48 Hours Before Departure - Sanity Check, Please

Friday looks a bit overbooked. Remember, you have to get from place to place. My suggestion would be to get rid of one church or the Tower (see next suggestion).

Saturday: Though I am not sure on this, I suspect you will not be able to "snag" a reasonable spot to view the Trooping of the Colour. Consider avoiding the crowds entirely and either go to the Tower of London, or get out of town entirely and head for Hampton Court. You can be back in time to get to the British Library and maybe even the British Museum or National Gallery. The evening concert at St. Martin in the Fields is Bach by candlelight (Brandenburg Concerti); you can buy tickets online.

It seems you have put a lot of things into the two middle days in London, you might want to consider spreading them out a bit more evenly and gather them within easy walking distance of one another. I can't tell if you are a play goer, if you are, seriously consider taking in a play in a London theatre, it is well worth the time and money. No matter what and esp. if it is clear, the London Eye will be a very long wait for a long ride from an angle that won't make much sense on your first trip to London.

When all is said and done, Rick is right when he says you should plan with the knowledge that you'll be back. But, you also want to be sure to decide what is your absolute "I just see/do . . ." and be sure you do it. Prioritizing the other "must sees" will help if something unforeseen mandates a change in plans. Keep room in the plan for bits of wonder and surprise.

I'd disagree about missing the Trooping the Colour. Go for it. What's the worst thing that could happen? Sleep in and get to the Mall and find it too crowded for your liking? Then drop back and go to plan B.

What's the best that could happen? Perfect weather, a bonzer position with a clear view, and participating in a unique spectacle.

You can probably sleep in another day.

If the skies open as you wake up and the forecast was poor the night before, roll over and get another hour.

Thank you for your encouraging words, Nigel. Kathy, I agree about Trooping the Colour, but it is a plan that is easily scrapped if it doesn't work out. Friday is packed, but I was hoping to do the more popular venues on a weekday rather than a weekend - don't know if that makes any difference or not. Does it?

"Friday, June 12 - Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, dinner at The Swan at 5:00, performance at the Globe at 7:30 (tickets already purchased). We can drop St. Paul's, if necessary. Would like to do the Globe tour before dinner."

Move the Tower of London to the top of the morning. Get there when the gates open, otherwise it will be jammed. You will be amazed at what the crowd will be like by noon. It will take two hours, minimum, to see the Tower of London. See the jewels first. Then take the Beefeaters tour. Then allow time to just walk around.

Next, after lunch, move on to St. Paul's. It is not far away from the Tower. Both are in the same section of London, which is The City of London. Easy transportation; bus or tube. One hour minimum for St. Paul's, unless you walk to the top of the dome. Better view of the city than from the top of the London Eye!

Then move on to Westminster Abbey. In my opinion, two hour minimum here to see it. I personally could spend an afternoon here. However, if you just want a quick glance around, I guess you could do it in an hour. Walk across Westminster Bridge and you are on the riverbank, walk north, continue to follow the riverbank as it turns to the east, to The Globe Theatre.

"Saturday, June 13....suggestions for evening activities"

Look at the website for the London Walks Company. They have lots of great walking tours around London, day or evening. Special interests, neighborhood tours, ghost walks, etc. www.walks.com

Thank you, everyone! I realize that I was (and am) conflicted about my plans for London or i wouldn't have posted here - thank you for your responses - we're shifting things around. Clearly, four days in London is not sufficient, but we will be back!

in London, be prepared to pay, it was a surprise to us last year just how many things were very expensive to visit, churches etc.
by contrast we really enjoyed the british museum and british library, no fee, not too crowded and extremely interesting. we will be there again, in a few days time, and will be looking at things to do that aren't the big sights, as they are often over crowded.
we did the RS walking tour , on our phones, and it was great and free. give it a try if you have time.

Overall your trip looks amazing, and very well planned, i'd go with it as is. Just adapt as the situation demands, which you seem ready to do.

I imagine you'll find a spot around St. James's Park easy enough, might not be front row though.

The good news is... the weather for the next 10 days or so is starting to brighten up.

Hope you have a wonderful time and we are on standby to answer questions about trip two. :o)

Breathe, be flexible, visit the Tower when it opens, I'd drop St Paul's ( costly admittance) Saturday night do evensong at Westminster Abbey, or merely walk around, London is lovely at night, breathe, go with flow, see what you can, understand its summer time and tourists will be there en masse, On your first night walk or tube over to Parliament Square. You'll love seeing it at night. GREAT city, EMBRACE it but DON'T Rush yourselves! You'll be back!!! Bon Voyage!

Great advice from Claudia, who knoweth whereof she speaketh. Your London days would be too packed for me, but you may well be more energetic (like I was in the last century). Forsooth.

Just gettin' you in the mood for all that Shakespeare. ;-)

I agree, Tower of London first thing in the morning, you can save time by skipping the Crown Jewels unless they're really important to you. And don't short-shrift Westminster Abbey, there are few more historic places anywhere and it's beautiful besides.

Lots more of London, and the UK, to see when you return!

Thanks again! You're all so generous with your time and advice.