3 days in London next week...thoughts?

If you’re tired and jet lagged on arrival, walking around outside is a much better option than a museum - best to save museum-going for later, when you’re awake and adjusted to the time zone.

What is in Brussels that would appeal to the kids? I think it's a waste of time and money when you could be spending another day in London-unless you have friends or work there.

You might consider doing a London Walks tour on your arrival day rather than Rick's West End walk. Personally, I like being outdoors and having someone else doing the thinking. That is what we did when we arrived in London and it worked out well. By the time you drop your luggage and get some lunch you won't have as much time as you think.

We went to Westminster Abbey our second day. We were there probably about 10 and took a tour which was very worthwhile. But I have to tell you I dropped my tentative plans of going to the British Museum that afternoon. My husband was exhausted and really wanted to go back to our room. I did not. So we had a long lunch and then spent the afternoon outdoors walking through St. James Park which revived him. In other words, you might try to mix up indoor and outdoor activities on your second day.

A different day we also did a London Walks tour of the British Museum. It is large and this allowed us to hit the highlights.

Brussels I gave is part of a longer trip.

Your trip sounds fine but the first day, I'd be outdoors and not try to do any theater or sitting activities. I once feel asleep at a first-night play where I paid $90 for a ticket(it was something I wanted to see badly).

Dare I say, I liked Greenwich and the Royal Observatory and think it would be a better day out for the kids then Stonhenge. Not sure if boats to Greenwich are running but the DLR is pretty cool if you can get the first car.

The British Museum is more of a back up plan in case it's raining in arrival day.

Brussels...the older one has a project due on the country so we decided to visit. We'll be in Brussels, Antwerp, and Bruges.

Greenwich is definitely my preferred destination over Stonehenge but the boys really want to see it. I can cancel up to 24 hours in advance without penalty, so if the weather looks bad, we will skip Stonehenge.

Thanks for the market advice and the dining advice. I'll find a different casual dining option for night one.

We loved The Ivy Market Grill in Covent Garden .

Agree Spitafields and Brick Lane on Sunday. Far more interesting.

Forget the Eye unless the children insist.

There are a number of parks near the Palace. St James, Green Park and Hyde Park.

Going to suggest from your walk by the Palace that you do stroll over to Hyde Park. Walk under the Wellington Arch and then into the park at Hyde Park Corner. Walk along the path by the Serpentine and after you visit the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain head into Kensington gardens heading towards the Round PondKensington Palace is right there.

Walk over the Queensway tube take a District Line train to Bond Street. Then change to a Jubilee Line train to Westminster. 20 minutes.

Have you and your boys watched the Harry Potter movies? If yes on Sunday then do walk across Tower Bridge to the glass covered Leaden Hall Market Place to find the entry to the Leaky Cauldron.

I’d also check the Tower Bridge lift schedule.

Lastly, arrival day do not go the British Museum. Unless it’s pouring rain stay outside. Walk around Chinatown and the West End or walk through SoHo to visit Hamley’s Toy store.

I’d also walk a bit further and try The Cambridge pub.

Great city. Enjoy you quick visit!

In case you are not already aware, you need to pre-purchase tickets for the Churchill War Rooms. If you do not, you risk running into an extremely long line and possibly not getting in, or at least not getting in early enough to be able to take full advantage of it. It takes quite a lot of time to absorb the information in the Churchill Museum part of the complex.

The British Museum tends to be extra-crowded on rainy days, according to my London Walks guide. The Egyptian collection is the most overwhelmed area.

Hi jleonardi,

There are so many Chinese restaurants at Gerrard St where you have rented the apartment, you can see all on a review site like Tripadvisor but I will suggest you a nice cake shop which I found to have a great selection of bakery items, its close to the chinatown and is called Golden Gate Cake Shop and its addresses is 13 Macclesfield Street, W1D 5BR. Your kids will love it as well, so enjoy and thank me later :)

Friday night is going to be busy with after work drinkers, but towards Leicester Square and Charing Cross Road, many of the cafes and restaurants are geared up for quick pre-theatre diners, which may suit you if you are jet lagged. Of course, staying on Gerrard Street, Chinese is an option!

If the weather permits, try to walk and stay outside to overcome your jet lag, although it’s good to have a plan B. It’s been blowing a gale here for the past 36 hours, like last weekend and so far, it’s been the wettest winter that I can recall. The forecast is looking better for next weekend, but it doesn’t feel spring like! Be prepared!

A Sunday market that I enjoy is the Columbia Road flower market near Brick Lane, but it’s only held on Sunday mornings and it’s probably best if you head to the Tower of London for opening.

I also like the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden, which is a good wet weather activity.

It’s school half term holidays this week, so places will be busier than usual.

Got the cake shop in Chinatown noted. My younger son and I looked at pictures and he wants a pig shaped bun. ☺️

The Ivy and Cambridge Pub are on my list as well.

I will pre-order my tickets for The Churchill War Rooms today. There are still many times slots open.

We loved Borough Market. It is huge as was very busy in July— it should be less crowded for you. It has a fantastic selection and you can walk across the “Harry Potter” bridge from one of the movies (Millennium Bridge) to get there.

Maltby Street Market is smaller but wonderful. It has a great place for gin if you are interested: Little Bird Gin https://youtu.be/_n-MM61EGHw