I'm planning to see these places on one day. Would that be too much given that we just want see some of them from outside.

*Westminster catherdral (from outside...not worth paying the admission fee!)
*Westminster Abbey (from outside...the same reason as above)
*Houses of Parliament (can we go inside?)
*Buchingham palace (I guess this one is not open to public anyways)
*Horse guards (need more details if you have)
*London Eye in the evening
*Big Ben at night

We want to walk since they should be within walking distance of each other.
I'd appreciate any comments to make it better. As well, can you recommend a place close to one of these places to buy yummy sandwiches for lunch or even supper?

I don't know about Parliament, but since you're basically not going inside anywhere, you can certainly walk by these places in one day.

But...the idea that Westminster Abbey is not worth the admission fee is ludicrous!

I have to agree with Susan, if just walking by you will be able to do it all in one day, but going inside Westminster Abbey was one of my favorite things in London . Definitely worth the admission price!!!

You will be right by Big Ben when you are at Parliament and Westminster Abbey so not sure you will want to go back over there at night.

Thsi may sound harsh -- but if you think the inside of Westminster Abbey isn't worth the small admission charge -- WHY on earth are you going to London???

Westminster Abbey is one of the most historical and magnificent bldgs in the world. But from the outside it is basically a church. . . . .

In another post the OP mentioned travelling with a couple of very young children. Perhaps that's why it's "not worth" paying the admit fees. Who knows. Some posters should consider dialing back the hyperbole just a bit.

I don't think Westminster Cathedral has an admission fee. Donations only.

Since Westminster Abbey has a family ticket the kids are basically free.

And if there are little kids in tow -- all the more reason to go inside. A march past 7 buildings would not be my choice of a fun day at 5 or 6 years old.

Westminster Cathedral IS free - but not the same thing at all.

>>Westminster Cathedral IS free - but not the same thing at all<<

The OP mentioned both Westminster Cathedral and Abbey.

>>And if there are little kids in tow -- all the more reason to go inside<<

Westminster Abbey??? Suggested, perhaps, by a person who has never had or been exposed to very young children.

That is obvious.

But since it is free I figured Helen might think Westminster Cathedral is now "worth it", while the Abbey isn't. My point is that Westminster Cathedral - free, is still not in the same league as Westminster Abbey for £

I agree with going into the Abbey. It especially is worth going into at least once. We have been to London a few times and didn't go in last time. Also maybe the London Eye during the day would be a better choice.

Thanks for your responses. I had no clue that the Abbey is such a magnificant place and worth the admission fee. I'm trying to be careful with our spendings, since we have to pay for 4 adults and 2 kids. I guess admission fee for each is 10 pounds. So, that comes to 80 dollars for the Abbey. Now that you are all voting for the Abbey, I'll put that into our places to see. Thanks for your responses. As for as the London Eye, I'd heard from some posts that we'd enjoy the view close to sunset while up in the air. Do you not recommend it? WHen is a good time?

Dear Lord!! 10 pounds admission to enter a church!? How on earth do they justify such a thing? And please don't say it's about upkeep. Many places manage on donations alone.

Helen10101: As I mentioned the Abbey has a <b>family ticket</b> - no advance purchase necessary. Lets a whole family Parents and children) enter for &pound;22.

There you go. To me churches are holly places and I have a lot of respect for them. I understand the Abbey is probably not funded by other means but 10 pounds per visitor for each church?!?!?!?! Are they making it like a commercial place? I don't know...if it's so much worth it, I'll go. That's the whole reason for travelling to London. How about House of Parliament and the horse guard? Are they worth visiting?

Further explanation - the main reason for the admissions fee is not revenue. (the &pound;10 is a recent increase - used to be &pound;5 and before that it was free)

Sure they have good uses for the money. But it is mainly a crowd control tool. Sure they could still be free and just cut people off - but most days the capacity would be reached very early in the a.m. and folks would have to stand in line all day to get in.

By charging to enter they have cut the crowds nearly in half - and it STLL gets very crowded.

Horse Guards are free and just an outdoors location so you will walk right by them.

Parliament is a problem - you really can't visit. Well, one CAN but it is pretty difficult, especially for foreign visitors.

Okay, then we'll just pass by the Parliament. As for the Horse Guard, do you know how i can find the schedule? I searched Google but it gives me the schedule of the Change of Guard. Are they the same? If so, then I would not want to see it. To me, Change of Guard is kind of boring. But, I remember somewhere in this board, someone mentioned that the Horse Guard is much better and entertaining than the Change of Guard. Does anyone have the schedule?

If you feel so strongly against Westminster Abbey, then why bother to look at it from the outside at all? It is far more impressive on the inside rather than the outside. You can just get a postcard instead and still tell people you saw it, if that's your goal.

By the way you said the inside wasn't worth the admission charge. Where did you get this information? Did some one tell you it was all plastic inside, or there was nothing to see? Or do you simply mean you don't like paying to see great things. It's such an outrageous statement, that I really can't figure out what you meant by it.

Here is a link to a site that gives info. on the Horse Guards. http://www.travellondon.com/template...orseguard.html.

Janisj is right about the 22pound fee for the family (2 adults 2 kids) to Westminster.

You might also want to look at this website for some 2for1 offers. If you have a travelcard for the tube, that can work as your train ticket. http://www.2for1entry.co.uk/

When I was there 2-1/2 years ago, the fee for Westminster Abbey was 6 pounds, so that's quite an increase in that amount of time. However, it's still definitely worth it, especially since you can get the family ticket mentioned by janis. The inside is magnificent. I liked it better than St. Paul's.

As for the London Eye, I really enjoyed going after dark with all of the lights on all over London. It was gorgeous. That's not to say it wouldn't be nice during the day.