London in the Early Morning - What to do?
 

Our flight from Washington DC arrives in London at the ripe hour of 6:30am on a Friday morning. After the requisite time at Heathrow, I expect we'll be into the city by 8:30am. We (4 adults) have rented a flat but cannot get in until noon. Our flat is in Covent Garden, and I have selected a place to kill time eating breakfast (Paul?), but what to do with the additional few hours until noon -- considering jet lag and us toting our bags with us? I thought of the HopOn Bus tour, so we could sit and get an overview of the city. Other suggestions would be appreciated.

The closest left luggage to Covent Garden on a direct tube from Heathrow is Kings Cross.

Dump your bags there (tons of really rather good eating places in the next door St Pancras station for breakfast.)

The station hotel at KX claims to be the world's oldest great station hotel, which is sort of true in the way that hotel PR puffery sometimes just about manages to be. Don't eat the "street food" sandwiches from its "Kiosk" posh fast food joint: its turkey Rueben this afternoon was the filthiest I've ever eaten. The station hotel at St Pancras, and its associated eateries, are architecturally impressive.

At 0830, it may look like there's little else but get a HOHO: the local museums don't open till 0930. Personally, I'd get a tube to the river (Northern Line to London Bridge) and walk the lag off along the world's greatest urban walk: London Bridge along the Thames to wherever you can manage westward before flaking out (Westminster Bridge would be about right). Then get a tube back to KX, collect the bags and cab to Covent Garden.

1. 8:30 is perhaps a trifle optimistic.
2. In the US you could check your bags at a hotel. Can you do that in London? Someone will know.
3. You are going to extremely hungry and have a major need for coffee by the time you get into the city because the " breakfast" you are served on the plane will be pitiful and the coffee worse. Consider breakfasting at Heathrow, perhaps taking a hotel shuttle for a nice breakfast.
4. If it is a nice morning, have a walk along the river to Westminster and back. If it Is a terrible morning, go to one of the Museums (Courtald Gallery, National Gallery, etc.) are nearby and all open at 10.
5. You could even have breakfast in the award-winning Cafe in the Crypt at St Martin's in the Fields and then tour the church.

Ack - the OP is renting a flat. No hotel amenities.

8:30 is very optimistic. What mode of transport to central London? If the Tube, that's a 45+ minute ride after the time to clear customs and immigration.

>>Ack - the OP is renting a flat. No hotel amenities.<<

I <i>think</i> Ackislander meant popping into a hotel (not where they are staying) and leaving their bags w/ the Bell Captain. But that may or may not be doable in London due to security issues.

My guess is you won't be in central London til around 9:00/9:30. If it is earlier that is a bonus. I'd go w/ flanner's idea of left luggage at Kings Cross and meal at St Pancras IF you are taking the tube into the city.

But IF you are using a car service you can go anywhere - so I'd probably head to Charing Cross, dump the bags and eat in Covent Garden then wander the area/the river/etc. Then retrieve your bags and depending on where exactly you are in Covent Garden you may be walking distance. or a short cab ride if too far to walk.

Itis possible you can leave your bags at the Apt. even tough you can't check in until later. I dod that all the time in Paris. it should be almost 10 before you are ready to set out. a big breakfast and coffee is a great idea. I love pAUL but there are plenty of places around CG!You can get your transport passes and pick up things you will
waNT IN THE APT.

As always, great ideas here. The flat is actually sending a car for us, so I can have them drop us anywhere, I guess. Yes, I think we can dump bags at flat starting at 10am, when the cleaning service is there. So perhaps we eat near the flat, especially if we will get to central London later than I thought, and then leave bags and head off on one of the above suggestions until noon, when we will stumble back to the flat. It's located on Shelton Street, if that helps with suggestions.

Any more info on the Cafe in the Crypt? I keep seeing that mentioned. Hadn't really thought of going there. Other favorite breakfast spots in CG? I like the walk along the river idea, as well as picking up our oyster cards (I assume I can find those most anywhere).

Well heck - w/ a 10:00 arrival at the flat via provided car service your problem is solved. In the morning by car it will take even longer to get into London. You can drop your bags w/ the cleaning crew and go wherever you wish.

I personally wouldn't go to the Crypt that morning. It is a crypt after all. I'd go to somewhere in Covent garden where you can get some fresh air and people watch. Or perhaps Inn the Park (that's the name of the place) in St James's Park if the weather is really nice

http://peytonandbyrne.co.uk/inn-the-park/index.html