London itinerary - please review

Unless you have a particular interest in Soho ( English Jazz: the philanthropy of Shaftsbury, Salisbury and Barnardo, historic pubs and resturants or sixties Brit Art ) I'd drop that part of London, unless of course the you want a tour of cheap sex clubs and the like.

I'd visit St Paul's and then take the walk from there down Ludgate Hill and along Fleet Street, right up Chancery Lane and left into Carey Street and then into Lincoln's Inn Fields and find the Old Curiosity Shop of Charles Dickens. Check out the historic pubs on the way and the fantastic architecture, especially the back of the Royal Courts of Justice on Carey Street.

The only reason I say this is because it's my favourite walk in all the world. Soho is mostly a sleazy dump that is an acquired taste ( but I can be found there ).

IMO, you are trying to do much in little time.

Day 2 is definitely too busy. After seeing the Changing of the Guard and eating lunch, you say you want to visit Buckingham Palace (I assume you mean the State Rooms?). Those take about 2 hours to visit. Best case scenario, it'll be about 2pm when you get out of there. If you want to shop at Covent Garden and do the West End Walk, the British Museum will likely be closed by the time you get there (unless it's a late night). Remember that the British Museum is huge and you'll probably be tired.

I would do either the West End Walk or the London Walk, not both. And probably skip the State Rooms.

Day One:
Alright, but make sure to get to the Tower before the opening time.

Day Two:
British Museum
11:30 Changing of the Guard
Hop on/hop off bus tours
Rick Steves' West End Walk or London Walks
Covent Garden

Day Three:
British Library
Rick Steves' City Walk
St. Paul's Cathedral
Museum of London
The Globe (you can get cheap tickets to see a play there in the evening, check the website)

Day Four:
National Gallery
Shopping (Harrods, Harvey Nichols)
Hyde Park or Rick Steves' Bankside Walk (I wouldn't try to do both)
London Eye (not worth it if the weather isn't so good)

I hope this helps.
Happy travels!

If you wish to visit the inside of Buckingja, Palace,
you have to book in advance. Google the Palace website for info. Itis only open from August when the Queen is in Scotland.

Why not visit the British Museum and the Library in the same day...they are close to each other. I think you have a little too much of jumping from one part of London to another. ANd I agree skip Soho.

Thanks for all your replies! Just for clarification, I will not be touring Buckingham Palace, just walking around and taking pictures of the area before the Changing of the Guard.


I'm going to take the earliest Eurostar train possible from Paris in the morning so I can check into my hotel, drop off my bags, and get to the Tower before it opens. Since my lodging will be right by St. Paul's Cathedral, it shouldn't be too far of a walk.


Michelle, thanks for the suggestion. I'll probably get the picture of Platform 9 3/4 on my way to Brussels via the Eurostar train rather than trying to cram it in on the way to touring the Tower.


Soho has officially been dropped!


I'm surprised that the schedule seems so crammed as it's practically taken word for word from Rick's book! Oh well, I'll make sure that I see all of the sites and have time to shop, wander, and explore the city! :)

Caroline: Re your last paragraph, Rick is a Total Blitz Tour Warrior par excellence, few can keep up with The Man.

I agree w/ vanessa. Day 1 get to the TOL before opening. Less crowded.

Is the Kings Cross for the Harry Potter fan? Unless you so happen to be in Kings Cross to get to Tower, do the Tower first. Kings Cross can get done any day.

Your schedule is jam pack. I feel that you didn't give yourself any down time except to eat lunch.

As for the London Eye at Sunset, I did that and it wasn't that romantic or impressive. I spent more time shielding my eye from the sun's glare, and got very few good photos.
You also can't predict the weather in London. I suggest going on the Eye on a clear, sunny day. You may have to bump it to day 2 or 3, just in case day 4 is a bad day.

I agree with the above comments- one more suggesstion- I am not sure you can do the Globe and the Ceremony of the Keys on the same night- might not get out of the play in time!

Toni, I'll have a groundling ticket so leaving shouldn't be a problem! I may end up doing the Ceremony of the Keys on my fourth day if the play runs long, though.

A few thoughts:
1. If you can ride the London Eye first thing when it opens, you will minimize the time that you spend in line. Also, see if you can buy advance tickets, which will also reduce your waiting time.
2. The National Portrait Gallery is literally around the corner from the National Gallery. It's worth a look.

Gregg, thanks for the tip! I'll be purchasing advance tickets for the Tower of London.