My husband and I, both retired but fairly active, will be staying at a Bloomsbury, London hotel June 14-16, 2024 as we finish our first self-driving trip of England. We will have to use local transportation. I know we want to visit several historical & cultural attractions such as Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, London Eye as well as enjoy high tea and a play at the West End. What suggestions do you have for visiting the most rewarding stops/places and recommended itinerary for the order and timing of those? Also, if you can help with information about which attractions need to be prearranged, we would really appreciate that. Finally, we also have the late afternoon and evening of June 4th at a hotel near Heathrow that we could also use to venture out and hope you will make suggestions for that as well.
Posted by
Land of La
8672 posts
Been going and staying London since 1972.
You are traveling in the height of the “ tourist “ season! London will be massively crowded. Be prepared for that reality.
Bloomsbury is a pleasant neighborhood near the British Museum and British Library. If you like looking for gifts check the gift shops in either place. I’ll always get key chains which have crowns, red phone boxes, black cabs or the iconic Elizabeth’s Tower. Practical gifts which take no luggage space.
Either use a tap debit or credit card to use the Underground or ride busses.
Both City Mapper and the www.tfl.gov.uk websites will help you negotiate public transport.
Do you have Google Maps? If yes then look at where you’ll be staying and find the closest Tube station, market, cafe, pharmacy, etc.
Yes prebook the Tower of London. Go early and head straight to the Crown Jewels. Don’t have to necessarily pre book the London Eye but do see if you can ride it at sunset or at night. Its not cheap but lovely enough views.
Tons of food options in London. Look for pub, restaurant or cafe sidewalk boards that advertise meal specials. Personally I like pub meals as it allows me time to rest a weary back and tired feet as I average 6 miles a day walking and exploring. Also provides access to a loo.
Visit Spitafields market, see the street art in Shoreditch, walk along the Thames Path, check lift times for Tower Bridge, and lastly, get the RS London Guidebook and read it. Very informative and practical intel that will assist you in planning an
itinerary for your stay.
From your Heathrow hotel go to Windsor Castle.
Posted by
Charleston & Birmingham
4322 posts
Fortnum and Mason tea-its expensive but if you get the savory one, it can be dinner.
Posted by
OP
GA USA
2 posts
Is that the Jubilee tea salon?
Posted by
Sacramento, CA
671 posts
I highly recommend booking a tour of Westminster Abbey through London Walks. We did that 10 years ago, and will be doing so again this fall. You can see the Abbey on your own, but the information from the tour guide was amazing. Pre-Covid, you just showed up at a designated place for London Walks tours, but I see now, at least for Westminster Abbey, you must book ahead.
Posted by
Los Angeles
4412 posts
If you want to see a whole lot of teas, the vlogger Hannah Ricketts (with or without her sister in tow) has been to just about every tea in town. And she's not shy about grading them - she and sis were surprisingly disappointed in her recent visit to a major name hotel (I'm blocking on the name but it's Ritz level).
She also talks about and visits a lot of tourist sites, the consensus these days seems to be that the Eye is not worth it. Do the Walkie Talkie or Shard instead.
Posted by
SoCal
321 posts
I'm a museum kind of guy, so I think the Victoria & Albert Museum (often shortened to V&A) shouldn't be missed. St. Christopher Place is a very happening kind of place that's probably more fun if you're not as old as I am. It's the small neighborhood right next to Selfridge's.
I've not yet visited the British Museum, but it's something we'll do this summer. Coincidentally, we'll be in London at the same time as the OP. Let's hope for dry weather!
Posted by
Land of La
8672 posts
Yes the Fortum & Mason tea spot is known as the
Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon.