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5 days in London

What are your top things of "must see", "must do" if you have 5 days in London after the museums? (Markets, neighborhoods, local scenes, backdoor streets, pubs...) Thanks.

Posted by
588 posts

Enjoyed Kew Gardens but it takes up a good part of a day. Nottingham, Covent Gardens, Harrod's, Liberty of London, Fortnum and Mason, tea at Kensington, day trip outside of London (see Rick's books. I enjoyed the London Eye at sunset.

Posted by
166 posts

My 17 year old daughter and I simply loved Camden Market. Easy to get to with the tube, and a ton of shops, eateries crazy locals etc. I would allow a good 2 or 3 hours, so as to not feel rushed. Have fun!

Posted by
349 posts

The War museum really tells the story WWI & WWII very Well and the Science museum is much high on my list then some books put it . i will see both this Feb on my 30 trip or so please private message me for any more info

Posted by
525 posts

Thanks so far for the places to visit. I am adding them to my list...Keep them coming.

Posted by
1986 posts

I enjoy poking around the lanes and alleys in "The City", find interesting little churches and pubs (St Pauls is in the neighborhood, if that interests you). Stroll through the parks; Hyde Park, Green Park, St James Park. They are good walks for getting from one place to another. Bond Street (equivalent to Beverly Hills Rodeo Drive), also piccadilly and Regent street - for more normal people. Westminster Abbey and its precincts. definietly strolling the river bank between the tower of London and Westminster (South Bank is now the in place to walk), at least walk past the Horse Guards. Harrods Food hall. london theater is usually great

Posted by
3428 posts

Covent Garden (and market)/ Leciester Square/ Picadilly area (love to wander this whole area). Kew Gardens (and its shop- neat things for unusual gifts/souvieners). Windsor. China Town (favorite resturants are Top Of The Town and E! Capital). Big Ben/Parliment/Thames/West Minster area. St. James Park. Camden Lock market. St. Martin's in the Field's churchyard market, and one at a "decomissioned" church (St. James?????) just a short walk from Picadilly Circus - I don't remember if it is down Picadilly or Regents St. The shopping arcades in the same area, too. Canterburry- if its market day, esp.

Posted by
993 posts

Toni, I might be wrong, but I don't think the St Martin in the Field church-yard market is there any more. I think the area was swallowed up my the new entrance to the crypt. Miss B: Ditto to every thing Brian said plus: The Tower Bridge tour, The Tower of London, Walk along the Embankment, Evensong at Westminster, The Sherlock Holmes Pub, river cruise to Greenwich, Portobello Rd market is still a favorite, Highgate cemetery, The Cabinet War Rooms. Stickey Toffee pudding. Just to name a few

Posted by
525 posts

My mouth is watering for the toffee...I am adding all this to my list. We were in London for a few days in 2008 and certainly missed so much so we want to spend a longer time. I know I could spend my entire time in London but must go on to other parts of England and Wales. We hope to get to the Falkirk Wheel in Northern England or maybe it is in the southern part of Scotland. It was so facinating to see how the canal boats were moved from one level of canal to another level..Thank you all for the suggestions...I'm really getting anxious to book our trip and go, but not until June 2011.

Posted by
3428 posts

The Falkirk Wheel is in Scotland. If you head that way I'd stongly recommend spending time in Aviemore and/or Inverness. Lots of good whisky distilleries to tour, great wilderness, exciting history, ahhhh I miss it so. Also, if you are a "child of the 70s", like me and my hubby, try to see "We Will Rock You" while in London. All of Queen's best hits rolled into one play.

Posted by
211 posts

A traditional English Tea, a West End Play, a London Walks pub walk - these are all items on my 48 hour To Do list in London at the end of September. We are also taking a tour of the Buckingham Palace State Rooms, but they are only open a few months of the year and I am not sure when you are going.

Posted by
222 posts

Vanessa, you may already know this, but the London Walks are great! When I was traveling alone in London I went on several different ones and they added to my experience of London immensely. If you happen to have extra time that you're not sure how to fill in London, you might consider more London Walks.

Posted by
525 posts

Thank you for all the suggestions. Many we have not done. We will look into the walks as the guide can add to what we are looking at. I'll do a search on the different walks in London. Thank you again for all the information coming in. It is so helpful.

Posted by
1717 posts

Hello Miss B. If you will not go in a mansion at an other part of England, you might consider visiting Ham House, located not far from the Kew Gardens.

Posted by
1986 posts

Harrods Food Hall is an experience- different level than the food areas in other major stores. They make possibly the best Cornish pasties in London

Posted by
19 posts

Hi Miss B. I love London and have been there at least 3 times in the last 3 years. I plan my travel around food and there's no other place for this in London but the Borough Market on the South Bank. Take the tube via Northern Line to London Bridge. Make sure to look for the cheese sandwich and this stall called Burnt Sugar. They have some very tasty treats like toffee, salted fudge, caramels and fluffy nougats. Great as gifts, too. Look out for some organic chocolate truffles and veal burgers..YUM!! Have some afternoon tea at either Wolseley, Fortnum and Mason or The Ritz (make sure you make reservations). I also make it a point to buy pasties from West Cornwall Pasty (they are everywhere but the most conspicuous shop is at the King's Cross Station). They also have one at the new St. Pancras Train Station. I recommend the Steak & Stilton pasty and the bacon roll. Regarding Harrods, it's pompous and a tourist trap and I love it! It's definitely an experience. Stop by Fortnum and Mason, too. Both stores have amazing food halls but F&M is more subdued and quintessentially English than Harrod's. Have fun!

Posted by
9436 posts

My two top favorites are Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace...just outside London and very easy to get to.

Posted by
525 posts

Thank you for the places to visit and see. Even though we were in London for several days on our first trip, we did not see most of what you are posting. I have a list of all this and will plan our days accordingly. Thank you for taking your time to list these lovely sounding places...We loved England on our first trip in 2008. I hope you all have a good day.

Posted by
83 posts

Just sitting on the steps on the Nationaly Gallery at Trafalgar Square watching the crowds and feeling the spray from the fountain on my face; a quick little side trip to Gordon's Wine Bar would be in order as well. A. Golds Deli; I saw this on Sam. Brown show and it sells tradition English food items, haven't been myself but plan to on my next trip. Walking about and exploring the small hidden gardens and ruins about the city. St. Magnus church just down from the new London Bridge. Oh I yearn for London. Do check the scedule of Tower Bridges website to see if the bridge will be raised during your time in London and try to catch the action. Hope you have a great trip and please write up a little report for us upon your return. Happy travels-Pam

Posted by
19 posts

I was just there a few months ago! We loved it! My favorites were Tower of London, Hampton Court, St. Paul's Cathedral, and the British Museum. We also really liked the Borough Market, especially Neil's Yard and Dairy (cheese shop). Happy planning!