Help with London plans

Sharon---if you want to be certain of avoiding stairs, why not take the bus? The No. 11 goes from Victoria Coach Station and other stops in the Victoria area to both Westminster Abbey and Trafalgar Square.

We used the buses a lot during our three weeks in London last May. I much prefer them to the Tube--easy to board and you get views of the city. Plus it is less expensive. (Just don't try either one at rush hour.)

I would not suggest the bus for the Sky Garden or any destination around St. Paul's or the City of London, as the status alerts are showing road works that delay traffic in those areas significantly until October.

For Qs 1 and 2 why not take the no. 24 bus from Victoria? Gets you straight to both places.

https://tfl.gov.uk/bus/route/24/

For the Sky Garden you could take the Tube there and a taxi home, especially if you've had a few cheeky lemonades and are bit wobbly on your pins!

Seems to be unanimous.

It is now.

also, I'd make reservations at Sky Garden, if not go to one of the restaurants there, but check if you need reservations at the place you choose.

Thanks for all the good advise. In the past I've found the tube much easier to use than buses. But will certainly look up routes. I was on a bus last time , without one of those moving signs that shows stops and missed my stop. Some nice people helped me get a bus to my location.
As far as food: would like to take friends for a good Fish & Chips meal probably 20 pounds or less. We are staying near Victoria Station but wouldn't mind a different area.
I'll be in Covent Garden area, have eaten at Brown's there, someplace better?
I'd love a good cheese board & glass of wine.
Friends are interested in roof top Cafe or bar.
Really appreciate advise 😀
Sincerely,
Sharon

In 2011, I took advantage of great lunch menu deals at Michelin starred restaurants.
The Square in Mayfair
Gordon Ramsay's Petrus in Knightsbridge
Arbutus in Soho (now closed, but look for sister restaurant Wild Honey)
Food was superb, service outstanding and the value exceptional. In no way could my budget extend to places like these for dinner when a la carte only applies.

Thanks, I'll check them out!

From your description of your previous experience with the bus, it sounds like you just need a little help learning how to use them. The Transport for London site is great (tfl.co.uk) and will show you a map of the route together with a listof all the stops. Enlarge the map (zoom in) to see the exact location of the stop you want. Then ask for the reverse route and look carefully at the stop where younwill board the bus for your return---it will be different from the stop where you left the bus on your inbound trip. Note the letter of the stop so you can identify it easily.

Two routes that will get you to both Westminster Abbey and to Trafalgar Square are the 11 and the 24, so look at routes for both.

When we were there in May all the buses had the lighted signs displaying the stops, and most had audio announcements as well. Push the "stop requested" button after your desired stop appears on the sign.

You will need Oyster or Travelcards as you cannot buy tix from the driver.

Thanks, I'll Check out bus schedules !

I already have our Oyster cards !

Hi,
I thought of another question . Since some of you suggested taking buses instead of the Tube Was wondering if there is a bus route that goes on a similar route to the Hop on Hop off buses?
I have all our tube routes planned and thought I'd try to plan out a few bus routes.
Thanks ,
Sharon

Thanks,
I'm taking my iPhone this trip and have downloaded Citymapper app.
Will attempt to use buses, lol
Sharon

When we went to London two years ago, we ate every single meal at pubs. It was so easy & the food was really good too. We had bangers & mash at Princess Louise, fish & chips at a couple of different pubs, duck confit at The Ship, Sunday roast at the Ordinance near Abbey Road, etc. Pub grub was one of the highlights of our trip. Have a great time!