Please Review My Itinerary - London

British museum is huge, plan for it ahead. Last summer i found being there before opening is wise, Line forms for thorough security ck. Waiting in line to enter can be very long any other time of day.

I'd also swap your sights on Wednesday and go to Tower of London first. Be there before it opens, then head directly to the Crown Jewels if you are interested, then head back to the entry to pick up a free tour with a Yeoman Warder. If you are a Harry Potter fan, walk from the Tower to St Pauls via Leadenhall Market.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leadenhall_Market

If you have smartphones, before you go download the Westminster Abbey app so you can do the audio tour off of that instead of having to get an audio guide. If you are not going to ride the Eye, then just look at it from the bridge near Big Ben or walk along the Victoria Embankment along the river without going across. I would cut back up to Whitehall on Horse Guards Av and see the Horse Guards and then head to Trafalgar Square via Whitehall.

The Elizabeth Tower (AKA Big Ben) is covered in scaffolding for a few years:
https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/building/palace/big-ben/elizabeth-tower-and-big-ben-conservation-works-2017-/all-your-questions-about-the-works-answered/

Thanks everyone!

JS - thanks for the heads up, will do some research.
Pam - I made the changes to my spreadsheet. Will definitely stop by the market!
Harley - sort of funny about Big Ben. There was scaffolding when I was there the last time in 1983!

Appreciate your feedback.

If there are spaces open, sign up for the verger tour at Westminster Abbey.

http://www.westminster-abbey.org/visit-us/verger-guided-tours

The Changing of the Guard is a snooze fest. You can better use your precious hours.

Tower of London can be a big chunk of time, if you are interested enough to go it could easily stretch to 3-4 hours. I think we spent 5 hours there on our 2013 visit, second visit for us. The time just flies by, few sights I have ever visited is this the case as much as ToL. We were in London in May 2013, September 2000--I think July will be a total zoo so plan accordingly. I even stayed over a couple of days on a business trip ~2008 in March, and it was still a zoo. London is crowded most of the year for good reason, it's awesome! Even though I am a museum nut I think we did fine with three hours or so at the British Museum.

Depending on how early in the day you can get from your ship to London, you might have time Tuesday for the Churchill War Rooms as well as the Abbey. Your other sights that day are walk-pasts, unless you want to cross the bridge and go up in the London Eye (I wouldn't with your timeframe).

Wednesday I'd start with the Tower to beat the crowds, then the bridge (which could also be just a viewing), then St. Paul's. You'll probably have some extra time that day for something else if you want.

If you got to the Churchill site on Tuesday, you can spend more time Thursday at the British Museum -- especially if you forego the changing of the guard, which I think is a bad use of limited time.

The tube is great, but getting around by bus will expose you to a lot more of London's streets and color, and won't necessarily take much longer.

The best part of Charging of the Guards is seeing them all go down The Mall to Buckingham Palace, For the actual Changing of the Guards you would have to be there an hour or more before it starts to be able to see it. With your period of time being in London I would waste that much time standing around.

Abbey road is a few minutes walk from the tube stop, so you may want to print out a map to ensure you head in the right direction coming out of the tube. When there, watch for traffic as the road is very busy. I was able to replicate the album cover with a few strolls across the road, then merging the images. It took a while since I had to wait for traffic to clear for each crossing.

If you do go to the changing of the guard, walk up a few steps of the statue of queen Victoria to get above the crowd so you can see the changing.

For what you have listed, I think you can fit it all in.

On Wednesday I’d add the glass covered Leaden Hall market adjacent to the Lloyds of London building. You could also add St Olave’s church on Hart Street. Perfect spots to visit after the Tower of London in route to St Paul’s.

If seeking a lovely pub after visiting St Paul’s walk to the Blackfriar Pub which is directly across the road from the Blackfriar Station.

Thanks for all the info and helpful tips! We really appreciate it. Hoping to make the most of our few days in London!

Buying your tickets online before visiting
Westminster Abbey will help you avoid a
very long line. A must see/must do in my book.

Thank you for your help! I will purchase online tickets for Westminster Abbey as soon as they are available for our date. Will also try to secure a verger tour. Getting really excited about this trip!