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London Itinerary Help - 2 Days

Posted by on

Hello,
I am going to London for 2 days with a group of friends. We will be taking the train to/from london each day from Crowborough. I need some help with my itinerary review and help filling in some blanks. Also, I know we can get some 2-for-1 passes for some of these attractions but i'm wondering if, since we can't pre-book this way, we would loose more time than it's worth. Thoughts?

Day 1:
Take 7:44 train from Crowbourgh to London
Arrive in London at 8:53am
Walk to Thames River Cruise and take 10am cruise to Westminster pier
Find lunch somewhere once we get off boat (any suggestions?)
Westminster Abbey
Buckingham Palace
We need to still 1) figure out how to get back to the train station 2) find dinner - unsure if this should be near buckingham palace or the train station.

Day 2:
Take the 7:14 train from Crowbourgh to London
Arrive in London at 8:23 am
Walk to and visit the tower of london at 9am.
Thinking about walking back to Borough Market for lunch (thoughts?)
Not sure what to do with the rest of the day. Thoughts? Suggestions? Saint Pauls Cathedral maybe?

Thanks,

Posted by
3 posts

I would possibly switch lunch on Monday to Borough Market if it is on, or try Pieminister in Gabriels Wharf. Generally, the best food in London is not in the overpriced restaurants in the tourist areas, but more in the pubs, markets etc. Tuesday, after visiting the tower, try the Wetherspoons pub near there, The Liberty Bounds. Not gourmet, but affordable food, in a lively setting with plenty of people who work in the area. After that, you could see St Pauls Cathedral. Look up Skygarden, which is very close to where you will be. Book a free ticket to the viewing area, and look out over London. Amazing views, beautiful indoor tropical garden and a really cool vibe. For food in general, depending on the time of year, consider picnics in the many parks, with food you buy from places like Marks and Spencer foodhall. Delicious, and huge range of ready to eat food. You will be spoiled for choice!

Posted by
1323 posts

Near Westminster Abbey is the excellent Fullers Pie and Ale house, the beer is also top notch. A pie is similar to a pot pie.

https://www.sanctuaryhousehotel.co.uk/food/main-menu

Their website is a bit confusing, the pub is separate from the hotel. It's a few blocks from Westminster Abbey.

There are plenty of restaurants near Victoria Station. I'd suggest Bills, it's a small UK chain with excellent food and a wide variety.
https://bills-website.co.uk/restaurants/london-victoria/

Posted by
137 posts

I would take the tube to Westminster directly. Take pictures of Big Ben/Westminster Abbey. (If you want to go to Westminster Abbey it opens at 9:30am M-F; 9:00 Sat, which works with your timeline).

Walk to Horse Guards and then up to St. James Park to Buckingham Palace. Then walk either down The Mall or through Green Park (there is a tiny pathway from the park to Pall Mall and you can see St. James Palace) to Trafalgar Square.

Maybe go into the National Gallery and/or the National Gallery. Piccadilly Circus is behind the Gallery. Lots of places for dinner around Piccadilly Circus. (Can't remember where we ate lunch - it was a cafeteria in the basement of an office building. Sorry.)

That would be a fun day.

Next day: Tower of London first (Tower Hill tube). It can take the entire morning. It's wonderful. You could then walk across the Tower Bridge and head west along the Thames. You'll walk by The Globe Theatre, pop into Tate Modern either to look at art or just enjoy the swings and crazy carpet/swinging ball on the first floor.

Then walk across the bridge to Saint Paul's. The doors close at 4:30, so you probably won't be able to get in. If you've gone into Westminster Abbey you'll probably be OK.

If you really want to get into St. Pauls, go there right after the Tower. I will say that the walk along the river is lovely, there's lots of places to eat, it's pretty "London" to see The Globe Theatre, and I was surprised how much fun we had at Tate Modern.

You can't go wrong! Have a great time!!!

Posted by
6 posts

Pieminister in Gabriel's Wharf looks delicious, but i'm not sure how getting there fit's in the schedule. On the first day we are there (tuesday), it doesn't open until noon.

I think the train from Crowborough only stops at the London Bridge Station, so I don't think we can do our trip the other way around.. The Thames river cruise, which looks fun, doesn't start until 10. Unless we somehow take the train/bus to Westminster abbey from the London Bridge Station. How complicated is this? (I'm new to the bus/train system)

If we were to switch and somehow get to Westminster Abbey by 10am I think the timeline is like this:
Take the 7:44 train to London Bridge Station.
Arrive at 8:53am
Figure out how to get to Westminster Abbey (assume 1 hour)
Visit Westminster Abbey (2 hours?) 10-12
Lunch somewhere (1.5 hours)
Walk to Buckingham Palace (1:30-2)
Buckingham palace (2-4)
Head back towards train (Last Thames river cruise is at 4 - might not make this and have to take bus?)
Dinner near the London Bridge Station
Take train back to Crowborough

I'm thinking on the second day we want something a little more casual.
Tower of London then just free time for the group to split up / walk around town.

Thoughts?

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