Madam397

Wonderful trip report! Sounds like a wonderful trip for your family and you did get to see and do quite a lot with time to relax and enjoy. We also had a wonderful trip to Bruges several years ago but we had driven from Amsterdam which allowed us to stop in Antwerp to see the cathedral on our way to Bruges and a stop in the Hague on our way back to the airport in Amsterdam. My daughter and her boyfriend were just in London and Amsterdam during the Easter/Passover break and they also did the Eurostar as they were able to secure tickets at the Rijks for the Vermeer by checking every day and so they did shorten their time in London to do that. She had been there before and had been to the Anne Frank Haus but they were not able to get in this time around. I know that they will go back. She did send a lovely video of the Easter bells at Saint Paul's.

I am planning a London trip for October as haven't been in twenty years. Have previously been to the Tate Modern but never to the Tate itself so planning to do that as well as the National Portrait Gallery which just reopened after a three year renovation so the McCarthy exhibit will be a plus. Have been to the Tower of London twice so not planning to go again however last time we took a boat ride down the Thames from the Tower of London that went to Greenwich, lovely town and worth a day or an afternoon. Same of course with Bath. This time I am considering either train to Canterbury or Salisbury for a day trip. Always so much to see and do and this time also want to visit the Churchill War rooms.

Madam397

In Greenwich you can visit the start of the prime meridian at the Royal Observatory, pretty cool. There is also the Royal Palace where Queen Elizabeth 1 was born and lived growing up as well as the Maritime Museum.

Another fun day trip from London is Hampton Court Palace with incredible hedge maze. It is on the commuter train line that stops at Wimbeldon.