This forum has been helpful to me. Could you help by commenting on this itinerary for me? This is my first visit to London.
Wed: arrive at 9 p.m. at Heathrow, go to Strand Palace (I am commited via Expedia; could get out of it for fifty dollars, think I will chance it; have asked for corner rm, view...I am an optimist). Can not get an email response from Strand (bad sign) and will try calling as I get nearer my trip date.
Thursday: Big Bus tour; I have tickets for Anything Goes; want to take Royal London Walk first thing. This includes Changing of the Guard. Sometime in there Big Bus gives 1/2 hour Thames Cruise. Hope to fit in Cabinet War Rooms and take last Verger tour at Westminster
Friday: I want to see Oxford and am considering taking a trainSat: day in London; have London Pass for Sat, Sun, Monday.
Do Tower first thing in a.m., take yeoman's tour; also do St. Paul's Cathedral; have tickets for Mama Mia (I'm addicted, have seen it New York and Boston, now London; I have schmaltz theater tastes)
Sunday: More London, with an emphasis on walking in parks. Is Harrod's open on Sunday? Maybe something called Bateaux Lunch Cruise (it comes with discount with London Pass...I debated London pass, but found it seemed like good deal for 3 days with transportation.
Monday: Hampton Court
Tuesday: Golden has a tour with Bath in a.m. and private access at Stonehenge in afternoon. I teach Brit Lit and want to see Stonehenge up close. I have tickets for Phantom in evening.
Wed. I am taking Golden escorted tour to Paris, with bus tour, cruise and trip to Versailles.
I know this is full, but really wanted to see Paris, as I do not know when I will travel to this area again. Looked at London Walks Explorer days but can't fit in what I want.
Out of town priorites, aside from Paris: Oxford (have read so many novels set there), Stonehenge & Bath. I decided to skip Stratford, despite being a lit teacher,as I have heard it is "Shakespeare Disneyland."
Windsor ????? I am thinking of taking an a.m. tour Thursday morning. I leave Heathrow at 6 pm. Thursday. How would you suggest I get to Windsor on my own? I am not afraid to just get on a train.
I have used tours as I tend to get lost easily and do not want to spend time "finding" myself.
I have plotted and studied maps of London until I feel as if I know London better than Boston (I live in Plymouth, MA, about 45 mins. outside of Boston)
Priorities in London narrowed down to: British Museum & Library (visit Museum Courtyard some evening); London Eye (make reservations, pref in evening); Banqueting House, walk along South Bank and see Globe Theater, maybe Westminster Cathedral service Sunday a.m.; St. Martins in the Field (candlelight concert looks good); Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House, London Museum.
I do want to see museums, but do not want to spend most of my time inside as opposed to outside.
Am looking for suggestions for pre theater meals (nothing elaborate) on Thurs, Sat., Monday and just generally inexpensive places to eat otherwise. Have picked up suggestions for following, expensive and inexpensive:
Tate Modern 7th floor, fountain restaurant in Fortum and Mason, The Maple Leave & Lamb & Flag in Covent Garden, cafe in Crypt at St. Martins, Oxo Tower (is the view in Brasserie as good as view in restaurant?), Sainsbury grocery storesl Pret et Manger (some debate about that, but sounds ok for quick lunch or supper), Marks and Spencer, Old Bank of England pub, Counting House, The Old Bank, Whitby, Savoy Grill (across from Strand with more class...I can't afford to stay there, but could fund a meal), Mon Plaisir, LongAcre, Liberty Bounds nr. Tower of London, SoHo Patisserie Valier, Waitrose grocery stores
I am reluctant to leave my laptop at home, as my itinerary is on it, with hyperlinks to sites I want to visit.
ATT says my phone will work in London and has set it up. Calls will cost either .99 or 1.20/min depending on which rep I talk to. I can use my phone as a modem, so am inclined to bring laptop even though I know EasyAccess and other internet cafes are convenient.
Any particularly beautiful walks? I read about the Princess Diana walk that seems to hit several parks.
This is long, I know, but if anyone has comments on any small part of this, I would be very grateful. I want to maximize my time.
Thank you again. I love reading this board.
Thanks.
Wed: arrive at 9 p.m. at Heathrow, go to Strand Palace (I am commited via Expedia; could get out of it for fifty dollars, think I will chance it; have asked for corner rm, view...I am an optimist). Can not get an email response from Strand (bad sign) and will try calling as I get nearer my trip date.
Thursday: Big Bus tour; I have tickets for Anything Goes; want to take Royal London Walk first thing. This includes Changing of the Guard. Sometime in there Big Bus gives 1/2 hour Thames Cruise. Hope to fit in Cabinet War Rooms and take last Verger tour at Westminster
Friday: I want to see Oxford and am considering taking a trainSat: day in London; have London Pass for Sat, Sun, Monday.
Do Tower first thing in a.m., take yeoman's tour; also do St. Paul's Cathedral; have tickets for Mama Mia (I'm addicted, have seen it New York and Boston, now London; I have schmaltz theater tastes)
Sunday: More London, with an emphasis on walking in parks. Is Harrod's open on Sunday? Maybe something called Bateaux Lunch Cruise (it comes with discount with London Pass...I debated London pass, but found it seemed like good deal for 3 days with transportation.
Monday: Hampton Court
Tuesday: Golden has a tour with Bath in a.m. and private access at Stonehenge in afternoon. I teach Brit Lit and want to see Stonehenge up close. I have tickets for Phantom in evening.
Wed. I am taking Golden escorted tour to Paris, with bus tour, cruise and trip to Versailles.
I know this is full, but really wanted to see Paris, as I do not know when I will travel to this area again. Looked at London Walks Explorer days but can't fit in what I want.
Out of town priorites, aside from Paris: Oxford (have read so many novels set there), Stonehenge & Bath. I decided to skip Stratford, despite being a lit teacher,as I have heard it is "Shakespeare Disneyland."
Windsor ????? I am thinking of taking an a.m. tour Thursday morning. I leave Heathrow at 6 pm. Thursday. How would you suggest I get to Windsor on my own? I am not afraid to just get on a train.
I have used tours as I tend to get lost easily and do not want to spend time "finding" myself.
I have plotted and studied maps of London until I feel as if I know London better than Boston (I live in Plymouth, MA, about 45 mins. outside of Boston)
Priorities in London narrowed down to: British Museum & Library (visit Museum Courtyard some evening); London Eye (make reservations, pref in evening); Banqueting House, walk along South Bank and see Globe Theater, maybe Westminster Cathedral service Sunday a.m.; St. Martins in the Field (candlelight concert looks good); Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House, London Museum.
I do want to see museums, but do not want to spend most of my time inside as opposed to outside.
Am looking for suggestions for pre theater meals (nothing elaborate) on Thurs, Sat., Monday and just generally inexpensive places to eat otherwise. Have picked up suggestions for following, expensive and inexpensive:
Tate Modern 7th floor, fountain restaurant in Fortum and Mason, The Maple Leave & Lamb & Flag in Covent Garden, cafe in Crypt at St. Martins, Oxo Tower (is the view in Brasserie as good as view in restaurant?), Sainsbury grocery storesl Pret et Manger (some debate about that, but sounds ok for quick lunch or supper), Marks and Spencer, Old Bank of England pub, Counting House, The Old Bank, Whitby, Savoy Grill (across from Strand with more class...I can't afford to stay there, but could fund a meal), Mon Plaisir, LongAcre, Liberty Bounds nr. Tower of London, SoHo Patisserie Valier, Waitrose grocery stores
I am reluctant to leave my laptop at home, as my itinerary is on it, with hyperlinks to sites I want to visit.
ATT says my phone will work in London and has set it up. Calls will cost either .99 or 1.20/min depending on which rep I talk to. I can use my phone as a modem, so am inclined to bring laptop even though I know EasyAccess and other internet cafes are convenient.
Any particularly beautiful walks? I read about the Princess Diana walk that seems to hit several parks.
This is long, I know, but if anyone has comments on any small part of this, I would be very grateful. I want to maximize my time.
Thank you again. I love reading this board.
Thanks.
Firstly, Harrods does not open on a Sunday.
For a pleasant walk, consider the following, bearing in mind you can cut and add to it as you choose.
Starting From Bond St. tube station, walk along South Molton St, into New Bond St. continuing straight over into Old Bond St., then into Picadilly. On the way taking in the various shops! In Picadilly view an exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts, then cross over for lunch at Fortnum's. Walk along Jermyn Street behind Fortnum's. Turn right up St James's back into Picadilly, turning left past The Ritz, and spend some time in Green Park. Once again come back on to Picadilly, walking straight, past The Lanesborough, into the Brompton Rd. Here you will find Harvey Nichols, and Harrods among others (so advisable not to choose a Sunday as no Bond St. shops will be open). After seeing Harrods/Harvey Nichols, Walk past the Mandarin Oriental Hotel and towards Hyde Park, following the road running through the park until you reach Kensington Palace. Stroll along Kensington Palace Gardens Road taking in the impressive houses - mainly ambassadorial residences. Then return to the High St. Explore at your leisure the side streets such as Kensington Church St. Of course this could be split into several days, but I've tried to fit as much as possible into a day - shopping and parks!
Savoy Grill is good, In Thayer St W1 (Marylebone High St in effect - it is a continuation, a little like Old and New Bond St for those that have been there) is a little deli called "Speck", they close at 7pm, but if you're after a light dinner or lunch they serve Italian Delicacies - pastas, gnocchi, antepasti etc all very reasonable priced - main courses are all under five pounds.
The Strand Palace is an art deco monument according to a recent article on it in London's Evening Standard, so perhaps it won't be so bad - but do complain if it's not busy and you are not happy with your room.
Any more questions? Please ask.
For a pleasant walk, consider the following, bearing in mind you can cut and add to it as you choose.
Starting From Bond St. tube station, walk along South Molton St, into New Bond St. continuing straight over into Old Bond St., then into Picadilly. On the way taking in the various shops! In Picadilly view an exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts, then cross over for lunch at Fortnum's. Walk along Jermyn Street behind Fortnum's. Turn right up St James's back into Picadilly, turning left past The Ritz, and spend some time in Green Park. Once again come back on to Picadilly, walking straight, past The Lanesborough, into the Brompton Rd. Here you will find Harvey Nichols, and Harrods among others (so advisable not to choose a Sunday as no Bond St. shops will be open). After seeing Harrods/Harvey Nichols, Walk past the Mandarin Oriental Hotel and towards Hyde Park, following the road running through the park until you reach Kensington Palace. Stroll along Kensington Palace Gardens Road taking in the impressive houses - mainly ambassadorial residences. Then return to the High St. Explore at your leisure the side streets such as Kensington Church St. Of course this could be split into several days, but I've tried to fit as much as possible into a day - shopping and parks!
Savoy Grill is good, In Thayer St W1 (Marylebone High St in effect - it is a continuation, a little like Old and New Bond St for those that have been there) is a little deli called "Speck", they close at 7pm, but if you're after a light dinner or lunch they serve Italian Delicacies - pastas, gnocchi, antepasti etc all very reasonable priced - main courses are all under five pounds.
The Strand Palace is an art deco monument according to a recent article on it in London's Evening Standard, so perhaps it won't be so bad - but do complain if it's not busy and you are not happy with your room.
Any more questions? Please ask.
Hi,
Sounds like a fun, full trip! You can easily take the train to Windsor - it takes about 40 minutes, maybe a little less. Since you want to do it on the day you are leaving, the only logistical issue I see is what to do with your luggage. Windsor is pretty close to Heathrow, so it would make the most sense to go from London to Windsor and then directly to Heathrow from there.
Maybe someone else can help on where to put your luggage while you visit Windsor - I'm not sure if the train station at Windsor has luggage lockers, for example.
Hampton Court probably won't take the entire day. Even if you get back in late afternoon, you can probably do some walking or hit a museum that is open late or go to Harrod's or do the London Eye that night or something.
Have a great trip!
Karen
Sounds like a fun, full trip! You can easily take the train to Windsor - it takes about 40 minutes, maybe a little less. Since you want to do it on the day you are leaving, the only logistical issue I see is what to do with your luggage. Windsor is pretty close to Heathrow, so it would make the most sense to go from London to Windsor and then directly to Heathrow from there.
Maybe someone else can help on where to put your luggage while you visit Windsor - I'm not sure if the train station at Windsor has luggage lockers, for example.
Hampton Court probably won't take the entire day. Even if you get back in late afternoon, you can probably do some walking or hit a museum that is open late or go to Harrod's or do the London Eye that night or something.
Have a great trip!
Karen
You should double-check with Golden that your Bath/Stonehenge tour will get you back to London in time for your show; private-access tours are held before and after Stonehenge regular opening hours.
I am very surprised that you decided that the London Pass was a good value, epecially since you have named so many places that aren't covered by the card. I encourage future readers of this thread to check past threads about the London Pass and about other transport option, including the regular visitors travelcards and regular Londoners' travelcards.
I am very surprised that you decided that the London Pass was a good value, epecially since you have named so many places that aren't covered by the card. I encourage future readers of this thread to check past threads about the London Pass and about other transport option, including the regular visitors travelcards and regular Londoners' travelcards.
hi,
when we went to london in 1998 for a week, we also had a large itinerary planned with 2 or 3 sidetrips. we ended up staying in london because there is just so much to see. so we scrapped our original itinerary and we sat with our fodor's every night and planned the next day's itinerary.
we did take a side to windsor castle. that's a must.
we are going back to london in june and i plan on seeing hampton court then.
have fun - london is the best!!!!!
when we went to london in 1998 for a week, we also had a large itinerary planned with 2 or 3 sidetrips. we ended up staying in london because there is just so much to see. so we scrapped our original itinerary and we sat with our fodor's every night and planned the next day's itinerary.
we did take a side to windsor castle. that's a must.
we are going back to london in june and i plan on seeing hampton court then.
have fun - london is the best!!!!!
Won't repeat some of the other good advice you've received - except to stress you should double check the return time of the Bath/Stonehenge tour. If it goes to Bath first then you Stonehenge access won't begin until after 6 p.m. Making your curtain in London will be VERY tough.
I'd reconsider taking a full day over to Paris immediately after a full day to Bath/Stonehenge and a late theatre (IF you make it to the show) evening. That is a pretty exhausting combo.
$1.20 per minute is outrageously expensive for phone calls. Any phone card bought from any newsagent in London would only cost you 5 - 8 cents a minute.
Windsor is definitely doable on you last day. I'm not sure if either Windsor station has left luggage facilities - maybe someone else will know. But another thought would be to take the Heathrow express to the airport in the morning. Check you luggage in then if the airline will let you, and if not stash it at left luggage. then take a cab or bus over to Windsor for a few hours.
I'd reconsider taking a full day over to Paris immediately after a full day to Bath/Stonehenge and a late theatre (IF you make it to the show) evening. That is a pretty exhausting combo.
$1.20 per minute is outrageously expensive for phone calls. Any phone card bought from any newsagent in London would only cost you 5 - 8 cents a minute.
Windsor is definitely doable on you last day. I'm not sure if either Windsor station has left luggage facilities - maybe someone else will know. But another thought would be to take the Heathrow express to the airport in the morning. Check you luggage in then if the airline will let you, and if not stash it at left luggage. then take a cab or bus over to Windsor for a few hours.
Ideas have all been extremely helpful. Sometimes part of getting educated is finding out precisely how much you don't know (or don't think about)
I have learned immensely from this board before even posting.
I should take a look at the Boston board and see if anyone needs reverse help!
I have learned immensely from this board before even posting.
I should take a look at the Boston board and see if anyone needs reverse help!
Your itinerary sounds great. I am not sure what the controversy is, but I personally am a fan of Pret a manger. It is a chain though, and there are so many other options...
I don't own a laptop, but couldn't imagine bringing one on vacation. (I'd probably spend the whole trip on this addictive forum! Kidding) I would just email yourself a copy of your itinerary and then you can access it from one of London's many (cheap) internet cafes. (I love a good hyperlinked document- good idea!).
Have a fabulous trip!
I don't own a laptop, but couldn't imagine bringing one on vacation. (I'd probably spend the whole trip on this addictive forum! Kidding) I would just email yourself a copy of your itinerary and then you can access it from one of London's many (cheap) internet cafes. (I love a good hyperlinked document- good idea!).
Have a fabulous trip!
