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London with a Golden Girl

Posted by (Texas) on

Hello All!
Tail end of a two-week trip in Switzerland/Austria, with husband and 86-year-young mother.

Mother is spry, but tiny!

Has great mobility.

We will be tired from the Switzerland trip, but excited to share London with her. Thinking of a Hop-On, Hop-Off bus for starters to get the lay of the land...are there some better than others? (seems like the last time I was in London, there were many such buses, but the one I had tickets on, seemed to have to wait forever for the next bus if you hopped off. Other companies seemed to have more buses in circulation...)
Is there a bus tour you recommend more than any other?

Mother is sensitive to crowds, so we are staying out of most "tourist" destinations - we do NOT plan to go to the Tower of London, the British Museum, nor any specific museum - rather a "Taster" of London so she can get the idea.

Not sure any of the walking tours would be of interest to her, but I am open to suggestions.
My mother is fun, so I think a pub tour might be an adventure for her, as she is not a drinker but would enjoy seeing the inside of such places. Perhaps just an excursion by ourselves to a small pub where she can see how the locals do it...

We plan to take her to Kew Gardens, and perhaps see the Changing of the Guard (but remember, she is tiny - so concerned about where to stand to get a good view). Also visiting Harrods and the Blackfriar Pub. Considering Westminster Abbey, but again, not sure if it's necessary and too crowded during the weekend ??

I do plan on a traditional afternoon tea, so would like recommendations of something/somewhere "special". Would anyone recommend afternoon tea at Kew Gardens?

Husband would like to go to Portobello Road market on the weekend and perhaps the Royal Albert Hall, as he enjoys the music scene, so we are more of an eclectic bunch rather than museum hounds.

Specific questions:
- Would you recommend the boat taxi to get to Kew Gardens?

- For a senior (who is very mobile), what would we regret not seeing/doing in London? I would love for her to experience any district that gives a sense of the vast array of London people/customs.
- Extra considerations: will be arriving in London on a Friday, leaving Monday. This also happens to coincide with "London Fashion Week", so trying to avoid the extra that comes with that.

I appreciate your time and advice!

Posted by
2726 posts

Don't bother with the HOHO buses - you'll be stuck in traffic.

Be useful to know where in London you're staying.

There are pubs all over - walk in, walk out if you don't like the look of one.

The boat will take forever to get to Kew - take it on the way back.

Westminster Abbey is the history of England all in one so very much worth it.

London is so big, you'll barely notice fashion week.

Walk along the South Bank for atmosphere and views of London

Posted by
1276 posts

I've become somewhat obsessed with tea buses as an alternative to the HOHO. https://b-bakery.com
Since you will be there on Sunday, you should really go for a Sunday roast lunch. I can vouch for William IV in Hoxton from this list, but it's out of the way (we took the bus from Victoria Station; we only chose it because we were able to get a reservation last-minute). https://www.timeout.com/london/food-and-drink/londons-best-sunday-lunches

Posted by
1511 posts

If she's sensitive to crowds, then the changing of the guard isn't for her. Plus she won't likely be able to see over anyone. Afternoon Tea at the Savoy is popular. We had afternoon tea at The Orangerie at Kensington Gardens.
If you are going to Kew Gardens, Richmond itself is lovely and a stroll through Richmond Great Park to see the wildlife is marvelous.

Even if you don't tour it; seeing the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge is a nice experience. And yes to Westminster Abbey..

I don't drink and I love British pubs. They aren't mutually exclusive in spite of what those who imbibe think!

Posted by
9815 posts

Golden Girl I smiled broadly at your post.

OP some possible ideas for your 86 year old mother regarding London sites.

The Thames River Path and the Regents Canal are both pleasant strolls.

Kew Gardens is massive. Ask her what she’s interested in seeing there.

Does she like shopping at all? Liberty would be of interest simply for its uniqueness. Also the Battersea Power Station conversion is rather impressive.

As far as an interesting pub there are many.

You could visit the Seven Stars pub by the Royal Courts of Justice. The pub cat might say hello.

You’ve already said you are visiting The Blackfriar which is a plus. It’s gorgeous.

I’d also consider taking her to Orange Peoke in Barnes. Nice tea room.

Good food, good locale, good pub; The Dove in Hammersmith. Still think of the sage and pumpkin soup I had for lunch there.

Lastly, the Horniman Museum and Gardens is interesting.

This article provides stellar intel regarding a roof top view of London: https://www.trevorsherwin.co.uk/blog/top-5-london-rooftop-locations

I’ll also recommend the view from the Royal Observatory.

If any interest of just sitting in a park ( in good weather of course) and people watching I’ll recommend walking into Hyde Park via Lancaster Gate and sitting by the Italian Gardens. There’s a small cafe where you could get a coffee.

Ask if she has any interest in the Churchill War Rooms? If yes, get your tix before you go.

Lastly if you desire pomp and circumstance then an hour before the Changing of the Guard ceremony at the palace walk along Birdcage Walk towards the Guards Museum. You should be able to see and hear the Guards band leave and walk over to the ceremony at the Palace. If the Royal Standard is flying it means the King is in residence.

Will also say the Garden Museum has a nice garden cafe.

Evensong is nice at St Brides.

She might enjoy Mercato Mayfair or Leaden Hall Market.

Posted by
1132 posts

Has your mother ever been to London before?

IMO, the following places should at least get a drive by (but not a HOHO bus: Westminster Abbey, Palace of Westminster and "Big Ben", Tower Bridge, Tower of London, the views of London from the South Bank of the Thames.

There are several regular bus routes that take you past some of London's famous sights. Or book a A table with a view .

As mentioned previously, avoid Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace due to crowds. A better choice, Changing of the King's Life Guard at Horse Guard Parade. No crushing crowds to deal with but still all the colorful pomp.

If the weather is pleasant, a stroll in St. James Park to the Blue Bridge with views of Buckingham Palace in one direction and Horse Guard Parade in the other.

London Walks has some wonderful 2 hour tours by neighborhood or theme. The guides on the pub walks provide entertaining historical commentary. You can always get a lemonade or coffee or tea at a pub.

An early entry, before 10am, into Westminster Abbey won't feel as crowded as later in the day. Or consider attending an Evensong service.

Personally, I wouldn't make a special trip to Harrods.

The Ship Tavern does a nice Sunday Roast. Book a table upstairs in the Oak Room, not in the pub downstairs.

Posted by
1276 posts

I didn't see the mention of Harrods at first. I agree with the other comment about Liberty. If you want to visit a historic department store, that's the one. I could have stayed all day. Got lovely, practical souvenirs there. It was a bit busy outside, but I didn't find it crowded at all, and I was there on Saturday afternoon.

Posted by
953 posts

As a non-shopper, I like Liberty, if only for the architecture. I would also recommend Fortnum & Mason, which is nearby.

And yes, like KD, I don't drink, but I love pubs. I'm an Australian, and - similar to my home country - British pubs are not just about alcohol.

Posted by
35590 posts

regarding tea at Kew Gardens.

I am a member of Kew so I love to invite folks to visit. One note - the Palm House is closing for a major rebuild for quite a long time. The process has begun to relocate some of the specimens and that will continue for some time. If you or she has interest in the Palm House the sooner you get in the better.

Kew is NOT known for its food. It is possible that the afternoon tea at The Botanical Brasserie will be of better quality and atmosphere than the other food outlets and it probably is. I've never been into The Botanical Brasserie - it is above my pay grade - and have never seen reviews of it. If you go please post a trip report.

Posted by
1130 posts

Another vote for a Thames River cruise from Westminster or Waterloo. You can take a half hour cruise to Tower Bridge or go further to Greenwich for a relaxing break with great views.

Posted by
2000 posts

London is a great walking city. We take very little public transit when we visit because we stay in a very central location (Broken Wharf) and seldom need motorized assistance to get where we want to be. The exceptions this year were Hampstead, to see the Heath, and Greenwich. Obviously "good mobility" is open to some interpretation, but I'm 72 and fat.

Posted by
2 posts

All such wonderful adventures!

Mother has not been to London, and because of our schedule, we will not have nearly enough time for all the interesting things everyone has mentioned; however, you've given me even better ideas than I could have come up with.

I sincerely appreciate everyone who contributed to this thread!

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