Queen Leaves. Maitai Arrives. Coincidence. I Think Not. London Questions
 

I see the Queen looked at our travel schedule and decided to hightail it out of town while we are there. Smart lady! Here's my first of what I hope will not be too many London questions (who am I kidding).

When the royal family leaves during August and September, it looks like they have some special State Room tours of Buckingham Palace...one that includes a garden tour and another that is a really expensive night tour (but you do get a free glass of champagne...I'm a sucker for the bubbly).

Have any of you been on one of these tours while Elizabeth and the gang are frolicking in the Scottish highlands? I actually don't mind paying the hefty fee for the night tour, since it's not something I would ever get the chance to do again.

Opinions? Thanks.

((H))

Hi Maitai, that’s a good question which I can’t answer. I am going to London again at the end of June so that tour should not be available unfortunately. I am looking forward to the account of you and your dear lady’s adventures in London. So much to do and see.

What sites/museums/attractions are you planning so far? Where are you staying?

I've been on the daytime tour twice. The evening tour is a recent addition and I haven't been.

I personally think the regular tour is totally 'worth it' and I'll probably also go on an evening tour then next time I'm in the city when it is offered.

Apparently the evening tour you actually enter through the gates. The daytime tour you enter around to the side -but still go inside the Palace via the main entrance inside the courtyard. This one http://www.flickr.com/photos/british...hy/7341399882/ (Sans the coach and horses)

there is a thread from a couple of days ago where someone posted about doing the evening one just recently. A search will probably bring it up.

lateday - I'm just starting to put my London wish list together. Lots of things to see so trying too prioritize. Definitely will go out to Windsor castle and Hampton Court, see the British Museum, Tower of London (including the night time Key Thing, which I believe has a real name), Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's, etc. Hoping to find a couple of offbeat places, too. We will have about 5 1/2 day depending on which over-priced flight I book. It looks like we will be in an apartment near Onslow Gardens, but I am awaiting confirmation.

janis - The night-time tour is £70 per person, so I'm trying to figure out if that champagne is really worth it, but it would be a once in a lifetime deal, so we are considering. For sure, I think we will do some sort of State Room tour. I will search for that post. Thanks.

((H))

Heck £70 is chicken feed (not really)

You want once in a life time? I'm spending £400+ for a ticket to the niner game at Wembley in Oct (and spent bou coup dinero to be on the river during the Jubilee flotilla last year)

I've decided if something is special enough I don't want to years from now say "myself - that sure was a neat game I <i>almost</i> went to"

Night time key thing,the "Ceremony of the Keys", has been performed nightly for 700 years (I think) and claims to be the oldest ongoing ceremony in the world. It's definitely worthwhile. You might also consider the Cabinet War Rooms in the basement of Whitehall and the London Eye at night. Agree with Janisj: If something is special enough, do it! Count me in with the group eagerly awaiting your trip report.

Reserve very early for the night time Key Thing - numbers are very limited and it is definitely worthwhile.

Tom, DD and i went to Buck house about 15 years ago and it was totally worth the £12 they stung me at the time. We were overwhelmed by all the gold and glitter and decided that their surroundings completely explained why the royals are all so weird.

The Temple is a nice place for a sumer stroll - lovely gardens and an oasis of peace just off Fleet Street.

We saw a play at The Globe Theatre which I really enjoyed, despite not being too keen when the idea was first suggested.

The Borough Market was great if you are interested in good food. We tasted our way around the stalls and then bought lunch and ate it sitting on the grass.

I am so looking forward to this trip. As many of you know, we like to pack in as many things as possible on our sojourns (Kim and Mary are the only other people as crazy as we are), so between London and the countryside, I doubt we will even sleep on this trip.

I'm already contemplating a return trip to London to see all the stuff we will miss on this one.

((H))

A second vote for Borough market http://www.boroughmarket.org.uk/ ( open Thurs, Fri, Sat). I believe there are a few wine bars on the outer perimeter of the market. :)

Looks like the Verger Tour of Westminster Abbey is the way to go. To make sure to get inside in time for 10 a.m. tour (Abbey opens at 9:30), what would be the best time to get in the queue before it opens? Thanks.

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My husband and I and a friend stayed in an apartment on Onslow Square for a week last September, vrbo 277494; if that is the one you are looking at, it is a very good choice; it is absolutely lovely. We liked the area as well and plan to stay there again when we make another trip to London next year.
Ms.ImaginaryJazz

imaginary, we'd have to play Rock, Scissors, Paper with Kim and Mary to see who gets the master. Looks really nice.

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If you see a play at the Globe, the Tate Modern is an easy near by addition. I'm not a huge modern art fan, but really enjoyed our brief visit.

Loved, loved Hampton Court. Have you read The Other Bolyn Girl? I swear I saw her right around the corner...

Ceremony of the Keys: outstanding. We were there on a drizzly night, and think we may have seen the 2 princes darting by. Not sure.

maitaitom - when is your trip to London? I'm going in early April and have tickets for the 6 PM tour of Buckingham Palace on 4/7. I'll post a report from the tour if you're still planning your trip and think it would help you decide. The evening tours are a smaller group too so that might be something to help you decide.

Buckingham Palace tour is good - I had lived in London for years, and finally went last summer. Pity you will miss Helen Mirren as the Queen in 'the Audience' - absolutely wonderful performance (on till middle of June).

One of my absolute favorite things to do in London in the summer is go to the Regents Park Open Air Theatre. This August it's The Sound of Music. Take a picnic, or enjoy the excellent food on offer there, and hope for good weather.

Onslow Square is a great area for a flat. Go to Elystan Street/Cale Street; lovely area with some small shops and restaurants. Good place to pick up food if you want to eat in your flat.
Or Bute Street; also good for food shopping.

"maitaitom - when is your trip to London?"

steve- Not until September. I will look forward to your review. Tell the Queen "hi" from our Corgis.

tulips - tell them to extend Sound Of Music until September. I'm just hoping there are a few roses left by the time we get there.

((H))

The National Portrait Gallery is fascinating and they have a good restaurant overlooking
Trafalgar Square. Don't forget a boat trip on the Thames. Hopefully you'll have better
weather than the Queen did!

Well, I finally pulled the trigger (£70 apiece...hey, it's only money), and we will now have champagne with the Corgis at the Buckingham Palace After Hours State Room Tour while the Queen is out of town. Hopefully, we won't do much damage while visiting.

((H))