maitaitom

I have our Buckingham Palace Champagne Tour, Ceremony Of The Keys, Salisbury Cathedral Tower and Stonehenge tickets bought.

We have printed out our 2-4-1 Vouchers, and figured out transportation from and back to Heathrow (thanks to you guys).

Are there any other London or Cotswold area attractions that you think we should purchase advance tickets to see.

Thanks.

TDudette

Hi tom and all. Very excited for you guys.

If the light is on in Westminster tower, it means that Parliament is in session. Leave purses/bags/etc. behind--they're very strict about what you can bring in.

Have a super time!

PalenQ

Are there any other London or Cotswold area attractions that you think we should purchase advance tickets to see.>

The London Eye if during a busy time.

jamikins

Have we got a date for the London get together yet?

rncheryl

No West End shows?

michele_d

I agree about purchasing your London Eye tickets ahead of time. The line can be outrageously long. There are many different ticket options so one is sure to fit your family's needs.

It is IMO not to be missed. Great views during the rotation. I am afraid of heights and this was quite easy.

Here's the site:
http://www.londoneye.com/TicketsAndP...s/Default.aspx

janisj

I definitely wouldn't pre-purchase Eye tix. At least not for home. It is VERY weather dependent and if the visibility is poor you are SOL. If you really, really want to pre-book - you can wait til the morning of and IF the weather looks promising, ring them up or book on-line

emily71

I agree w/Janis-wait until that day-London weather can be fickle.

maitaitom

"Have we got a date for the London get together yet?"

I know these things are a pain to organize, so if it doesn't work out, no worries. Looks like Tuesday, September 24 would work best for us if anyone wants to hit some pubs. If not, we will still raise a pint (or two) to our fellow London Fodorites.

jamikins

Darn! New will be in Italy that week...if you are around the week before we can probably make something work with the exception of 18 Sept...

Cathinjoetown

One of my favorite places in the Cotswolds. No advanced booking, entry by timed tickets:

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/snowshill-manor/

maitaitom

Snowshilll is now on our list...thanks!

jamikins...we do not arrive until after that. We'll have some Chianti with our pint. Have a great time.

PalenQ

You can always change you London Eye booking without problem but as janis says it should be possible to book same day or IME of even in August not waiting much without a booking - janis makes a good tip on weather and taking the Eye over London Ferris Wheel.

europeannovice

We went on the London Eye toward evening--still light enough outside and we waited about 20-25 minutes. Not bad considering that the lines are often longer I imagine.

We also enjoyed Snowshill Manor. We went on a rainy day so couldn't really enjoy the outside but the house has an interesting collection.

maitaitom

I just read in an Eyewitness Travel Book that you need an International Drivers license to drive in England. All other information I have read states the opposite. Just inquiring to make sure. Thanks.

Cathinjoetown

Tom,

I've never been asked for an international driver's license either by a rental agency or the police, and I have been stopped a time or two.

So, first I've heard of this.

jamikins

According to the AA the uk des not require one

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice...country.html#U

Which makes sense as its just a translation of your license into languages other than English...

janisj

>><i>I just read in an Eyewitness Travel Book that you need an International Drivers license to drive in England.</i><<

Uh, no. First of all it isn't a 'license' . . . It is a permit. An IDP is simply a translation of your drivers' license. Even though they do speak <i>different</i> English in the UK than they do in SoCal . . . They will still understand it

(If one's license is in a different language, then an IDP might be required)

janisj

Was posting the same time as jamikins . . .

flanneruk

"All other information I have read states the opposite. "

Assuming you have an up to date licence issued by a EU member state, or in English by most other developed countries Or lotsa of other possibilities), all other information is, in theory, accurate.

There have been one or two claims on sites like this of non-EU foreigners being refused hire cars for not having an IDP, and in these cases the hire staff were claimed to have cited insurance complications.

All rules, ultimately, are only as useful as the people interpreting them. All major hire companies recognise most valid foreign licences - including those from virtually all the countries regularly posting here.