London Itinerary Advice 6-10 September
May 20th, 2013, 10:09 PM
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London Itinerary Advice 6-10 September
Hello All,
Starting to make a ROUGH itinerary for our 30 day trip to Europe throughouut September / October this year. This is our first big trip together and I'm feeling a little stressed about working out itineraries for 7 stops... EEEK!
A little background; We are a couple in our early twenties, not overly interested in art or museums. Just want to experience the city and culture. I plan on buying the paper train tickets for the 2for1 vouchers, making use of the trains/buses but also walking to experience the city.
Any contribution or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I am only a rookie! I want to ensure I haven't got the days too tightly booked and that they are logistically planned.
We are staying at the Strand Palace Hotel. Breakfast is not included in the hotel so will be had at local cafes with the plan to be out of the room by 8:30 / 9am daily.
Day 1: Friday 6th September - Arrive at Heathrow from Brisbane, Australia at 5:30PM. Still deciding whether to catch a train to the hotel and walk (two suitcases) or pay for a car / shuttle. Get to hotel and out to have dinner locally by around 8 - 8:30PM. Bed.
Day 2: Saturday 7th September
-Houses of Parliament and Big Ben (look)
-Westminster Abbey tour at 10:30am (out at 12:00PM)
-Lunch somewhere along the way?
-10 Downing Street (walk by)
-Buckingham palace (State rooms tour - 2 hours)
-Walk back through St James Park and Trafalgar Square to the hotel
-Relax/Refresh back at hotel
-Dinner in Convent Garden?
Day 3: Sunday 8th September (My birthday! YAY!)
-Natural History Museum (2.5 hours)
-Harrods, inc lunch
-Sea Life Aquarium (2for1 voucher)
-London Eye (2for1 voucher)
-Relax/Refresh at hotel
-Walk through Picadilly Circus and find dinner
Day 4: Monday 9th September
-St Pauls Cathedral (walk by)
-10:00am Tower of London (60 minute Yeoman Warder tour) (2for1 voucher)
-Walk over Tower Bridge
-Lunch somewhere?
-HMS Belfast (2 hours) (2for1 voucher)
-Thames cruise "City Cruises" (2for1 voucher)
-Relax/Refresh at hotel
-Dinner?
Day 5: Tuesday 10th September - Morning will be spent ticking off little things we have missed or want to go back to. Eurostar train to Paris leaves at 12:30PM.
Thank you so much in advance.
Starting to make a ROUGH itinerary for our 30 day trip to Europe throughouut September / October this year. This is our first big trip together and I'm feeling a little stressed about working out itineraries for 7 stops... EEEK!
A little background; We are a couple in our early twenties, not overly interested in art or museums. Just want to experience the city and culture. I plan on buying the paper train tickets for the 2for1 vouchers, making use of the trains/buses but also walking to experience the city.
Any contribution or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I am only a rookie! I want to ensure I haven't got the days too tightly booked and that they are logistically planned.
We are staying at the Strand Palace Hotel. Breakfast is not included in the hotel so will be had at local cafes with the plan to be out of the room by 8:30 / 9am daily.
Day 1: Friday 6th September - Arrive at Heathrow from Brisbane, Australia at 5:30PM. Still deciding whether to catch a train to the hotel and walk (two suitcases) or pay for a car / shuttle. Get to hotel and out to have dinner locally by around 8 - 8:30PM. Bed.
Day 2: Saturday 7th September
-Houses of Parliament and Big Ben (look)
-Westminster Abbey tour at 10:30am (out at 12:00PM)
-Lunch somewhere along the way?
-10 Downing Street (walk by)
-Buckingham palace (State rooms tour - 2 hours)
-Walk back through St James Park and Trafalgar Square to the hotel
-Relax/Refresh back at hotel
-Dinner in Convent Garden?
Day 3: Sunday 8th September (My birthday! YAY!)
-Natural History Museum (2.5 hours)
-Harrods, inc lunch
-Sea Life Aquarium (2for1 voucher)
-London Eye (2for1 voucher)
-Relax/Refresh at hotel
-Walk through Picadilly Circus and find dinner
Day 4: Monday 9th September
-St Pauls Cathedral (walk by)
-10:00am Tower of London (60 minute Yeoman Warder tour) (2for1 voucher)
-Walk over Tower Bridge
-Lunch somewhere?
-HMS Belfast (2 hours) (2for1 voucher)
-Thames cruise "City Cruises" (2for1 voucher)
-Relax/Refresh at hotel
-Dinner?
Day 5: Tuesday 10th September - Morning will be spent ticking off little things we have missed or want to go back to. Eurostar train to Paris leaves at 12:30PM.
Thank you so much in advance.
May 20th, 2013, 10:32 PM
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That's all quite do-able, without exhausting yourselves. To get to the Tower, get the 15 bus outside your hotel and sit on top on the left-hand side for your view of St Paul's.
On your Sunday, you can drop in at the Science or V&A museums if you have time in the morning, and see if there's anything there to attract you. In the afternoon, you should have time to stroll further along the South Bank from the London Eye, maybe as far as Tate Modern and over to St Paul's to pick up the bus back from there.
For your Monday lunch, there are places around St Katharine's Dock on the north side, or plenty of places on the south side, such as The Bridge pub on Tooley St, or in the modern development beside City Hall or around Hay's Galleria.
On your Sunday, you can drop in at the Science or V&A museums if you have time in the morning, and see if there's anything there to attract you. In the afternoon, you should have time to stroll further along the South Bank from the London Eye, maybe as far as Tate Modern and over to St Paul's to pick up the bus back from there.
For your Monday lunch, there are places around St Katharine's Dock on the north side, or plenty of places on the south side, such as The Bridge pub on Tooley St, or in the modern development beside City Hall or around Hay's Galleria.
May 21st, 2013, 03:16 AM
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Not too bad.
Lots of walk-bys on Saturday. You might consider the Churchill War Rooms on that day.
On Sunday, I personally wouldn't put the Aquarium very high on the list for a first visit, but perhaps you have an interest. I guess it is close to the Eye at least.
You mentioned not being a museumy type, but the British Museum is quite spectacular (though it doesn't fit as well geographically).
I think Monday will be busier than you think. I'd get to the Tower earlier, go first to the Crown Jewels and then circle back for the tour. You could easily spend 3 hrs there (if not more). We had lunch at Wagamama's nearby if I recall.
Lots of walk-bys on Saturday. You might consider the Churchill War Rooms on that day.
On Sunday, I personally wouldn't put the Aquarium very high on the list for a first visit, but perhaps you have an interest. I guess it is close to the Eye at least.
You mentioned not being a museumy type, but the British Museum is quite spectacular (though it doesn't fit as well geographically).
I think Monday will be busier than you think. I'd get to the Tower earlier, go first to the Crown Jewels and then circle back for the tour. You could easily spend 3 hrs there (if not more). We had lunch at Wagamama's nearby if I recall.
May 21st, 2013, 05:13 AM
#4
some random comments:
• A 'walk by' of St Pauls is barely worth the time/effort (and it doesn't take any effort from the top of a #15) Definitely go inside. The cathedral opens for visitors at 8:30 AM so you can easily pop in for 45 mins or so and still be at the Tower before it opens.
• There is absolutely <i>nothing</i> to see at #10. There is a big iron gate and a couple of policemen - that is it. You can't get anywhere near the conic door or see the bldg really.
• The Tower takes quite a long time - go to the Crown Jewels very first thing when you arrive. You will have the jewel house basically to yourselves - later in the morning the queue will be enormous. Then double back and pick up a Yeoman Warder tour. But plan on at least 3 hours at the Tower - more if you eat lunch there.
• I'm curious - you say you aren't museum people, yet of all the museums in London you choose the Natural History? Nothing wrong w/ it - a great museum. But I'd think the British or even the V&A would top it ofr a first timers visit.
• Bag the Aquarium - it almost seems you are picking some sites simply because they are on the 2for1 scheme. There are probably better aquaria in OZ.
• You don't have any evening sites/events listed. Go to TKTS in Leicester Sq (around the corner from Trafalgar Sq and look of 1/2 price theatre tix. Or consider doing the Eye in the early evening. If you go up near sunset you see the sites on the way up and the lights coming on on the descent.
• You really only have 3 days for seeing/doing. Don't count on doing anything much on day 5 except maybe an early morning walk along the river or something. You'll have to be at St Pancras a bit before noon and what w/ packing/checking out, traveling to the station your morning will be about shot. And day one w/ a 5:30 arrival at LHR you won't be anywhere near your hotel until at least 7:30 and likely later.
• There is no actual 'train' you can take to your hotel. That would be the Underground/tube. (Trains only go from LHR to Paddington station which is of no help for the Strand Palace - great hotel location BTW). For the tube - you'd take the Piccadilly line from LHR to Hammersmith, walk across the platform, and take the District line to either Embankment or Temple station and walk from there. Or a car service like justairports.com is door to door (would take a bit longer but a lot less schlepping)
• A 'walk by' of St Pauls is barely worth the time/effort (and it doesn't take any effort from the top of a #15) Definitely go inside. The cathedral opens for visitors at 8:30 AM so you can easily pop in for 45 mins or so and still be at the Tower before it opens.
• There is absolutely <i>nothing</i> to see at #10. There is a big iron gate and a couple of policemen - that is it. You can't get anywhere near the conic door or see the bldg really.
• The Tower takes quite a long time - go to the Crown Jewels very first thing when you arrive. You will have the jewel house basically to yourselves - later in the morning the queue will be enormous. Then double back and pick up a Yeoman Warder tour. But plan on at least 3 hours at the Tower - more if you eat lunch there.
• I'm curious - you say you aren't museum people, yet of all the museums in London you choose the Natural History? Nothing wrong w/ it - a great museum. But I'd think the British or even the V&A would top it ofr a first timers visit.
• Bag the Aquarium - it almost seems you are picking some sites simply because they are on the 2for1 scheme. There are probably better aquaria in OZ.
• You don't have any evening sites/events listed. Go to TKTS in Leicester Sq (around the corner from Trafalgar Sq and look of 1/2 price theatre tix. Or consider doing the Eye in the early evening. If you go up near sunset you see the sites on the way up and the lights coming on on the descent.
• You really only have 3 days for seeing/doing. Don't count on doing anything much on day 5 except maybe an early morning walk along the river or something. You'll have to be at St Pancras a bit before noon and what w/ packing/checking out, traveling to the station your morning will be about shot. And day one w/ a 5:30 arrival at LHR you won't be anywhere near your hotel until at least 7:30 and likely later.
• There is no actual 'train' you can take to your hotel. That would be the Underground/tube. (Trains only go from LHR to Paddington station which is of no help for the Strand Palace - great hotel location BTW). For the tube - you'd take the Piccadilly line from LHR to Hammersmith, walk across the platform, and take the District line to either Embankment or Temple station and walk from there. Or a car service like justairports.com is door to door (would take a bit longer but a lot less schlepping)
May 21st, 2013, 08:17 AM
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You're from Australia, 90% of you people live within an hour of the ocean, don't you have great aquariums all over the place? And you're from Brisbane - isn't a live aquarium just minutes from your house. Just go east . . .
Bag the aquarium. Go somewhere unique to London (British Museum, Imperial War Museum, Cabinet War Rooms). And be flexible on the Eye - London weather changes from minute to minute.
On the 7th, consider flipping your itinerary if you can. Check a map and how you've set it out - you're backtracking.
Bag the aquarium. Go somewhere unique to London (British Museum, Imperial War Museum, Cabinet War Rooms). And be flexible on the Eye - London weather changes from minute to minute.
On the 7th, consider flipping your itinerary if you can. Check a map and how you've set it out - you're backtracking.
May 21st, 2013, 02:27 PM
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Definitely plan on spending more time at the Tower of London. We spent 5 hours there including a stop in their cafeteria for lunch. Their cafeteria was quite good by the way--offered healthy options if you wished.
Cabinet War Rooms was another favorite.
If you go to St Paul, try to climb to the top--well worth the effort.
We didn't go to the Natural History museum during our first visit and we were with our then 10 year old son. We did go to the British Museum, National Gallery, Imperial War Museum and V&A. Son had fun making different shields at the V&A. We are hoping to see the Natural History museum on our second visit to London.
Have fun.
Cabinet War Rooms was another favorite.
If you go to St Paul, try to climb to the top--well worth the effort.
We didn't go to the Natural History museum during our first visit and we were with our then 10 year old son. We did go to the British Museum, National Gallery, Imperial War Museum and V&A. Son had fun making different shields at the V&A. We are hoping to see the Natural History museum on our second visit to London.
Have fun.
May 22nd, 2013, 05:06 PM
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Thank you all for your replies!
indy_dad - I have added Churchill War rooms on Monday as suggested, this day is worrying me as it now seems too full. I dont want to be running from one place to the next... If we run out of time on that day, I have added it in on Monday instead of Sea Life.
- I also can't get to the tower earlier as it opens at 10am that day.
janisj - I have added St Pauls to Monday morning, before the ToL. I did want to do more than "walk by" but didnt think I had enough time. Do you think this say is now doable?
- deleted 10 Downing.
- I chose the Natural History as we are both very much nature and animal people... Hence choosing the Aqaurium also. Yes there are some local to my area... That we have been to many times! It is not a must do, but if we have time while we are in the area we will go in.
BigRuss - I see the 7th being very well planned. I have used google maps when planning every day so fasr and though it worked well? Can you please advise what you mean by flipping it due to backtracking? I have now deleted 10 Downing if that is what you were referring to?
I have made a few changes with your recommendations;
Day 2: Saturday 7th September
-Houses of Parliament and Big Ben (look)
-Westminster Abbey tour at 10:30am (out by 12:30PM)
-Lunch somewhere along the way?
-Buckingham Palace (State rooms tour - 2 hours)
-St James Park
-Churchill War Rooms (2for1)(2hrs)(Close at 6PM)
-Trafalgar Square
-Relax/Refresh back at hotel
-Dinner in Convent Garden?
Day 3: Sunday 8th September (My birthday! YAY!)
-Natural History Museum (2.5 hours) (Opens at 10am)
-Harrods, inc lunch
-Sea Life Aquarium (2for1 voucher)(tentative)or Churchill War Rooms if run out of time on Saturday.
-London Eye (2for1 voucher)
-Relax/Refresh at hotel
-Walk through Piccadilly Circus and find dinner
Day 4: Monday 9th September
-St Pauls Cathedral (Opens 8:30am)
-10:00am Tower of London (60 minute Yeoman Warder tour) (2for1 voucher)
-Walk over Tower Bridge
-Lunch somewhere?
-HMS Belfast (2 hours) (2for1 voucher) (not a definite)
-Thames cruise "City Cruises" (2for1 voucher)
-Relax/Refresh at hotel
-Dinner?
Thank you again!! Starting to get excited now! 105 days to go
indy_dad - I have added Churchill War rooms on Monday as suggested, this day is worrying me as it now seems too full. I dont want to be running from one place to the next... If we run out of time on that day, I have added it in on Monday instead of Sea Life.
- I also can't get to the tower earlier as it opens at 10am that day.
janisj - I have added St Pauls to Monday morning, before the ToL. I did want to do more than "walk by" but didnt think I had enough time. Do you think this say is now doable?
- deleted 10 Downing.
- I chose the Natural History as we are both very much nature and animal people... Hence choosing the Aqaurium also. Yes there are some local to my area... That we have been to many times! It is not a must do, but if we have time while we are in the area we will go in.
BigRuss - I see the 7th being very well planned. I have used google maps when planning every day so fasr and though it worked well? Can you please advise what you mean by flipping it due to backtracking? I have now deleted 10 Downing if that is what you were referring to?
I have made a few changes with your recommendations;
Day 2: Saturday 7th September
-Houses of Parliament and Big Ben (look)
-Westminster Abbey tour at 10:30am (out by 12:30PM)
-Lunch somewhere along the way?
-Buckingham Palace (State rooms tour - 2 hours)
-St James Park
-Churchill War Rooms (2for1)(2hrs)(Close at 6PM)
-Trafalgar Square
-Relax/Refresh back at hotel
-Dinner in Convent Garden?
Day 3: Sunday 8th September (My birthday! YAY!)
-Natural History Museum (2.5 hours) (Opens at 10am)
-Harrods, inc lunch
-Sea Life Aquarium (2for1 voucher)(tentative)or Churchill War Rooms if run out of time on Saturday.
-London Eye (2for1 voucher)
-Relax/Refresh at hotel
-Walk through Piccadilly Circus and find dinner
Day 4: Monday 9th September
-St Pauls Cathedral (Opens 8:30am)
-10:00am Tower of London (60 minute Yeoman Warder tour) (2for1 voucher)
-Walk over Tower Bridge
-Lunch somewhere?
-HMS Belfast (2 hours) (2for1 voucher) (not a definite)
-Thames cruise "City Cruises" (2for1 voucher)
-Relax/Refresh at hotel
-Dinner?
Thank you again!! Starting to get excited now! 105 days to go
May 22nd, 2013, 06:14 PM
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For St Paul--do you plan on peeking in and leaving? I highly recommend a climb to the top--great views but that takes a bit longer than 45 min.
Tower of London--you still have only listed the one hour Yeoman Warder tour--what about the rest of the place? We spent 5 hours there. Not to say you have to do the same but there is a lot to do there. Go to crown jewels first to avoid long lines later then double back to the entrance for the Warder tour--highly recommended. After that we went to the White Tower where they had a fantastic display of arms and armour. There is also a small military museum in one of the buildings and then there are the other towers to peek into. As I mentioned before they do have a great cafeteria for lunch. You can also walk the walls on top. Plan on at least 3 hours minimum.
After the Tower on the same day we took the city cruise passing Parliament by boat over to Westminster pier and walked over to Cabinet War Rooms which are open to 18:00. Allow 2 hours there.
Tower of London--you still have only listed the one hour Yeoman Warder tour--what about the rest of the place? We spent 5 hours there. Not to say you have to do the same but there is a lot to do there. Go to crown jewels first to avoid long lines later then double back to the entrance for the Warder tour--highly recommended. After that we went to the White Tower where they had a fantastic display of arms and armour. There is also a small military museum in one of the buildings and then there are the other towers to peek into. As I mentioned before they do have a great cafeteria for lunch. You can also walk the walls on top. Plan on at least 3 hours minimum.
After the Tower on the same day we took the city cruise passing Parliament by boat over to Westminster pier and walked over to Cabinet War Rooms which are open to 18:00. Allow 2 hours there.
May 22nd, 2013, 06:23 PM
#10
Re St Pauls in the AM before the Tower - totally doable IF you move fairly quickly and don't climb the dome. Climbing to the top is great - but since you are also going up in the Eye you really don't need to do it for the views.
If you had a week - sure. But you only have 3 days so you need to be pretty selective/discerning. Please don't spend any of your limited time in London at the Aquarium . . .
If you had a week - sure. But you only have 3 days so you need to be pretty selective/discerning. Please don't spend any of your limited time in London at the Aquarium . . .
May 22nd, 2013, 07:57 PM
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The day of the Tower Of London I have allowed pretty free... Stay there until lunch or even have lunch there like you recommend until we feel we are finish.
Thanks for all your help! Will now move on to planning the other stops.
Thanks for all your help! Will now move on to planning the other stops.
May 22nd, 2013, 08:04 PM
#12
No - that day isn't 'pretty free'. St Paul's, the Tower, HMS Belfast and a Thames cruise all on the same day is a LOT. Most people spend at least 3 hours at the Tower - longer w/ lunch. And many spend 5 hours or more there.
May 22nd, 2013, 08:29 PM
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Hey I'm from Aust too!Haven't you been to Underwater World, particularly being a Queenslander! That's pretty fantastic- I don't think London acq would be as good! Just out of interest where are you getting you 2 for 1 vouchers from?
May 22nd, 2013, 08:57 PM
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Hi Caroline. You can get the 2for1 vouchers from this site: http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/2for1-london, if you search the forum there is a lot of info about how to get the National Rail paper train ticket to be able to claim the vouchers.
janisj - Thank you for your advice. HMS isn't a must, therefore on the day can miss out. Will take your advice into consideration.
janisj - Thank you for your advice. HMS isn't a must, therefore on the day can miss out. Will take your advice into consideration.
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