Only one day to tour London - suggestions?

That sound perfectly do-able! As long as you survive the first night of jet-lag, you've got the time to follow that schedule. Westminster Abbey should be seen on the inside if you can. You'll find that the Abbey, the Parliament Buildings (Big Ben), Buckingham Palace, and the Horse Guards are all relatively close together, in a general run from Parliament to Buckingham Palace that's less than a mile. Also in that immediate area...10 Downing Street (altho you don't see much these days) and Churchill's underground cabinet and war rooms.

Thanks Norm - I'm going with the don't stop once you get off the plane until nighttime theory - we'll see.

I would love to see the Abbey - but out of our group of 4 I'm the only one who listed it as a high priority.

There might be a problem with the ferris wheel -- not being able to walk up and ride right then. The only time I did it, the next available slot was a couple of hours later.

Don't remember what time of year it was. Have no idea how you can book in advance, or if you even can.

The Abbey is the burial place of the great and near-great....and a magnificent piece of architecture! Seventeen monarchs, dating back a thousand years, are buried there, and dozens of people were either laid to rest there, or commemorated with a plaque, etc. Find a list here...maybe that will generate some interest! After all, it's not many times you'llbe able to visit a site that labels itself, "Westminster Abbey....founded 960!"

If you are good walkers, after visiting the Tower of London, walk along the south bank of the Thames, passing the Tate Modern, stop at the Globe reconstruction for lunch (I think their pub is called the Swan), cross the pedestrian bridge and admire St. Pauls' exterior, recross the bridge, walk along the south bank to the London Eye (ride it, you can reserve ahead), recross the Thames, walk past Boudicca's statue and Parliament, and then over to see Westminster Abbey's exterior. If you are early enough, maybe you can enter. If not, start there the next morning--use the audio tour, it is excellent. Go to a play in the evening if you think you will be awake enough to enjoy it. Sherlock Holmes pub is in the theatre area, and you can eat there quickly and reasonably. Go for comfortable shoes, not fashion--walking on asphalt all day will kill your feet.

I agree with Norm...the Abbey is something to see.

Of the two main tour companies, I would suggest Big Bus Tours as they have a stop in South Kensington at Cromwell and Gloucester Roads. At the end of the day, just ride it back to that stop and it's an easy walk to your hotel.

If you pre-purchase the ticket online, I believe you can even board at that stop and not have to go to their main departure point to buy a ticket.

Great ideas - thank all.

We'll be there Friday April 16th & Sat April 17th, so I'm hoping the lines aren't too bad since it's still not very warm and not travel season.

I have already bought Big BUs tickets, for the exact reason you mentioned, there's a stop literally right outside our hotel.

That's a great idea about the Abbey - I'm going to send the other couple a link to the website & have them take a look. My hubby on the other hand,I might have to leave him at a pub & come get him later! haha - that's ok we have differnt vacation styles - lol!

Has anyone seen the Horse Guard dismount? I know we won't have time to mess with the whole palace changing of the guard, but would the horse guard be worth hanging around for?

My 15 yr old daughter & I have already decided we need to take a mommy/daughter trip back to London to see the museums and more of the history. We will pretty much have photo ops on the this whirlwind day.

You can pre-purchase your tickets for the Eye. Sunset is the best time. The BigBus souvenir shop (best souvenir shop in London) is a couuple of blocks from the Eye. Another vote for the Abbey. I missed it the first trip to London, did the tour the second trip and plan to go again to the Abbey next year. You will need to return to London . . . one of the world's greatest cities.

Chris...while you're at Westminster Abbey, why not send your husband to the Cabinet War Rooms. It's only a few minutes walk from Westminster Abbey.

He might enjoy it more than a pub...or maybe not. :)

Hi Chris,

I recommend pre-purchasing tickets to the London Eye. Depending on when you visit London, the London Eye's last run may be at 8pm or 9pm. By pre-purchasing the tickets, you bypass the line completely.

Kensington Palace is fairly small, so you should finish a leisurely tour within an hour to an hour and a half. If you have the time, be sure to have tea at The Orangery, located on the grounds nearby Kensington Palace and/or visit the Princess Diana memorial.

Have a great trip!

I was thinking about pre-purchasing our London Eye tickets, the problem for me is that I'm not sure exactly when we'll be going. We'll do the bus tour & when we pass by there, if I have 4 kids begging to get off then and ride, then we'll do that - if they can hold off I'd like to do the Eye at dusk or in the early evening.

My hubby is a war buff kinda guy, so maybe sending him off to the cabinet war rooms is a good idea! The girls & I aren't really interested in that.

Thanks for all the ideas everyone - It's gonna be a crazy day and a half...but hopefully the excitement will keep us all going!