Apsley House, Buckingham Palace, Speaker's Corner, Victoria and Albert Museum

Posted by jntmjt1 on 07/29/19 03:32 PM

Hello,
I am trying to plan our Sunday, August 11 itinerary to include experiencing Speaker's Corner in Hyde Park.
9:45 - 12:15 PM Buckingham Palace tour
Grab lunch (any suggestions for something super fast?)
13 minute walk to Apsley House
1-2:30 PM Apsley House (how long should I plan for this?)
26 minute walk to V & A
3 - 4:30 PM Victoria and Albert Museum (V & A)
30 minute walk to Speaker's Corner
5 - 6:30 PM Speaker's Corner (How late do speakers stay? Will we miss the action if we arrive this late?)

Is this schedule feasible? Or, will we have to stand in long lines even with advanced tickets (that will interfere with the schedule)? If yes, any suggestions about the lineup? Is the Aspley House worth the 27 pounds for the family tour? Is it better to go to Speaker's Corner earlier? Are any of these a waste of time?
Thank you very much for your time.

Posted by JC

Portsmouth

07/29/19 04:54 PM

5557 posts

Is this schedule feasible?

Of course it's feasible but if the question is....is it recommended? then I would say "no". 1 1/2 hours for the V&A museum? I don't see the point in going for such a brief period.

I've never been to Speaker's Corner, it's not something that's held an attraction for me, full of religious zealots preaching to all and sundry rather than an exchange of opinions as it used to be.

Posted by Pam

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA

07/29/19 07:45 PM

14863 posts

How interested are you in the Duke of Wellington?

I finally worked my way down my To-Do list for London and went to Apsley House on about my 12th trip. It was interesting to me but I like novels set in the Regency era which was his time frame. I’d not say it’s a top tier sight for a first visit. I’m not sure kids would be interested especially after having just spent time in Buckingham Palace.

I agree that 1.5 hours is not enough for V&A and suggest you use your time there instead of Apsley House.

I’d head from Buckingham Palace towards Victoria Station where there are a plethora of eating places in the surrounding area, then hop on the Circle or District Line to South Kensington tube stop for V&A.

No opinion on Hyde Park Corner. Went by there in the 80’s and don’t need to go back.

Posted by jntmjt1 OP

07/29/19 08:28 PM

7 posts

Thank you so much for the replies! Based on the advice, I think we will skip the Aspley House and spend more time at the V & A Museum.

I thought that we and our teenage children would find the Speaker's Corner interesting... since this is not done in our part of the world (the closest thing is perhaps online posts via Facebook). :-)

Thanks again!

Posted by Mike J

London, England.

07/29/19 08:33 PM

662 posts

Speakers corner wraps up around lunch i think.

Posted by Laura

Virginia, USA

07/29/19 11:24 PM

5868 posts

I too was underwhelmed by Apsley House. If you really want to visit a grand home, Spencer House is only open on Sundays by tour. I much preferred this to Apsley House.
https://www.spencerhouse.co.uk/

However, I think your plan to spend more time in the V&A a good one.

With regard to grabbing lunch, there are quite a few restaurants on Exhibition Rd near the V&A if you want to sit down for a casual meal. If you just want to grab a sandwich, there is a Pret across the street from the South Kensington tube station on Old Brompton Rd.