My 13yo daughter and I only have 2-1/2 days in London (unless we clear a waitlist for a later flight back to the states). I have compiled an itinerary that I hope won't make us crazy but will at least let us see some of the things we want to see (highlights). I'd appreciate commentary, including whether you think we could fit anything else in. I have left off the Cabinet War Rooms which I hate. Parliament is closed while we are there so that can't be toured--real bummer since I teach Government. It would also be great to fit in St. Paul's but I chose the British Museum instead. Any and all comments will be appreciated. Thanks.

Saturday, July 28
Arrival at Heathrow—1:20PM
Check in at hotel—3-4:00PM (near London Eye)
Hop on Bus and ride around city
Eat dinner, shop, explore
Hatchard’s book shop open until 7:00PM—pick up copies of Harry Potter 7 reserved online
Harrod’s open until 8PM on Saturdays; food halls until 9PM (completely negotiable)
Explore the Southbank

Sunday, July 29
Breakfast
Buckingham Palace tour 10:00AM (3 hours) (₤42.50)
Lunch on the go
Choral Evensong at Westminster Abbey 3:00PM (1 hour) (free)
Dinner
Love’s Labours Lost at Globe Theatre 6:30PM (3 hours) (lower level seats--₤35)

Monday, July 30
Breakfast
Tower of London tour 10:00AM (2 hours) (₤25.50)
Lunch on the go
British Museum highlights tour 1:00PM (1-1/2 hours) (₤13)
Back to hotel to change for the evening
Dinner 6:00PM
“Wicked” 7:30PM (₤120 includes dinner)

Everything I've chosen can be booked in advance and I plan to do so after I get some feedback. Thanks.

i would personally do st. pauls rather than the british museum (climb the dome at st. pauls for a grat view). take a few to go to trafalgar square one evening along with tower bridge. spend your morning walking through hyde park while you eat your breakfast. walk through piccadilly circus (the bus doesn't do it justice).
and personally, if you are from the states, i would reccommend to skip out on "wicked" and go see it in NY (unless you have already purchased tickets).

Hop on bus probably stops at Piccadilly, so I'd hop off & pick up the HP, then hop on again.

It probably also stops near Harrods so same applies.

Have dinner AFTER the tour otherwise you are just going to fall asleep as your body starts digesting food (assuming you are jet lagged)

Looks ok to me. You probably will be exhausted the first day and not sure if you'll still be able to function by 5 or 6 pm.

This looks manageable to me, assuming that you are not arriving in London with jet lag issues.

What's the deal about the tour of the Tower? Other than the free Yeoman Warder tour that is 1 hour, and is GREAT, I'd think you could do the Tower on your own. Two hours is kind of a skimpy allotment for the Tower, IMO. I've been with each of my daughters and both times we were there around 3 hours, which I considered "bare bones."

Curiosity impels me to ask why you "hate" the Cabinet War Rooms. I don't think I've ever heard a reaction like that. Since the War Rooms are one of my favorite things in London, my advice might not be too helpful to you

If you truly stay at the British Museum for 1.5 hours, you have a bit of time that afternoon. I'd consider the Treasures room at the British Library (no longer at the British Museum, but not terribly far away). It's another London highlight for me.

Amazing what the lack of inflection and appropriate punctuation can do... I "hate" that I haven't managed to fit in the Cabinet War Rooms--not hate them. Whoops!

Jet lag shouldn't be an issue. London is at the end of our 3 weeks in Europe and we will be coming in from a stationary 2 weeks in Serbia for a ballet workshop, with a 2 or 3 hour flight. We should be good to go on arrival.

For time allotments of tours, I was operating from what the the websites said. I was thinking that 3 hours at the Tower of London might exceed my daughter's history allotment for the morning, not mine! As for Wicked, that is my daughter's choice of show. We are pretty far from NYC (from Alabama) and she is involved in drama in her middle school and wants to take in a show (Shakespeare is my choice; musical theater is hers so we are compromising and doing both).

Keep the comments coming--could the Cabinet War Rooms be added in here, do you think?

I am still hopeful that I'll clear one of the four flights I'm waitlisted on to return 2 days later. I made my original flight plans working from a proposed school calendar. When they adopted the calendar, they had us start a few days later (yes, teachers start on August 6 in the South) and I now could afford a couple more days in Europe. If I get those two extra days, I'm adding in the Cabinet War Rooms, Parliament (opens for tours the day we leave) and St. Paul's, plus more shopping!

Looks very good to me. Glad you cleared up confusion about Cabinet War Rooms or you would get responses for a long time.
Your daughter will love Wicked. Of course you could see it in NYC but you will be in London and it is there. In London you can get ice cream at intermission and you can't in NYV.

Sounds very doable to me. I would echo what noe said - it seems you'd have time to see the Treasures Room at the Library and a lot of people don't realize they've been moved from the British Museum. Really is a "not miss" IMO.

I'd also hate not seeing St Pauls, but would agree with your choice of the British Museum. If you've been in Europe the past 3 weeks, you've probably seen a fair number of churchs, cathedrals, etc (and before I get slammed, I know and won't argue that St Paul's is unique - we love it), but the British Museum is well.... the British Museum.

Evensong at Westminister is a great choice.

Would also stick with "Wicked" if that's what you want to see. Several times we've seen the same plays in London and New York - and they can be very different productions, so enjoy the London version if that's your choice.

Oh, now I see! Yes, you can fit the War Rooms in I think. The new Churchill Museum down there adds a bit of time, however. If you gave short shrift to the Museum (and as good as it is, and it IS good, the rooms themselves are simply AMAZING) you could get by with 1.5 hours.

I think I'd add the Cabinet War Rooms to Sunday afternoon, before evensong (are you aware that when you go to Evensong you can't really tour the Abbey?) The War Rooms are just a short distance from Westminster Abbey. Also in the neighborhood and good for a walk-by are: Downing Street and the Horseguards Palace (where you can see the horse guards.)

You can walk the South Bank after Evensong and before the performance at the Globe (since it is on the South Bank). The replica of the Golden Hind is fairly close, as well as Winchester Palace ruins.

As for the Tower, 2 hours will be gone before you know it. The 1 hour Yeoman Warder tours are tremendously entertaining. Your daughter will likely be captivated. The Beefeaters often involve the younger members of the group. Seeing the Crown Jewels (go there first) will take around 45 minutes, I think. Check out the Ravens. And then there are a host of other buildings, including the White Tower, the oldest part of the complex.

I think I'd skip the hop on bus and just get to the business of seeing something on your list that first day.

Enjoy "Wicked" - we saw "Spamalot" instead on our most recent London visit (my 21 year old daughter's choice). Both have come here to Atlanta, but they are fun to see in London. I usually try to see at least one show that is specific to England, and you are certainly doing that with the Shakespeare.

OMG, I am worn out reading your sechedule

Kellye - forgot to add I think you've got a great mix of things for you AND your daughter. We've taken our teenager to London several times. You have several things on your itinerary that we've always found they enjoy.

I understand blightyboy's point - but what the heck. You'll have time to rest when you get home. Enjoy it!

hi, Kellye,

think the trip plan is great - not too much and what you've got is well grouped.

for te hmonday, i agree that you may not have enough time at the tower, but as the BM tour is quite cheap it won't matter if you miss it!

however, if you'd prefer not, why not head for the V & A instead. picking up on the ballet thread, there are wonderful costume collections there that your DD might enjoy more than the elgin marbles!

regards, ann

Here is my revised schedule--does this work better or did I just lose my mind and sanity with these changes?

London Itinerary (45yo adult; 13yo teen—both female)

Saturday, July 28
Arrival at Heathrow—1:20PM
Check in at hotel—3-4:00PM (near London Eye)
Hop on Bus and ride around city (actually planning on regular bus—not tourist bus)
Eat dinner, shop, explore
Hatchard’s book shop open until 7:00PM—pick up copies of Harry Potter 7 reserved online
Harrod’s open until 8PM on Saturdays; food halls until 9PM
Explore the Southbank or any other area that strikes our fancy as we ride around

Sunday, July 29
Breakfast
Tower of London tour with Chapel Service 9:15 AM (4 hours) (₤25.50)
Lunch
Choral Evensong at Westminster Abbey 3:00PM (1 hour) (free)
Cabinet War Rooms (2 hours) (₤11.00)
Snack in transit to theatre
Love’s Labours Lost at Globe Theatre 6:30PM (3 hours) (lower level seats--₤35)—there is a restaurant at the Globe—is it open after the show?

Monday, July 30
Breakfast
Buckingham Palace tour 9:45AM (2-1/2 hours) (₤42.50)
Lunch on the go (or at the British Museum)
British Museum highlights tour 1:00PM (1-1/2 hours) (₤13)
British Library Treasures tour 3:00PM (the new Sacred exhibit looks fascinating too)
Back to hotel to change for the evening unless we are running too late!
Dinner 6:00PM
“Wicked” 7:30PM (₤120 includes dinner)

Well, I think it looks good. Everything is grouped and you've left enough time. Sounds like a great visit, and here's hoping you get the extra 2 days!!!

It's a go! Have a great time.

hi, kellye,

I like the way you've tweaked the plan. My only caveat is sunday - that's a long day. i suppose you can snooze during choral evensong in the abbey without too many people noticing!

have a great time,

regards, ann

I'm glad you worked in the Cabinet War rooms (and that you don't hate them!). For me, they were a highlight of London. My daughter, who was about 14 at the time, also loved them. And yes, stick with Wicked! It's a fabulous show.

Looks great, but you forgot to add "Stay up all night reading Harry Potter 7." ;-)

Lee Ann

One note for your Buck Palace tour, I think the Royal guards are only out in alternative dates, so better make sure you catch them! They are a join to watch .

Thanks for the critiques.

Ann, Sunday is a long day, but we can always leave Shakespeare early if we are just too tired. I'm forcing my 13yo to go to Shakespeare as it is!

Lee Ann, I am determined NOT to read HP7 until I board the plane to come home--it's a daytime flight so I should have the energy to do so!

Thanks to all for the commentary and for the good vibes on getting the extra days--my fingers and toes are crossed!

Kellye