London Itinerary Help

On Friday, when you say all the touristy stuff, are you referring to just a ride around to see them from the outside (rather than get a ticket and go inside to some of them to look around?) I just want to understand because I approach all of the examples as historic places where history comes alive (except for the London Eye of course, which I view as 'touristy.') Spitalfields: I am assuming your interest is the market. What do you particularly want to see or do in Brick Ln? Mad Hatters Tea sounds fun and I always recommend people visiting in London experience an afternoon tea with all the trimmings. I live in a small town in MN and we have a Mad Hatters Tea so I'll have to compare the one in London to our local one on one of my future visits. Please write a trip report and tell us what you think. I do think Thursday is too busy, especially if this is your arrival day. Are you planning to walk between destinations or take a taxi or buses &/or Underground? Saturday looks too busy also. The Tower of London can easily take a 1/2 day. Where are the Phillies playing? Is it far and how are you getting there? Is 6:10 the time the game starts? Sorry for all the questions, but some clarification will help you get better answers.

Thanks so much for the quick reply!

On Friday, when you say all the touristy stuff, are you referring to just a ride around to see them from the outside (rather than get a ticket and go inside to some of them to look around?) I just want to understand because I approach all of the examples as historic places where history comes alive (except for the London Eye of course, which I view as 'touristy.') Yes, exactly. I have no desire to spend my day waiting in line

Spitalfields: I am assuming your interest is the market. Yes, specifically Poppies for fish and chips, Hawksmoor for sticky toffee pudding and the animal farm area. The rest is just meandering about

What do you particularly want to see or do in Brick Ln? Not sure exactly. I've just read it's a good place to wander and shop. I can skip it if it's not worth it.

Mad Hatters Tea sounds fun and I always recommend people visiting in London experience an afternoon tea with all the trimmings. I live in a small town in MN and we have a Mad Hatters Tea so I'll have to compare the one in London to our local one on one of my future visits. Yes, I thought so too. I love the Alice in Wonderland tea party in general so I thought this was perfect

Please write a trip report and tell us what you think. I will!

I do think Thursday is too busy, especially if this is your arrival day. Are you planning to walk between destinations or take a taxi or buses &/or Underground? Whatever City Mapper suggests, so probably all of the above

Saturday looks too busy also. The Tower of London can easily take a 1/2 day. Where are the Phillies playing? Is it far and how are you getting there? Is 6:10 the time the game starts? Sorry for all the questions, but some clarification will help you get better answers.Ok, I thought that may be the case. 6:10 is game time. I'll want to get there about 4:00pm and it's about an hour away. I think I have room on Friday to take from either Thursday or Saturday, but I don't know about both

Many of us on the Forum use the City Mapper App, so that will help. I sometimes do trial run's with the app before I leave to help me know my schedule is doable. I also play around with my options on Google Maps which helps me determine the order of visiting. I hate standing in line, too. I usually get up early and am in line at a busy site like Westminster Abbey before they open at 9:30 a.m. Quite often I get right in. I also check their event schedule for the day of my planned visit to be sure they are open to tourists that day. I visit the Abbey almost every time I go to London, but I am a great lover of English history and there is so much of it contained in that building. Sometimes I just attend Evensong. There is no charge, it is a short service and the music combined with the beauty of the Abbey is really breathtaking. I think St. Paul's and some other churches people visit, have Evensong also. It is a popular Anglican service for those of us raised in the church, but tending to more pagan belief systems as adults. I also check to see if a site I particularly want to see sells timed tickets in advance. Churchill's War Rooms is a good example of a way not to have to stand in line forever to get into a popular attraction.

On Friday, how about 'doing' Harrods in the evening. They are open until 9pm. Also, I checked on the TFL website and bus 11 route has changed. They now recommend route 26. "Route 11 was withdrawn between Liverpool Street and Parliament Square, and now runs between Fulham Broadway and Waterloo Station. TfL implemented changes to route 11 on 29 April 2023."

One last suggestion. TripAdvisor has a list of restaurants in or near Harrods with reviews. Instead of Dishoom that evening, you could try one of those. I love the Food Hall at Harrod's. I also like to get an expensive latte and dessert at one of the cafes near the Food Hall.
OK, I'm done for the day. I have been visiting London since 1984 and just love it.

Buy tickets in online way in advance for Westminster Abbey. It is not “ touristy stuff” though,

Been traveling to and staying in London for decades.
Always changing, always the same.

Travel solo by choice.

Couple of thoughts:

If you are travel from the US adrenaline and excitement about in London lasts only so long.
1/2 day to see everything you’ve listed will be a slog.
Get outside, walk, let your body adjust to the sights, sounds and smells. Crowds will be large. It’s Summer time.

Where are the Phillies playing? Are you seeing 2 games?

Would be smart to research which tube lines are the closest to the stadium. Go early. Soak up the atmosphere. Always fun to see a Yankee sport in London. I did it with my 49ers with Colin Kapernick vs The Jacksonville Jaguars. Saw every American football jersey being worn in Wembley. Was impressive.

Like that you chose the Shoreditch neighborhood to stay. The entire are has been revitalized. In 2022 I meander about reveling in the street art. Had a cup of coffee and pleasant conversation with the owner of Oat Coffee on Brick Lane. Perfect spot for a respite. Excellent coffee.

All the “touristy stuff “ is known as Parliament Square. Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, Elizabeth Tower with the Big Ben bell. Westminster Bridge will be jammed with tourists.

No theatre?

I'd scrap Dishoom the day that you're going to Brick Lane. There's much more authentic Indian restaurants there. More than Knightsbridge too. Brick Lane is definitely worth a visit, especially if you're staying in Shoreditch. Wiil be pretty busy on a Sunday.

Is Westminster Abbey touristy? It probably is a bit, by the very fact that it's popular with tourists. A church that you can buy tickets to seems pretty touristy to me. Also, it warms the cockles of my heart to hear it gets the pagan vote too :-)

If you're at Hawksmoor, just down Commercial Street is Christ Church Spitalfields. It's one of my favourite churches in London, even when leaving aside Iain Sinclair's pentacle theories.

I may start calling Big Ben just Ben. Makes it sounds like your middle class brother-in-law who's a really nice guy.

If you're in Shoreditch it may be worth talking a walk to E Pellici in Bethnal Green Road. It's an excellent cafe where you'll get a full English breakfast all day (or until 3pm when they close at least). I haven't been for years but I saw a Youtube video recently which reminded me it's a gem.

I don't deal with the overnight flight to Europe well. I would never plan a special and/or costly meal on my arrival day because I probably wouldn't be interested in eating it. Furthermore, if I consumed afternoon tea--with its high sugar content--in the throes of jetlag on my arrival day, I'd probably wake up at 2 AM. With luck, your body will be a lot more cooperative.

The football game is at the London Stadium, Stratford, East London. Stratford and Stratford International Stations serve the stadium as does Pudding Mill Lane on the DLR, and Hackney Wick on the Overground.
For most people Stratford would be the most sensible station.

I just looked it up and the games are being played at the London Stadium which is in Stratford. It’s not very easy to get there from Shoreditch so maybe look at that.

Shoreditch has a lot of good places to eat, drink and hang out. It’s a fun part of London to stay in but it’s not that well connected for exploring tourist London.

Shoreditch to Stratford is pretty straightforward - one stop from Shoreditch High St to Whitechapel and another one stop from there to Stratford. 20 minutes tops. Maybe a 15 minute walk from there to the London Stadium, right through a large shopping centre.

Can you go to Hawksmoor just for a pudding? That’s not really a done thing in the UK.

Since this is a short trip, I’m going to make a suggestion even though that is not part of your question. Take a look at the app called Tmeshifter. It helps you change your circadian rhythm to adjust to your destination. Used it in August and had no jet lag either direction - Western US to Scotland and return. They offer the 1 st roundtrip free. I’ve no connection with the app, just a happy customer.

On Sunday the Columbia Flower Market is a lovely add on close by to the Brick Lane area.

Thanks so much everyone. I wasn't expecting so many quick and helpful responses. I'm going to have to address a little bit at a time so bear with me. I have two windows open because I can't figure out how to reply and see everyone's response, so if I'm just being dumb, please let me know.

In all honesty, I'm pretty anti-organized religion, so I'm probably not as interested in Westminster Abbey as I should be. But I do always find in interesting to be where so many historic people have been so I'm not sure how much time I should commit.

Harrod's in the evening sounds like a good idea. Then I can move some of my Thursday to Friday. I'll skip Dishoom and get Indian at one of the markets, I think. As for the pudding question, I hope so. I literally know nothing, but I thought the point of the markets was to snack and shop. I am open to suggestions, but Sticky Toffee Pudding is a must, somewhere right?

No time for any shows, but I live 15 minutes from the theatres in Philadelphia and 90 from Broadway, so I don't think they are high on my list anyway.

Brick Lane and the Flower market, I'll keep on Sunday and then probably stay in that area for my last day.

I do need to keep a good amount of things on my Thursday or I won't be able to do much on my trip. Since I'm taking a red eye and going forward in time, I really think I'll be ok. I just won't be out late. And I have a strong stomach and a massive sweet tooth. I'll be ok with that.

@GerryM, my boyfriend's name is actually Ben, lol. I did make the list for me in Word and just pasted it here. I probably should have edited that.

@Helen, I hope that's not the case. It looked very simple on City Mapper, that's why I chose it. It looks like just the Central line and about a half mile wak (which I'd have to take regardless of where I stay)

samig - You suggested that you were going to Hawksmoor for sticky toffee pudding. Whilst there is a branch of Hawksmoor very close to Borough Market it's a regular restaurant and not a food stall. If you want to eat sticky toffee pudding it is widely available across the city.
I don't know why Helen thinks that Stratford is difficult to get to from Shoreditch, because it isn't. My post below outlined a route from Shoreditch High St to Stratford. You have mentioned taking the Central line which is even easier if you are staying close to a Central line station. My best guess would be Liverpool St but if you are close to there you are not really in Shoreditch, which is a bit north east. It may be the accommodation being somewhat liberal with the location description.
The Central line tube will get you to the exact same place as my route using the Elizabeth line, which you could also use from Liverpool St. You will still need to walk through Westfield shopping centre from the station.

It says there is one in Spitafields. I thought it was a stand, but if it's a restaurant then that won't work. I'll just get it elsewhere, not a big deal there.

According to City Mapper, I'm 4 minutes from the Bethnal Green stop and I take Central East 2 stops to Stratford. Actually sounds about the easiest trip I have as long as I don't get lost walking from the station to the stadium. I'm hoping there are clear signs.

Thanks for the help!

my boyfriend's name is actually Ben, lol.

Haha yes that is funny! I'll call the clock tower Ben and you can call him "Big Ben" :-)

I'll skip Dishoom and get Indian at one of the markets, I think. As for the pudding question, I hope so. I literally know nothing, but I thought the point of the markets was to snack and shop. I am open to suggestions, but Sticky Toffee Pudding is a must, somewhere right?

Brick Lane eating is more about sit down restaurants than markets for Indian (Bangladeshi) food. Reasonably priced and informal. Dishoom is more of a "dining experience" than what most Brits would know as an Indian restaurant. I haven't eaten in Brick Lane in some years, but I was pleased to see one place I have eaten, Sheba, at the top of the list in this Time Out article from earlier this year.

https://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/brick-lane-restaurants

Hawksmoor is a medium high end restaurant specialising in steak. It is close by Spitalfields Market but not actually in the market. I would check with them before you make a reservation or take a table that they'd be ok with just serving a dessert. As Johnew52 said further up the thread, that's more unusual here than it may be in American service culture.
You can catch your Central Line train from Liverpool Street or Bethnal Green for a straight shot to Stratford, depending on which is closest at the time.

Ha ha, Ben would like that I'm sure.

I figured I'll just grab some Indian at Spitalfields. I did see a stand recommended there as well. I will check out the restaurants at Brick Ln as well. Thanks for the info.

I'll skip Hawksmoor. I just misunderstood that one. I'm pescatarian so I don't need to really visit a steakhouse. Also, where I live I already have access to pretty high quality steak and seafood anyway.

If Bethnal Green is your nearest tube station then your accommodation is not in Shoreditch. Shoreditch is a lot more trendy than Bethnal Green so I imagine it's the accommodation provider being somewhat economical with the truth. Bethnal Green's perfectly fine by the way and it is indeed just two stops from Stratford.
There is a Hawksmoor in Spitalfields but it is a full service restaurant.
Brick Lane used to have some authentic Bengali restaurants about 20-30 years ago but for some time now it's been a tourist trap with some very average places. there are some very good places in the vicinity but not on Brick Lane itself. Tayyabs has been a favourite for a long time.

Thanks. The hotel is Yotel Shoreditch, so I guess they are exaggerating the truth a bit. As long as it's convenient the area is safe, I'm fine with it, but good to know.

Oh, and thank you. I live in an area with a large Indian population so it's not dire that I find someplace, but I've always heard that London is the best place to get Indian outside of India and I do love some good vegetarian Indian food.

Yes it's definitely right in the heart of Bethnal Green. It's right opposite the newly reopened Young V&A, which I have been in with my granddaughter.
I think that there are a few British cities who would contest a claim that London has the best Indian food - Manchester, Birmingham, Bradford and Leicester for a start. In any event the restaurants around Brick Lane, like the majority of "Indian" restaurants in the UK, are actually run by Bangladeshis.

Oh interesting. I appreciate all the info. I suffer from anxiety, so I like to go into something prepared, so I like having all this info including the little tidbits. :)

One note about Dishoom and reservations. You can make reservations there, but only for breakfast and lunch. If you go for dinner, you will have to wait in line. It’s worth it – the food is wonderful, but you might want to shoot for breakfast or lunch meals there to save on time.

"but I've always heard that London is the best place to get Indian outside of India and I do love some good vegetarian Indian food."

Bradford is the curry capital of the UK and has been for the last 6 years. The title normally oscillates between Bradford and Birmingham. Glasgow is a place that often gets neglected as a place for a good curry. Bradford's curries generally are derived from Kashmir, The Punjab and Pakistan cuisine and the generic phrase "going for an Indian" is a bit of a misnomer as most of curries in the UK originate from places outside India.

https://curryculture.co.uk/curry-capital-of-britain-fights-the-curry-crisis/

https://www.visitbradford.com/food-and-drink/bradford-curry-guide

Personally, I have always been disappointed with the curries I have had in London or the south, but having lived in West Yorkshire for over 30 years where there is always an abundance of good curries, that is perhaps that is not surprising.

Another route to get to the London Stadium without the walk is to use London Bus route 339 to the Bobby Moore Academy, just round the corner from the stadium. This runs from Mile End Station (the intermediate station between Bethnal Green and Stratford), also from Stratford City Bus Station and Stratford International Station Stop F (that is a DLR station). It runs every 15 minutes