Heading to London Next Week

Go have coffee and a cup cake at the ever popular Peggy Porschen Cafe or if feeling strong enough amble over to the cafe at The Royal Hospital at Chelsea. Could meander into their gift shop.

Important note.

National Express have lost their website this week, for reasons unknown. This has been going on for almost a week.

Today they have put up a new, possibly temporary website https://ww2.nationalexpress.com

There are reports tonight, unconfirmed, that existing bookings may not currently be available to access on the new site.

If you have some time near Victoria station, visit the beautiful Westminster Cathedral! It has lovely tile work and is one of my favourite churches in London.

Safe travels and do let us know if you need any help while on your trip!

You are probably aware Victoria Coach station and Victoria Station are two different facilities, a block or two, or a few, from each other, depending which entrance of Victoria Station you come out of.

There is however much more to do in Victoria station, the coach station is somewhat basic. There are a few pubs around the area, as someone said, Westminster around the corner, a couple gardens/parks nearby, but nothing great.

Victoria Coach Station is two separate facilities across the street from each other, the arrivals hall and the departures station. Also next to the arrivals hall is the rather nice Eccleston Yards with several restaurants/cafes and garden areas- a very nice place to while away time before catching a coach (or indeed if not at all catching a coach).

Bon voyage! Have a lovely, lovely trip, and looking forward to reading your trip report!

Bostonphil, I’ve always enjoyed your contributions to the forum and wish you a very pleasant trip to London. What occurs to me not too far from Victoria Station is the National Army Museum in Chelsea. Even if you don’t have a strong interest in military history, it’s so much a part of Britain’s past, and this museum is really well done, and admission is free. Their website says it’s a a 20 minute walk from Victoria, which I think is optimistic and you probably don’t want to do that as I think you’re a senior citizen, but it’s a shorter walk (10-15) from Sloane Square tube, or the website says the 170 bus will go straight from Victoria to the museum, or it probably wouldn’t be too unreasonable a cab fare.

isn31c

safari would not allow me to access the temporary website

Later I will try using chrome. Safari can be overly protective.

Thank you for letting me know

Thank you to everyone for your suggestions and input

I am aware that Victoria Station and Victoria Coach Station are different stations. I though that I might explore Victoria Station and then walk over to Victoria Coach Station when it is time for my friend to arrive.

I agree with Cat VH: Westminster Cathedral (different from Westminster Abbey) is really gorgeous.

Go for a pint (or non alcoholic drink of your choice). The Cask and Glass or the Plumbers Arms are great little spots.

thanks to everyone for their suggestions on what to do while I wait on my friend.

I especially like Westminster Cathedral. Good Maps tells me that it is a 6 minute walk from Victoria Station. Probably more like 20 minutes for me.

I am planning on a leisurely first full day. After breakfast, will take a slow and relaxed walk to Victoria Station where I plan to stop at Visitors Information. And explore Victoria Station.

Then if there is enough time, I might head towards Westminster Cathedral until it is close to time to head to Victoria Coach Station. I want to get there before her coach arrives.

I was actually hoping to be able to see Westminster Cathedral. I love magnificent churches and cathedrals.

I have been to Victoria Coach Station when I took National Express to Southampton for my cruise three years ago.

And I will be taking National Express from Heathrow to Victoria Coach Station the day before so I should have some familiarity with Victoria Coach Station.