nola77382

I'm convinced! We are scratching Windsor, Bath, Stonehenge from the list for sure! Just not enough time to do any of 'em justice.

annhig, Petworth looks exactly like what I'd love to see but unfortunately for me, it's closed on Thursdays... I saw Amberley Castle mentioned elsewhere and thought it might be a good place to visit in the Goodwood environs. Hubby just said he'd be glad to find a put close to the b&b and hang out

BigRuss, we're not much for modern art so the Tate Modern will likely go.

This is really helping me consolidate the reasons why I want to go to a particular sight. After a little more reaseach and a trip to Barnes and Noble, I'll be close to doing the itinerary--I hope!

nola77382

>>>>Hubby just said he'd be glad to find a put close to the b&b and hang out<<<

Obviously meant a puB close to the B&B; wish we could edit or that I could type better...

nola77382

Flanneruk, thanks for the website about Parliament. We won't be able to tour on the Saturday 9/10 because we arrive that day. It says overseas visitors can visit the Commitee sessions Monday-Thursday but does that allow us to see what you'd see on the Parliament tour (like Westminster Hall?)? I'm reading it as no so then is it still worth it to visit given we have such limited time in London? That's kinda what I meant by confusing... The good thing is that it's really close to the apartment so we could try to "pop in" any of our days esp. if the lines are short. Thanks!

Cathinjoetown

If you want to go in Buckingham Palace, you need advance tickets or you really will eat up a lot of your valuble time. The new Duchess' wedding dress goes on display today; 500,000 tickets have been sold. Given yout time constraints, I would give this a miss, as much as I personally would love to see the detail work on the dress. Doesn't look like anyone is allowed that close.

I love the National Portrait Gallery, 600 years of history of Britain on canvas. But, understand your predicamnt!

janisj

"<i>Doesn't look like anyone is allowed that close.</i>"

According to the account in the Telegraph - one is allowed w/i 8 feet of the wedding gown/veil and it is not behind glass. So pretty close actually.

But the point about advance tickets is important. The interest in the Royal Wedding has greatly increased the pre-purchase of tickets over the last few years.

If you really want to tour the Palace (and it is definitely worthwhile/interesting w/ or w/o the wedding gown) you should book ASAP.

Cathinjoetown

Okay, sort of close but not to see the handwork detail, which is what interests me. I would still go if I could.

jamikins

I have tickets for next Sunday so will try to remember to do a post about the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace...

nola77382

Thanks cathinjoetown n janisj. I was planning to book the tickets in advance but was trying to decide on what day of the week to go.

I figure Sunday will be busier than during the week and earlier in the day is best. But it seems Sunday would be the best day for us since as I thought to combine BP with a wander through Hyde Park Speaker's Corner, a stop at the Diana Fountain, Apsley House and Victoria and Albert. Maybe stop at Harrods since we like big European department stores but can easliy give it a pass.

Monday would be Westminster Abbey, Churchill Museum, Parliament (pass by most likely; no tour available when we're in town), St. Martin-in-the-Fields and National Gallery

Tuesday would be Tower of London, photos at Tower Bridge and climb Monument (if have the energy!), then tour St. Paul's before a walk across the Millenium Bridge to Tate Modern (quick tour, if any).

Wednesday would be British Library (King's Cross and St. Pancras for Harry Potter!), the British Museum and possibly the Courtault Gallery.

We're sadly nixing the Tate Britain and the Museum of London at this point. Also nixing the National Portrait Gallery, the Banqueting House, Shakespeare's Globe, London Eye, and Vinopolis.

Thoughts? Thanks!

janisj

every one of your days are over full IMO.

No time factored in for transport, a sit down, lunch -etc.

"<i>I thought to combine BP with a wander through Hyde Park Speaker's Corner, a stop at the Diana Fountain, Apsley House and Victoria and Albert. Maybe stop at Harrods </i>"

Even w/o Harrods -- this will be a full day w/ LOTS of walking. So it is doubtful you'd also have enough time for the Palace Tour.

"<i>I figure Sunday will be busier than during the week and earlier in the day is best.</i>"

It honestly makes no difference at all which day of the week you book the Palace. Entrance is exclusively via timed tickets. Same number of people are admitted on Wed as on Sunday. The ONLY slight difference is booking the first time slot of the day when there will be no one else ahead of you.

Just taking Monday for one example:

"<i>Monday would be Westminster Abbey, Churchill Museum, Parliament (pass by most likely; no tour available when we're in town), St. Martin-in-the-Fields and National Gallery</i>"

These are all near each other so that is good. But there are three major sites plus St Martins in the Field. Assuming you get inside Abbey right at 9:30 you won't be done until 11AM at the very earliest and 11:30 is more likely. The main church opens at 9:30 but the other parts of the Abbey don't open til 10:30.

So it is now nearly noon and you won't want to tackle another major site before having lunch -- otherwise you won't get to eat until 2 or 3PM ("Inn the Park" is a good place to eat - in St James's Park and near both the Abbey and the War Rooms)

Walk over to the Park and eat --probably close to an hour total. 1 PM-ish walk over to the Churchill Museum/Cabinet War Rooms. This one takes a lot longer than some would guess. At least 2 hours if one is at all interested (and if not interested, why go at all??)

So <i>maybe</i> you are done by 3:30 - If you sit down for a drink you will arrive at the Nat'l Gallery by maybe 4:30 - 4:00 if you just press on w/o a break. The Gallery closes at 6PM so you'll have less than 2 hours there. Then the kicker is ST Martin in the Fields is only open in the afternoons from 2:00- 6:00 (different hours on different days.

And you will have been on your feet on hard marble floors almost the entire day w/ only a break for lunch -- you will probably be exhausted.

janisj

>><i>every one of your days are over full IMO.</i><<

to be fair -- Tues isn't too bad IF you skip the Tate.

And the problem w/ Wed isn't too many sites really -- it is the 3 museums/galleries back to back to back w/ no respite. Your eyes will likely be crossing by the time you're finished.

nola77382

You're right, janisj; it's too much! We need another day in London! Or a year...

I am trying to put our "must see" sights first up in the day so we can see those for sure then we can do something else if we run out of energy/time. And eating and transport definitely affect that!

Alright, keeping Tuesday as is. Will work on the other days some more. May have to cut more things from the list--was thinking we did not need to see both the National Gallery and the Courtault. Diana Fountain is off the list--not that important to us. Victoria and Albert is teetering. I know hubby wants to spend hours at the British Museum, whereas I'm more interested in the Library so am trying to work that out. Yikes this is hard. There are so many awesome sights in London!

janisj

"<i>I know hubby wants to spend hours at the British Museum, whereas I'm more interested in the Library so am trying to work that out.</i>"

No need to fret about that. You can both get what you want. London is a perfectly safe place to wander solo--so you can start out at say the British Museum, then have a bite to eat in the Great Court. Hubby can press on while you walk (or jump on the tube) over to the British Library. Plan to meet up someplace for drinks -- or back at the hotel. easy peasy

"<i>Yikes this is hard. There are so many awesome sights in London!</i>"

Absolutely! So don't knock yourselves out trying to see/do everything. You'll be back again . . .

A good rule of thumb is two major sites in a day. One before lunch and one after - and sometimes you can do 'two-fers'. Like the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery are right next door to each other so you could squeeze them as sort of one big site. same w/ something like the Globe and Tate Modern -- right next door to each other. Those sorts of things

eastenderusvi

How far is the walk between the British Museum and the Library?

janisj

Maybe 3/4of a mile walking.

twk

If Parliament is in session while you are in town, look to see if they are having an evening sitting (probably will as they often go into the night). If so, you can probably do like I did, and go on a Monday night around 6:30. I had a very short wait to get in and at least got to see the Commons chamber and a little bit of the palace on the way to and from the entrance. The lines are long during the day, but, at least when I went for an evening sesssion, not so much at night. I found that it was well worth the time, especially if one is staying as close as it appears that you are (we stayed in a flat on the corner of Palmer and Petty France, so it was an easy walk over, but not as short as yours).

nola77382

Thanks twk for the suggestion. We are excited about being so close! Will definitely keep it in mind. I do want to get inside Parliament, if possible, and see the amazing rooms where so much history has been, and is being, made. It's kinda like going to DC and having to completely miss Capitol Hill... BTW, any suggestions for good food and drinks in the area?

I'm gonna skip Speaker's Corner since it's only on Sunday and is causing me grief timing wise. On Sunday I'm now thinking of British Museum and the British Library (and, obviously only if we have energy, the Courtault since it's open until 1800).

Also we are planning to do a Westminster Walk (Rick Steves) on Saturday afternoon/early evening, ending up at a pub for dinner before succumbing to jet lag (no earlier than 9 or 10pm!). We will be passing by Parliament Square on the walk so may not have to go back, unless we can tour it somehow.

I'm trying not to overthink this but still be smart and make the most of our time. Cheers!

nola77382

So this is what I've come up with. Some days seem busier than others! We may have to skip some sights later in the day if time and energy are depleted.

Saturday 9/10 Arrive 11:40. Late afternoon Westminster Walk (Rick Steves), photo stops at Parliament Square, by Downing Street, etc.

Sunday 9/11 British Museum; British Library; Courtault Gallery

Monday 9/12 Buckingham Palace; Apsley House; depending on time-Victoria and Albert

Tuesday 9/13 Tower of London; Tower Bridge; Monument; St. Paul’s Cathedral; Millenium Brige cross to Tate Modern (walk-by)

Wednesday 9/14 Westminster Abbey; Churchill Museum and War Rooms; if have time pop into the National Gallery and/or St. Martin-in-the-Fields

Thursday 9/15 check out, pick up rental and head to Goodwood for Revival on Friday and Saturday. Petworth is closed on Thursdays, any other suggestions for historic mansions/castles to see on way?

Thanks!!

janisj

Sorry -- but your Saturday really (REALLY) seems like a waste of time on your very short visit.

Why? Because it willput you in <u>exactly</u> the same neighborhood/places you will be walking through on Wed.

• Parliament Sq? -- that is the front yard of Westminster Abbey

• Downing Street -- you can literally see <i>nothing</i>. At one time you could walk right up to the fron door. Then they installed flimsy barricades. And now it is big heavy black iron fence/gate. All you will see is a police guard and other tourists asking "Myrna - Is that all there is??? Jeeze!"

• Horse Guards? You'll see them when you leave the Churchill Museum enroute to Trafalgar Sq/National Gallery.

Why not use that valuable time to see/do something else that really strikes your fancy (and do ditch that Rick Steves guide book )

nola77382

Janisj, we'll be starting from the apartment on Matthew Parker Street which is pretty close to the stuff on the Westminster Walk. I anticipate we won't be ready to leave the apartment until 3pm. Just figured we'd be jet lagged and it would be an easy way to get a taste of London while not hopping on the tube or a bus right away. Open to other suggestions, though.

And no worries, I'm off to the bookstore tomorrow for another guidebook Which one do Fodorites like best for London?

janisj

I understood that -- that you were staying nearby. But still you have sooooo little time in London. You don't have to plan a walk in that neighborhood - you are right THERE. So when you walk home in the evening -- you'll see it. When you go out in the morning, you'll see it. When you walk to the Abbey, War Rooms, Westminster tube station, anywhere, you'll see it.

If you want to do something non-strenuous that day -- how about walking over to Westminster Pier and taking a boat ride down the Thames and back? Or walk across Westminster Bridge and along the Southbank?

Or take a tube ride (no changes to mess up ) to High Street Kensington and wander through Kensington Gardens and see Kens Palace. You don't need to go inside, but the sunken Garden is beautiful and you can stop for tea at the Orangery.