Plan my London Honeymoon!

Jenna...why did you pick Glasgow? They do have a couple of great Museums...but it seems to be far to go for the short time you have. I was in Glasgow in
April and we had snow flurries. Edinburgh has more direct access by train. The spring comes about one month later there than Puget Sound. There is plenty of things to do closer to London. There are Pubs all along the on the Thames. London itself is pretty Cosmopolitan with a population from all around the world. We enjoyed all the Street Markets and Walking by all the Monuments down by the Thames and most of the Great Museums are free. Go to Bath and the Cotwolds for a more "English" feel. It is hard to get away from Touristy things in the UK as that is one of their major industries; so just get one of the passes so you can just enjoy it at an affordable price. If you want to live like the locals you can go shopping at their Costco.

Hi Kathleen, Thank you for your advice. My husband and I have wanted to go to Glasgow and feel like we might be able to fit it in during our trip. I know I have been bitten by the European bug and want to go to Paris for the day as well seeing as it is only 2.5 hours away by train. Everything is so close, I just want to do it all! I guess I wonder if there is truly enough to do in London for 7 days. When you suggest a pass, are you speaking about a tourist attraction pass for multiple locations? Thanks again,
Jenna

You can get a train from Euston Station in London to Glasgow on Virgin Trains. Very comfortable, and they have some great prices if you book ahead. I love Glasgow (I was just there in August)! There is a lot to see and do there and in the surrounding area. You can catch a 30-min train to Balloch, and right down the hill from the train station you can take a 2-hour cruise on the beautiful Loch Lomond. If you want to see Glasgow, go for it!

"Wonder if there is enough to do in London for 7 days?" I'm returning to London for the 15th time in October. There has always been something new to see each and every trip. So, yes, for me there is enough to do in London for a week. That said my interests may be completely different from yours. As you've been bitten by the "want to do it all," bug, I suggest a couple of things. First, research. Grab a copy of Rick's London Guide. After you've read it from cover to cover, sit down and make a list of all the sites you both "MUST" see. Then talk and talk some more. Will you truly have time for Glasgow or Paris? Should we just stay in London? It's your honeymoon. Plan what you'd truly like to do and see and not feel rushed. One should never feel rushed on their honeymoon. If you get out of Central London proper you'll experience non touristy sites. Walk in the Hampstead Heath or Battersea Park. Train out to St. Alban's. LOADS of places that are non touristy. Book of Mormon is a hoot. Enjoy it.

First of all, congrats on your upcoming marriage! Paris for 1 day? No, no, no! Paris is not a 1-day city! And, yes, there is more than enough to keep you busy in London for a week! Get out your guidebooks and start researching the things that will be of interest to you! History? Hit the museums, cathedrals and just about everything you see in that city! Entertainment? Pubs and shows. A day spent at Kew Gardens is a wonderful way to relax and take romantic walks through lovely gardens and share tea (completely restful...sigh...). Plan on a double-decker tour bus (a couple of hours and great fun!). Pret-A-Manger for a quick lunch to keep your blood sugar going is perfect (and, cheap) for doing a London walkabout. By the way, are you flying British Airways from Seattle? We did and had a terrific flight. If you want to hit London running, splurge on the Express train from Heathrow to Victoria Station. It was so worth it to us!

The National Trust UK has an Overseas Visitors Pass in different time allotments.
Probably the 7 days will do. I especially enjoyed Fenton House which has a wonderful collection of antique musical instruments. It is in Hampstead which has a "village" feel right on the tube from downtown. There are several other historic houses on the pass in the local London environs which will give you are more inimate view of the past and do not have the tour bus crowds. If you do go to Glasgow visit the Necropolis...and outstanding Victorian Cemetary. Glasgow has some outstanding Industrial Revolution and Art Nouveau/Craftsman Era Architecture. Edinburgh has the Castle which is worth the trip. Be sure to watch "Amelie" and "Midnight in Paris" before your trip to Paris.

Anywhere in Scotland is too far for a day trip. You'd need to stay overnight and, I suspect, have a full day where you're staying, so that's at least three days gone. If you want to see "Book of Mormon" I'd go online and try to book now, and if the tickets aren't available try again at least weekly until they are. It's a massive show over here.

Just a clarification from an earlier poster - the Heathrow express does NOT to to Victoria station. It goes to Paddington. Work out where you will staying and then you can decide if the Express is right for you. It can be a pricey option - although a faster option if you are planning on staying near Paddington.

The OP is staying at the K&K George which is close to the Earls Court tube station; the tube from Heathrow will be a quicker and cheaper option than the Heathrow Express.

With 7 days on the ground, you can see A BIT of London and do 1 or 2 day trips by train. We've been to London more than 40 times and there's still lots we haven't seen or done. Here's a link to an article I wrote about my favorite day trips by train (easy to do and fun).
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g186338-c176673/London:United-Kingdom:London.And.Day.Trips.html It is possible to do Edinburgh as a long day trip. You could fly in and back (expensive I'd guess)or take the train (about 4 1/2 to 5 hours one way). We did it once and that was how I got hubby to fall in love with Scotland. But you'd only have a few hours there. You could also try the overnight train, either up or back (or both). But to truly explore any part of Scotland, you'll need a lot more time there.

For pubs, look further down this same site and you will see great suggestions.

We returned from London last week, we were there four nights at the end of our trip. A couple of things: we were a bit "museumed out" by the time we got to London, but we did take someone's advice and saw the Victoria and Albert Museum, and we are so glad we did. Just an incredible, eclectic collection of everything you might imagine-spectacular. My other suggestion is to take one or more guided walks, we took one of many offered by London Walks. It's a great way to see part of the city, and get a local view. There are pub walks, Royal walks, scary walks, all kinds. Best of all, you just show up, there's no reservations involved-highly recommended. We almost saw "Book", but decided on Spamalot, which was a great time. You won't see it all in ten trips to London, so be sure to plan some down time.
Cheers!

Thank you all for this great advice! Keep it coming! Any favorite England pubs??

Thanks, Gail! I will be sure to keep up with the other pub post. Thanks for advice, Dave! I did not think of a walking tour...I have heard a lot about the double decker bus tours. Any thoughts about bus tours in London compared to walking tours?

We didn't do a bus tour. I know there is a hop on-hop-off bus that makes a loop, and that's not a bad way to get acquainted with the city a bit. But the walking tours are far more personal, and a better look at what you're trying to learn something about. One tour we went on was led by the wife of a career British officer, and she was completely fascinating with her historical perspective and her dry humor. It started raining in the middle of the tour but she didn't miss a beat. Bring good lightweight rain gear, you'll need it. Here's what we used:
http://www.walks.com/London_Walks_Home/LW_TIMETABLE/default.aspx

It is not necessary to take a bus tour in London...just take the tube and public bus...it's basically an easy city to travel over and under. I believe they still have some kind of passes or travel cards...maybe someone else has the lastet ones. We found it much more fun to just wander...that way you can stop where you want. You should know your own interests. Just read up ahead of time for the places that might interest you.

Simply love London. Great city! If you have the time, try a meal at Cafe in the Crypt adjacent to Trafalgar Square. Great food, setting, music programs etc. It's also right across the street from the National Gallery. Nice that all of the museums are free in London as well. http://www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org/cafe-in-the-crypt/ For some great local music, you may want to check out the Monday Open Mic at the Spice of Life in SOHO. No cover charge, fabulous piano and PA in an intimate setting. I have played it twice, and it was a blast. http://www.spiceoflifesoho.com/ Congratulations, and have a great time! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rOVNzKOClM

Hi Jenna,

Congratulations on your marriage. As several responders have stated 7 days in London is just the tip of the iceberg. As many have already suggested get guidebooks and make your wish list. As you do so look at a London map and schedule activities in the same area on the same day to save time and stress. Plan on some down time to sit in a pub or along the Thames to soak in the ambience. I highly recommend the London Walks as I took 3 of them during my visit to London this past June, the guides are experts and you really get a feel for the history of London. The V&A, Museum of London and the British Museum are all must sees as far as I am concerned. Have fun planning your trip and enjoy London.

This page has a good suggested sightseeing tour of London using normal bus routes. The only change since is that the number 9 bus now bypasses Piccadilly Circus - start the tour at Trafalgar Square and get the 9 from there.