Hi,
I’m wondering if the day plan below is too rushed. We are travelling to London in June for four days (five nights). This will be our first full day and we may be jet lagged so I was planning to get a late start. Our hotel is in Islington and we have tickets for a West End musical that night.
Leave hotel 10 am
Spitalfields market 10:30 - noon (eat lunch)
Rick Steves self guided Westminster walk 12:30 - 2:30
Westminster Abbey 2:30
Dinner 5 pm
West End Play 7 pm
It sounds a bit busy to me. Especially if you're jet lagged. Maybe cut one of the day activities. Give yourself a chance to wander around without a timetable. I know I always get sidetracked when I'm out and about in London.
Be sure to reserve your Westminster Abbey tickets.
Note that this year’s Trooping the Colour parade marking the King’s official birthday is Saturday, June 14.
IIRC, the Westminster walk begins by the Abbey and ends at Trafalger Square, so logistically it would make more sense to see Westminster Abbey first and then do the walk. That would also put you closer to the restaurants and pubs closer to the West End theatres. It's only a 45 minute walk, not 2 hours.
Thanks everyone for the replies.
Kenko, unfortunately we'll just be a bit too late in June for Trooping the Colour (and too early for Wimbledon!). We'll be there June 20 - 25.
CJean, the thought did occur to me that we should do the Westminster walk in reverse. However based on other forum posts, I thought the crowds would be less in Westminster Abbey later in the afternoon. This will be a Saturday so I am expecting big crowds.
Honestly, I would skip the play. I’ve done something like that on arrival day and I was miserable trying to stay awake. I did not enjoy the experience. I felt like I wasted my money.
Carol,
Just to be clear the play is the day after we arrive. On arrival day we are just planning to do some walking and get to bed in the early evening. I do of course still expect to feel some jet lag the next day though, so the timing of the play is not ideal. But we really want to see that particular play and this is the only night it can work in our itinerary.
Hi Brian- It sounds like a great day to me! We went to Spitalfields Market last September as part of a food tour and really enjoyed it. Save room for a Humble Crumble after lunch! I think it makes sense to see the abbey later in the afternoon to avoid crowds- if that's possible in June. You might consider a Verger tour offered by the abbey as the guides are adept at leading their groups through the throng- and it's a great tour. You could start the RS walking tour at Trafalgar Square and do it in reverse, and with 2 hours you could add a stroll through St James Park and a peek at Buckingham Palace.
This definitely sounds doable especially if it's your second day (not arrival day). If you're coming from the US east coast on day 2 you'll probably be more awake in the evening anyway (that is always my experience) so makes sense to get a late start. Have a great trip!
