The day we arrive we are going to an Even song service at Westminster Abbey. So, for our 1 full day, we want to start at the Tower, than maybe a cruise and then go to the British Museum. Are these sights within walking distance at all?? What is the best way to fit in Trafalgar Sq. and a walk by of Buckingham Palace. Maybe St. James Park. Could you give me a workable order of how to do this? What walk by's could we see while we are out at Westminster Abbey area.
Posted by
Land of La
9221 posts
The Tower is the farthest from "central" London. i.e. the majority of the sights.
The Tower & The British Museum have loads of things to see and appreciate. Since you have a single day you need to make the decision if it's London or Egypt you wish to see. Consider this: After even song at the Abbey you can easily stroll over to see The Houses of Parliment and Big Ben. Then walkup Whitehall to Trafalgar Square. Not far. Stop for a pint at the White Horse Tavern in route. #10 Downing Street is along Whitehall. The next morning get directions from your hotel to The Palace and The Victoria Memorial. From there stroll thru St. James Park back to Trafalgar Sq. Enter The Charing Cross Underground and take either the District or Circle lines to Tower Hill OR the Jubilee or Northern Line to London Bridge Station. After seeing The Tower, ravens and jewels take the Thames cruise back to Westminster. Enjoy your day in London
Posted by
Charlotte, NC, USA
3428 posts
Claudia's recommendations are excellent. I'd encourage you to stroll around Covent Garden if you find you have time. Leciester square- not too far from Trafalgar Sq. is also a great place to people watch.
Posted by
OP
Langley, B.C., Canada
103 posts
Thanks Claudia for your ideas. Sounds good to me. The only thing is, we absolutely have to see the Tower and British Museum. It's a dream of mine to actually see Egyptian antiquities.
Posted by
Quilcene, WA, USA
20 posts
Be at the Tower when it opens, and take the first "Beefeater" tour of the day. Then explore the Tower for a bit; you should finish up by lunchtime. Then take Bus #15 from Tower Hill back to Trafalgar Square, and bus #24 to its nearest stop to the British Museum (ask the driver, the bus runs a couple of blocks away up Tottenham Court Road.) Spend the afternoon at the Museum. Take #24 back to Trafalgar Square, then walk over to the Palace in the late afternoon or evening. A full day, but it can be done!
Posted by
OP
Langley, B.C., Canada
103 posts
Thanks Terri. Sounds great. You even included bus info. Thanks
Posted by
Boston, MA, United States
1806 posts
I actually recommend you arrive at the Tower as soon as it opens and immediately head to the building where the Crown Jewels are kept (this gets really crowded later in the day and everyone is basically crammed in on moving sidewalks - if you go first thing, it's pretty empty and the guards don't care if you get back on the moving sidewalk to view the jewels again). The Yeoman Warder/Beefeater tours leave pretty regularly. As soon as you are finished seeing the jewels, get the next tour.
Posted by
Quilcene, WA, USA
20 posts
I agree with Ceidleh -- arrive when the Tower opens, go immediately to see the Crown Jewels (we did this last October and were the only ones in the building!) -- you should still have time to get back and catch the first tour.
Posted by
Bothell, WA, USA
206 posts
You might try getting to the Tower ~ 15 minutes before it opens. They let me in ~15 minutes early. I headed straight to Jewel House and was alone with the Crown Jewels! How cool is that? Within an hour, there were many, many busloads of tourists....