tuby

I'm wondering if anyone can recommend a tour company or private tour guide for Westminster Abbey and The Tower of London. (Any advice on choosing private over group or vice-versa would be greatly appreciated, as well.) Also, has anyone been on the "Jack the Ripper" walking tour? I am traveling with with my 18 year old daughter in September, and will be in London for just two days--our second time, but we have never been inside the Abbey ot the Tower. Thanks!

aprillilacs

We had a wonderful, informative tour that we signed up for in the Abbey, just inside the entrance, for a small fee. Our guide was great, and after the tour he recommended that we come back around 5 for Evensong, which we did. While we were standing in line, waiting to be seated, he spotted us and pulled us (two couples) out of the line, then took us to wonderful seats right next to the choir, which was singing at the service. It happened to be the one day a year that the Archbishop of Canterbury is invited to the church, and we were right there for all of the ceremony that was involved with that event. What a great experience! Have a wonderful time, and do try to attend Evensong.

dsm22

I so wish that I could have been to Evensong there. I am pretty sure I would have just laid down and died right there content. I am sure that it was beautiful.

We did both Westminster and Jack the Ripper tours through Evan Evans. I have used them 5 times for different tours and I was happy each time.

I know that they have a Discover London tour, but I did feel a tad rushed and did not feel like I got to see enough of the Tower. I skipped the changing of the guard and waled over to the beautiful park near by.

shandy

I wouldn't bother with looking for a tour company for either of these.

You can't beat the Verger's Tour of Westminister which is probably what aprililacs did. As she said, you sign up once you get inside. They were extremely informative, funny and allowed us to get into areas that the general publich were not allowed. We were lucky enough to have the verger organise for us to sit in the seats reserved for the High Commissioners of Canada, NZ, Australia and others for the service the following day. We had not asked for special treatment and had no idea we were going to be so honoured until he showed us our seats. Obviously, there was a large element of luck in being given such treatment, but no private tour guide or company could possibly arrange such a thing for you. It was one of the highlights of our trip, even for our three teeenagers.

For the Tower, a tour by a Beefeater is included in the price and is also excellent. Once again, this is their private stomping ground and they will know much more about it then a hired tour guide who knows a little about everything in London, but probably not any one place in huge depth.

tuby

Thank you for this information--I will take the advice given. My next question, then--is there a certain time of day when I'd need to arrive at Westminster Abbey? Do I need to get there first thing in the morning? (I will be there Sept 6 and 7, so maybe not in the busiest of the tourist season.) What about the Tower? Would either be OK to start after noon? Thanks again.

sarahkay

Hi - I did the Jack the Ripper walking tour about 2 months ago with the London Tour company and whilst the guide is obviously very knowlegeable, there is an awful lot to take in and the stories did become rather muddled - it doesn't help that you don't visit the sites in order due to their location. We went on a Saturday afternoon also and there must have been 50 of us in the group which I thought was too large. It may be quieter if you go during the week tho! Finally, there was quite a lot of very graphic detail - I was surprised at how gory the crimes actually were. If you like curry I would retrace your steps after the end of the walk and go back up to Brick Lane. Fantastic food!

Anonymous

At the Tower, the Yeoman Warder ("Beefeater&quot tours are included in the admission price and depart from near the entrance gate at frequent intervals -- about every half-hour in the summer, IIRC. They are excellent, and IMHO no private tour guide could beat them. They are informal, informative, and filled with gruesome humor.

I agree that the Verger's tours at Westminster Abbey are the best approach; you don't need to hire an outside guide here, either, though there is an extra fee. The vergers naturally can give an insider's tour and in our case even though our group was largish he took pains to find out about any special interests and address them. Check the Abbey's web site for schedules, since they vary day-to-day and there are occasionally special events that affect the regular schedule, too. You might be able to book in advance.

There have been other posts here complaining that the Ripper tour groups were so large that the guide couldn't be heard, and the neighbors do complain about the crowds. Perhaps since your visit is later in the season, the crowds won't be as bad.

sarahkay

Tuby - I've just been looking into some of ideas posted by the fodorites in response to my plea for help in entertaining guests, and I note that one of the suggestion are downloadable tours from a company called Bluebrolly.com. I havn't tried them myself, but one of the options is a Ripper tour - I guess you go on your own, so crowds won't be an issue. Cannot comment on quality tho. As they do one of Greenwich and this was also recommended we might give this a go at the weekend, so I can let you know how we get on!

Keith

When I visited Westminster Abbey, all of the Verger led tours were booked for the balance of the day. You van email them at [email protected] to reserve a place on the tours.

Keith

tuby

Thank you all so much! And I DO love Brick Lane. Any idea if restaurants there are open late (after the evening Ripper tour?) Or any recommendations for a specific restaurant?

sarahkay

Hi there - I have been to the Shampan a couple of times and the food has been fantastic. You can check out this link for other recommendations!
http://currypages.com/searchincity.a...eet=brick+lane
I'm not sure what time they close, but I would be surprised if it were before Midnight, so easily accessable after a Ripper Tour. Ooh, might have to have curry tonight now!

tuby

Thank you so much--I can hardly wait! We are going to see Ewan McGregor in "Guys and Dolls" on Wednesday night--any ideas for dinner before or after? Anyone been to OXO? Any recommendations in Covent Garden? (You are all so helpful that the questions just keep coming!)

Doke2

It's true!

Both the Abbey and The Tower have tours that are excellent!

As far as a time to get to the Abbey, I was concerned as well and got there 1/2 hour before opening during July 4th week and I was the only one there until it opened so I wouldn't worry about it.

The Tower is another story..it was jammed! if you can get an express ticket, it is well worth it.

I didn't do the Jack the Ripper tour but did go to the London Dungeon. Hokey but your daughter may like it.

Sarvowinner

We will be in London for two nights (29th & 30th December) en route to Tanzania. We would love to see Guys & Dolls with Ewan Macgregor. We are also looking at As You Desire Me with Bob Hoskin and Kirstin Scott Thomas.
I would appreciate any thoughts on how likely it is that stars will actually be on stage for performances in the week between Xmas & NYE?

tuby

I actually called the Piccadilly Theater and asked if Ewan was scheduled to perform on the night that we were purchasing our tickets for. Maybe you could do the same--call and ask if the understudies are scheduled to appear. They were really helpful on the phone--I think I just got the number from a website. (And I've been to the London Dungeon when my kids were young--it was hokey, but we had a lot of fun!)

Sarvowinner

Thanks Tuby

I will call the the theatre - I also posted a separate thread and got similar advice.