2 for 1 admission at some top attractions.
Of course, when you finish the first week on your cards, go to another train station, and get a second batch, as you are there for 2 weeks.
Of course, when you finish the first week on your cards, go to another train station, and get a second batch, as you are there for 2 weeks.
Feb 14th, 2010, 03:51 AM
#45
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The transportation system is confusing. A number of people have suggested buying an oyster card. What is the advantage in the travel card...is it cheaper or is because of the 2 for 1 admission?
Also I'm not clear on how the 2 for 1 works. As I understand it, I would have to travel by train on the day that I plan to visit the atraction and that tube travel doesn't count? If that's the case it would seem inconvenient as we would have to plan a train trip the same day as the attraction. Can you clarify that for me?
Also I'm not clear on how the 2 for 1 works. As I understand it, I would have to travel by train on the day that I plan to visit the atraction and that tube travel doesn't count? If that's the case it would seem inconvenient as we would have to plan a train trip the same day as the attraction. Can you clarify that for me?
Feb 14th, 2010, 05:29 AM
#46
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Jim--I may not be as clear as others but here's my take:
First, look at the 2for1 site and pick the things from there that you really want to see. Really. Don't be sucked into considering things that aren't really on your agenda.
Then decide if going through the (small or large) effort to purchase your "tube access" (ticket/card/pass--whatever you call it) from a National Rail station is worth the savings.
It was our experience that 1.the paper tube pass with national rail logo on it was sufficient for use with the voucher even though we did not travel by train the day we used the 2for1 and 2.one place actually looked at the pass along with the voucher and one place didn't.
So if you will be at/near or have time to go to a rail station and have a couple or more places where 2for1 vouchers would work, then it is worth the extra effort needed.
If the 2for1 sites fall into a 7 day period on your itinerary, then you could buy both an Oyster pay as you go card AND a 7-day-travel card (remember, you get back whatever is left on the Oyster card if you allow time to stop by a TFL counter (I guess there's one at Gatwick?) as you leave.) If your agenda has 2for1 sites spread out over your 2 weeks, then buy 2 paper travel cards. If it doesn't seem that there are any or enough sites to mess with it, then just buy an Oyster Card. And you could do this and still go get 1 day passes at a train station for use at the 2for1 sites.
What we did was buy an Oyster card for our 2 weeks. The day before we went to the Tower and the Tower Bridge Expedition, we made a bit of an effort to go to Victoria and bought 1 day passes to use with the 2for1 voucher. (In 2008 Westminster Abbey was on the 2for1 list but it was too much trouble for us to mess with 1 day passes for that; but I didn't see the Abbey on the list anymore.) We did save a significant amount on the Tower and the Bridge things, so it was worth the extra trip to the train station, which wasn't that far from our B&B. (Also we used the pay as you go option instead of 7daypasses because for 4 of our days we only took 2 tube trips to and from a train station to go out of town plus a couple other factors so the 7daything would have been more.)
First, look at the 2for1 site and pick the things from there that you really want to see. Really. Don't be sucked into considering things that aren't really on your agenda.
Then decide if going through the (small or large) effort to purchase your "tube access" (ticket/card/pass--whatever you call it) from a National Rail station is worth the savings.
It was our experience that 1.the paper tube pass with national rail logo on it was sufficient for use with the voucher even though we did not travel by train the day we used the 2for1 and 2.one place actually looked at the pass along with the voucher and one place didn't.
So if you will be at/near or have time to go to a rail station and have a couple or more places where 2for1 vouchers would work, then it is worth the extra effort needed.
If the 2for1 sites fall into a 7 day period on your itinerary, then you could buy both an Oyster pay as you go card AND a 7-day-travel card (remember, you get back whatever is left on the Oyster card if you allow time to stop by a TFL counter (I guess there's one at Gatwick?) as you leave.) If your agenda has 2for1 sites spread out over your 2 weeks, then buy 2 paper travel cards. If it doesn't seem that there are any or enough sites to mess with it, then just buy an Oyster Card. And you could do this and still go get 1 day passes at a train station for use at the 2for1 sites.
What we did was buy an Oyster card for our 2 weeks. The day before we went to the Tower and the Tower Bridge Expedition, we made a bit of an effort to go to Victoria and bought 1 day passes to use with the 2for1 voucher. (In 2008 Westminster Abbey was on the 2for1 list but it was too much trouble for us to mess with 1 day passes for that; but I didn't see the Abbey on the list anymore.) We did save a significant amount on the Tower and the Bridge things, so it was worth the extra trip to the train station, which wasn't that far from our B&B. (Also we used the pay as you go option instead of 7daypasses because for 4 of our days we only took 2 tube trips to and from a train station to go out of town plus a couple other factors so the 7daything would have been more.)
Feb 14th, 2010, 09:47 AM
#47
"<i><blue>The transportation system is confusing</blue></i>" The transport system is really easy - they just make it sound confusing 
"<i><blue>A number of people have suggested buying an oyster card. What is the advantage in the travel card...is it cheaper or is because of the 2 for 1 admission?</blue> </i>"
By "travel card" needed for 2 for 1's, we are talking about <u>paper</u> travel cards. A non-paper travel card is just one option you can load on an oyster card. The ONLY advantage to a paper travel card is the 2 for 1's.
"<i><blue>As I understand it, I would have to travel by train on the day that I plan to visit the atraction and that tube travel doesn't count? </blue></i>"
A paper travel card bought at a train station gets you the same transport as an oyster card -- i.e. trains, tube, buses. It is just a paper version of the normal transport. Doesn't matter if it is paper or plastic
"<i><blue>A number of people have suggested buying an oyster card. What is the advantage in the travel card...is it cheaper or is because of the 2 for 1 admission?</blue> </i>"
By "travel card" needed for 2 for 1's, we are talking about <u>paper</u> travel cards. A non-paper travel card is just one option you can load on an oyster card. The ONLY advantage to a paper travel card is the 2 for 1's.
"<i><blue>As I understand it, I would have to travel by train on the day that I plan to visit the atraction and that tube travel doesn't count? </blue></i>"
A paper travel card bought at a train station gets you the same transport as an oyster card -- i.e. trains, tube, buses. It is just a paper version of the normal transport. Doesn't matter if it is paper or plastic
Feb 14th, 2010, 10:56 AM
#48
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>> "As I understand it, I would have to travel by train on the >> day that I plan to visit the atraction and that tube travel >> doesn't count?
If you have the 7-day TravelCard purchased from a train station, you don't have to use the train that day to get the 2-for-1. You just have to show your TravelCard.
If you have the 7-day TravelCard purchased from a train station, you don't have to use the train that day to get the 2-for-1. You just have to show your TravelCard.
Feb 21st, 2010, 03:14 PM
#50
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Here's a draft itinerary. I would welcome any comments or suggestions.
We are staying at Hampstead so will have to travel into central London by tube or bus. Hoping to see some of the highlights of London, take in a play, have a trip or two outside. Days are not in any particular order. We'll probably buy the 7 day travel card as WillTravel suggested and group any thing with a 2 for 1 in the first week.
Day 1: Friday Arrive Gatwick Hamstead Heath
3:30 am arrival
Travel to Hampstead
National Express bus from Gatwick to Victoria station
One way single fare £7.50. Then underground to Hampstead station fare £2.30
Or
Minicab £ 45
Rest until noon. Have lunch. Explore local area
Get cash from an ATM / exchange currency /get an Oyster card
Day 2: Hampstead
Hampstead Dickens walking tour /Hampstead Heath
Packed lunch See the Kenwood House. Library/art collection
visit Keats house maybe Freud museum
Dinner at local pub
Day 3: Road Trip
Possibilities that we are considering:
Windsor castle
St Albans
Colchester
Bath
Oxford
Cambridge
Cotswold’s
Hampton court
Day 4: Tower of London/National Gallery
9:00 Tower of London
12:00 cruise tower to Westminster bridge
13:00 self guided Westminster walk /Churchill museum& cabinet war rooms
15:30 Trafalgar square
17:30 visit Britain and London visitors centre near Piccadilly plan ahead for rest of trip
18:30 dinner in Soho take in a play or
19:30 concert at St Martin in the Fields
Day 5: South Bank
walk along the South Bank
consider London Eye … not convinced yet that its worth the money??
evening play at Globe Theatre. Havn't bought tickets yet but understand that we must buy several months ahead?
Day 6: Salisbury/Bath/ Stonehenge
Day trip possibly Viator tour
I liked the public transport tour by Texasbookworm but the rail fare is so expensive.
2 return tickets (Hampstead to Salisbury) are about £160 , a three day flex pass about £328, but the guided tour is only £85.
Day 7 – Regents Park
Tube to St Johns Wood station
Walk to Abby Road - Our kids seem to like the idea of us walking the crosswalk as they watch from home on the webcam. Might seem silly but if its not much trouble we might give it a go.
Walk to Regents Park.
Explore park climb Primrose hill.
Could probably fit something else in this day??
Day 8 – St. Paul’s, Millennium Bridge
take tube to the Monument.
walk to St. Paul’s, do tour
walk across the Millennium Bridge . .
Maybe Tate Modern would fit better here?
Day 9 Leicester Sq tickets/ London walk/Trafalgar Sq/ Nat Gallery/ Theatre.
Head to TKTS in Leicester Square see which shows are offering half-price tickets for that evening. Some people have said its better to wait until after 5:00??
take Original London Walk
Lunch at café in the crypt at St Martin-in-the-Fields church in Trafalgar Square. lunchtime concert on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays at 1pm.
Afternoon
Visit National Gallery - best on weekday
Visit National Portrait Gallery. Start at top floor
Evening
dinner
theatre
Day 10 British Library /Museum (good for rainy day)
Morning
Tube to Russell square for British museum. Allow half day
Afternoon
British Library. And allow 2 hrs.
Covent Garden, maybe to eat.
Day 11 Greenwich
Morning
Take City Cruise to Greenwich,
National Maritime Museum.
The Old Royal Naval College .
between Thursday and Sunday, Greenwich Market open
Lunch
Packed lunch at Greenwich Park
Afternoon
Greenwich Meridian Line, The Royal Observatory.
Queen’s House.
Take tube back to Hampstead?
Day 12 Westminster Abby/ Buckingham Palace
Westminster Abbey at opening
walk St. James Park toward Buckingham Palace. Changing of guard at 11:30 not a priority if not finished at Westminster Abby .
detour to St. James's Palace,
walk down the Mall through Admiralty Arch to Trafalgar Square.
After lunch,
walk down Whitehall—past Downing Street, to the Houses of Parliament,
If any time left, through Green and Hyde parks to Kensington Palace,
Day 13 Windsor castle/Hampton Court
Windsor castle, 30 min train from waterloo or Paddington station
Hampton Court
Don’t know if these two sites are doable in a day?
if so how we would get from Windsor Castle to Hampton Court palace?
We are staying at Hampstead so will have to travel into central London by tube or bus. Hoping to see some of the highlights of London, take in a play, have a trip or two outside. Days are not in any particular order. We'll probably buy the 7 day travel card as WillTravel suggested and group any thing with a 2 for 1 in the first week.
Day 1: Friday Arrive Gatwick Hamstead Heath
3:30 am arrival
Travel to Hampstead
National Express bus from Gatwick to Victoria station
One way single fare £7.50. Then underground to Hampstead station fare £2.30
Or
Minicab £ 45
Rest until noon. Have lunch. Explore local area
Get cash from an ATM / exchange currency /get an Oyster card
Day 2: Hampstead
Hampstead Dickens walking tour /Hampstead Heath
Packed lunch See the Kenwood House. Library/art collection
visit Keats house maybe Freud museum
Dinner at local pub
Day 3: Road Trip
Possibilities that we are considering:
Windsor castle
St Albans
Colchester
Bath
Oxford
Cambridge
Cotswold’s
Hampton court
Day 4: Tower of London/National Gallery
9:00 Tower of London
12:00 cruise tower to Westminster bridge
13:00 self guided Westminster walk /Churchill museum& cabinet war rooms
15:30 Trafalgar square
17:30 visit Britain and London visitors centre near Piccadilly plan ahead for rest of trip
18:30 dinner in Soho take in a play or
19:30 concert at St Martin in the Fields
Day 5: South Bank
walk along the South Bank
consider London Eye … not convinced yet that its worth the money??
evening play at Globe Theatre. Havn't bought tickets yet but understand that we must buy several months ahead?
Day 6: Salisbury/Bath/ Stonehenge
Day trip possibly Viator tour
I liked the public transport tour by Texasbookworm but the rail fare is so expensive.
2 return tickets (Hampstead to Salisbury) are about £160 , a three day flex pass about £328, but the guided tour is only £85.
Day 7 – Regents Park
Tube to St Johns Wood station
Walk to Abby Road - Our kids seem to like the idea of us walking the crosswalk as they watch from home on the webcam. Might seem silly but if its not much trouble we might give it a go.
Walk to Regents Park.
Explore park climb Primrose hill.
Could probably fit something else in this day??
Day 8 – St. Paul’s, Millennium Bridge
take tube to the Monument.
walk to St. Paul’s, do tour
walk across the Millennium Bridge . .
Maybe Tate Modern would fit better here?
Day 9 Leicester Sq tickets/ London walk/Trafalgar Sq/ Nat Gallery/ Theatre.
Head to TKTS in Leicester Square see which shows are offering half-price tickets for that evening. Some people have said its better to wait until after 5:00??
take Original London Walk
Lunch at café in the crypt at St Martin-in-the-Fields church in Trafalgar Square. lunchtime concert on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays at 1pm.
Afternoon
Visit National Gallery - best on weekday
Visit National Portrait Gallery. Start at top floor
Evening
dinner
theatre
Day 10 British Library /Museum (good for rainy day)
Morning
Tube to Russell square for British museum. Allow half day
Afternoon
British Library. And allow 2 hrs.
Covent Garden, maybe to eat.
Day 11 Greenwich
Morning
Take City Cruise to Greenwich,
National Maritime Museum.
The Old Royal Naval College .
between Thursday and Sunday, Greenwich Market open
Lunch
Packed lunch at Greenwich Park
Afternoon
Greenwich Meridian Line, The Royal Observatory.
Queen’s House.
Take tube back to Hampstead?
Day 12 Westminster Abby/ Buckingham Palace
Westminster Abbey at opening
walk St. James Park toward Buckingham Palace. Changing of guard at 11:30 not a priority if not finished at Westminster Abby .
detour to St. James's Palace,
walk down the Mall through Admiralty Arch to Trafalgar Square.
After lunch,
walk down Whitehall—past Downing Street, to the Houses of Parliament,
If any time left, through Green and Hyde parks to Kensington Palace,
Day 13 Windsor castle/Hampton Court
Windsor castle, 30 min train from waterloo or Paddington station
Hampton Court
Don’t know if these two sites are doable in a day?
if so how we would get from Windsor Castle to Hampton Court palace?
Feb 21st, 2010, 03:26 PM
#51
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Isn't planning FUN!? Seems like you've spread things out so it's not overpacked and grouped neighborhood things mostly together.
Did you ever use walkit.com and plug in your destinations--it's fun and can show you backtracking mistakes. And give you ideas of times involved.
Yes, see when Globe tickets go on sale and get them as soon as you can.
The reason the public transport thing worked for us to get to Salisbury was that we had the BritRailPassEnglandFlex so didn't price out just one set of tickets.
I don't think there's anyway you can get out of Westminster Abbey in time to set up to see the changing of the guard. That day doesn't look too packed so you COULD make the guard change a priority and go to the Abbey afterwards--you risk longer lines and more crowds but otherwise a switch might be ok.
Will look forward to a trip report!
Did you ever use walkit.com and plug in your destinations--it's fun and can show you backtracking mistakes. And give you ideas of times involved.
Yes, see when Globe tickets go on sale and get them as soon as you can.
The reason the public transport thing worked for us to get to Salisbury was that we had the BritRailPassEnglandFlex so didn't price out just one set of tickets.
I don't think there's anyway you can get out of Westminster Abbey in time to set up to see the changing of the guard. That day doesn't look too packed so you COULD make the guard change a priority and go to the Abbey afterwards--you risk longer lines and more crowds but otherwise a switch might be ok.
Will look forward to a trip report!
Feb 21st, 2010, 04:25 PM
#52
You've paced things pretty well, but just a couple of quick comments:
• "<i>Some people have said its better to wait until after 5:00??</i>" It is better to wait . . . until you are in the area. Evening, or morning, or afternoon really doesn't make much difference. The only time you don't want to go is right at opening time. That is when the queues can be longest since so many think they must get there early.
• You are at Trafalgar Square at least three different days. Some of those visits can probably be combined.
• Hampton Court Palace and Windsor are best done on different days. Doing both will definitely cause Palace/castle/travel overload. Either one takes about 1/2 a day and when you add meals and transport . . . it quickly become smore than a full day's worth. But you are in London long enough, you should easily have time to fit them both in on different days.
• "<i>Some people have said its better to wait until after 5:00??</i>" It is better to wait . . . until you are in the area. Evening, or morning, or afternoon really doesn't make much difference. The only time you don't want to go is right at opening time. That is when the queues can be longest since so many think they must get there early.
• You are at Trafalgar Square at least three different days. Some of those visits can probably be combined.
• Hampton Court Palace and Windsor are best done on different days. Doing both will definitely cause Palace/castle/travel overload. Either one takes about 1/2 a day and when you add meals and transport . . . it quickly become smore than a full day's worth. But you are in London long enough, you should easily have time to fit them both in on different days.
Mar 7th, 2010, 08:43 AM
#53
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Looking for advice on travelling from Hampstead to Hampton Court Palace. I could start at Hampstead underground, or Hampstead Heath railway station or take a bus. I understand I would have to go to Waterloo Station and from there to Hampton Court Station. What's my best option?
Also when I get to Waterloo station I was thinking about buying a 7 day travel pass and using that for a 2 for 1 at Hampton Court. However most of my travel will be in zones 1 and 2 and I assume it would be more expensive for a travel card that covers Hampton Court? Am I better off paying for that trip seperately?
Also when I get to Waterloo station I was thinking about buying a 7 day travel pass and using that for a 2 for 1 at Hampton Court. However most of my travel will be in zones 1 and 2 and I assume it would be more expensive for a travel card that covers Hampton Court? Am I better off paying for that trip seperately?
Mar 7th, 2010, 11:33 AM
#54
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northern line from hampstead tube takes you straight to waterloo. an excellent site for planning public transport within London is http://www.tfl.gov.uk/ . Look for the 'Journey Planner' section.
