Hello,
We are landing at Gatwick in the morning, and expect to be at our London hotel by 10:30 - 11:00 AM. So basically, we have half a day there and 3 days afterward (not sure how we will deal with jet lag btw). Then, we will be going to Paris via the Eurostar. What can we see (and is worth seeing) in London and the area around London for these 3 days? Thanks!
Hi, a bit more information might help you get the advice you're looking for. For example...
1) Is this your first visit to London?
2) Who is "we" (how many in your party, any children, etc., any mobility challenges)
3) Why are you visiting London? something must have attracted you about London otherwise you wouldn't be going!
4) What are your interests? -- museums, history, music, food, theatre, walking, outdoor activities, etc.
You can see a lot in 3.5 days, but London can fill a month, so it's all about seeing and doing what important to you.
This is indeed our first trip to London. Our family is two adults, a 17 year old teenager (basically an adult), and a 12 year old (doesn't like walking). Personally, my interests are actually 'seeing' the city, visiting the major attractions/sights, museums, and food. We are visiting London because we originally planned to go to Paris, but since London was only a 2 hour train ride from Paris, we decided to go there as well. My worry with London is that we are usually very fast paced and may have time with nothing to do, so I am also thinking about day trips (Hampton court vs. Windsor castle, which is better?).
Thanks for the additional information. Other posters will add their thoughts (I expect!) but I'll speak from my experience.
My first trip to London was last December with 3.5 days for sightseeing. Like you, I prefer not to have "time on my hands". I would rather have slightly overscheduled and then cut something out than to take up precious time trying to figure out what else I could see or do.
With only 3.5 days, stay in London--save day trips for another visit. Plan on using public transport--tube and buses. The system works very well. I found the Citymapper app to be very helpful in planning journeys.
Get a good guide book, Rick Steves London or Lonely Planet London are two I like. Check opening and closing times of sights you're interested in. For example, on Sundays, both Westminster Abbey and St Paul's Cathedral are open for worship services only (visitors welcome) but closed for tourist visits. Certain evenings, especially Fridays, some museums are open late .
Get a good map. I like Benson's Mini Map--it costs less than $3 and they ship for free: http://www.bensonsmaps.co.uk/our-publications/london-mini-map/. It shows points of interest, bus routes, theatres, etc. So much better than Google maps for planning your itinerary. See what sights are near each other to plan your daily itinerary.
For a first visit, I'd recommend considering these:
Tower of London 1/2 day at minimum, get there a little before opening, once inside go straight to the Crown Jewels while the line is short or nonexistent, then circle back and join a free Yeoman Warder tour.
Westminster Abbey 2 hours minimum or go there for Evensong prayer in the afternoon if you are not interested in touring the whole thing
Boat ride on the Thames even for just 30 min, because it's wonderful to see London from the river. There are (longer) tourist cruises with commentary or you could just take a commuter boat (Thames Clipper) with no commentary. Depending on where you are staying, you could take the Thames Clipper (http://www.thamesclippers.com/) from Westminster or London Eye Pier to the Tower of London or vice versa.
Museums pop inside one of the free museums for an hour or two, but plan ahead what you want to see to avoid being overwhelmed. British Museum if you want to see important artifacts from around the world, National Gallery for art masterpieces, Victoria and Albert museum for the decorative arts.
Parks London has wonderful green space! Hyde Park, Green Park, Kensington Gardens, Regents Park, Hampstead Heath, and more. See what's near where you'll be staying.
Walking tours . Walking is the best way to see London. You could follow one of Rick's self-guided walking tours, or go with a company like London Walks (no booking ahead, just show up at the appointed place and time and pay in cash. http://www.walks.com ) . I've taken several LW tours and have not been disappointed. Edit: in light of the fact that your 12-year old doesn't like walking, either skip this entirely or let the 12 year old choose a walking tour that appeals him/her to make it more interesting (Harry Potter Locations, Spies and Spycatchers, etc).
Food you'll be "spoilt for choice" as they say, with all price ranges, all cuisines to choose from. I'll just mention Borough Market for a variety of food stalls (Wednesday-Saturday is full market, crazy crowded on Fri/Sat), Duke of York Square food market near Sloane Square on Saturdays, and Camden Market/Camden Locks Market, if one of these is near where you'll be staying or sightseeing.
I'd skip the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace (it's a time sink) but if you like this kind of thing a good alternative is the Changing of the Horse Guard at Horseguards Parade).
I could go on and on but I'll stop now. I hope you have an enjoyable visit!
To see an overall orientation as to where things are etc.
You might want to take a city bus tour, or hop-on-hop-off bus.
There are several walking tours around different things in London.
Go early in the day to the Tower of London for the Beefeaters tour and you will get to see the crown jewels too.
Thanks guys!
Are these itineraries rushed? I've got two days so far, hence the reason why I'm thinking of a day trip for my third day. On the half day after we land on London, we plan on going to the British Museum; is that a bad idea, considering jet lag?
My worry with London is that we are usually very fast paced and may have time with nothing to do.
You know that London is by far the biggest city in Western Europe and about 16 times the size of Paris? You would need a TARDIS to see it all in two days. I lived there for twenty years and only scratched the surface,
Walking on Regent Street for shopping yes, and it seems to have a nice feel to London.
I love the British Museum- it's one of our favorite sites. But I won't do it on an arrival day. We're ALWAYS jetlagged. For me it feels like I've just had a bottle if wine. And being indoors make it worse. But being outside, as long as it isn't pouring rain, helps a lot! We try to do one of Rick Steve's walks, ( the Westminster walk is my favorite) combined with time strolling in one of the parks. No more than an hour or so inside, except for meals. Then dinner and in bed by 9-10 pm. Usually the jet lag is gone by the next day. THATs when we hit the museums.
We usually stay in London for a week at a time. We've never felt the need for day trips to fill our time.
Another vote for Liberty ( very unique) and Carnaby Street. I'd also visit one or 2 of the great outdoor markets, Portobello, Camden Lock or wander around Brick Lane in route to Spitafields. None of these markets should bore the 12 year old.
If you go to a museum why not the excellent Museum of London which will provide the background about city you are seeing for the first time. Imperial War Museum might also engage the 12 year olds mind.
Lastly if you think you still might have "time to fill" then consider www.walks.com. Beatles, Jack the Ripper, Ghosts, etc.
London is never boring. Too much to see and do because it's always evolving, and yet, remains the same.
