Thoughts on London Itinerary
#21
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Thank you for the suggestions. It's actually not our first trip to London, and have visited the Tate Modern before, as well as a bunch of places not mentioned. My daughter isn't interested in that museum nor the London Eye, but those are great suggestions if we find that we have more time and we change our mind. The Borough market is on the list for lunch if we can make it work.
#23


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Thank you for the suggestions. It's actually not our first trip to London, and have visited the Tate Modern before, as well as a bunch of places not mentioned. My daughter isn't interested in that museum nor the London Eye, but those are great suggestions if we find that we have more time and we change our mind. The Borough market is on the list for lunch if we can make it work. 

#24



Joined: Oct 2005
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Aah, I completely understand. Another suggestion is Clerkenwell or Shoreditch are fun place with lots of young people (not sure how old your daughter is). I’m on way to London in May and like you have visited many times, so our 3 day weekend there is more about eating and wandering the streets. I did just buy tickets for the David Hockney show and I may trek over to the V&A museum which is one of my favorite places in London. We’re staying in Convent Garden so I can have easy access to those aforementioned restaurants!
I'm going to the David Hockney at the Lighthroom too, on May 22, and sometime on the 21st the Donatello exhibition at the V&A
#26
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Thank you! We will definitely try to do that. We've been before, but never taken the verger tour. I I'm planning on booking advanced timed entry online before we arrive, so is the verger tour something that I can add/book ahead of time? Any tips on how to do this would be appreciated.
Last edited by kimberlyb; Apr 30th, 2023 at 08:04 AM.
#27



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The Abbey's website has all the info one needs . . . https://www.westminster-abbey.org/visit-us/guided-tours
#28
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The Abbey's website has all the info one needs . . . https://www.westminster-abbey.org/visit-us/guided-tours
#30



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If you take the Verger's tour you could dispense with the audio guide but you will still want to see the parts of the Abbey the tour doesn't cover. Since the audio guide is free and included with admission I'd take it anyway - it will explain what you are seeing when the verger isn't there to tell you 
I saw the BIG Hockney exhibition at Tate Britain in 2017 and another at the Royal Academy a couple of years before that. I've been following the development of this show and it looks fascinating.

I saw the BIG Hockney exhibition at Tate Britain in 2017 and another at the Royal Academy a couple of years before that. I've been following the development of this show and it looks fascinating.
#31
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If you take the Verger's tour you could dispense with the audio guide but you will still want to see the parts of the Abbey the tour doesn't cover. Since the audio guide is free and included with admission I'd take it anyway - it will explain what you are seeing when the verger isn't there to tell you 
I saw the BIG Hockney exhibition at Tate Britain in 2017 and another at the Royal Academy a couple of years before that. I've been following the development of this show and it looks fascinating.

I saw the BIG Hockney exhibition at Tate Britain in 2017 and another at the Royal Academy a couple of years before that. I've been following the development of this show and it looks fascinating.
#32



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Don't absolutely 100% count on taking a Vergers Tour. They are limited in size and totally 1st come 1st serve. Sometimes there are 30 or 40 people expecting to take the tour - but they only give out 20 tickets. Tours are given 4X a day (but can occasionally be cancelled). A complication is - you pretty much need to be there at or soon after the 9:30 opening time (by 10:AM for sure IME) to to have nab the first morning tour - but the first tour isn't until 10:30 -- then 11:00, 11:30 and 2PM
If you do get at tour I'd think maybe another 45 minutes or so to see the Cloisters, Pyx Chamber and the Chapter House. More if you also visit the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries (additional ticket).
Caveat -- It has been at least 6 years since I last did a vergers tour and things could be tougher now - or not . . .
If it was me -- I'd just assume I would not get a Vergers tours and be thrilled if I was successful.
If you do get at tour I'd think maybe another 45 minutes or so to see the Cloisters, Pyx Chamber and the Chapter House. More if you also visit the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries (additional ticket).
Caveat -- It has been at least 6 years since I last did a vergers tour and things could be tougher now - or not . . .
If it was me -- I'd just assume I would not get a Vergers tours and be thrilled if I was successful.
#33
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Don't absolutely 100% count on taking a Vergers Tour. They are limited in size and totally 1st come 1st serve. Sometimes there are 30 or 40 people expecting to take the tour - but they only give out 20 tickets. Tours are given 4X a day (but can occasionally be cancelled). A complication is - you pretty much need to be there at or soon after the 9:30 opening time (by 10:AM for sure IME) to to have nab the first morning tour - but the first tour isn't until 10:30 -- then 11:00, 11:30 and 2PM
If you do get at tour I'd think maybe another 45 minutes or so to see the Cloisters, Pyx Chamber and the Chapter House. More if you also visit the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries (additional ticket).
Caveat -- It has been at least 6 years since I last did a vergers tour and things could be tougher now - or not . . .
If it was me -- I'd just assume I would not get a Vergers tours and be thrilled if I was successful.
If you do get at tour I'd think maybe another 45 minutes or so to see the Cloisters, Pyx Chamber and the Chapter House. More if you also visit the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries (additional ticket).
Caveat -- It has been at least 6 years since I last did a vergers tour and things could be tougher now - or not . . .
If it was me -- I'd just assume I would not get a Vergers tours and be thrilled if I was successful.
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