byersb449

Hello Fellow Travelers!
I will be in London come the first week in March. Looking for some fun things to do. I am not on a super strict budget, but I don't need to be overspending. I will be taking the tube most places, perhaps the bus too. Any tips for taking to bus? Maybe once I am in the city take the bus around? I am staying in a little town on the outskirts that is about a 20 minute metro ride into downtown.
I am really into the Pub scene, cute shopping streets and cozy cafes. My list so far of places to see and things to do in the week that I am there:

Westminster Abbey Church
Big Ben
The London Eye
Abbey Road
Buckingham Palace
maybe: Shakespeare's Globe

What else should I check out? I plan on literally walking by some of those places, some I will take a gander in. (keep in mind, it will be a bit chilly outside, due to it being March) My main worry is I do not want to miss anything that is amazing! For the most part I am there to have fun with my friends in a great city, but like I said, I want to make sure my trip is worth it and seeing how I have a week, I want to see some great sights and cute towns. Thank you for the help, looking forward to hearing what you all have to say!

jamikins

Check out borough market and area for good pubs and market food but avoid Saturdays, too busy
http://boroughmarket.org.uk

Carnaby street for shopping http://www.carnaby.co.uk/?acceptmobile=1

Tower of London deserves half a day - best site in London in my opinion http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/

Pub walks with London walks are a great way to find great pubs www.walks.com I recommend all of their walks!

Saint Paul's cathedral http://www.stpauls.co.uk

Do a search here and get a good guide book...michelin green guide is a good one

sparkchaser

British Museum

Get trashed in a pub

jamikins

Good thread on London pub ideas http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-in-london.cfm

jamikins

Some other areas and markets you may want to visit

http://www.camdenlockmarket.com

http://www.columbiaroad.info

http://www.oldspitalfieldsmarket.com

http://www.greenwichmarketlondon.com/market

http://www.portobelloroad.co.uk

surfmom

a bit of a budget buster... but really fun to do:

Climb the O2 arena... We did it and had a really fun time! We combined it with a trip to Greenwich and saw the Prime Meridian and other assorted Greenwich sites.

http://www.theo2.co.uk/upattheo2

rncheryl

Ceremony of the Keys at Tower of London. The price is right: FREE. Apply immediately, may be too late already.

http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/...emonyofthekeys

Surfergirl

What little town?

macdogmom

A day combining a trip to Victoria & Albert museum, shopping on Kings Road and some modern art at Saatchi gallery is fun. I think you are female and if so I strongly recommend V&A museum. Amazing clothing, design and jewelry exhibits and one of the most spectacular rooms in London to have lunch or tea/coffee. Also really enjoy walking along the Thames to the Tate Modern. In their 3 or 4th floor cafe you can sit along the window and have wonderful views of the river and St. Paul's. Convent Garden has great shops and some good restaurants in Nearby Soho.

janisj

>>What little town?<<

That was my first thought as well. Are you staying w/ friends/relatives who know it is >>a little town on the outskirts that is about a 20 minute metro ride into downtown.<< . . . or is that something some hotel or B&B claims on its website?

(Just an FYI - it isn't a 'metro/ in London. It is the Underground - also called the Tube)

carolyn

The British Library's Special Documents Room.
See a play.
Have afternoon tea.

nytraveler

London is a very large, spread out city.

I'm finding it hard to think of a "small town" that is 20 minutes form the center of London by tube. Twenty minutes from the center is not small towns - just neighborhoods farther from the center.

Agree - is this family you are staying with - or might you be buying into the fantasy of some budget B&B owner - either on time to the center - or what kind of neighborhood you are in.

Surfergirl

I used to live in the "small town" of Hainault (!!!) but that was a 50 minute tube ride to St Paul's, where I worked. that's why I asked. So I'm gathering the OP is talking about a "neighborhood" as nytraveler noted, or a London burb. My guess is that the OP is thinking 20 min. from "Central London" -- I don't recall anyone ever calling it "downtown".

To the OP -- I think that's why some of us are a little confused -- the terminology is just a little odd, so we're trying to clarify to help you, not be snarky.

March is a hit or miss month weather-wise. If you've never been to London, you must go to the Tower of London -- I don't care if it's bloody snowing!

Depending on how old or young you are -- let's say you're in the 20-30 age group -- I'd recommend Camden Town. And I'd also recommend going to some music clubs, assuming you like music. And I'd recommend at least one night going to a play. Especially if where you're staying is within walking distance to a tube station. You'll have plenty of time to see the play, have an after play drink at a local pub, and head back to where you're staying.

CarrieAnn40

I second climbing the O2. My friend and I took our three teenage boys last summer and everyone was saying how good it was.

byersb449

Thanks for all the feedback.
I am staying in Finsbury Park, I guess it's not a little town, I meant to say thats my stop on the underground.

Luv2travel15

We visited London last year and took a bus tour for the day because we only had 1 day to tour before we went to SH to go on our cruise. We saw all the highlights in the day. Of course, wish we had more time to see other sights.

We had a tour of St. Paul's Cathedral included in our ticket price. IMO, very worthwhile to put on your list. The church is so beautiful!

http://www.aviewoncities.com/london/...scathedral.htm

We stopped at Kensington Gardens and walked about viewing the Prince Albert Memorial and its statutory. The Prince Albert Concert Hall is is across the street. March may be iffy weather tho. We didn't get to see the Peter Pan statue tho!

http://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/kensington-gardens

Our tour guide got us to Buckingham Palace in time for Changing of Guard, loved seeing all the pomp and circumstance w/ the changing. We were up nice and close too. Again, may be weather dependent for you in March.

The changing of the guard takes place daily at 11 o'clock in front of Buckingham Palace. A colorfully dressed detachment, known as the New Guard, parades along the Mall towards Buckingham Palace and during a ceremony replaces the existing, Old Guard. The ceremony, which is accompanied by music played by a military band, always attracts throngs of onlookers.

Tower of London - IMO a not to be missed attraction. We had tix w/ our tour. Very interesting to see all those jewels. You will see the Yeoman Warders walking about the property, you can take a guided tour w/ them.

http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/...s/yeomanwarder

http://www.imvisitinglondon.com/sitemap.html

There is so much to see in London that you can't see it all in a few days. We can't wait to go back.

Have a great trip!

Grindeldoo

Go to a comedy night - apart from the Comedy Store in central London, plenty of pubs have comedy nights as well as live music. All part of trying to keep the customers coming in. I can't remember the actual rate, but something like a dozen pubs a week are closing in Britain.

Walk along the river (River Thames) from Westminster Bridge to Borough Market. Not that far and plenty to see/do on the way.

kovsie

I keep on doing this,but this thread has so many great ideas, that you might want to check it out:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...m#last-comment

Luv2travel15

kovsie, what a fantastic thread you have listed above. There is so much info there for London, wish that I found it last year when we were going. I have bookmarked for future reference! Hope you enjoyed your trip.

crepes_a_go_go

Your visit to Westminster will be greatly enhanced by attending a service. I take my tour groups to evensong and they are always impressed. Here's a link to the current schedule. March is not posted yet.

http://www.westminster-abbey.org/music/choral-services

St Paul's is also one of my favorite places to take my groups. They have evensong as well, just check their website for times.

Ditto that Tower of London is best attraction in London for a first time visitor. Seeing the crown jewels is a treat, and their gift shop is one of the best.

I wish people would be more specific when they give suggestions like "have tea" or "have a drink after a show" and give some places they know to be good. I'm always on the lookout for suggestions of places to have tea that have been experienced and known to be good.

Along that line, I will say that I like having tea at St Martin in the Fields when I'm in the Trafalgar Square area. It's self-service but they have a nice selection of sweets and savories. Just steer clear of the pre-prepared plate of scones and cakes (including tea) for £5.95 and choose your own selections and you will be fine. They also have a nice gift shop (bought some lovely Christmas gifts there last month).

If you take a stoll along Portobello Rd market, stop for a respite at Gail's. Tea, coffee and cakes there are delish!
http://gailsbread.co.uk/bakeries/notting-hill/

March is one of my favorite times to go. I'm bringing a private group to London and Paris in March myself. Have fun!