We'll be in London for 1 week at the end of January, 2005. First time. I've assumed that at that time of year, staying put in the city makes the most sense. Is that correct, or are there places worth a day-trip?

~Liz

There will definitely be plenty in London to keep you busy for a week, but you could also do a day trip to nearby Windsor Castle or Hampton Court Palace just to get out of the city. Remember also that the days will be much shorter in January which will have some impact on your sightseeing.

Go out to some of the smaller towns...I believe I went to Stratford on Avon. Also Oxford was really neat to visit. I believe we signed up for a bus tour just for the day. I also second Windsor Castle. There is a lot to see in the city, but it is also nice to see the beautiful towns.

As the others have said, you would have no problem keeping busy in London with so much to see and do.

If you decide to do side trips, I would recommend Bath. We loved our visit there and tour of the Roman baths and the abbey. It has been some years ago, so won't recommend how to get there since things may have changed somewhat, but it is quite easy by train.

If it's your first visit to London you'll find more than enough to fill your time (as well as making a list for your return trip). Activities in London will not be so contingent on the two disadvantages to travelling in January, short daylight hours and chilly/probably wet weather.

That said, Windsor is a good day trip (and can be easily done in half a day if you have theatre tickets). Hampton Court Palace will take most of a day to see. Stratford is a good choice too as you can catch Royal Shakespeare Co matinee.

Meant to add, if there is something specific you want to see in whichever town you pick as a daytrip, make certain it's open! Lots of places have shortened winter hours or extra closed days.

As it's your first time, and the days will be short, I'd imagine there is more than enough in London to fill all your time - if you get bored indulge in the sales, or buy up all the new season's must haves!

As for day trips - Windsor and Hampton Court are always very touristy - if you want to see them I'd advise choosing just one of them. However, many of the other stately homes (which in my opinion are far more interesting both in terms of architecture, content and history) are closed until spring-time. Some of the smaller ones might be open (check the National Trust web-site for specifics regarding opening times), they tend to have fabulous open fires in the winter time which adds to the character of the place. One of the most enjoyable visits (recently) is Chartwell, the home of Churchill (again please check opening times) which is the most ghastly Victorian monstrosity with far from fabulous interiors, however, this place felt like an home, lived in, and not a showpiece, and of course Churchill lived there - his studio was particularly charming. All in all, Chartwell isn't a grand, important house in itself, but the opportunity to explore the home, the heart of one of the world's greatest men.

Chartwell won't be open in January. When it is open, however, it's a good daytrip to make in combination with a visit to Knole or Ightham Mote. The easiest trip is by car though the more industrious can do it by train (to Sevenoaks) and bus. Sevenoaks is a pleasant town. If you're a supporter of independents, there's a good book shop (Sevenoaks Bookstore).

A trip to Greenwich is pretty interesting. You can take the boat one way and the train the other to maximize your scenery.

I love London in the winter...tickets are easier to get! Few tourists in the museums! Not to mention the end of season sales...now things are expensive in London, but there can still be great shopping when things reach their final markdown at the end of January.

Daytrips-- I'd just see how you feel when you are there. Original Londonwalks is great for this, because you don't make reservations, you just show up. (And of course, you can do it yourself, but sometimes it is nice to have a tour guide.)

I do love Greenwich, which is especially nice on Sunday, when so much other stuff is closed in the morning. The boat trip down the river is a nice way to arrive. Wonderful Georgian architecture...Royal Observatory, old tea clipper you can tour. It's so convenient, you could be back by early/mid afternoon and do something else (quick museum visit?) afterwards.

Bath is always nice, but more a full day trip. Easy by train however.

We finally got to see Chartwell on our last trip to England (we stayed a week in Kent and had a rental car.) We had never gone on previous trips because it is not an easy daytrip using public transportation (same with Hever Castle.) And after driving there, I can see why. They are both down remote country roads. Both are wonderful properties, but not easy to get there.

For a first-timer, I'd stick to the day-trips that are a bit more user friendly. You won't be disappointed in Hampton Court, Windsor, Greenwich, Bath, Oxford...

But since you're going in January, make sure you check their websites to make sure they are open.

m kingdom2 - Something we can agree on. I have great admiration for Churchill.

elberko - Another vote for London Walks. Their walks are great introductions to London and their Explorer Day trips are worth every pence. Their website is www.walks.com

I agree with the others - there is so much to see and do in London, you will want to come back. Just don't try to see everything in one trip. You can't. You will have plenty of things to do to fill your days. Enjoy your trip!

First time? Only a week? Then definately save day trips for future visits.

One day trip is nice... kind of gives you a taste for the rest of England. It's so much different from London.

During my first extended trip to London which lasted 8 days, I did 2 day trips and enjoyed both of them. They give you a chance to see the English countryside and Kayb95 is right - it is different from London.

With just a week, and in January - I would definitely NOT make any specific plans for an out of town trip. If the weather turns out to be decent you can always pick a place after you are there. It would be a shame to end up in Bath or Oxford or where ever on a really stormy day when you can't get around easily. That is the time you'd want to be prowling around the British Museum or V&A.

I don't consider Hampton Court Palace or Greenwich "day trips" since they are really in London - Grennwich is only in zone 2 - practically central by London standards. And HCP is in zone 6 and closer to the center than Heathrow. You can go to either one in the morning and be back in the center of things by mid afternoon if you want. So IF you do need to get out of the city for a bit they, or a couple of hours up in Hampstead Heath would do the trick.

(Most of the stately homes including Chartwell, Blenheim Palace, etc. are closed in Jan. )

You could combine a trip to HCP with a visit to Kew gardens and palace, and Ham House. Ruchmond itself is a nice town.

Greenwich is such a short trip I, too wouldn't consider it a "day trip, but just a visit to another part of London. There is the national Maritime Museum, Queen's House, Cutty sark , Gypsy Moth and an antiques mkt on sundays.

I certainly wouldn't think of going much further with only a week.

Thanks for the tips!

To clarify, I'm not really looking to get out of London, it's more of a "would it be a shame to not do this with a week in London in January?"

Of course, weather is going to be a day-to-day thing, so we won't have a tight schedule.

~Liz