London: Suggestions for One Week Itinerary
 

First Timer going to London. Would like Changing of the Guard (after reading Horse Guard Too), trip to Bath, posibly York, How about a day by day idea including evening.

Then it wouldn't be YOUR trip Steve! But here are a couple of suggestions: We were there earlier this summer, we visited the Imperial War Museum and the Churchill War Rooms and found both to be absolutely fascinating, in terms of WWII history. The Museum has a most realistic exhibit, The Blitz Experience, as well as worthwhile exhibits on Trench Warfare (WWI) and one of the concentration camps; the War Rooms, beneath one of the government buildings near Parliament, was the center of operations for Churchill and everyone else during the Blitz. I highly, highly recommend both of these places. Also: Hyde Park, great for a stroll and be sure to check out all the soap box speakers (harranguers) near Hyde Park Corner. There's tons else to do, of course. Also be prepared...London makes NYC seem like Omaha!

<BR>Steven, <BR>If you're visiting before October make a trip to visit Buckingham Palace a must. It's only open in August & September when HM is at Balmoral. I have been to London many times and still never seen everything - there are so many beautiful churches & museums. i.e St Pauls, Westminster Abbey, Westminster Cathedral. The British Museum is huge - and free. So are most of the Art Galleries. The best thing to do is take one of the open top bus tours (costs about £10) and you can get on and off as you like. It can often be just as quick to walk as get a tube by the time you've walked down all the tunnels. The tube is VERY busy usually and can be very hot. If you like antiques go to Camden Passage. E-mail me if you would like more info on anything specific.

Get off your butt, invest time and money in some guidebooks, do some research and don't depend on someone else to tell you what to do and where to go. Use some initiative!

Dennis, I thought the point of these forums was to get advice from other travellers ??????

It is surely the purpose of these posts to get and give advice, but it is quite alot to ask for a day-by-day (including evenings!) plan. If you don't enjoy planning your own trip, then perhaps taking an arranged tour would be a way to go. In any case, how could anyone plan a trip for someone about whom they know so little? <BR>

I recommend a little map available at any newstand when you get there called London A-Z because it has times of operation and locations of sights as well as a rating system to let you know what is a "must-see" and what you might skip. Everyone likes something different. <BR>My favorites are the National Gallery Art Museum on Trafalgar Square followed by an economical lunch in the crypt of St. Martan's In the Field where you can also do brass rubbings. We enjoyed the War Cabinet rooms also and a river cruise down the Thames (bring your camera, takes 1-2 hours depending on the tour). The British Library located near King's Cross station has lots of interesting manuscripts like Shakespeare's Folio, original Beatles lyrics, the Magna Carta (sp?) and the Gutenburg Bible (now being restored though so not on display). I didn't care for the British Museum, but if you like Egyptian artifacts and Greek statues, etc, it is all there. Again, your interests will differ. I like the Tate Museum (art) as well. Do take a walk in Kensington Gardens just to get away from the bustle of the city and people watch. So much space right in the middle of London. <BR> <BR> <BR>I got so much help from this site before we went to Great Britain because it helped me focus in my planning. Someone's enthusiastic recommendation makes all the dif compared to reading the guidebooks. <BR> <BR>We stayed at the Harrington Hall in London and it was like the Ritz! 104# per night with a discount from the 800 number I found in "Cheap Sleeps in London" by Sandra Gustafson. Lots of restaurants nearby and close to Gloucester Road tube but quiet area. A/C, huge rooms, very quiet. No apologies to make to any American hotel. For a quainter and cheaper stay, we stayed one night in Bloomsbury at the Harlingford Hotel and it was nice for the price. Best room for us was top floor, twin en suite. Be prepared to climb stairs though. <BR> <BR>We did York as well and it is a two night city. Especially great is to take the train up to Harrowgate, then the bus to Ripon and visit Fountains Abbey. Beautiful monastary ruins from the 11th century and very English romantic water gardens. You haven't been to England until you have gotten out into the countryside. :) It was just so pretty and the tourguide at Fountains Abbey was excellent. Very convenient bus services so don't be afraid to venture out. We stayed at the Delaine B&B in Harrowgate and it was great. <BR> <BR>Guess I have rambled enough. Kim

Hi Steven...Just a few thoughts on what we enjoyed this spring in London for 9 days: Victoria & Albert Museum (great modern history and photo gallery), Tate Gallery, wandering around Kew gardens, sitting in hyde park watching people, Camden market (tacky but loads o fun), popping into any pub that looks okay and having a beer. You won't have any problem filling your week, we ran out of time even after 9 days and we never left the city. Have Fun!!!!!

Hi Steven, <BR> <BR>I have just returned from Europe and London, and despite years of research and a huge investment in travel guides, the best ideas and itineraries came via other travellers on this forum. I have invariably found other travellers here to be generous and helpful, so just ignore anyone who is otherwise. <BR> <BR>Others have responded here with great ideas on what to see in London. May I also add that day trips by train worked really well for us, ie to York, Bath etc. We took the early trains, Bath was 1 hour 15 mins travel and very scenic and relaxing. Trains are frequent, speedy and have dining cars so a time-efficient way to travel. An advantage to us was that we didn't have to check in and out of hotels or drag luggage with us. And we were able to return to London in time for dinner and/or show. We saved heaps of money by purchasing a South East Britrail Pass <BR>before leaving home - you can't buy them once you are there. <BR>Have a great time.

<BR>Steve, <BR>don't forget to do a search on "London" on this web site (on the top of the first Europe forum page) and you'll get lots of info from previous queries. <BR>Elaine

Steve, only a little bit of advice. One week in London is not a lots of time, therefore, I would suggest Bath or York, but personally would want to overnight in York. So, Bath is easier--I think you leave from Paddington Station. Spend the rest of the time in London------in the evenings either have a lovely late dinner or enjoy the fabulous London theatre---you could go every night and still want more. Agree with trying to see Buckingham Palace. As to museums, there's something for everyone so that's where we can't tell you-------you'll get as many suggestions as people who answer this post. You'll need to browse for a while and then get confirmations of what sounds like a good idea here in the forum. That's the best way rather than to ask everyone "what should I see in London?" Come back with more specific ideas. Good luck. <BR>

Try to see the changing of the guard on a day that the Royal Mews is open. It is where they have the royal carriages and horses. I really thought it was neat. It is on the grounds of Buckingham Palace, but the entrance is on one of the main roads. It is very easy to find from Victoria Station. <BR>

I agree, one week is not much time, <BR>so why go to Bath? or anywhere <BR>THAT far from London? If you MUST <BR>make a day trip, try Leed's Castle, <BR>Cambridge, or Winchester. Since <BR>there is soooo much to do IN London, <BR>I'd suggest you stay there as see: <BR>Buckingham Palace, St. James's <BR>Park, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's <BR>Cathedral, Tower of London and the <BR>jewels, yadda, yadda, yadda. And <BR>for the evenings, see lots and lots of <BR>musicals and plays. <BR>