3 days in London- top things to see???

Here is what I saw in about the same amount of time (3 nights, 2 full days, and 2 bits of days):

(Copied from my response in another thread.)

Oxford Circus, Picadillly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Carnaby Street (did some shopping), Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, a tower built by Christopher Wren to commemorate fire victims, The Tower of London (including touring the Crown jewels), the Tower Bridge, a show (Billy Elliot), Hyde Park (including the Victoria and Albert monument and the Peter Pan statue), Kensington Palace (was open for a special exhibit--pre Will and Kate), the London Eye (rode it), and Abbey Road, as well as doing a bit of other wandering around. I stayed fairly near Hyde Park (close to Paddington Station) and used public transit and walking.

Hard to tell without knowing more about your interests. My tops would be the Tower, Westminster Abbey, the river boat ride between the above, the National Gallery, St. Paul's, the British Museum (primarily the Rosetta Stone and Parthenon sculptures), the Churchill War Rooms, and the Sherlock Holmes Museum (the last admittedly an idiosyncracy). Plus strolling and pubs. I think those could all be done in three busy days. But your interests might be different, like Harry Potter or the Beatles or Changing of the Guard. Check out the links to London on the "Explore Europe" part of this website and see what RS recommends.

No need for a tour, although London Walks can show you a lot of specific areas that might interest you. Use the tube and buses to get around, easy and fun, from Kensington or anywhere else. An Oyster Card will get you the lowest possible fares each day. Have fun and next time stay longer!

BB has a great list I would recommend St Paul's Cathedral and the British Museum. Westminster Abbey is a must.

Thanks for all the very helpful tips and great info!!! To answer your question I'm arriving next Saturday early morning and leaving early Tuesday morning staying in Kensington and I love art/ museums, history, music, architecture, great food, love nature- outdoorsy things. I'm not into Harry Potter but the Sherlock Holmes tour sounds fun :) Thanks so much!!!!

One place I would not bother going unless you want to spend a couple of hours in the Museum of London is the London Wall / Barbican Centre area. I had been there years ago and was fascinated by the small segment of old Roman wall visible outdoors. Well, it is still there but surrounded by a very modern built-up area and (a year ago) very noisy chaotic construction site. The construction may be finished by now, but it's not an enjoyable place to stroll around. Inside the museum I'm sure it is still great, if you are interested in the Roman history and early origins of London.

OK, here's the link for the Sherlock Holmes Museum. It's not a tour but a "reconstruction" of his fictitious lodgings on Baker Street. Fun for an hour or two. But I'd call it definitely a second-tier sight unless you're a really big Holmes fan, which I was about 60 years ago.

Best of London in 3 days

Day #1
Houses of Parliament (Big Ben)
Westminster Abbey
Churchill War Rooms
Trafalgar Square
National Gallery

Day #2
Buckingham Palace
St James's Park & Green Park
Piccadilly Circus
Covent Garden
British Museum

Day #3
Tower of London
Tower Bridge
St Pauls Cathedral
Shakespeare's Globe
Tate Modern

The Museum of London is relocating from the Barbican / London Wall to Smithfield Market. As they say, the present location 'has a number of problems, including a failing building, entrances that are difficult to access, and a site that is hard to find'.

Still a while to go though - the new building isn't planned to open until 2021.

This is awesome. Thanks very much! Is the 3 day iternerary suggested all walkable or should I plan on mapping this out with a train or bus there? If so is there an app in London that you suggest?
What do you think of doing the hop on and off bus to see some of these things while I am there or is there a flat pass I can get? Thank you!!!!

Day #1
Walk the length of Whitehall from Houses of Parliament (Big Ben) to Trafalgar Square.

Day #2
From Green Park walk along Piccadilly to Piccadilly Circus, then through Leicester Square to Covent Garden. Take Piccadilly Line Tube to Russell Square for the British Museum.

Day #3
Red bus #15 from the Tower of London to St Pauls Cathedral, then walk over the Millenium Bridge to Shakespeare's Globe & Tate Modern.

I love art/ museums, history, music, architecture, great food, love nature- outdoorsy things. I'm not into Harry Potter but the Sherlock Holmes tour sounds fun

Based on your stated interests here is my list for you:

• Day one: British Museum - spend at least a half day there in the morning. Lunch at St. Martin-in-the-Fields crypt in Trafalgar Sq. Walk down to Westminster and tour the Abbey and check out Parliament. Cross the Thames for a ride in the London Eye at sunset (book early to get the time you want).
• Day two: Check tide tables and plan a visit to the banks of the Thames for beach combing near the Tower of London. When you've collected enough clay pipes and pottery pieces tour the Tower. Grab lunch anywhere nearby then walk down the banks of the Thames to St Paul and climb the dome to the top. Next cross the Millennium bridge to the Tate Modern. Spend as much time as you'd like. If you have any daylight hours left visit the nearby Globe Theatre (or better catch an evening show).
• Day three: If the weather permits head to Kew Gardens. You could easily spend 3/4 of the day here. Spend the remainder of you day in a pub.

My 2 p,

DJ

Thanks so much!!! I can't wait!!!