Here's my list:

Walking tour-Will give you a better insight into London history and the little alleyways and sidestreets often missed. The pub walks at night are also a good option.

The Tower of London

British Museum-Get the highlights brochure for choice of what to see.

Sit and people watch in a royal garden-Kensington or St.James are favorites.

Borough Market

London theatre

i personally think you can cross Wagamama off your list of "must-do"s (as stated in your first post) It's ac hain--they are everywhere in London. Please, with so many other marvelous things to do in a limited time, do make a special trip right near where you are staying. Perhaps when they first started, it was a big deal. It's the kind of place that is very rushed, and i didnt find the food special, nor id di think they did a particularly good job of it--i can get the same where i live and in many other citied.
Re : suggestion for Ceremony of the Keys--YES!!! But as written above, it is no substitute for spending ours at the Tower in the daytime. Now THAT is a do-not-miss for sure.
Fortunately, there are many little eating places now right across from the Tower entrance even a Starbucks, which are also now omnipresent. (There used to be just a dingy McDonalds in an area that felt deserted once the Tower closed. ) I do not recommend the cafeteria inside the Tower of London property.
I lived inLondon for a year, and have returned many times as a visitor. ANd you know what? THere are still so many places i havent seen there--every trip i return home with "leftovers" of "gotta see that" or new ideas. There is no way to fit it all in. if you love it, you will be back!!! Think of this as a "getting to know you" where you whet your appetite trip. "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life" Too true!!

oh yes--Covent Garden is a a very commercialized market/shop/restaurant /entertainment area, but GREAT fun!! Opera singers, acrobats, etc. ANd it is unique--unlike some shopping/marekte areas where you could b anywhere.
For shopping-in addition to Top Shop (daughter loves it) check out Monsoon.

oops--i meanr re Wagamama, do NOT make a special trip, unless it is right where you happen to be, and you need to eat in a hurry. Very overrated, IMHO.

Ditto CaliNurse's Wagamama comment - it's a complete mystery to me why this place seems to hold such a fascination for our American friends. I've eaten in Wagamamas branches a fair few times, but it's pretty run-of-the-mill food in a noisy atmosphere. They're perfectly OK for a quick sit-down meal if you happen to be passing by, but certainly not worth making a special trip for (and hardly a "must see" in London of all places). And it's not cheap either (another common falacy that's constantly regurgitated on this board).

In terms of chains, I visited Patisserie Valerie, Cafe Nero and E.A.T for quick lunches/coffee and a bite. E.A.T was super, I actually backtracked on another day to specifically eat there.

Thanks everyone for your comments! I, by no means, thought we would be able to see everything on the list, but reading your comments helps to throw things out. I'm sure once we go, we will be wanting to go back!! I know that we would have to stay ages to see all of England/London. I will def use this trip as a "getting to know you" trip as CaliNurse suggested. Good way of putting it

Sounds like changing of the guards is something I may reconsider...Maybe not as big a deal as ppl in the states make it out to be. The consensus seems to agree. Maybe Ceremony of the Keys instead...a few ppl stated this was something interesting to see. Also, as much as I would like to take a 1/2 day or day trip outside to see the countryside...sounds like I may need to reconsider this as well or just pick ONE place. Hmmm...lots to think about, but I have PLENTY of time to decide before we leave.

Thanks for the suggestions on what travel books to get/not get as well! And i'm liking the suggestions for shopping too...i love a good boutique/store!! Also, I was wondering if there are a million and one places to have "afternoon tea" or if there is a specific place we should try. I like the idea of having an afternoon tea

We went to Claridges and it was top notch. It was pricey but a great experience.

We happened to be at the Orangery one afternoon and as long as you avoid the shrimp cocktail (son got food poisoning from it), it would be okay for tea and scones. It was more laid back than the formal teas at the hotels but avoid the mayo and seafood there.

I read about Claridges from your European Extravaganza! I think I will put in on my list. I enjoy reading your Trip Report...has given me some good ideas/insight. Thanks for sharing....I will keep following to see how the trip ends!

I didn't think you would try for all those sites. But since you have soooooooo many places you'd like to see in London and southern England, maybe reconsider only 4 days there. 4 days will actually net you only 3-3.5 days free for sites. So - the problem is you can probably only squeeze in 4-6 major sites. Your hope/wish list has 12+ really major sites (not counting the many others on the list).

How long is the whole trip and where are you going besides London? Other major European cities will present the same issues -- LOTS to see/do. Maybe stick to one country and slow down a bit. Just something to consider . . . .

Janis, unless I'm mistaken, I gather from the OP's other thread (First Timer - HELP) that she and her DH are taking a two-week trip which has now been nicely narrowed down to Amsterdam, Paris and London.

Janis, we already suggested she slow down a bit on her other thread. Believe me, convincing her to narrow their trip to London, Paris, and Amsterdam is a big cut from her original idea of even more places! ;-)

janisj...we are going for a two week trip. I took away the travel day getting there and the travel day leaving. I also left us one day back in the states to "gather ourselves" before going back to work...so all in all we will be Starting in London-spending 4 nights, Eurostar to Paris 4 nights, and train to Amsterdam for 3 nights.

I realize this is packing a lot in! I am going to try very hard to minimize my list. I want to see what I can, take it all in, and indulge myself while there. My husband and I are basically going to "see what it's all about". I know we will only be skimming the surface of what each place has to offer, but we are going to give it a shot...HOPEFULLY knowing we will one day return. We aren't going to throw ourselves down on the floor and pitch a fit if we don't see it all-- haha ~

We are just excited and anticipating a trip that is pretty much 9-10 months away! (especially myself) I am going to slow down the brain waves...and try to get realistic here. I am going out tomorrow to get a few guidebooks...i am going to start browsing through and figuring out what is realistic. Once I get some sort of itinerary i planned on putting it up for all the Pro's to mutter through and perfect for me!

Honestly we will be in awe just being in such a beautiful place...much less if we get to see anything at all!! Just walking around and taking it in will be the most important part of the trip...as well as picture taking to prove we actually went!

"Mutter through." Ha! Well, you catch on fast. That's so funny and apropos.

London isn't necessarily beautiful, although parts of it can be. However, it is historic and real and wonderful like life itself.

Your plans have a good chance of evolving very well now, tds, and I hope you have a great time figuring it all out.

Thanks!!

"<i>Believe me, convincing her to narrow their trip to London, Paris, and Amsterdam is a big cut from her original idea of even more places!</i>"

Thanks for the update -- that clarifies things a bit.

(This is what happens when only part of the story is in a thread -- so I guess everybody has worked to get tds0212 to slow down/cut back)

tds0212: Your trip is months away so you'll learn a lot and make LOTS of changes between now and then. In your planning be sure to take this into consideration . . . "<i>London-spending 4 nights, Eurostar to Paris 4 nights, and train to Amsterdam for 3 nights. </i>" will give you approx 3 days plus a skosh in London, 3.5 days in Paris, and 2.5 days in A'dam.

The Ceremony of the Keys at The Tower is good - atmospheric and interesting. Definitely try and visit The Tower during the day before the Ceremony though. You need to apply months beforehand for tickets for the Ceremony, all the details of the address to write to are on the website, give them all your dates you could be available, from your first option to your last. We gave them about 5 dates and got our first option but we were there in November (freezing cold at night by the river). You must take your ticket with you on the night and don't be late, as they unlock The Tower gates to let everyone in - it's kept to a small group - then unlock again to let everyone out. If you are late you miss out. You also need to take ID I think.

We had a wonderful afternoon tea at The Ritz, it was expensive but was a gift from friends, you can buy vouchers on their website. You need to book a few weeks in advance. I was a bit worried it would be too posh and make us uncomfortable but it was great, the waiters were all friendly and helped lots of people take photos etc, there was plenty of food and gorgeous surroundings.

Have fun planning, I absolutely love the researching and booking stage, so exciting. Good guidebooks for practical information are Lonely Planet, Rough Guides and Footprint. The DK Eyewitness books have great pictures but are very heavy due to the glossy paper and short on practical info.

Kay

Thanks for the advice KayF!

janisj

"Believe me, convincing her to narrow their trip to London, Paris, and Amsterdam is a big cut from her original idea of even more places!"

I didn't see where someone posted this...haha! But yes, We had a loooong list of places we were trying to choose from. The original post is under "First Timer...HELP" I'm not going to get discouraged about the trip being packed in, and I know that we will prob miss a lot of things. But, I suppose "You live and you learn"

I'm going to take advice from everyone on here and apply it to the trip as best I can I'm sure we will enjoy ourselves no matter what! Thanks everyone for your input. I do appreciate it!

When planning our trip to London (one week with only a daytrip to Windsor Castle)years ago, I was stymied by the opening/closing hours of the various museums, especially when one adds in the travel time necessary to get to each place. In contrast, Paris museums tended to be open longer throughout the day, and in addition, the sites seemed to be closer together. The various Rome museum closing days can be frustrating, but again, the city is very walkable. London is just so darn spread out.

Therefore, when planning your London leg, I would sketch out the various days open, opening and closing times, and general locale of the top 15 things you'd like to see. Then see what could be grouped according to time/location. That can help you boil your list down to 4 or 5 major things.

"<i>"Believe me, convincing her to narrow their trip to London, Paris, and Amsterdam is a big cut from her original idea of even more places!"

"I didn't see where someone posted this...haha! </i>"

Just so you don't think I'm psychic, Andrew posted that just a few entries above my post.

(can't give you the time of his post since time hacks show in each user's 'real time' and I don't know what time zone you are in, but it is at xx:01)