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London Itinerary help

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Old Jun 23rd, 2012 | 10:47 AM
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London Itinerary help

This is my first draft London Itinerary, what do you think?

Friday:
Arrive at 7:30am Overnight sleeper train from Edinburgh.
Walk to hotel, check in or leave luggage.
Tower of London
River cruise tower pier to Westminster pier
Walk by Big Ben
Westminster Abbey
Walk by Buckingham Palace
Victoria and Albert Museum (open late on Friday)

Saturday:
Wimbledon Museum and Courts tour
Churchill War Rooms
Night activity (not decided yet)

Sunday:
British Museum
Trafalgar Square/Convent Garden
National Gallery
Night Activity (not decided yet)

Monday:
St. Paul's Cathedral
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese for Lunch
Kensington Palace and Gardens
Play or Musical TBD

Tuesday:
Bath

Wednesday:
Fly Home

How does this look? Too full? Anything I am missing? Any suggestions for the evening activities?
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Old Jun 23rd, 2012 | 10:57 AM
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Do not know where your hotel in London is but I would do Tower of London and St. Paul's Cathedral on same day as they are near each other. Since Kensington Palace and V & A Museum are at the other end of City, I would also do them on the same day. (That would be two separate days.)
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Old Jun 23rd, 2012 | 11:11 AM
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Hotel is in Bloomsbury. My problem was I am trying to get the river cruise in there as it was specifically requested by my husband. Also, V&A museum is open late on Friday, so it made sense to visit then.
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Old Jun 23rd, 2012 | 11:31 AM
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More or less fine. I'd make changes if it was my trip - but nothing is 'wrong'.

However, I would be a bit concerned that Friday is awfully full. Do you know you sleep well on sleepers? You have three VERY major sites on that Friday spread over a wide area. I'd think about maybe ditching Wimbledon (unless that is a major "must" for you) and do Westminster Abbey and the War Rooms -- they are practically next door neighbors.

In fact you are in the same general Westminster/Whitehall/Trafalgar Sq area three days in a row.

Don't worry about squeezing in a boat trip -- there are lots of options, not just Tower Pier to Westminster Pier.
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Old Jun 23rd, 2012 | 11:42 AM
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Wimbledon is a must for us. I think my husband is more excited about seeing Wimbledon than any thing else on the rest of the trip.
That being said, what would you re-order? I am concerned about Friday being too busy, but we can't ditch Wimbledon.
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Old Jun 23rd, 2012 | 11:43 AM
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I could not do in one day what you plan to do on Friday: Tower of London, River cruise, Westminster Abbey, Victoria and Albert Museum plus some more walking. The Tower will take half a day, V& A at least three hours, Westminster Abbey and walk around 2 hours, etc...
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Old Jun 23rd, 2012 | 05:06 PM
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Your first day is very full and I think you will find ot doable - or if it is, not enjoyable. If your H must do Wimbledon - why not ket him go alond and do V&A yourself then? There's no rule you have to be joined at the hip.
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Old Jun 24th, 2012 | 05:08 AM
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Would this be better then?

Friday(arrival Overnight train at 7:30am)
St. Paul's Cathedral
Lunch at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese
Kensington Palace
Evening: V&A Museum(open until 10pm on Friday)

Saturday:
Tower of London
Boat cruise Tower Pier to Westminster Pier
Walk by Big Ben
Westminster Abbey
Walk By Buckingham Palace
evening activity

Sunday:
Wimbledon Tour and Museum
Churchill War Rooms
evening activity

Monday:
British Museum
Lunch and Trafalgar Square/Covent Garden
National gallery
Evening: Play/Musical

Tuesday:
Bath
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Old Jun 24th, 2012 | 05:35 AM
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Yes, it is better!
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Old Jun 24th, 2012 | 07:13 AM
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It still has you going to the same area time and time again

FYI the following are within a few minutes walk of each other

Walk by Big Ben
Westminster Abbey//
Walk By Buckingham Palace
Churchill War Rooms
Lunch and Trafalgar Square/Covent Garden
National gallery

So that's 3 days on which you cover much the same ground.

I'd personally move Wimbledon to your arrival day as the other places for that day are en-route moving Churchill War Rooms & the National Gallery to replace the TOL.

That leaves Monday (a relatively quiet day) free for St Pauls, Tower of London and a boat ride for which you won't feel you have to cut short anything for unless you haven't by then seen the National Gallery.

Which means you have Sunday for the British Museum and whatever else you decide to do - you might even want to consider moving Bath to Sunday if you are doing it as a day trip which means Tuesday becomes a day for the BM and sweep up anything you didn't get done earlier.
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Old Jun 24th, 2012 | 08:16 AM
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alanRow has a very good idea about taking care of Wimbledon on your arrival day.

I'd also definitely consider moving Bath to a different day. Maybe it is just me personally -- but I hate long day trips immediately before flying out. Not being in town the last day can cause problems if you have any loose ends/problems/extra packing to take care of.
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Old Jun 24th, 2012 | 09:41 AM
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When are you coming? The Wimbledon tennis museum is closed to the general public (ticket holders only) around and during the Championships and, this year, the London 2012 Olympic Games. Outside of those periods it's no problem, but I always recommend to phone ahead / book online for your tour (which is excellent by the way) as these sell out fast on busy days. http://www.aeltc.com/museum/
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Old Jun 24th, 2012 | 09:43 AM
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Crikey - I just checked and the first available Wimbledon tour is 20th August, so hope your visit is still a long way off!
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Old Jun 24th, 2012 | 02:49 PM
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We won't be traveling until late October. I am trying to nail down itinerary so I can book my tour time at Wimbledon as soon as possible.
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