My husband and I are visiting England between May bank holidays, starting with 5 nights, but only 2 full days and 2 free evenings in London. Because we have such limited time, I would love to get some feedback on our itinerary, especially concerning Kensington Gardens, The Changing of the Guard and Covent Garden. I can still make changes to the first three days of our itinerary, but our two day trips are booked and unchangeable, as is the rest of our time in England. I have been to London once (8 days in January, 1992). We are comfortable walking a lot on vacation, typically 10 miles a day, and love gardens and green spaces as well as beautiful and historic buildings.
Wednesday - 5/6 pm check in to hotel by Trafalgar Square, quickly get settled and head out for a walk. Sunset is 8:30 pm. I wanted to do a Royal Parks walk (Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens), but KG closes at 6 pm, so I planned a 2.5 mile Covent Garden walk instead. Most shops close at 5 or 6, so I’ll have to settle for window shopping or do this walk another day.
1) Which walk would you choose for this evening? We like to take long (3-6 miles) walks on arrival days to stretch our legs, fight jet lag and get a taste of the area.
Thursday - bus or 2.3 mile walk to Tower of London. 9 am Crown Jewels, 10 am Beefeater tour. Afterwards, St. Dunstan’s in the East, Skygarden and Leadenhall Market (sit down lunch there or nearby). Follow Rick’s audio tour “Historic London: The City Walk” in reverse, passing St Paul’s but not going in. Free evening - nice sit down dinner, maybe a West End show.
Friday - Cross Golden Jubilee bridge, walk to Westminster Bridge (for views), then cross. 9:30 am tour Westminster Abbey (inside), then do Rick’s audio tour “Westminster Walk” and grab lunch somewhere. Walk through St. James’ Park to The Mall and up to Buckingham Palace (outside only). Walk in Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, then bus or walk back to hotel. Dinner somewhere, then evening at National Gallery, open til 9 pm.
We will miss the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. I’d rather spend our precious morning hours visiting Westminster Abbey when it’s not as crowded. Though likely not as grand, we will experience the guard parade in Windsor on our last day of the trip.
2) Is it worth it to flip my itinerary to view the COTG and visit the Abbey in the afternoon? I’d either miss Kensington Gardens or have to go there very early.
3) Or, should I visit Westminster Abbey in the morning as planned, but do the Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park walk on arrival day (skipping Kensington Gardens entirely) and tour Covent Garden after our Westminster Walk, when shops are open?
Saturday - day trip to York, returning at 9pm via King’s Cross.
Sunday - day trip to Warner Bros. Studio Harry Potter tour. Free evening in London. Regents Park if we’re not too tired.
Monday - leave London for Oxford, Cotswolds, Bath, Jurassic Coast and Windsor.