I totally 100% disagree.

Just like flogging Mme Tussauds (ahem >) ) crowds do not equate w/ merit.

<<I'm not a huge fan of COTG, but I cannot understand the above two comments.>>

I'm sure it has been British tradition to play show tunes during the changing of the guard . . . </sarcasm>

Just like flogging Mme Tussauds (ahem >) ) crowds do not equate w/ merit.>

You are insulting the many who go to each- rather haughty - you think something you do not like has no merit for others- pretty judgmental. Did we mention the London Dungeon, after Madame Tussauds one of the very top paid attractions in London?

I've always thoroughly enjoyed my visits to Madame Tussauds but never go now because of the high cost of admission and my flagging interest in popular culture and the royals.

Crowds to me do imply some merit - well to many people that is.

Why don't you check out Madame Tussauds - when did you last go and why do you think it meritless? To me it is one of the more fun places to go.

Cheers!

Just like flogging Mme Tussauds>

No again you completely for some reason misstate what I say about Madade Tussauds - I never tell folks that it is a must- just that I mention it as being very popular - you never ever have mentioned it in a positive way but dismiss it as not worth the time and money- well maybe not for you but you tend to be too judgmental at times and only diss it (and the London Dungeon!). I like to give information not and let the individual make up their own mind - I have never flogged Madame Tussauds just mention it as no one else here ever does TMK.

Now the Changing of the Guard is one - free I believe and something most have on their list - there are no 'must' sights in any city or place but this is a must for so so many tourists - you make good points about crowds, etc but don't throw the baby out with the bathwater -I think the thing is pure kitsch but I rather like that - very very British in that regard IMO.

Mme Tussauds and the LondonDungeon are great if you are about 10-12 year olds. IMHO a complete waste of time for anyone with a mental age higher than that - given the many dozens of wonderful and fascinating things to do in and around London.

As for Changing of the Guard - read about it and decide if it's worth it for you. I saw it the first time I went - almost 40 years ago when it was much less crowded and found it mildly interesting but no need to go back.

The problem with London is that there is so much that you can;t see it all and everyone has to choose carefully to see what is important to them in the limited time that they have. DH and I have to see every castle, palace, cathedral and museum (no matter how obscure) and still haven;t done that for London and all surrounds even though we have been many times. And some are well worth return visits - to us. But I wouldn't know the biggest soccer star if he fell in front of me. And I don't believe in ghosts or ghouls or any similar nonsense.

So everyone has to decide for themselves - but I encourage you to do enough reading to know what you want to see/do.

BigRuss I'm sure it has been British tradition to play show tunes during the changing of the guard . . . </sarcasm>

Not Sarcasm, ignorance.
"Music played during the guard changing ceremony has always been a mixture of traditional and popular music of the day. It is said that on one occasion in 1920, the Band was playing a piece from a popular Operetta when a footman arrived with a message from King George V, addressed to the Director of Music. He excitedly read the note only to find that it said: “His Majesty does not know what the Band has just played but it is never to be played again.”

So yes, traditional.

Mme Tussauds and the LondonDungeon are great if you are about 10-12 year olds. IMHO a complete waste of time for anyone with a mental age higher than that>

More condescending remarks that insult the zillions who do go and enjoy those places - that you may not find it your cup of tea fine but no need to insult those that do.

Get off your high horse and in touch with common people over 13 who may well enjoy these things- why is Madame Tussauds the number 1 or 2 paid sight in London - have you ever been there?

and again I'm not flogging Madame Tussauds just pointing out that it is an attraction many many tourists and Brits flock to - I guess they are all mental midgets in your superior mind?

"and again I'm not flogging Madame Tussauds just pointing out that it is an attraction many many tourists and Brits flock to - I guess they are all mental midgets in your superior mind?"

I went when I was 12, I think my parents thought it was the sort of thing kids like, I was bored to tears. I suspect that is the only reason people go (or they are dum@@@es) :-)

<<So yes, traditional.>>

And twee.

Thank you for the carnival pictures. A picture in this case definitely spoke a thousand words.

After much more review and reading all of the suggestion I have revised the itinerary as below.

Thoughts?

Arrive - LHR at 13:30 check in at Holiday Inn Express Wandsworth/Boat Tour/Eat somewhere on the river /London Eye

Day 2 British Museum/Platform 9 3/4 Camden Market/Canal Boat to Little Venice/London Eye if we didn't do this the first day

Day 3 Windsor Castle

Day 4 Big Ben/Westminster Abbey/Buckingham Palace/Piccadilly Circus/Trafalgar Square/National Gallery

Day 5 Stonehenge/Bath Tour we are using a tour bus company but haven't decided which one.

Day 6 Tower of London/London Bridge/Tower Hill / Borough Market/Shard

Day 7 Fly Home

One note. We are not seeing the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace but will see it at Windsor Palace.

>>Holiday Inn Express Wandsworth<<

Why? Unless it is free (or awfully close to it) I would not stay in Wandsworth. Your travel times every day will be longer - some MUCH longer and there is no nearby tube station. For instance -- to Tower Hill takes more than 45 minutes with a bus, two tube legs and lots of walking. And from LHR it takes either four bus rides, - or - a tube ride, two walks and a bus.

Just not at all convenient.

>>Day 6 Tower of London/London Bridge/Tower Hill / Borough Market/Shard<<

What day of the week is day 6? That makes a difference re Borough Market. (Again -- it is Tower Bridge. )

Day 6 would be on a Friday so I think it should be a good day for Tower Bridge and Borough Market.

I know Wandsworth is away from Central London it was 72.50 pounds a night, we like that it has a hot breakfast and has cafes and grocery stores in the area. Saving the money on lodging is worth the extra transit time to us.

>>Saving the money on lodging is worth the extra transit time to us.<<

There are cheap places much more central than that. You are spending an extra hour or two every day of your already short time in London.

And getting to (most likely) Victoria Coach Station for your Stonehenge/Bath tour early in the early AM will be a 40 minute hassle w/ a train and two buses.

. . . But it is your choice.

Janisj I would love to hear of any hotel suggestions more central that you have for around that same price with breakfast. My hotel reservations can be changed.

Almost any travelodge in central London would be w/i your budget -- but my guess is every single one would be booked up at this late date.


You are likely out of luck :(

But it would be worth checking Travleodge or Holiday Inn Express. Check the locations on a map that shows Underground stations, it can make your time in London more efficient. Try HIE Victoria or Southwark; Premier Inn or Ibis for a closer in location.

tbrown: check the Travelodge website for availability, you will find plenty of central hotels available from Aug 28 for 6 nights. For instance, Covent Garden, Euston, Kings Cross, Waterloo, Tower Bridge. Their rates are in the region of £457 upto £514 for the 6 nights.

Holiday Inn also have several hotels available, some a little more than what you were paying at Wandsworth but not much, for instance Earls Court which is about £78 per night.

It is definitely worth checking out these options and the others which have been mentioned (Premier Inn, Ibis etc).

I know that location well, our dentist used to be there. You will be by a big main roundabout near a McDonald's. It will take you forever to get there and back every day - definitely look for a more central location.

Premier Inn is a good choice. Some may not have breakfast included, but you can always get a good breakfast for cheap at cafes everywhere in London.

Don't make the mistake of staying out by Canary Wharf of Excel either - your commute will be terribly long.

Thank you Odin, Jamikins, and Scootoir. I did more research this morning, no Travelodge's, Premier or Ibis any closer that were available and in our price range. I was able to book at Earls Court. I will keep looking for other choices as well. Thanks for all your suggestions and letting me know not to book at Excel or Canary Wharf.