Need a Reality Check for a planned day in London

I don't think of miles in London, I think of bus stops and tube stations.

Does it sound like you are expecting to walk everywhere? You may find that is slower and more energy draining. Dangerous too if you forget which way to look when crossing the (many) roads.

To get to the Wallace Collection from the Strand, where Courtauld Gallery is, I'd be on the number 68 to Euston, and the 205 to nearby the Courtauld and save your walking,.

Taking the tube from Courtauld to Wallace would maybe save about 15 minutes. I was born in New York City. I walk like I have somewhere to be. My wife has embraced her treadmill, so we’re not afraid of a mile or two at a go, but taking something faster would be worth the spend if it makes the itinerary possible.

The Wallace closes at 5:00 pm and the Courtauld at 6:00 pm, so I’d probably reverse the order and do the Wallace first, then walk to the Courtauld afterward.

The Wallace also has a guided tour at 2:30pm, if you go to the Wallace first, you can do the guided tour. It was a good tour in 2024.

You had better get advance tickets to the Courtauld ASAP if you haven’t already. There’s a popular special exhibit on Seurat running there now and a quick look at their website shows that time slots for the day you want, April 14, are already selling out.

For me, this would be too much to fit into an afternoon. I would save Wallace Collection for another day and then you won't be so worried about time.

How about skipping the Covent Garden Market and eating at the Courtauld cafe? For me, the museums would be my priority and grabbing a bite at one of them might give you enough time to see both. The Wallace Collection is one of my favorite museums and it has a lovely restaurant.

According to the Wallace Collection website, Caravaggio’s Cupid is only on display until April 12. So if you go to the Wallace collection on April 14, it won’t be there.

Thank you all. Have to look at our itinerary for the 12th for the Caravaggio since that’s its final day.

Will book Courtauld today, though we can take or leave the Seurat.

I just returned from RS London (15-21 Feb 26). I went 2 days early pre-tour so I could visit my art & be on my own for discoveries. My 1st goal was the Courtauld (I stayed 2 days at the terrific Strand Palace, a 5 minute walk from the Somerset House/Courtauld). Also a 10+ minute walk the the National Gallery, which I visited 13,14,19 Feb.

I didn't book the Seurat so I didn't see the exhibit, but on walls outside the exhibit were numerous Seurats. I ate a nice soup in the Courtauld cafe (actually returned there next day for another soup--often my travel meal). Covent Garden is quite close, but I found it just a crowded, unexciting tourist trap. No place I would eat, but that's my preference.

I was changing hotels to meet the RS group so I caught a Black cab. It took quite a while to get from the Strand to Mayfair. I checked in & caught another Black cab to the Wallace, as Caravaggio is my fav artist.

The Victorious Cupid from Berlin was my 41st Caravaggio. Exhibit does close 12 April. But the Wallace has some other amazing, world class/famous art.

The above stated, I believe you are underestimating the time/distance for walking between these & in some of your other plans. London is a large, busy city with lots of people also on the streets, intersections, crooked streets (no "way the crow flies"), rain or showers anytime. You may consider the Tate Britain after the Courtuald. But it's your adventure. I am a walker, but I also employed numerous Black cabs between sites.

Whatever. Enjoy. ab

Thanks AB.

We did Tate Britain on our original trip back in 2023. Our conclusion was that British painters are fortunate to be British, because maybe only Sargent, Turner and Hogarth would have made it on the Continent. ;-)

Thanks to all.

Plan is SoHo Rock Tour 10:00 to 12:00.
Covent Garden Market for lunch and shop: 12:00 - 13:45.
Courtauld 14:00 - whenever.

Dinner and walking some after.

We may catch the Caravaggio on the 12th, but if not, we’ve only spent about four hours in Berlin, so maybe we catch it there. Or maybe I don’t treat art like Pokemon. ;-)

In London it's Soho. In New York it's SoHo, which is a portmanteau of "South of Houston".

John Singer Sargent was actually American! Altho he did live here.

Sorry Gerry. As a born Nyorker, assumed my former stomping grounds were both portmanteau and named after the place in London. And maybe my autocorrect did it. I’m blaming the autocorrect. ;-)

Welcome to Pedant's Corner! Make yourself at home! :)

Londonist has an article dedicated to the topic which goes into some depth. More theories than I had actually come across before.

https://londonist.com/2015/12/how-did-soho-get-its-name

I’m not sure what you’re expecting from Covent Garden market for lunch but it’s not a food market. It’s mostly a shopping area, with some market stalls selling crafts and suchlike. There are loads of restaurants and cafes nearby if you want to eat there, but it’s a chichi shopping place rather than a Borough Market food type place.

I wouldn’t head there specifically to eat in the middle of a busy day.

I'd assume the Soho rock tour visits the Ziggy Stardust album location and such? That's the first thing that comes to my mind when I think of Soho rock history, but I'm sure there's loads to see.

Interestingly 120 miles north of Soho in London, with a completely different reputation and vibe, is Soho in Birmingham.

Birmingham's Soho, in my mind has rows and rows of Victorian one up one down terraces, a couple of railway junctions and a TMD (traction maintenance Depot) maintaining electric commuter trains. Its one other claim to fame is HMP Winson Green, a notorious prison.

After many years of working trains in the area I know the area quite well.

It is between Smethwick and Birmingham.