Thanks to all of you for your input - it's great. 1.) I will be going to see Chiswick House - taking tube to Turnham Green - I got that part down pat. Now, looks like I can get back on same tube line and can go on to Gunnersbury and visit Syon House. Book says to get off at Gunnersbury and take BUS to Syon. Is this a long bus ride? Is it a route that runs often? <BR>2.) I will be coming from Stansted into Liverpool station. Where exactly is Liverpool station? I have to get from Liverpool sta. to Victoria Station. <BR>3.) I understand from Buckingham Palace site that the Queen's Gallery at Buck Palace is closed right now. I wanted to get in to Buck just to see the Rembrandts there. Does anyone know if his art is in the Queen's Gallery or in the State Rooms which are open. I hate to get in to the palace and not experience his art. Again, thanks to all of you for everything you do and say and share. <BR>

The only question I can adequately address is #2. Liverpool Street tube stop is in the eastern side of central metropolitan London. To get to Victoria from Liverpool take the Circle Line one way 10 stops, or the other (it is a circle line)16 stops. You will be able to find the two stations on the tube map, prominently displayed in the tub stations. Can other Fodorites help her with the other two questions?

top-o-rama!

Yes, the Rembrandts are available for viewing by the public. This from the Palace website (www.royal.gov.uk/palaces/buckpal/page03.htm): <BR> <BR>"Guests to the Picture Gallery can enjoy a feast of fine paintings by such artists as Steen, van Dyck, Frans Hals, Rembrandt, Canaletto, Ruebens, Poussin and Vermeer, to name but a few. These, together with other works from the Royal Collection (which include miniatures, drawings and watercolours, furniture, sculpture, porcelain, textiles, books, gold and silver), do not belong to The <BR>Queen personally but are held by her as Sovereign in trust for her successors and the Nation, and are regarded as a part of Britain's national heritage." <BR> <BR>Anyone able to answer question 1? <BR> <BR>

I've been to both, although I traveled with a local by car. A book I have says, about Syon Park: Syon Lane and Kew Bridge Station, 267 bus from Kew Bridge to Brent Lea. And this about Chiswick House: Chiswick Station is 5 minute walk from west side of the park, Chiswick Park and Turnham Green tube stations are about a 20 minute walk. Buses are 190, 425, E3. Another book says Syon Park buses are 116, 117, 237 and 267. I'm afraid both of these fairly current books give different information. I'd suggest picking up a new transportation map when you arrive to confirm your route. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps!

Hey Linda, Escritora and Simone....Thanks for answering. Don't know how I missed Liverpool Station on my map - just wasn't looking over in that area. I get mixed up between train and tube lines. I will definitely try my utmost to get in to Buckingham - such a treat to see another Rembrandt. <BR>The Chiswick/Syon visit must be easier than the books make it out - it will work! I just don't want to have to figure out everything at the last minute. I will visit the tourist office in London and get some better maps. But, all in all, I am doing great with plans for 5 days in London. I need two weeks there to even make a small dent in experiencing what that is available for the visitor. Have a great day and thanks again.

Be careful - it is Liverpool Street Station (the word Street is important). If you start asking directions to Liverpool Station, you might well be directed to a completely different mainline station, by someone assuming that you are trying to travel to Liverpool! (where the station, unhelpfully, is called Liverpool Lime Street). Unlike in the US, it is generally important to specify the word Road, Street, Avenue etc, since many towns and cities have several thoroughfares with the same name, distinguished only by Street, Road, or whatever.