Hello!! We have a layover in London for around 52 hours ( visiting from the US) in July. We LOVE nature and mountains/ hills, so can you all please share/ recommend some tours? We don’t want to drive. Also our flight arrives at Heathrow Thursday morning and departs from LTN Saturday afternoon, so please do recommend places to stay that are accessible for the tours.
Thanks in advance!
PS- we plan on doing another trip later in the year as well, but would like to get a taste of!
Appreciate your help!!
Posted by
Land of La
9531 posts
So where are you staying?
RS tours aren’t available for single days. Not sure why you thought that.
As an individual who has explored London since Nixon was President here’s my advice.
Book at room at the Paddington Premiere Inn. From Heathrow take the Elizabeth Line to Paddington station. Walk to PI, check in, drop off luggage.
Walk from there over to and into Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens at the Serpentine. Get some coffee.
If you turn right into the park you’ll head towards the Round Pond and Kensington Palace. If you walk adjacent to the Serpentine and under the over pass you end up at Hyde Park Corner. You’ll also walk by the statue of Peter Pan and past the Princess Diana Memorial.
If you want to see the Houses of Parliament, Elizabeth’s tower with the Big Ben Bell, Westminster Abbey and Tower Bridge use the London Undeground. From Paddington Station take a Circle Line train to Westminster and exit.
Posted by
SE Pennsylvania
2868 posts
I'm not sure nature and mountains are feasible during a short time in London, but see if any of these Rabbies tours suit you.
https://www.rabbies.com/en/england-tours/from-london/day-tours
Posted by
FL USA
1585 posts
I am going to provide you with a challenge worthy of your love for nature……..
Explore the parks London and nearby areas have to offer. I think you will be astounded by Hyde Park, Kew Gardens, walking along the Thames and so many other options to explore.
Posted by
Massachusetts
1321 posts
Go to Richmond Park https://www.royalparks.org.uk/visit/parks/richmond-park
Visit Little Venice and walk along Regent’s Canal
See if any of the London Walks tours interest you https://www.walks.com/
Posted by
Chicago
142 posts
Spend a day in Hampstead, walk the Heath with viewpoints overlooking the city, lunch at one of the many good pubs or restaurants, maybe visit Kenwood House and stroll around the lake.
Posted by
Portsmouth
5637 posts
RS tours aren’t available for single days. Not sure why you thought that.
I think the OP was referring to guided tours in general not RS tours.
Posted by
Bellingham, WA
838 posts
I just came from a short stay in London. I had planned to do the treetop walk at Kew Gardens, but it was far too cold and windy to be up that high on the day I had available to do it. https://www.kew.org/kew-gardens/whats-in-the-gardens/treetop-walkway
Posted by
London
311 posts
I agree with the Hampstead Heath recommendation, if you are interested in nature that would be my top spot in London. If you plan to do that I would stay in north London and/or on the Northern line. Of course you may also want to plan a bad weather (indoor) option as well, since even in July the weather here can be unpredictable.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you all!! I’m so appreciative of everyone who replied. Will look into all these things!
Posted by
Land of La
9531 posts
One of my favorite things about London are the different neighborhoods and wonderful parks.
Explore the Parkland Walk, Holland Park, Hampstead Heath and Kenwood House, Richmond Park, Walthamstow Wetlands, and Greenwich Park with a climb to the Observatory,