Guided tours of London for grandmother/granddaughters trip

There may not be any part of London that’s truly off the beaten path, but for cool and somewhat less-visited sights, they should include the Banqueting House. Also, a canal boat ride through tunnels on the Regent’s Canal.

Rick Steves’ London guidebook lists three driver-guides:
Janine Barton (www.seeitinstyle.synthasite.com), Mike Dickson ([email protected]), and David Stubbs (www.londoncountrytours.co.uk). Rates will be at least £345 to almost £400 for a half day, more for longer.

Maybe you know this, but if walking wasn’t as challenging, the London Walks company could be a good resource. They list a lot of itineraries for places in and around London, and share intimate information about neighborhoods and places along the walks. They offer discounts for repeat customers. Check their Website (www.walks.com), but again, it might not be a possibility

How is your mother-in-law on stairs? I was reminded once again just how many stairs are involved in touring London. You may want to keep that in mind.

Several key places offer tours once you arrive. They should sign up for a verger’s tour as soon as they arrive at Westminster Abbey. The tour at the Tower of London meets just inside the entrance.

I’m not sure a car service would be that helpful. Buses may be easier than the tube and the city mapper app makes it easy. Uber is also very easy to use in London. It might be easier to just use an Uber to move from one major site to another than a car service.

She would like to book guided tours that will help skip lines at the major attractions

You can’t skip security lines.

She would like to take them to all the most important tourist sites

That would take 20 years,

hey hey jenny
will you be traveling with them? love the idea of twins, i am a twin and 18 minutes older than her. congrats mom
b-bakery.com
on a double decker red bus has a special queen's platinum jubilee tour around the city with sights of main attractions and landmarks along the route with afternoon tea and goodies served. book upper level seats to see all that london has to offer.
withlocals.com/ london
many different tours/activities to look at and what interests you all. how about "treasures of london: the royal family tour". it is a walking tour, i would contact whichever you decide about how far with walking
we took a taxi cab to abbey road to walk the sidewalk. it's in a neightborhood so be careful with walking crosswalk and we also had someone take picture of us and went into coffee shop for a drink and postcard.
streetsensations.co.uk/
list of the many street markets in london (i.pinimg.com/originals)
jasons.co.uk
a boat ride thru regents canal from little venice to camden lock. take a cab to 42 bloomfield road, near waterside cafe and have a relaxing boat ride down the canal. many people living on houseboats along the canal. some of us girls have knee/walking issues and the taxi cabs were our happy friends if need be.
walk thru regents street with many shops, piccadilly square with "free" entertainment, bring coins to donate to them.
we went to birdcage walk to see the horses and men riding them. buckingham palace gets really crazy, busy and crowded to watch
parade, just have lots of patience and long waits
at leicester square booth, theatre half price box office for theatre tickets (tickets.london/theatre-tickets) if you want to see a show
research what they want to see, skip lines is very different from security lines.
walking and roaming around, stop in a pub for something to eat or the many cafes/restaurants that are all around.
decide what they want to see, your twin girls can research too. hoping all enjoy
aloha

While I love Banqueting House, it is closed at this time.

https://www.hrp.org.uk/banqueting-house/#gs.0ha9on

18 year olds will like Portabello Road. Camden Lock and Brick Lane markets.

As far as off the beaten path or unique spots:
Emigrates Gondolas over Thames
Skygarden
Pub Lunches
Thames Bridge Experience
Mercado Mayfair
1/2 price ticket booth Leicester Square for same night theatre tickets
The shoe section at Selfridges
Visit Liberty
Evensong at St Brides
Carnaby Street
Walk along the Thames Path
Take a boat to the Tower of London
Walk along the Regents Canal path in Maide Vale to see the houseboats
Watch the Horse Guards mount up for the Changing of the Guard at the Horse Guards parade. Parade is Just past the entrance to the Churchill War Rooms bunkers.
Have cake and tea in the V & A museum or at the Booking Office in St Pancras station.
See the John C Ritblatt room in the British Libray then stroll over to Dishoom at Kings Cross.

We are in London now. We're an older couple who can walk a mile or less comfortably and are okay on steps. There have been many great suggestions on this forum, and we've had a ball. But I've learned a great deal about getting around (this is my second trip to London), and intend to write something somewhere with simply practical tips in detail.

Just noting a couple of things: high tea at The Wolesley (beside The Ritz); at least one great pub; staying near the center of activities; and most importantly for our age range: taking black cabs. We had a terrible Uber experience just last night (long story).

They will all probably enjoy the London Eye and/or a Thames cruise. Be sure to go to a show at The Globe!

Also, have your attractions tickets printed or downloaded in advance. I've been surprised at the attractions and areas between attractions that don't have wifi.

And - be sure to get tickets for the Queen's Jubilee exhibition on the second floor of Westminster Abbey: extraordinary!!

There's more, but Grandmother may appreciate these tips for a wonderful trip.

Marjie

Thank you so much for these terrific responses! These are all very helpful and I have forwarded on to my mother in law who is grateful for the advice. Good tip on the black cabs, Marjie, and I will definitely tell them to avoid Uber. I am really happy they all will have this time together.

I used to live in London, and I do not agree that the Canal Path from Camden to Little Venice is a highlight. A pleasant walk definitely, but there is much more to see walking from Borough Market along the Thames River. You can also easily take a train to see Hampstead Court Palace and a boat to Greenwich if they want to see those places. If you want off the Beaten Path, I suggest swimming in the bathing ponds in Hampstead Heath. Grab a picnic in Highgate or Hampstead and eat it on the Heath. You can also get the same view from the Eye by going for a drink in The Shard. We like the Willy Wonka Tea over some of the more famous high teas at the hotels.

Use buses/ Tube with your Oyster card as the back cabs can get expensive very quickly.

Just thought I would mention for fairness that my Uber experience in London was positive……