What Needs Advance Booking in London
 

Will be going to London in Mid September. Have already booked our apartment and a couple of plays (Billy Elliot and Mary Poppins). Any special sightseeing/events that we should book in advance?

Any must do/must see recommendations?

Thank you in advance.

Monday night at Dennis Sever's House:

http://www.dennissevershouse.co.uk/

Depending on the date in September...book the Buckingham Palace tour..an incredible experience.

Ceremony of the Keys:

http://tinyurl.com/knpzn

Thanks for the advice! Just sent the letter for the Ceremony of the Keys. Hope its not too late as they asked for two months advance notice, but gave it a try anyway.

ParrotMom, which Buckingham Palace Tour do you recommend and how do I go about booking it? Thank you.

I think this is what she is talking about:

http://tinyurl.co.uk/rnjf

We toured the Palace in 2000 (before they opened the gardens as part of the tour), and were more amazed than we thought we would be by all of it.

Enjoy!
Annette

The tour of the Houses of Parliament is pretty amazing, as well.

Here's the link to tickets for that:

http://tinyurl.co.uk/dp67

I got tickets to see a session of the House of Commons. When I got there, they weren't in session for some reason but one of the guards let me into the House of Lords. I requested and picked up my tickets at the American Embassy. Inside Parliament was wonderful for me! (former history teacher)

MarchMadness, you will have no problem with the Ceremony of the Keys. I mailed mine two weeks ago and received the tickets a week later!

You might want to check out the Verger's Tour of Westminster Abbey. Here's a previous thread that discussed it:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34663529

Westminster Abbey's web site:
http://www.westminster-abbey.org/

For opening times, Verger tour times and reservations for individuals and families, and other visitor information.
Tel: +44 (0)20 7654 4900
Fax: +44 (0)20 7654 4894
E mail: [email protected]

Thank you. I'm glad that they didn't require the full two months advance notice.

Will look into the Verger Tour and check out Buckingham Palace.

Someone mentioned that the Beefeater Tour is very good at the Tower of London. Does the Ceremony of the Keys include any tour and admission?

The Beefeater (Yeoman Warder) tour is free (except for a small tip if you wish after the Chapel stop) and is during ther day.

The free Ceremony of the Keys is after the Tower is closed so you do not get any sort of "tour". Just about 30 mins assemb,ing, watching the ceremony, and filing out. However the Yoeman Warder who escorts you will give a short-ish narrative about the Tower and the ceremony. The Keys Ceremony isn't really a substitute for a paid admission to the Tower during the day - you should try to do both (not necessarily on the same day)

JanisJ, Thank you for the clarification! How did you fit both in with other stuff during your visit to London?

marchmadness: I've been to London many times (lived there for a few years too) - so that really isn't an issue for me. But it actually is easy to do both during a typical visit. The Tower is a "must" for most people - it is a morning through early afternoon thing. The Keys Ceremony is at night when most tourist attractions are closed - so it doesn't conflict w/ much.

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