How to plan 1 1/2 days in London

If you could include the month & days of the week you'll be in London, folks can give you more informed travel tips to make the most of your time. * With 1-1/2 days I'd suggest you do your #1 priority on your list. FYI: Friday: British Musuem open until 830pm. Sunday: Westminister Abbey & St Paul's open for worship only, no sightseeing! Tower London offers online pre-tickt purchase ~Arrival Day afternoon: Visit St.Paul's. ~Full Day: I'd follow Rick's suggestion of the Tower & Abbey. You can reverse these but Tower opens at 9am to get an earlier start to your day. -Morning: Tower of London >Grab a sandwich to go & hop a Thames City boat cruise. Buy a 1 way or RT ticket. (Get on at Tower Millennium Pier & get off at Westminister Pier) -Afternoon: Westminister Abbey > Planned minimal visiting time needed for a tour & brief visit. I'll spend at least 3 hours in each of the places you have listed. >Plan 2.5 hours Tower London: Admission 20.90 pds; audio guide 4pds; Opening times T-Sa 9a-430p; Su-M 10a-430p (last admission 400p) > Plan 2 - 2.5 hours Westminister: Opening times M,T,R, F 930a - 430p (last admission 330p); W 930a-7p (last admission 6p); Sa 930a-230p (last admission 130p); Sunday worship only Admission 16 pds Verger lead tours cost 3 pounds; Last 90 minutes; Start at North door. M-F:10a,1030a, 11a, 2p, 230p; Sa 10a,1030a, 11a >Plan 2 - 2.5 hours hours St Paul's: 830a-4p; Admission 15pds Guided tours included with admission price; Last 90 minute; Start at 10a,11a,1p, 2p. >Plan 2- 2.5 hours hours
British Museum: Daily 10a-530p; F 10-83p, Admission is FREE.

Our 1/2 day is Thursday July 13, full day is Friday July 14. I was thinking BM for the 1/2 day since we are staying close by, then the other three sights the following day? Poor idea?

Great info Diane! Thanks!

I remember that you will have your dad with you? A couple of hints ... At the British Museum there are a few hidden away lifts (elevators). Most people use the huge staircases. Go to their website and look at the printable colour maps showing where the goodies (and the lifts) are, and what can be seen in 1, 2, 3, or more hours. Every time I go to the British Museum I lose myself for the best part of a whole day and I've only barely scratched the surface. Planning ahead is the key. Starting in February there is a (not free) special exhibition on Pompeii and Herculaneum. Think of using the evening opening to your advantage if dad can cope. Using the Underground involves lots and lots of stairs. Buses require fewer, taxis even less.

1/2 day; Thursday July 13: Arrive at hotel, drop bags off, go to nearby British Museum. Full day; Friday July 14: Tower of London as soon as it opens. Then St. Paul's. They are both located in "The City" section of London. Then Westminster Abbey (take a bus or tube across town to Westminster). You save yourself A LOT of time hitting the things that are in the same part of town in the same morning. After an early dinner on Friday night, you could hit the British Museum (stays open late) one more time. There's always more stuff to see there. It would be easy to spend 3 days at the British Museum, and still not see everything. Option #2 for your Friday evening: take in a show at the theatre.

I would do what rebecca suggests, Museum on arrival day as you will be right there. Next day Tower and st pauls are closest togther; tube from St Pauls (Chancery Lane i think) on Central Line, or District/Circle Line, to Westminster Abbey. Busses are fun if the waether is good, but susceptible to traffic delays, and you really dont have much time. However- if one of these sights is an "absolute must", I would be inclined to do that on your first morning, thatll give you time to linger and really enjoy it.

Rebecca's plan for (Tower-StPaul-Westminister) in one day is doable but may be too rushed or too much for yur Dad.
Do you want to take any of the tours at the Cathedral or Abbey? If so you'll need 90 minutes for the tour and then added time to visit independently. If your dad's picks are the Tower & BM, lean towards arrival day being just quality time at the British Museum. You can follow this up with a theater show that evening or an early night's sleep. Fullday> Morning 'Tower of London' & Afternoon choose either the Abbey or St.Paul's; then RETURN to BM again after early dinner(FRIDAY closes later)as Nigel points out. If you do (Tower-StPaul-Abbey)on Friday, you may find a returning to BM on Friday evening is a bit much for your pace and your dad's. You guys know best. Bon voyage!