London - one afternoon, what to see?
 

On our way home from Dublin, we arrive in London in the early afternoon and leave for Canada at the crack of dawn the next day. we are staying near Paddington Station for easy access to the Heathrow Express.

Question - what should we try and fit into our afternoon and evening? Any tours recommended (night tours?)? should we just cab to a neighbourhood and walk around, eat and such? Try one of the big attractions (British Museum)? Hit Westminster and Parliament? Tower of London?

It is my husbands first time there. I have done all of the above on a previous trip. I want to do something that will give him the flavour and make him want to go back!!!

Thanks,
Alison

Well - yoo have been there before and know your husband better than we do so your own ideas are probably best.

But one suggestion is to take the tube to Westminster. There is something "Oh I Get it!" about stepping out of the tube station and looking straight up at Big Ben. If you're lucky you'll hit the street just as it chimes.

This tube station is good because it is near Westminster Abbey if you want to do an indoors thing. Then you can walk across Westminster Bridge to the London Eye. There isn't normally much of a queue for the Eye so you can get right on.

Or another option would be to go walk to Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens from your hotel - see Kens Palace and/or rent a boat on the Serpentine and then go to the V&A.

Whatever you do - plan on a relaxing dinner and then walk around Covent Garden/Soho/Chinatown afterwards.

Wow--I would agree 100% with Janis. I consider that perfect for that amount of time.

I think Janis gives great advice on this one, particularly her recommendation about your own ideas being best. You might consider asking yourself what comes to mind (sights, etc) when you think about London and try to visit wherever that is. OR just take him to YOUR favorite place since you cannot do everything.

I agree with Janis as well. Since you will be there for such a short amount of time, a stroll along the Thames is a great way to see some of the more famous sites in London. The Eye, and Big Bend and Parliament are all interesting to see. From there you could walk to Westminster Abbey and then to Buckingham Palace, which are both fairly close by. If time permits, I would highly consider a narrated river cruise down the Thames. We did this and it was only an hour or two long but you will get to see major sites down the river such as the Tower of London, the recreated Globe Theater, and other interesting places. Lots of great picture opportunities, and the prices for the cruises are inexpensive. In my opinion, a cruise is a great introduction to London.

Have fun! London is one of my favorite places.

Tracy

Great suggestions so far! I spent 1 day in London the first time on my way back to Canada. I would recommend the Big Bus tours (they have a website) or I think the other company is called The Original Tour or something like that...

They are hop on hop off tours that take you to all the sites in a double decker bus while giving commentary. You get off wherever you like along the way and can get back on at any point. Great overview of the city and an easy way to get entertainment while getting to your next site.

I love the Tower of London!

If I was giving a loved one a taste of london in the time you have...I would be tempted to go to Trafalgar Square and view its sights, have a late lunch in the crypt at St-Martin-in-the-Fields, walk up to the TKTS booth in Leicester Square and buy half price tickets for an evening show, visit some of the book stores on Charring Cross Road, continue on over to Covent Garden and visit the flea market and enjoy the many street performers, see the show, and do a late dinner at (perhaps) an Indian restaurant.

In the same area, you could substitute a visit to the National Portrait Gallery or an evening candle light concert at St-Martin-in-the-Fields for other things I suggested.

Keith

First and foremost, Westminster Abbey: 1000 years of English history inside one building. It always takes my breath away. Then the general area of Westminster, à la Janis, and a brief stroll in St. James's Park, a lovely urban oasis of green and water. Finally, a quick trip through the British Museum, especially the Edward VII And there's always Buckingham Palace, too.

If you like you could take the tube to Fortnums and have tea there before you stroll around Westminster like Janice suggested-it is a very english thing to do, very delicious and you do not have to bbok in advance.