Tweaking my itinerary

Hi, Emma--The King's Road/World's End thing was mostly for old times' sake. I know it's changed a LOT in 30 years. I bought a dress in World's End in 1984 (alas, long gone and would never fit now) and thought it might be fun to visit. But maybe you're right, it wouldn't be worth it. Thanks for responding!

Absolutely NO need to stress. If I may ask where is the B and B located? There might be something on your list that you might be able to see that first evening or maybe you could just stroll along the Thames.

This is what I would do on the afternoon you arrive. To save yourself any jitters about riding the wonderful underground trains which will be the key to the city during you stay consider a tube ride from where you are staying to Westminster Station. Hopefully it's a direct shot, no changes needed. Other than avoiding the 5pm to 7pm rush hour (unless you want to experience how a sardine feels ) I believe by trying it out you'll feel safe and secure in using it through your entire stay. Its a marvelous way of getting around the city in a timely fashion. I'm suggesting Westminster station for selfish reasons. When you arrive at Westminster, exit the train (Mind The Gap), wonder at the modern look and follow plentiful signage to Exit 1. As you walk out you'll find Thames river cruise boats docked in front of you, the London Eye across the river, Westminster Bridge to your right and if you turn slightly and look up you'll know you are in London!!!

Honestly it's such a lovely spot to enjoy a smile and remember why you made the trip "across the pond."

I imagine both the China shop and Bookstore open at 10am. Keep in mind from there to Highgate Cemetary is a good hour by the time you walk to where you'll catch the tube and then walk to where you meet your guide following your ride on the Underground. Plan your route here https://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/ Heed the directions on the Highgate website and save yourself a bit of a walk by riding to High Barnet. Archway I believe is even better but double check on the Plan a Journey website, then use Google maps.

Either fill up on a good breakfast and or stop at a Pret a Manger or Marks and Spencer or Tesco for picnic items to take with you. I simply don't think you have time for a relaxing lunch in between shopping and perusing and getting to the cemetery in a timely manner. After the tour you could then walk over to the Hampstead Heath and picnic. Maybe climb Parliament Hill for a lovely view of London.

Of if adventuresome take the tube back via Kentish Town and exit there. Above the station is Wahaca's which is a great Mexican restaurant chain. http://www.wahaca.co.uk/locations/kentish-town/ I loved their take on Chicken Enchilada Suiza. Yummy! This whole area has undergone a huge gentrification in the last 3 years. I also loved the meal I got at the Oxford pub during my first visit to the area 3 years ago.

You will love your stay and don't give up the Day Tour of the Cotswolds. Have a wonderful trip!!!

Hi, Claudia--
I'm staying in Lambeth North near the Imperial War Museum. I understand I can walk to the London Eye from there so that may be something to do.

I should have added that I've been to London three times but the last time was in 1987! I guess part of my nervousness is that it won't live up to my expectations. I loved riding the underground on my previous visits. I couldn't believe how easy it was to navigate.

Thanks for the tips re: places to get food, and how long it takes to get to Highgate. Looks like it is better to go to Archway according to TFL.

I do love Mexican food so thank you for the link!

Thames Cruise, Greenwich Observatory, Hampton Court. Skip Cotswolds until you have more time to linger.

Not live up to your expectations how? My perspective on London over the years remains, " always changing, always the same. " I never tire of it. New places to visit, museums to explore, markets to roam, theatre to enjoy and with their train system its easy to enjoy other parts of the UK. Last Fall I was writing an article for my Guild's magazine and spent a couple of days in Durham. Fabulous university town. The Cathedral and Castle well worth the three hour train ride. Also visited the Eel Pie Island artists open house by training to Twickenham.

You'll be happy you returned and as you are a seasoned Tube rider you know you'll be able to get around quickly and see what you have scheduled for your days out. On Tuesday I'd start at the National Gallery, pop into St Martins of the field and then off to Kensington Palace and Tea at the Orangery. The V/A late in the day. On Saturday after a glance at Kings Road explore the crowded but nonetheless intriguing Portobello Market. I truly think you' ll love the meandering, people watching, food options, shopping. And as an added bonus there's a Daunts bookstore on Holland Park road that opens at 9am on Saturdays. You can walk there in 10 minutes from Portobello Road.I recommend a nice lunch at The Castle or at least a pint and some reading for your purchase from the bookstore.

The Castle is a lovely comfortable pub. Nearly floor to ceiling windows, couches and chairs, tables for single diners, good food, friendly staff. I stayed at a nearby flat last year and The Castle was a favored respite after a day of exploration. Be forewarned the Holland Park tube station is closed till 2017. They are replacing the lifts. You can tube back to your hotel from the Nottinghill Gate station.

Lastly there is a Wahaca at One New Change, the shopping center near St Pauls. Nice POV of the Cathedral and London from the roof top of The shopping center. Maybe this is where you go on your first afternoon, early evening in town?

London could never disappoint. Have a great return visit.

The Wahaca in Kentish Town (right next to the combination Thameslink and Underground station) mentioned by Claudia isn't open in the usual way during the week. It is only open for dinner M-F, and then on the weekends.

During the lunch times there is a ground floor burrito bar - except for Burrito Mama (also owned by Wahaca) at One New Change in The City - the best burritos in town.

So - burritos from the burrito bar only at Kentish Town during the week time lunch, burritos at One New Change again only at lunch during the week, Wahaca upstairs in Kentish town for dinner and on the weekends. Lots more Wahaca locations all around London now.

Wahaca was started by Thomasina Miers who was the 2005 MasterChef winner.

Thanks Nigel. You're right as always. Thought I'd eaten lunch in Kentish Town but it was dinner at the Wahaca's. I promise on my next visit we'll try the burritos!!!

Regarding potential disappointment: When I was much younger, London meant so much to me: freedom, acceptance (I lived in a small town and was a punk rocker and was not liked!), friends (had several pen pals). Of course now that I am older, I'm much more comfortable in my skin and am married with my own home, etc. When I started planning this trip, I was writing a memoir of my punk days (in an MFA in creative writing program) and thought it was a good way to get in touch with my younger self. I'm not writing at the moment and no longer in the program, so that's a bit of a moot point.

I'm sure I will be fine. Seems like every day, though, I think of some detail or another! Visiting this forum is keeping me sane!

Thank you for all, especially for listening. :)

I thought of something else last night re: the disappointment thing.
I have this fear that England will be, well, sort of not as different as I remember it. I know this sounds silly, but there are Starbucks all over London and the world is getting smaller. En suite bathrooms are really common now. The first time I visited, I thought, "It'll be a lot like America, only they'll have accents and drive on the other side of the road." I couldn't have been more wrong! LOL
So when I see American chain stores on Google maps of London, etc., I worry that it won't be "different enough."
If that makes sense...

Dear Emma, Thank you for some very good advice. I will try to keep an open mind--always something great to do when traveling!
I am, by nature, a worry-wart, and I work hard to overcome it!

Take some deep breaths.

Will it be what it was when you first visited? No. Will it be inundated with KFC, Starbucks, Burger Kings and Pizza Huts? Yes. Will it be diverse, historical, and vibrant? Yes. Will it be more than you recall? Yes. Will you enjoy it? Yes.

Think of your worrying about being disappointed from this perspective. We aren't born unhappy are we?

Arrive with no preconceived notions or past memories. You are there to experience new things.

Open mind and open heart. GREAT city. Appreciate its uniqueness and forget about the Starbucks and Mickey D's....

Sorry Emma but I say no to Marmite AND Nutella. However, yes to Sticky Pudding and to pork and beans with breakfast.

Good lord I wasn' t proposing a Marmite and Nutella combo. Was saying I dislike both of them but I do understand how my writing created confusion. I think I've lost my appetite.

Never having had Marmite (though a local supermarket carries it), this is all going right over my head!