I am stopping over in London for one late afternoon and evening en route back from Italy to Los Angeles. Will be staying around Gatwick Airport. Any suggestions on what to do late afternoon, evening? Will be with my wife and son. Thanks.

David, this really depends on how late in the afternoon you arrive. If it's before 3pm, you can get the train from Gatwick to Victoria in a short time. When you get to Victoria you can hop onto a tour bus (see some of the sights from outside) get a whirlwind tour of London, you can have dinner, see a show. Check the train schedule and make certain you can get a late train back, if not it's worth the price of a taxi.

I'm arriving 2:30 p.m. Depending how long to get luggage and get to hotel (near Gatwick), would assume get to hotel around 3:30 p.m. I like the idea of the tourbus of London just to see it since we're there. My 11-year old son will be with my wife and me.

DavidK: Unless your flight out is at 6AM I would not stay near Gatwick. Instead I would sty in London - preferably near Victoria ststion. <BR><BR>That would maximize your time in London. Arrive at LGW, take the express train to Victoria and check into your hotel. Then catch the double decker sightseeing bus and ride it for an hour or so - or get off near any major site you want to visit. Then you could walk along the south bank from the Globe to Tate Modern to the London Eye, across the river at Westminster Bridge to Big Ben and then either over to B'ham Palace or up Whitehall to Trafalgar square.<BR><BR>If your hotel is close to Victoria you will only be 5 minutes from the train back to LGW in the morning - and you can check your bags through from the station.

We arrive at Gatwick 2:30 p.m Friday and depart 10:30 a.m. Saturday. That's why I was thinking it would be easier to stay near airport, take train to city, spend afternoon/evening, and come back to hotel.

Hello, last month I stayed about 20 mins. from Victoria station, I left my hotel at 6:45am by taxi to Victoria Station, took the gatwick express and was through security and sitting at my gate by 8:30am. <BR><BR> I think staying near Victoria is a good idea and very workable with a 10:30am flight. My flight out was at 10am. The main double decker tour bus stops are very near Victoria making it very convenient for you to check in to the hotel and get started right away. With it staying light out until late the last tour buses are still starting the last trip around until about 7pm so you could stop off at maybe one or two places briefly. Trafalgar square is an easy stop or maybe you could catch the London eye at dusk as your last hop off and taxi back. The bus is of course hop on hop off. If you decided to go to the theatre after the afternoon on the tourbus, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is spectacular with lots of children in the audience. It starts at 7:30pm. You could order tickets online before you left.

David, I posted the first reply to your message. I would suggest you spend the night at a hotel near Victoria Station I believe there is a very nice Thistle Hotel and some chain hotels (Quality Inn, Holiday Inns) that would allow 3 in a room near the station. This is only if your son can manage to be up at 6:00am and you can be out of the hotel by 6:30,7:00am. You can hop on the train to Gatwick, check-in, have breakfast and he can sleep on the way back to LA.

With a flight that late I would definitely stay in London. You wouldn't have to be on the train at Victoria until about 7:30 or so, and if you stay close by you could easily walk to the train in a few minutes. There is a Holiday Inn just outside the side door of Victoria. A two minute walk.

No matter where you stay (Gatwick or in London) you might consider The London Eye. It's a pleasant way to have another look at the city and is quite lovely at sunset.

ttt

Thank you for all of the suggestions.