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4 days with mom

Hi folks! I am coming to London for 4 days (on our way to a Switzerland train vacation) with my older mom. She can get around, but slowly, so we can't rush around hitting all the sights. We have both been to London before, and are most interested in museums, plays/musicals, good food and general sightseeing. We don't need to squeeze every last tourist attraction in, but would rather move slowly and see a few great things. We are staying in South Kensington near Victoria and Albert Museum, and our trip is May 7-12. Any advice is much appreciated!

Amalie

Posted by
149 posts

I would suggest one of the hop on, hop off bus tours, which is one thing I am doing with my mom who has some mobility issues. It will give the ability to see a little more and just get off where you want. Also, a Thames Clipper ride down the river.

Posted by
1497 posts

I looked on line and found several different lunch cruises on the Thames. City Cruises seemed to get good reviews. They said that they do pickups from hotels. Maybe others on the Forum can make comments on this topic. It sounds like it could be a fun way to see London and environs from the Thames.

Posted by
5 posts

I never thought about a river cruise! What a nice idea. I will look online.

Posted by
14603 posts

How about the Wallace Collection if you haven't been to this museum? It's in an old mansion so it's smaller than V&A or National Gallery. IF I remember correctly there are places to sit as well in many of the galleries.

https://www.wallacecollection.org/

I like Sir John Soane's Museum but it's bigger and felt a bit more like a rabbit warren to me.

https://www.soane.org/

If you and she are in to the Napoleonic War/Duke of Wellington Alepsy House is a nice museum as well. (Well, I see their elevator is out of order so that might not work.)

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/apsley-house/

Posted by
638 posts

What museums have you already seen? There's so much at the British Museum that it's probably worth going back there. If you like boats take one of the river boats down to Greenwich (assuming you haven't been already) and spend the day. Or go upriver to Hampton Court Palace, http://wpsa.co.uk/index.asp

I'm dying to see the Temple of Mithras, but maybe that's just me: https://www.londonmithraeum.com/

Posted by
14603 posts

Marty! The Temple of Mithras is on my "to-do" list as well. I've not been able to work it in on my last 2 trips but I'll get there some day.

Posted by
9112 posts

Be sure to enjoy a cafe visit in the V & A after meandering about the collections.

Visit the Treasure Room at the British Library.

Check out the Fan Museum in Greenwich and enjoy afternoon tea there.

Visit the Cinema Museum.

Check to see what’s on at the Bridge Theatre which is next to the Beehive aka London’s City Hall.

Check the Royal Albert Hall, Wigmore Hall and Wilton’s Music Hall websites to see what’s on at each venue while you are in London.

And as you are staying S Kensington might as well explore Harrod’s Food Hall.

Posted by
5 posts

We have been to the British Museum, Tate Modern and Churchills war rooms. We have previously seen all of the big attractions, except the London Eye. We don't have much interest in Madame Tussauds, or other super-touristy sights. We'd like to concentrate on one area of the city at a time, rather than rush around. My mother is a retired choir teacher and would like to hear some choir music, perhaps in a church setting.

Thanks again,

Am

Posted by
983 posts

During the days you are in London there are three evening concerts at St Martin-in-the-Fields: Bach and Vivaldi, Bach Brandenburg Concertos, and the Fauré Requiem. It's an intimate space with wonderful acoustics. I've loved everything I've heard there. https://www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org/whats-on

Posted by
3411 posts

The Wallace Collection is just perfect! Hopefully you and your mom can enjoy a light lunch and a glass of wine in its beautiful courtyard.

Posted by
5 posts

Have added Wallace Collection to our list. Also, my mom LOVES Faures requiem, we are definitely going to that!

Am

Posted by
2389 posts

hey angela
you can look at b-bakery.com
they do an afternoon tea bus tour through streets of central london and enjoy a fun day
aloha