Final Itinerary - Does This Make Sense?

Wow! Quite a full - and obviously well researched! - itinerary!

There will be sooooo many replies here that I will just drop a couple of things:

Day 2: you said you don’t care about high-end shopping, but if you enjoy architecture and are in Soho/Carnaby Street it would be a shame to not at least pop in and look at the amazing beauty of Liberty London. It is just GORGEOUS.

Also, if you are at Liberty and want lunch, The Golden Union (38 Poland Street) is the best chippie in London, hands down.

Trying to do justice to the British Museum the afternoon of that day seems like a stretch. It’s a LOT. The place is chockablock with eye-popping treasures.

Day 5: similarly, trying to visit the V&A and the Natural History Museum on the same day seems like you will shortchange both. I’d frankly pick one or the other.

Pub recommendation in Chelsea: the King’s Arms, at 190 Fulham Road. It’s unassuming, charming, and friendly. (Full disclosure: it is my husband’s local.) There are 2 or 3 nice charity shops within a couple of blocks, and the area is very “low-key neighbourhood” and non-touristy, with cute shops and very pretty side streets to explore.

Hope you have a ball! :-)

Looks well-planned, too busy for me but you obviously have more energy. I like the alternation of sightseeing days and shopping-oriented days. The boat ride is a good way to get to the Tower. I don't think you need a timed ticket for St. Paul's, but it's been awhile for me.

I agree about the V&A plus Natural History Museum. Unless there's something in particular you want to see at the NHM, I'd say skip that and focus on the V&A. In general, natural history museums tend to resemble each other wherever you go, while the V&A is more unique.

I definitley agree with going to have a look in Liberty's on Regent Street. The building itself is so completely different to any of the other department stores. Their fabrics are wonderful to look at, even if you don't buy anything.

Remember that entrance to the museums you are planning is free so there is no pressure to see as much as possible when you go. You might prefer to spend an hour or so and plan to come back another day if still interested.

I would do the British Museum earlier in day 2 - that gives you the chance to stay longer if you want as the rest of what you're doing is close to your accommodation,modation so could be done at any time. And the likelihood is that the Covent Garden entertainers are likely to be more in the afternoon.

You have 2 days which are essentially just wandering around. That's fine and you have said that's what you like to do but for me I would get out of Central London for one of them. Many will suggest a trip out to Hampton Court but for me a day in Greenwich is better. It's perfectly possible to just chill and wander there to great effect but there are also a series of world class places to visit there as well. You can just pop in to the Painted Hall just to be gobsmacked. Or stand on the meridian line and/or the Royal Observatory.. Or see the National Maritime Museum. Or the Cutty Sark. Or none of them and just hang out in the market (both craft and food) or a series of fine pubs.If you were to do that I would get there one way by boat maybe at the expense of your other shorter boat trips.

Drilling down to fine detail - Day 3 afternoon. St Paul's Cathedral. Looking at the booking system even tomorrow (in the peak of the season) and all week there is no lack of availability.

In any event last entry is at 4pm, to close at 4.30pm ready for evensong. So I think you want to swop the Shard and St Paul's around. If you do opt to pre book then you are booking a time slot- 10 to 12, 12 to 2 and 2 to 4, so can enter at any time within that two hour period. Thus you don't have to rush lunch to be there by exactly 2pm.

Well researched. Been a London visitor since 1972.

Have a few possible forays to consider.

Day 1
Cafe in the Crypt or Two Chairman pub for lunch
Also best to booked times entry to the Churchill War Rooms ( they are extremely popular )

Day 2 Consider having lunch in Chinatown

You want architecture? How about the dichotomy of old and new? Visit the Blackfriars pub. Tube to Blackfriars station and walk across the rode to the pub. Later after a pint and meal walk across Blackfriar’s Bridge.

OR visit St Mary’s Axe ( The Gherkin ) and then walk over to Leadenhall Market and visit the Lloyd’s building.

OR enjoy all the new architecture near the O2. Take the tube to the North Greenwich station. Then stroll around the Peninsula Square buildings. Head towards the pier.

Covent Garden to Westminster is about a 20 minute walk; don’t bother with the tube as it’s not a direct connection. Save the money and enjoy the surface sights. Pass through Trafapgar Square, walk down Whitehall and you’ll see Horseguards and pass right by the gates of Downing Street.