London for the Buffalo Bills game and more.

If the CWR is something you are very interested in, plan on at least 3 hours, probably 4- 4.5. We stayed 3 and didn’t take time to look at the entire Winston Churchill (his life) sections. It’s an amazing museum. We booked ahead and skipped a line, but we went in the summer, so it was crowded. I personally wouldn’t schedule to see it the day after you arrive; the jet lag could encroach on your experience. It’s all underground and some would even say a bit confining. Here’s my rough draft of what I’d do maybe:

Are you arriving early? If so, make your way into London from LHR, drop off your luggage, walk around Westminster - stay outside as much as possible! Walk over the Westminster bridge and see/ go up in the Eye if you’d like. (We thought the Eye was cool to look at, but didn’t want to 1. Wait forever to go on it and 2. Pay the $$. We opted to get free tickets from The Sky Garden to see incredible views of London. Check it out as well! It’s very near the Tower)

The next day in the am I’d go to the Abbey. Also, check out the Diamond Jubilee Galleries if you can. They were such an unexpected treat. You could get a round trip Thames River Cruise ( check the schedules) down to the Tower Bridge Quay and go to the Tower. See the Tower in the early afternoon hours. I’d either put the dinner at a nice pub down near there (hopefully others will share some great options) and cruise back to Westminster and your hotel OR wait to do the dinner / pub the next day after the CWR.

On the second day go early to CWR and spend as much time as you’d like. Instead of after the Tower, you could do your nice pub/dinner here. Maybe there’s a great historical pub in the Westminster area that is a can’t miss! I’m sure our London RS experts will be of great help to you with other options/suggestions!

Have a great time! We are a VT family and cheered for Tremaine Edmunds and Tim Settle when they were Hokies. Of course Bruuuuuuce Smith is one of our most famous alums. too. Needless to say, we’re also Bills fans 😊

Definitely pre book the War Rooms and Westminster Abbey. Be aware the Abbey can close for private functions.

I’d research London Walks for your dates. https://www.walks.com/. I take one on each visit.

Historic and interesting pubs:

Ye Olde Mitre
Lamb and Flag
The Guinea
The Old Bell Fleet Street
Prospect of Whitby
The Antelope in Belgravia

Thank you so much Mustlovedogs and Claudia
I will reread and use to plan things out.
I didn't realize that Westminster should be prebooked. How did I miss that!
Will check out all suggestions.
Go Bills. .

London is one of the most popular European cities.

With the Covid lockdowns over people are traveling again. Even in October you will experience a city crowded with tourists.

Book a Verger’s Tour of the Abbey but as already advised also see if London Walks is doing an Abbey tour.

I attended the 49ers vs Jaguars game in 2013. One thing that surprised me was how many Brits were fans of American Football. Inside Wembley where the game was played you saw every American football team jersey being worn. Cardinals, Rams, Pats, Chiefs, Seahawks, et al.

My Niners crushed the Jags that day!

Great city. So much to do and see. Always changing, always the same.

Have fun and do try to see one night of theatre!

35 years ago I was in my early twenties, and visiting London in October for the first time. After a long flight from Los Angeles, our first stop was the War Rooms. (I have no idea why it was our first stop, except thinking back, my then fiance was very enthusiastic about seeing it.) It didn't take long down in that underground museum; warm, a bit crowded and stuffy, a lot of standing but slow movement, and dark lighting, proudly wearing my first London Fog trench coat and likely very dehydrated; before I fainted. I do remember the kindness of the nurse in the first aid room. I'd never fainted before or since. And I was quite embarrassed thinking of all those brave men and women operating in the British nerve center during the war; and I couldn't handle an hour!

Fast forward to ten years ago, with the former fiance (now husband) and our (then) teenagers. I knew better than to do day of arrival. It was fabulous, and we devoted a lot of time to it.

I think I'd do something with lots of outdoor walking and fresh air on day of arrival and make the War Rooms the morning of day 2 or 3.

KD- thanks for your memory re CWR.
Arrival day will be something easy. And outdoorsy and close to our hotel. Maybe The Eye

Clarity please. There is no Hilton Westminster.

There’s the Westminster Curio Collection by Hilton. Is that your hotel?

Always best on your arrival day ito allow your body and senses to adjust to the time change.

As far as arrival day might I suggest the following:

If the Westminster Curio Collection by Hilton, the property on John Islip street is your accommodation then check in, freshen up and if weather is good ….
Leave the hotel and walk along the Thames River Path. Head towards Elizabeth’s Tower. Big Ben will toll on the hour. You can watch the river traffic and let your senses adjust. Walk to Westminster Bridge.
Can’t miss it. Area will be crowded. Stroll across the bridge to experience the iconic shot of Parliament. Ignore the bridge buskers. Go down the steps and follow river path on that side of the Thames. Head back towards Lambeth Bridge. Cross the bridge heading towards your hotel….. BUT stroll to the Marquis of Granbury pub instead.

Do, however, be cognizant of the time as after work patrons will stop for a pint. Everyone standing outside on the adjacent sidewalk.