We are heading to London in early December for five days my birthday. (Husband doesn’t like to leave the dog too long). I’m pretty excited. We’ve both been before but not together so we’re not seeing a lot of typical London sights. But we are going to visit places we haven’t been before. We’re flying nonstop on British Airways from Nashville to Heathrow. We are staying in Mayfair. The only thing we have planned the day we arrive is maybe the British Museum and dinner reservations. The next day the Churchill War Rooms (I’ve been, he hasn’t, but it ties in well with our planned itinerary) followed by a Beatles taxi tour. Supper at Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant in Mayfair. My husband is a huge fan of his. Wednesday we are headed to Salisbury where we will see the Salisbury Cathedral and spend the night at the Red Lion Inn. Early the next morning we will head to Stonehenge where we have tickets to walk among the stones. Then back to London where we have a free afternoon to fill. Maybe a trip to Spittalfields market and a tasting tour of the East End. I still salivate thinking about the bacon butty with tomato jam at St. John’s and fish and chips at Poppy’s. Not a guided tour, just places I’ve eaten before and love. The next day Bletchley Park. At some point I will fit in a trip to Fortnum and Mason which is near our hotel. Thinking Christmas crackers for his granddaughters…. The next day flying back to Nashville. I’ll update when we return but I’m pretty excited about our little itinerary.
Posted by
955 posts
Sounds like an absolutely beautiful time you have planned in London. The first time I visited London, my future in laws had rented a flat in Mayfair for a month; and we came over to visit! I was 25; newly engaged and visiting London for the first time. I thought I must be dreaming that this was my actual life!
Posted by
London
253 posts
Sounds like so much fun! I don’t want to rain on your parade but feel I should warn you, you can’t travel with Christmas crackers back to the US. I tried once and they confiscated them - they are classified as explosives. So I’d look for a different souvenirs for the granddaughters!
Posted by
Virginia
894 posts
Thinking Christmas crackers for his granddaughters….
Are his granddaughters traveling with y'all too, or are you thinking of bringing the Christmas Crackers home?
https://www.britishairways.com/content/information/baggage-essentials/liquids-and-restrictions
From BA --
Christmas crackers -- Festive crackers cannot be carried in your hand baggage as they contain a restricted substance. They must be packed into your checked baggage and put in the hold. They are also prohibited on all flights to and from the USA.
Posted by
London
253 posts
Great minds think alike VAP! I think this is clear from the BA guidance but for avoidance of doubt, I had them in my checked luggage when they were confiscated - they really don’t allow them at all on flights to the US whether in hand luggage or checked luggage.
Posted by
Bristol, UK
1431 posts
It may be that the weather has improved by the time you arrive, but I’d encourage you to be flexible about your plans and be prepared to make changes if you have to. Today there is widespread travel disruption on the railways in Southern England due to high winds. In winter it’s always a possibility that there will be issues of this sort.
Posted by
UK (London - Chelsea Harbour)
167 posts
Sounds wonderful! Good balance of places, not too much rushing around… so much fun!
Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant in Mayfair is still top notch, apparently… we’ve not been, but friends were there recently and raved. Spitalfields - yay! I’m there every week these days and never run out of food to try or things to want to buy. And walking among the stones at Stonehenge - a dream. I did it decades ago and it’s still one of my most vivid and treasured memories.
Only one note. Please do yourself a favor and DROP Poppy’s from your plans. I don’t know when you were there last, but these days, Poppy’s is coasting on fumes. (All locations.) Last time we went the fish was mediocre and I almost broke a tooth on the batter around my saveloy. It was also rammed with tourists who were being given that sort of faux Cockney rush job service that I hate.
For incredible fish and chips in a adorable spot between Liberty London and Carnaby Street, try The Golden Union, at 38 Poland Street. The batter is the lightest and crispest I’ve ever had - the fish is spectacularly fresh and the fillet is HUGE - and the portion of chips is very generous. Really premium! As for the place itself: the jukebox is free - the bathroom is clean and NOT down a rickety flight of steps to the drains-smelling basement, like so many restaurants in London - and the staff are lovely. No rush, no hustle. Yes, plenty of tourists, but that scammy feeling doesn’t exist at the Golden Union. I can’t say enough good things about it. :-)
Have a blast!!!!!
Posted by
OP
Collierville, Tennessee, USA
518 posts
Thank you to everyone for the information and tips. Looks like it’s crackers from Williams Sonoma then……
Posted by
Port Angeles
167 posts
It sounds like a wonderful itinerary, Sherry! We were in London a couple of months ago and did an East End food tour. My husband and I absolutely loved it! We actually had a great experience at Poppy's, along with so many other spots on the tour. Lots of great history from the guide as well. Weather might be an issue in December, though we had some drizzle and it was fine. From the food tour, we walked across the Tower Bridge and over to Butler's Wharf where we took a Thames River Sightseeing tour down to Greenwich (didn't disembark) and then back up to Westminster. It was our last day and such a lovely way to say good by to London!
Posted by
OP
Collierville, Tennessee, USA
518 posts
Thank you Sara. I was in London in December 2019 on a Rick Steves tour and we did the East End food tour. I loved it! I’m happy to hear that the East End Poppy’s is still good.
Posted by
Port Angeles
167 posts
Oh sorry, I didn't realize you had done that tour. It's still a good one! It sounds like a wonderfully festive time in London. Enjoy!