London in September Itinerary Help

I am assuming you mean 4th - 8th inclusive . That means 15 major sites in five days , or three major sites per day . For me , that would be a bit frenetic . I would choose , based on your collective tastes , to limit it to two a day . That you are early risers is immaterial , because none of these destinations will be open before 9AM or even 10AM . you should also consider pairing your visits logistically , for instance , Tate Modern pairs well with St Paul's , as its a short walk over The Millenium bridge between them . Also , the V&A , and Natural History are side by side .

I can give some suggestions. All the museums are massive. If you don't see them all, then it is ok and you will do it on another trip. Quality over quantity. Start with a museum once it opens and spend at much time there. I like to go first thing in the morning, then have lunch there and after maybe another hour or so. After four hours or so I am done for the day on museums for the most part but love, love museums. There is just so much a mind can process and look at and absorb. That said, go and see a museum and then once you seen as much as you want see what museum is close by and go see that one if you feel up to it.

Go to Harrods later in the day or early evening, this way you still get to your museums and Harrods does not cut into your day. I went one night and had tea and desert there. I went to see the Food Hall.

Portobello Road Market is on Saturdays and maybe Fridays, check that out. I loved it and plan to do it again when I return to London next year. It is super crowded, carry a small purse, I like wearing cross body pocketbooks and I don't bring a knapsack and bring a bag to put your purchases in the bag. Go early and then afterwards go have lunch and then head to a museum.

London walks is wonderful to see London and take a break from Musuems.

Make a reservation NOW to see the interior of Buckingham Palace. You can spent a whole day there. I went to see the palace, queen's gallery and the mews. It was amazing. You can spend as much time or as little time in the palace, but it is a timed ticket.

Make reservations for the Churchhill War rooms, very interesting, went twice, years apart but worth seeing it again.

The National Portrait Gallery is right next door to the National Gallery of Art and near by have lunch at St Martin's in the Crypt. And see the church St Martins in the Field which is right there too.

Look at Google maps to map out where everything is, get the RS London guide book, look at free YouTube videos on London.

What hotel are you staying in? Get the oyster card for transportation.

The V&A is my favorite and lunch there is great!

I hope this helps.

Have a great time.

With the Tate Modern, the one who’s excited can look at the art while the one who isn’t can go to the top of the new free viewing tower instead. It’s on a par with Sky Garden.

I should add, I don't expect to see everything on my "like to see" list. I just listed everything I'm interested in. As Rick Steves says "assume that you'll go back". :-)

Ann, thanks for the great advice! I'll definitely look into your suggestions and take your cautious under consideration. This will be my 2nd time at The British Museum and I know I could visit it every day for a week and still not see everything that interests me!:-)
BTW - we're staying at the Park City in Kensington this time. Last time we stayed at the Astor House B&B.
Thanks!

Thanks "the person who writes stuff". I didn't know about the new place for viewing! What a great idea!

Thanks Steve. Good advice. I was also thinking that since we'll need to move to Seattle time we should hear for later days the last couple of days.

If the Buckingham State rooms are available during your trip, I would definitely make that a priority because they aren't open for much of the year. This is our 3rd trip to London and the first time we've had opportunity to visit them, so I am really looking forward to it. It might be harder to time this on another trip in the future, while most of the other "like to see" sites are open all year round. Hope you have a wonderful time!

As already suggested reserve tickets to tour the Palace and Churchill War Rooms.

Then group your MUST sees: Opening and Closing Times will play a roll in your ability to see things.

WED:
9:00am-Breakfast at St John Bread and Wine at Old Spitafields Market.

Walk from there to see the last glass covered market in London, Leaden Hall Market. From there walk to see St Dunstan in The East Church Garden.

Then off to the Museum Of London which opened at 10:00am. 25 minute walk.

After seeing the Museum ( excellent choice by the way) time for a late lunch. Walk over to One New Change. Plenty of options for lunch there and you can take the elevator to the roof for a POV of St Paul’s.

By now it should be close to 5pm so attend the 45 minute Evensong at St Paul’s.

That evening explore your neighborhood and enjoy a relaxing dinner.

THURS:
Breakfast at Beas of Bloomsbury in Russell Square
Then off to see the British Museum which opens at 9:30am.
From there walk to the British Library to see the Treasure Room. Then it’s time for lunch.

Try Dishoom at Granary Square which is behind St Pancras. Or checkout the adjacent Coal Drops Yard for a lunch spot OR if someone wants tea or a cocktail in a gorgeous setting visit the Booking Office at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel. OR you could walk along the Regents Canal to Camden Lock Market to have lunch and shop.

If you do the latter then hop on the tube at the Camden Town Underground Station and take the Northern Line to Waterloo Station. 15 minute ride.

Exit Waterloo Station and walk over to Jubilee Gardens and ride the Eye.

FRIDAY:
Start the day with the Buckingham Palace Tour then walk through St James Park to the Churchill War Rooms. If you are looking to return to Westminster Abbey this would be the day to do it.

After the War Rooms or the Abbey walk up Whitehall to Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery.

From there walk behind the Gallery to Leicester Square to the 1/2 ticket booth and get tickets for theatre. Then one goes to the Tate Modern, the other doesn’t. Maybe Imperial War Museum for that person.
Plan to meet back at hotel in Kensington and off to dinner before your choice of theatre.

SAT:
Go early 8:30am to Portobello Road Market.
Tube to the Ladbroke Grove Station walk to the market, meander, shop, have coffee and a nosh. You’ll miss the hordes if you go early. After waking the entire length of the market walk out to Bayswater Road and turn left. Walk about 6 blocks heading towards the Queensway Underground Station. Just before you get to it cross at the light across Bayswater Road to Broadwalk and walk into Kensington Gardens. Princess Diana Memorial Playground will be on your right. Head to the Round Pound and Kensington Palace. Photo ops galore.
From there walk to the Albert Memorial and then over to the V & A. You can easily spend hours there.

At this point a pub lunch should be considered. There’s a small pub in the mews that I like for lunch or pint. The Queens Arms.

From Queens Arms to Harrods.

That night get a good night’s rest.

"Natural History Museum? Would this be much different than other major Natural history museums?"

It's not "different" from others, but is very large and high quality, complete with two separate gems and minerals exhibits! It's also a bit of a maze with some poor directional labeling (I had a very hard time finding my way back to where I had checked my bag).

In general, consider splitting up for part of you time, particularly if your phones will work. Given how much you want to see, it would be a shame for you to go to places that do not interest you. So, while one is at Harrods, the other can be doing something else.

For the Tate Modern, it has some night hours (Saturday when I was there last year, but I haven't checked and they may have changed). Not only is this something to do outside the usual 10 AM - 5 PM museum hours, but the nighttime view from the top of the Tate Modern was 1) better than the daytime views from One New Change, and 2) better than the art in the museum (which I found a mixed bag, although I loved some).

Not that you don't have enough on your list, but if you're interested in London's maritime history, the London Museum has a branch in the Docklands area that focuses on this.

Tamara, Claudia and Harold. Thanks so much for some great tips. Your itinerary suggestions are good ones. Seeing the Tate at night sounds wonderful.

I need to be braver about taking the tube. In 2005 we took taxis everywhere. I'm not sure why I feel intimidated by it! I do have a fear of not knowing what to do and being seen as a vulnerable tourist. Crazy huh? Maybe I should look for YouTubes videos that show the tube process of paying and also finding my route. I think that I should mark up a London map to become more familiar to tube stops.

I hadn't given much thought into where to eat which always comes back to bite me so your suggestions are helpful.

Thanks!

Kelly, riding the tube is very easy. Honestly the best public transport system I’ve ridden. Yes during commuter times it can be hectic but that’s the case in every city in the world.

Signage is everywhere in the stations and are in each train car. There are also huge color maps in the stations. Each transit line is colored, i. e. the Central line is red, the District line green, Circle line yellow, etc.

All you need to know is what station you are trying to get to, look at the map then follow signage to where you will catch the train to take you there. Nearly each stop has a monitor above the platform telling you when trains will arrive. Remember you may need to take one or more lines to your final destination.

Once you board a train look above the seats. Each stop is listed on a map on each side of the cabin. Each stop is announced. Easy peasy.

My travel tip for the tube is to get one of the pocket sized maps that are usually near the ticket windows.
I now need reading glasses to read it but love using it as a way to plot my routes.

Lastly, when walking down stairs or riding station escalators stand to the right.

The tube enables to get you around London with ease. Merely use your Oyster to tap in and out.

You can do it!!

Wow - I wish I had the disposable income to take taxis everywhere! Plus, in the middle of the day taxis can take much more time than the Tube. Just think of all the time and money you can put towards other things by taking the Underground instead of taxis. (Of course, there are times that a taxi makes sense, or a bus is more efficient, or walking is best; don't hesitate to use a combination of methods).

Yes, there are lots of Youtube videos about the Tube. Here are just a few I've found; these are specifically aimed at first-timers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzE0fA8BgkE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thV8xUWohN4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StFAuGQf2mM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnYhBv8ptUs (this has more of the nitty-gritty, but starts with a very useful definition of terms and acronyms like DLR).

Lots of duplication, but each is done in a different style, so by watching several, you'll really start to get the hang of it (as much as you can before you get there).

Almost all stations have uniformed helpers around the ticket machines, so don't hesitate to ask them if you need help.

I need to be braver about taking the tube. In 2005 we took taxis
everywhere. I'm not sure why I feel intimidated by it! I do have a
fear of not knowing what to do and being seen as a vulnerable tourist.
Crazy huh? Maybe I should look for YouTubes videos that show the tube
process of paying and also finding my route. I think that I should
mark up a London map to become more familiar to tube stops.

No worries. It's pretty easy. I picked it up quickly, and if I can do it, well . . . :-) The stations are staffed and the TfL staff out in the station have, in my experience, been very helpful. They wear safety vests and ID and are usually very approachable. Random thoughts:

What you'll need to know is (a) the name of the Tube line you'll be traveling, and (b) your destination Tube station. Say, Piccadilly Line to Earl's Court. You'll also need to know if you'll be changing from one line to another at any station along your route. Say, taking the Piccadilly Line to Earl's Court, where you'll change to the District Line to Victoria.

Generally, it's a matter of just going with the flow of the crowds in the Tube stations. But don't let yourself get hurried past your comfort zone. When you enter the station from the street, look around at the directional signage to orient yourself. I try to walk near the walls in Tube station hallways to allow faster-paced people to get by me. Of course, you stand on the right on escalators to allow people to walk past you on your left.

Tap your Oyster card to enter through the turnstile and follow the signs to your line. At some point you'll choose the platform for the direction in which you're traveling. There are big signs on the walls listing all the stops in order, for each direction, so don't freak out if you're not sure which direction you want. Just look for your destination station, and follow the signs to the platform for that direction.

On the platform, don't get too close to the edge, and be ready to move when the train arrives. Let people exit, then hop on.

When you get to your destination station, be ready to get off. Once off the train and on the platform, look up for signage. If you're leaving the station, follow the "Way Out" signs. If you're changing to another line at that station, there will be signs directing you to the other line. At your final destination, you'll have to tap your Oyster card to exit the station through the turnstiles.

A Google search turned up videos and links on how to ride the Tube, including some on "how to ride the Tube like a local."

And, don't start your Tube experience at rush hour on a weekday. Wait until at least 10 am (London locals, is that too early?) so the crowds of commuters have been and gone. I'm kind of a veteran tourist and Tube traveler by now, and I try to avoid the Tube around 5 pm on weekdays. I'm branching out by learning bus routes. The buses get crowded and stuck in traffic - but you can always quickly hop off at the next stop if it's getting too much for you.

Suz, Harold and Claudia,
Thanks for the advice, pep talk and YouTube links! I'm determined to use the tube this trip. We'll likely use a taxi at night but otherwise I'll try using the same transportation as everyone in London does. I did use the subway in Paris a couple of years ago but there were 4 of us and we used it for a specific route during the day.

I'll watch the videos and check on the forum about the oyster cards too. Funny, where I live we have a card for use on the ferry and bus called the ORCA card. Something about the saltwater? ;-)

I've taken the Tube at night, a lot. Either alone or with a traveling companion. Sometimes after the theatre. No problems.

+1 about the Citymapper app. It was invaluable in London, both for buses and Tube trips.

Emma, thank you. I've downloaded the city mapper app which looks like it will be quite helpful. I also read your posts on taking the bus. Very informative and also delightful to read. I'll make sure not to sit in the back while riding on the top level of bus. I still need to read your last link in the note but wanted to say thanks. We'll be staying in Kensington area (Park City Hotel) so perhaps we'll be on the same bus. I'll try not to look like a confused tourist. 😊

I'm not sure what you do when you go to the office but I hope it uses your writing talents!

Why are you so fearful of using the Underground at night?

Older female here (Truman was in office when I was born) and I’ve ridden tube many times following a night at theatre.

Last year saw Hamilton and then took the 30 minute tube ride back to Ealing which is a London suburb. Involved changing trains twice. Not a big deal.

And lastly it is the Park City Grand Plaza Hotel in Kensington you are staying at correct? I ask only because abbreviating names for hotels, streets, tube stations, etc. can cause confusion.

Easy 10 minute walk from Earl’s Court Station. The London Underground is great, make friends.

I may have missed a comment in the posts above but I want to give a shout-out to the London Museum. I know I'll be in the minority, but I liked it a lot more than the British Museum. It's a very good chronological history of London right back to before the area was inhabited.

The William Blake exhibition starts September 11 at Tate Britain. The 300 works will be the largest Blake show in over 20 years. I'm looking forward to my visit! Also, the Queen's Gallery is showing 200 of da Vinci's 500 drawings from his sketchbook through October 14.

Thank you Kelly for advising me of your hotel. It looks very nice. Did you enjoy staying at the Astor House Hotel? I know you were not well but was it a nice place. Why did you not book there again? I looked into that B&B and really thought it was nice and liked the location but it was out of my budget to stay there. Like to hear your thoughts.

Have a great trip and do take the tube! It is safe and easy to use. I traveled solo to London twice and the people that work at the tube stations are the best in the world! They are so helpful and informative! And the signs are easy to read and follow. I know coming from an area where you may not use a subway system is daunting but it really is easy once you start using it. Just ask for information and pay attention and it will make things easier for you.

Best,
Ann

The Tube is incredible. Use it. Don’t let any experience you’ve had in the USA make you shy away from it. Just make sure you know when certain lines are running (otherwise you’ll get stuck in London Bridge at 11 PM and be forced to take a taxi).

Harrod’s is God awful. We lasted about ten minutes. The Food Court was cool though. If you’re going there for lunch or snacks for later, try Borough Market instead.

Has anyone recommended tea yet? Two thoughts - our favorite was the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Fortnum & Mason. There’s another good one at Kensington Palace. And about 20 others.

If you like shoooing but not crowds (crowd size is all relevant), maybe check out Covent Garden.

I know you are on the fence about St Paul’s but Rick has two great audio tours that can be combined. First is the “City of London Tour.” You can make it anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours. For an early to rise person, it’s a great way to get out and see things you may not otherwise see, especially before many sights are open. The history of The City is fantastic and it takes you along the Strand - great place to stop and get Twinings from their flagship tea shop. The audio tour will take you all the way to St Paul’s and the surrounding idea. That’s a great morning stroll 7:30 AM to 10 AM inclusive of St Paul’s. And there’s some great little American history in St Paul’s.

There’s also a great little church in The City called the Temple Bar (May have the name wrong but it’s located in the Temple Bar). The Temple Bar area is a great little 45 minute detour off the Strand. It’s a closed off little community where all the lawyers gather and they have a 700 year old church with Knights of the Templar buried.

Claudia, Silas, Allan, Ann and Kevin...Thanks for your suggestions and questions/comments. I think that my reluctance to try the tube has been mostly an overactive imagination. I'm not the person that you ask " what's the worst that could happen? " LOL! That said I'm going to give it a go on this trip. I just needed to educate myself. Your comments have helped! Face my fears and all that. 😊

Ann, I loved the Astor House and would recommend it. Even though I had pneumonia I was glad for the room we had. We just wanted to try a hotel rather than a b&b this time around though we still wanted to be in the Kensington area. The Park City Grand Plaza was recommended to us.

I'll check out RS walking app! It's a good idea for us early risers.

@Kelly - ORCA One Regional Card for All :-) Just chiming in here to say that there is nothing to fear. I've taken the tube and buses all over and late into the evening. Never had an issue at all. I've also had the most pleasant conversations with folks, which I think is an added bonus! As for transit apps, I used the app just called "Transit" (Green background with what look like a sideways S). I did a test drive of City Mapper in Seattle, and found that, although I liked it, it was a big power drain, so I deleted it. Of course, your mileage may vary - but be aware. In any case, even if you aren't using the apps here for transit before you go, test them out.

Someone up thread mentioned splitting up from time to time. Depending on the day, and if there is any interest, the Tate Modern fan could do that while the non-fan could take in a matinee at the National Theatre.

If you aren't wedded to the London Eye, The Walkie Talkie has great views and it's free. https://skygarden.london/sky-garden Requires timed tickets, but once you are there you can stay as long as you want.

Thank you Kelly for responding about the Astor House Hotel. Have a great trip!

Thanks Jodi! I'll take a look at the app you mentioned. Hey! I never thought about the ORCA being more than an acronym. Picturing all the name suggestions being thrown around that would have a northwest US theme. 😉

Thanks Ann. Really looking forward to it. I've already started packing and it's over a month away!

I wanted to add some thoughts on antiques. Portobello Road is definitely worth going to (although not as good as it used to be). The biggest challenge for dealers in London is general is high rents and declining demand. Here are some of our favourites:

Camden Passage Market
Jubilee Market (Covent Garden)
Alfies (antique centre with multiple dealers) - Marylebone
If antique books are your thing, there are several stores in Cecil Court (also near Covent Garden) and you should also try Peter Harrington in Mayfair
Although they're generally outside our price range, we also enjoy visiting shops in Picadilly Arcade (off Jermyn St)

Incidentally, if you're interested in history, don't miss some of London's niche museums, such as the Foundling Museum (Bloomsbury) and the Florence Nightingale Museum (Lambeth). There's also the V&A Museum of Childhood.

And as others have said, the tube is your friend. Our teenage kids travel by themselves on the tube whenever we visit London, and are now experts at reading the tube map. There are also lots of map apps to help you plan your journey.

Refrain from clicking on the above link.

I just want to chime in with my own thanks for all this great advice - my daughter and I will be in London for a few days in September [before and after the Jane Austen Festival in Bath], and I've gotten some fun ideas for our London time from the suggestions above. Specifically, I've booked tickets for the Buckingham Palace state rooms and garden tour, which was not at all on my radar before reading this thread. Now I just have to figure out where to pick up my tickets; the information provided on the ticket receipt and the website does not seem to include that detail.