Just a small point. Someone above recommended seeing the Tower of London while going to the Ceremony of the Keys. This is not possible, because the Ceremony is at about 9:30 p.m. and the Tower is not open for sightseeing at that time EXCEPT for seeing the ceremony. You need to schedule two trips to the Tower -- one in the morning (first thing, preferably) to see the Tower and the second at the appointed time (after getting tickets ahead) to see the ceremony. Both are very worthwhile, but if you have to choose, I would do the daytime Tower, since you see more (including the crown jewels) and are told more by the guide. The Ceremony then is a nice frosting on the cake! <BR>

Definitely take the 'London walking tours' And don't waste your time at the changing of the guard. You see nothing except for the back of all the other tourist's heads. And boy, are some of them rude!!!!!!

We definitely recommend the London Walks. The Pub Walk was great, dodging in and out of various pubs, sharing a pint, learning about the history. But, be prepared for cigarette smoke. Being non-smokers, we had forgotten what a smoke filled room smelled like. From childhood, I always wanted to see the Rosetta Stone---there it was at the British Museum, I literally cried.

one suggestion i have about the tower of london, is get your tickets ahead of time. we took a boat ride down the thames, and bought our tower of london ticket at the same time. we went to the tower early the next morning, and walked right in with our prepurchased ticket...there were hundreds and hundreds of people waiting in line to buy tickets. it felt so good not to have to wait in line!

Agree with skipping Madame T's wax deal (haven't been there though!). The boat ride to Greenwich was indeed a good idea. The changing of the guards is definitely overrated -- the other post is true -- lots of RUDE people there of all nationalities, but hey, it's hard to go to London and NOT do it! One of our favorite things was going to either Picadilly Circus or Leister Square (can't remember which it was!) - and listening to the street musicians. There was this one guy who sang American songs and had groups gather 'round and sing along -- fun after a few beers. . . . I agree also with spending time seeing all of Tower of London - it's neat. <BR> <BR>We did a day trip to Cambridge and thoroughly enjoyed that as well. . . <BR> <BR>Have a great time!

Great idea about buying tickets to the Tower of London ahead of time. Get there early and got directly (do not pass go...) to see the crown jewels! By the time you get out of that museum the lines will be so long you'll thank yourself. Then go back to the begining and hook up with a Beefeater tour. Then be sure to see all the other parts of the Tower (more museums). They're all worth the time. You will note that the longer you stay at the Tower, the longer the line for the Crown Jewels becomes. Weren't you clever to see them first???? <BR>

Re buying Tower of London tickets ahead: is there a website where I can do that online BEFORE we leave? I have written a letter requesting tickets, but before I mail it, I thought I'd ask. I've done internet searches; lots of info, but no fax/email addresses for ordering tickets. <BR>And thanks for the info about the Crown Jewels; we lucked out and went to the Jewels first. Now, I'll actually *plan* it!

You can now purchase tickets to the Tower of London in the tube stations. We were in London the last week of May and purchased tower tickets on a Sunday morning at the Tower tube station, were first in line at the Tower (of those who had already purchased tickets) at ~9:45 a.m. for a 10:00 a.m. opening, and were the first in to see the crown jewels. (We arrived a full five minutes before they turned the moving walkway on!!!) You should be able to purchase Tower of London tickets at most tube stations. (We tried to purchase them at the Brixton tube station, but the clerk was so confused that we decided to try another station. I don't think they get many tourists down that way.)

Judy, you are my new best friend. Another thing checked off the list of 'headachy things I need to figure out'!

The best attraction I did in London was a personal tour of the Houses of Parliamnent arranged by a friend who was temprorarily living in London. It was about a two hour tour given by one of the employees of the House of Commons and the tour involved royal history, the history behind the Houses of Lords and Commons and so much interesting information including how much of the U.S. Government System is based on the English System. I was facinated. Unfortunatly I don't know how to arrange for the tour but I'm sure a concierge at a major London hotel or an established U.S. Travel Agent specializing in England would be able to make arrangements. My other recommendation is that for any attraction that draws a large crowd i.e. Windsor Castle, Tower of London, Palaces, etc., go early in the morning before the crowds really build up. It is better to stand in a short line at 9:30 in the morning and be in the attraction by 10:00 than spend 1 1/2 hours in line later. Save wandering around the city for later in the afternoon. A nice place for a casual, inexpensive tea is the Orangerie, behind Kensington Palace. Sunday is a good day to go to Windsor Castle as much of London is closed until noon on Sundays, but Windsor is bustling. Have fun!

<BR>When I was in London a few yrs ago, you could go to Westminster Abbey at nite for a couple of hours and take pictures. No flash is allowed so I picked up 1,000 speed film, my pictures are great and so special since most of the time pictures are not allowed.

Elvira, I bought my Tower tickets from the Big Bus Company www.bigbus.co.uk. <BR>They charge about a $1.00 (US), but it's worth it for me since I'm kind of anal about having as many details as possible taken care of before we leave for trips. The tickets arrived less than a week later. They also offer other tickets as well. Their Big Bus admission also includes a free cruise between Wesminster Pier and the Tower AND a choice of 4 walking tours. I had a problem with the website accepting my email address and called directly to them....spoke to the nicest lady there by the name of Norah. She was a great help! I'm anxiously awaiting our trip at the end of July...love the forum...never posted before...usually I just browse and enjoy the conversation. Thanks.

We just got back from London on Tuesday. We went to the Tower of London on Saturday. Got there about 9:15am, 15 minutes after it opened. There were only about 10 people in front of us in the ticket line. Then went directly to the Crown Jewels, we have seen the presentations previously, so went right pass those rooms & onto the moving sidewalk for the Jewels, 1st viewed the front side of the Jewels, then because nobody was there yet, we then immediately walked back over the raised viewing area & went on the other moving sidewalk to view the other side of the jewels. About an hour later, the lines were way out the door. We did not do a beafeater tour that day, because the crowds we so large, you wouldn't be able to get close enough to hear. After the tower, we did the Tower Bridge experience. Did not go to Windsor - too many things closed because of the wedding. Stayed away from Stonehenge because of the solstice crowds & arrests. Did Westminster Abbey with the audio guides. Enjoyed it, but the audio guides were alittle long winded, especially with the crowds. We did a day trip to Bath, which the kids really liked. Also took the boat from Westminster Pier to Greenwich. Went through the Royal Observ. & maritime museum there. Walked under the Thames, in the tunnel to take the Light Rail back to London, the 1st rail station was closed for YR2K renovations, but bused us to the 2nd station. We didn't go to Madame Tussaud's. All I could remember from past times was the crowds & everybody pushing & shoving to get in front of you. A good alternative to that was the Rock Circus - a wax museum dealing with the history of Rock music. <BR>