2 weeks in and around London
Dec 28th, 2008, 02:41 PM
#1
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2 weeks in and around London
Hello everyone!
I'm planning for a trip to London in early June 2009. I have a few questions and am hopefully looking for feedback on possible itinerary.
I will be traveling solo. My parents are a little concerned about me going to Europe by myself (I will be 19 by the time of the trip and have been to Europe on a school trip before). I have traveled outside of my province and to the States a few times to visit some friends, I guess you could say that I am "well traveled" for my age. Anything a young female should avoid in London (besides what's common sense... like walking alone late at night)?
Also, I have to choose between leaving on May 27th and back on June 9th, or leaving on June 3rd and back on June 16th. I know that the 13th is the Trooping of the Colour but I understand that you can't really see everything when you're there. I was advised to go as early as I could so I can avoid a bit of the crowds.
Now, here's my itinerary:
Day 1: plane early in LHR, train/bus to Bath, possibly Roman Baths
Day 2: free walking tour, Fashion Museum
Day 3: train to London Paddington (earliest is at 9:45am, is there lockers at Paddington where I could leave my luggage for a few hours?), Fat Tire Bike Tour at 11am, London Eye in the late afternoon
Day 4: East End markets (Petticoat Lane, (Up) Market and/or Spitalfields), afternoon tea at some hotel
Day 5: some shopping in Knightsbridge and Kensington, V&A
Day 6: Hampton Court Palace, short visit to British Museum for Ancient Greece & Rome galleries, British Library (late night on Tuesdays)
Day 7: Inns of Court London Walk, National Gallery
Day 8: Kensington Palace, Old Kensington London Walk, National Portrait Gallery (late night on Thursdays)
Day 9: Tower of London, Borough Market, Tate Modern (late night on Fridays)
Day 10: Portobello Market, Wallace Collection
Day 11: Highgate Cemetery, Linley Sambourne House, possible Sunday recital at Westminster Abbey
Day 12: Westminster Abbey Tour, some more shopping (Oxford St?)
Day 13: plane from LHR in late afternoon
I'm probably going to stay at Astor Museum Inn. It seems like a safe hostel with an unbeatable location (across from British Museum).
I tried to take advantage of the late opening times of some museums. Is that recommended? Is it usually more/less crowded during those times?
I'm planning for a trip to London in early June 2009. I have a few questions and am hopefully looking for feedback on possible itinerary.
I will be traveling solo. My parents are a little concerned about me going to Europe by myself (I will be 19 by the time of the trip and have been to Europe on a school trip before). I have traveled outside of my province and to the States a few times to visit some friends, I guess you could say that I am "well traveled" for my age. Anything a young female should avoid in London (besides what's common sense... like walking alone late at night)?
Also, I have to choose between leaving on May 27th and back on June 9th, or leaving on June 3rd and back on June 16th. I know that the 13th is the Trooping of the Colour but I understand that you can't really see everything when you're there. I was advised to go as early as I could so I can avoid a bit of the crowds.
Now, here's my itinerary:
Day 1: plane early in LHR, train/bus to Bath, possibly Roman Baths
Day 2: free walking tour, Fashion Museum
Day 3: train to London Paddington (earliest is at 9:45am, is there lockers at Paddington where I could leave my luggage for a few hours?), Fat Tire Bike Tour at 11am, London Eye in the late afternoon
Day 4: East End markets (Petticoat Lane, (Up) Market and/or Spitalfields), afternoon tea at some hotel
Day 5: some shopping in Knightsbridge and Kensington, V&A
Day 6: Hampton Court Palace, short visit to British Museum for Ancient Greece & Rome galleries, British Library (late night on Tuesdays)
Day 7: Inns of Court London Walk, National Gallery
Day 8: Kensington Palace, Old Kensington London Walk, National Portrait Gallery (late night on Thursdays)
Day 9: Tower of London, Borough Market, Tate Modern (late night on Fridays)
Day 10: Portobello Market, Wallace Collection
Day 11: Highgate Cemetery, Linley Sambourne House, possible Sunday recital at Westminster Abbey
Day 12: Westminster Abbey Tour, some more shopping (Oxford St?)
Day 13: plane from LHR in late afternoon
I'm probably going to stay at Astor Museum Inn. It seems like a safe hostel with an unbeatable location (across from British Museum).
I tried to take advantage of the late opening times of some museums. Is that recommended? Is it usually more/less crowded during those times?
Dec 28th, 2008, 03:37 PM
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Good for you! It sounds like you have a good plan here. I recommend you take advantage of some of the London Walks (londonwalks.com). They are informative and fun and it will give you a chance to connect with other travelers. My daughters took a couple that they really enjoyed.
Dec 28th, 2008, 05:04 PM
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Hi joliane-
I think your itin looks great and definitely do-able.
I first went to London by myself when I was 19, did a junior year abroad there. I felt very safe then, and I often walked back to the dorm (in Bloomsbury) alone at night after shows and operas, and never had trouble once. As long as you're street smart, you won't have any problems in London.
As far as Trooping of the Colour, I think one can apply for tickets for it - not for the actual day, but for the rehearsal which takes place a week or 2 beforehand? I've read here on Fodors that it's easier to get tickets. You might want to investigate that option.
There are left luggage facility at Paddington. It's a manned office, not lockers.
http://www.excess-baggage.com/statio...php#paddington
Day 4 - (I assume it's Sunday), you can consider visiting Dennis Severs House, which is very nearby Spitalfields. A few blocks south is the Leadenhall Market. Very beautiful Victorian architecture, and also was where they filmed Harry Potter for Diagon Alley.
Regarding the late opening hours of museums, yes, they tend to be less crowded, esp towards the very late hours. But, I think some museums <u>may</u> close certain galleries, so if you are dead set to see a certain piece, make sure you check the museum website to see if they have early closings. Don't want you to go there and be disappointed.
Personally, I prefer going to museums early in the day because I tend to be at my sharpest at that time. By late afternoon, I get quite tired and museum visits at that hour end up feeling like a blur. The only way I could do it is if I take a nap in the afternoon before heading to a late night museum visit. But of course, I'm almost twice your age now, so you definitely have more stamina than I do.
Here's a link to a thread which I have compiled a list of London trip reports by various Fodorites. Feel free to read them and adjust your itin accordingly. (IMO, you probably can fit in a few more things, given how young and energetic you are.)
Also, there are plenty of free lunchtime church concerts all over London, if you enjoy those. In my most recent trip in Nov 08, I went to 4 free concerts in my 1-week stay in London. My trip report link is in the thread listed below as well:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35162023
I think your itin looks great and definitely do-able.
I first went to London by myself when I was 19, did a junior year abroad there. I felt very safe then, and I often walked back to the dorm (in Bloomsbury) alone at night after shows and operas, and never had trouble once. As long as you're street smart, you won't have any problems in London.
As far as Trooping of the Colour, I think one can apply for tickets for it - not for the actual day, but for the rehearsal which takes place a week or 2 beforehand? I've read here on Fodors that it's easier to get tickets. You might want to investigate that option.
There are left luggage facility at Paddington. It's a manned office, not lockers.
http://www.excess-baggage.com/statio...php#paddington
Day 4 - (I assume it's Sunday), you can consider visiting Dennis Severs House, which is very nearby Spitalfields. A few blocks south is the Leadenhall Market. Very beautiful Victorian architecture, and also was where they filmed Harry Potter for Diagon Alley.
Regarding the late opening hours of museums, yes, they tend to be less crowded, esp towards the very late hours. But, I think some museums <u>may</u> close certain galleries, so if you are dead set to see a certain piece, make sure you check the museum website to see if they have early closings. Don't want you to go there and be disappointed.
Personally, I prefer going to museums early in the day because I tend to be at my sharpest at that time. By late afternoon, I get quite tired and museum visits at that hour end up feeling like a blur. The only way I could do it is if I take a nap in the afternoon before heading to a late night museum visit. But of course, I'm almost twice your age now, so you definitely have more stamina than I do.
Here's a link to a thread which I have compiled a list of London trip reports by various Fodorites. Feel free to read them and adjust your itin accordingly. (IMO, you probably can fit in a few more things, given how young and energetic you are.)
Also, there are plenty of free lunchtime church concerts all over London, if you enjoy those. In my most recent trip in Nov 08, I went to 4 free concerts in my 1-week stay in London. My trip report link is in the thread listed below as well:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35162023
Dec 28th, 2008, 05:20 PM
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Your itinerary is certainly very do-able and progresses in a pleasing, leisurely way. There are some other sights (a couple major ones) not on your list, perhaps by design: St. Paul's Cathedral, Tate Gallery, Courtauld Institute Museum, Sir John Soane's Museum, Banqueting House, Imperial War Museum, Cabinet War Room Museum, Regent's Park, St. James's Park, Queen's Gallery, and Royal Mews, for example. Feel free to do some research on these options to see if you want to add any in.
Evening hours in museums is a very good option, one I took good advantage of in my London visit. A few museums, notably the V&A and British Museums, do close some of their galleries in the evening. It may be worth a call or email to make sure what you want to see will be open.
London is considered very safe if you take normal common sense precautions. Bad areas of London are located well away from places tourists normally go (for example, parts of the East End and some spots well south of the Thames). I say go and enjoy.
Evening hours in museums is a very good option, one I took good advantage of in my London visit. A few museums, notably the V&A and British Museums, do close some of their galleries in the evening. It may be worth a call or email to make sure what you want to see will be open.
London is considered very safe if you take normal common sense precautions. Bad areas of London are located well away from places tourists normally go (for example, parts of the East End and some spots well south of the Thames). I say go and enjoy.
Dec 28th, 2008, 06:36 PM
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There are a lot of adults on this board who could take some lessons from you! My only question is why are you going straight to Bath upon arrival? It just seems to me you ought to have a day or two of "jet lag recovery" time. Other than that, it sounds like a fantastic trip. Do you plan to do any theater? If you happen to be a fan of the movie "Dirty Dancing", the show is very very faithful to the movie and my daughter and I loved it.
Dec 28th, 2008, 08:08 PM
#6
You've put together a really good itinerary - a wonderful pace. Yes - a LOT of other poster could learn a lot from this.
As for Bath first - I actually think that is a reasonably good idea. You can doze on the bus from LHR to Bath and then hit the ground when you get there. I wouldn't bother w/ a train/bus combo - just too much schlepping. There is a direct express coach from LHR to Bath.
As for storing your bag at Paddington on day 3 -- I wouldn't bother. It is just extra expense and then you'd have to return to Paddington to retrieve you luggage later in the day. I'd go to your hostel from Paddington and leave your bags there before heading out to explore.
It sounds like you are a level headed woman so you won't have any problems - even if you are out at night. Going to the theatre and such - there will be thousands of others out walking late too so you won't be alone.
As for Bath first - I actually think that is a reasonably good idea. You can doze on the bus from LHR to Bath and then hit the ground when you get there. I wouldn't bother w/ a train/bus combo - just too much schlepping. There is a direct express coach from LHR to Bath.
As for storing your bag at Paddington on day 3 -- I wouldn't bother. It is just extra expense and then you'd have to return to Paddington to retrieve you luggage later in the day. I'd go to your hostel from Paddington and leave your bags there before heading out to explore.
It sounds like you are a level headed woman so you won't have any problems - even if you are out at night. Going to the theatre and such - there will be thousands of others out walking late too so you won't be alone.
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Dec 28th, 2008, 11:27 PM
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Hi
The end of May is a half term holiday (called Whit week) for the vast majority of schools in England - they have a full week off and sometimes a couple of days extra. This makes everything much busier in terms of tourist places, even trains, so I would definitely pick the second dates you have in mind. Whit week in 2009 is w/c 25th May, which is also Bank Holiday Monday (many things closed).
The end of May is a half term holiday (called Whit week) for the vast majority of schools in England - they have a full week off and sometimes a couple of days extra. This makes everything much busier in terms of tourist places, even trains, so I would definitely pick the second dates you have in mind. Whit week in 2009 is w/c 25th May, which is also Bank Holiday Monday (many things closed).
Dec 29th, 2008, 01:28 AM
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I'm not sure I quite follow your reference to Trooping the Colour. The crowds around the Mall for the processions won't impinge on anywhere else. Personally, I wouldn't worry about the ceremony (you get the best view when it's relayed on the TV anyway, and it'll be replayed in the early evening): just enjoy the spectacle of the processions and the gun salutes.
The processions go down the Mall from around 10.30, and come back shortly after 12. I got a good view from the north side of the Mall outside Carlton House Terrace, and managed to get up to Green Park in time for the gun salutes, then back outside the Palace for the planes going over, without feeling too oppressed by crowds:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=vheMiothcjM
The processions go down the Mall from around 10.30, and come back shortly after 12. I got a good view from the north side of the Mall outside Carlton House Terrace, and managed to get up to Green Park in time for the gun salutes, then back outside the Palace for the planes going over, without feeling too oppressed by crowds:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=vheMiothcjM
Dec 29th, 2008, 02:00 AM
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Just one small thing: Petticoat Lane market only really happens on Sundays and in any case is not somewhere I would make much of an effort to go to. It's mainly cheap clothes with a few stall carrying household goods.
If you're going to go to a market on Sunday - try either Portobello Rd (Antiques) Camden (antiques and everything else) Camden Passage (which is in Islington and sells antiques), Borough (food)
If you're going to go to a market on Sunday - try either Portobello Rd (Antiques) Camden (antiques and everything else) Camden Passage (which is in Islington and sells antiques), Borough (food)
Dec 29th, 2008, 06:32 AM
#11
Meant to mention - the week before the Trooping of the Colour there is a dress rehearsal w/ everyone except the Royals. It is a way to see the "pomp" w/o the "circumstance"
I'd personally pick June 3-16 - but either would be fine.
I'd personally pick June 3-16 - but either would be fine.
Dec 29th, 2008, 07:44 AM
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We took the bus direct from Heathrow to Bath. It was OK, probably better than catching a bus to Reading and changing to a train. And certainly cheaper, since you can't be sure ahead of time which train you'll be able to catch.
You have a very full schedule, especially days 6 and 11. The latter has you all over the place. You might build in some down time and also a more fluid schedule to allow for bad weather.
Have you investigated the Oyster card for public transportation in London? In fact, you might look at the Tfl page for their journey planner: www.tfl.gov.uk
If you're interested in fashion, check out the area around Sloane Square, Sloane Street and King's Road. Lots of designer stores, good window shopping and people watching.
You have a very full schedule, especially days 6 and 11. The latter has you all over the place. You might build in some down time and also a more fluid schedule to allow for bad weather.
Have you investigated the Oyster card for public transportation in London? In fact, you might look at the Tfl page for their journey planner: www.tfl.gov.uk
If you're interested in fashion, check out the area around Sloane Square, Sloane Street and King's Road. Lots of designer stores, good window shopping and people watching.
Dec 29th, 2008, 08:41 AM
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The markets -- we love markets in general, doesn't matter what's for sale, because we're "window shoppers". This past summer we were with our kids, ages 21, 23 and 24 (two girls and a boy), and we enjoyed Camden (cheap food, too), Portobello and Spitalfield's (much more "genteel" -- opposite in feel from Camden, which is raucous). The two who went to Petticoat (both kids) were less than impressed. We missed Borough Market, and have it on our list for our next trip.
Dec 29th, 2008, 01:05 PM
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janisj and sf7307--
Different people sightsee at different paces. There's certainly nothing wrong with joliane's way of doing things, though for me it would be slower than I'd like. My wish here was to suggest some other sights joliane may or may not want to consider including. There's absolutely no need to cast aspersions on those who go at faster paces than you'd personally like.
Different people sightsee at different paces. There's certainly nothing wrong with joliane's way of doing things, though for me it would be slower than I'd like. My wish here was to suggest some other sights joliane may or may not want to consider including. There's absolutely no need to cast aspersions on those who go at faster paces than you'd personally like.
Dec 29th, 2008, 02:11 PM
#17
bachslunch: "<i>There's absolutely no need to cast aspersions . . . .</i>" HUH? pleased re-read what I wrote - I see not a single "aspersion" of any sort what-so-ever -- none. Not a one. Nada.
In fact, I didn't comment about your post in any way . . . . .
I complemented joliane on creating a very sensible itinerary, and made a couple of suggestions.
In fact, I didn't comment about your post in any way . . . . .
I complemented joliane on creating a very sensible itinerary, and made a couple of suggestions.
Dec 30th, 2008, 05:06 PM
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You've gotten some good positive feedback from many who know London better than I do, and as pointed out each person knows herself and her interests best, and I agree that it looks doable. But don't shortchange time at the British Museum. Day 6 looks like it might be a bit much (and I've got a 19 year old who can walk rings around most people, so I'm picturing her attempting your itinerary, not me). Not sure how long you're planning for Hampton Court but it took us a long afternoon. And the Brit Mus of course could take you 30 minutes or 30 days/years! You might fit all 3 things in on Day 6, but you might want to reserve the Museum for another lighter day. Of course, I can also see you've wisely grouped according to location and the Mus. to Lib. is a not-far walk, so the 2 make sense on the same day. We loved the Brit Lib's Treasure Room so it's great you have that on your list. ENJOY!
