One day in London

[D_Lynn]

Okay, Euro friends...

I've extended my layover in London next week, but just for one day/night. What do you suggest someone who has never been there do for that day? (Keep in mind that I'll have my 17-year old son with me.)

I'm a little overwhelmed with how much there is to do/see. I will be going back there later in the year for business and I'll build more time in for sightseeing then. This business/personal trip is mostly across Germany.

Thoughts/Suggestions?

-DL

 

[oggbashan]

Take a bus tour?

They start from the the major tourist attractions but visit most of them. They are expensive but a good introduction to London, particularly if you only have one day.

There is also a DUKW tour which goes on land and the River Thames.

 

[D_Lynn]

Take a bus tour?

They start from the the major tourist attractions but visit most of them. They are expensive but a good introduction to London, particularly if you only have one day.

There is also a DUKW tour which goes on land and the River Thames.

My preliminary thoughts were to take the tube to Piccadilly Circus and catch a double-decker there.

Good idea/bad idea? What do I watch out for?

One thing I can't figure out by searching on the web, though, is how to get tickets for the on-off buses?

And I'm not sure which train to take and when it makes sense to get an Oyster card.

 

[D_Lynn]

I don't know if this makes any difference, but the day/night I'll be there is a Sunday.

 

[PennLady]

Mr Penn and I have been to London twice, once for a 4-day trip and once for our honeymoon. One thing we did that we loved was walking tours. We bought some books and just followed the routes laid out and it was great.

Romantics that we are, we finished our honeymoon with a Jack the Ripper bus tour -- that might interest a 17yo. Are you staying at a hotel? They'd probably have information about the tours, might even be able to sign you up.

Final question -- where in London will you be?

 

[D_Lynn]

Mr Penn and I have been to London twice, once for a 4-day trip and once for our honeymoon. One thing we did that we loved was walking tours. We bought some books and just followed the routes laid out and it was great.

Romantics that we are, we finished our honeymoon with a Jack the Ripper bus tour -- that might interest a 17yo. Are you staying at a hotel? They'd probably have information about the tours, might even be able to sign you up.

Final question -- where in London will you be?

Because our flight departs Heathrow early on Monday morning, I didn't want to risk staying in Central London, so we'll be at a hotel at Heathrow.

The Jack the Ripper tour sounds like fun if we had more time. I want to take in as much as possible in one day.

 

[oggbashan]

My preliminary thoughts were to take the tube to Piccadilly Circus and catch a double-decker there.

Good idea/bad idea? What do I watch out for?

One thing I can't figure out by searching on the web, though, is how to get tickets for the on-off buses?

And I'm not sure which train to take and when it makes sense to get an Oyster card.

All the on-off buses take cash and cards on the spot.

Oyster card is good but a one day travelcard from Heathrow might be cheaper and easier. Transport for London gives all the details - http://www.tfl.gov.uk/

The Original London tour is £26 - http://www.viator.com/tours/London/The-Original-London-Sightseeing-Tour-Hop-on-Hop-off/d737-3302OT

Other tours are here - http://www.city-discovery.com/london_tours/hop_on_and_off_tours

 

[PennLady]

Because our flight departs Heathrow early on Monday morning, I didn't want to risk staying in Central London, so we'll be at a hotel at Heathrow.

The Jack the Ripper tour sounds like fun if we had more time. I want to take in as much as possible in one day.

You might be better to ask your hotel when you get there, I'm sure they must get this question all the time. So you will be arriving Sat night, then have all day Sunday, then leave Monday? Sorry, don't mean to pry, just trying to get a sense of the time you'll have. When Mr Penn and I went, since it was on longer trips, we stayed in London, and hence were closer to things to start with

The nice thing about the JtR tour -- and I'm sure there are TONS of them -- was that you went to a place, got on the bus, did some walking, then got back on the bus. So you got a nice walk but weren't exhausted.

But for big landmarks that are close together -- Big Ben, Westminster Abbey (and a smaller church nearby that was neat), and the Houses of Parliament are all in one spot, and then if you cross Westminster Bridge right there, you can see/ride on the London Eye (very cool).

Hyde Park, as I recall, also has a lot to see if you walk around. Sorry, it's been a long time so I'm forgetting where things are in relation to each other. Of course, you can check out an online map to see where things are and perhaps work out the best route for yourself to see some sights, and sites.

 

[D_Lynn]

All the on-off buses take cash and cards on the spot.

Oyster card is good but a one day travelcard from Heathrow might be cheaper and easier. Transport for London gives all the details - http://www.tfl.gov.uk/

The Original London tour is £26 - http://www.viator.com/tours/London/The-Original-London-Sightseeing-Tour-Hop-on-Hop-off/d737-3302OT

Other tours are here - http://www.city-discovery.com/london_tours/hop_on_and_off_tours

Good sites to bookmark. That answered my question about the travelcard. I think you're right since we're just going to do one round trip from Heathrow to Central London.

You might be better to ask your hotel when you get there, I'm sure they must get this question all the time. So you will be arriving Sat night, then have all day Sunday, then leave Monday? Sorry, don't mean to pry, just trying to get a sense of the time you'll have. When Mr Penn and I went, since it was on longer trips, we stayed in London, and hence were closer to things to start with

The nice thing about the JtR tour -- and I'm sure there are TONS of them -- was that you went to a place, got on the bus, did some walking, then got back on the bus. So you got a nice walk but weren't exhausted.

But for big landmarks that are close together -- Big Ben, Westminster Abbey (and a smaller church nearby that was neat), and the Houses of Parliament are all in one spot, and then if you cross Westminster Bridge right there, you can see/ride on the London Eye (very cool).

Hyde Park, as I recall, also has a lot to see if you walk around. Sorry, it's been a long time so I'm forgetting where things are in relation to each other. Of course, you can check out an online map to see where things are and perhaps work out the best route for yourself to see some sights, and sites.

I thought we might get the most from the on/off bus tours. This is the second time London Eye has been mentioned. What is that about? Is it far and would it be worth it to investigate in the short amount of time we have?

We're flying from Germany to London Sunday morn. We'll have just that day/night, then back home Monday morning. Such a short time, I know. I could've flown direct back home and bypassed London, altogether, but I am desperate to visit London. Everyone who knows me thinks I'm going to flip and fall in love when I go there.

 

[PennLady]

I thought we might get the most from the on/off bus tours. This is the second time London Eye has been mentioned. What is that about? Is it far and would it be worth it to investigate in the short amount of time we have?

We're flying from Germany to London Sunday morn. We'll have just that day/night, then back home Monday morning. Such a short time, I know. I could've flown direct back home and bypassed London, altogether, but I am desperate to visit London. Everyone who knows me thinks I'm going to flip and fall in love when I go there.

Mr Penn and I love London and would like to go back again at some point, when our kids are a bit older. It's just wonderful, so much to see, and the tour companies (and even just random people) seem to know so much about the history of everything.

It does sound like those on/off tours would be your best bet. I'd think with limited time like yours, you have two choices: a tour like that to see as much as possible, or focus on just one or two things.

The London Eye is a large ferris wheel on the bank of the Thames, across from the Houses of Parliament. I'm not sure if it's the tallest in the world or anything, but it's damn big. After you buy your ticket, you step into a pod, which holds maybe 20 people, and then you look around as you go up. You get a wonderful view of the skyline, naturally. I think it's worth going on if you have the time, but if you have a fear of heights or anything, you might just like to look from the ground.

 

[D_Lynn]

The London Eye is a large ferris wheel on the bank of the Thames, across from the Houses of Parliament. I'm not sure if it's the tallest in the world or anything, but it's damn big. After you buy your ticket, you step into a pod, which holds maybe 20 people, and then you look around as you go up. You get a wonderful view of the skyline, naturally. I think it's worth going on if you have the time, but if you have a fear of heights or anything, you might just like to look from the ground.

Adding this to the list. Who can resist a ferris wheel?

 

[Handley_Page]

Personally, I'd suggest a trip round the Tower of London.
Well worth it

 

[loquere]

Head over to number 11 downing street and egg who ever exits.

PS:Use rotten eggs.

 

[oggbashan]

The London Eye is expensive and preferably has to be booked well in advance for a timed slot.

If not, you could spend much of your limited time in a queue.

Website: http://www.londoneye.com/

The website www.tripadvisor.co.uk gives reviews of attractions. You could look for london bus tour.

 

[D_Lynn]

Personally, I'd suggest a trip round the Tower of London.
Well worth it

Duly noted. If I don't make it during this trip, then the next one for sure.

Head over to number 11 downing street and egg who ever exits.

PS:Use rotten eggs.

I had to look this up. Then Wikipedia mentioned the Chief Whip and, well, I sort of got sidetracked after that. Can't mention whipping to a BDSM novelist without a derailment.

The London Eye is expensive and preferably has to be booked well in advance for a timed slot.

If not, you could spend much of your limited time in a queue.

Website: http://www.londoneye.com/

The website www.tripadvisor.co.uk gives reviews of attractions. You could look for london bus tour.

Very, VERY good tip. Thanks for the advice and links. I'm looking into it now.

You guys have been a TREMENDOUS help today. I really, really appreciate this.

 

[PennLady]

The London Eye is expensive and preferably has to be booked well in advance for a timed slot.

If not, you could spend much of your limited time in a queue.

Website: http://www.londoneye.com/

The website www.tripadvisor.co.uk gives reviews of attractions. You could look for london bus tour.

That is good to know. Mr Penn and I just went, as I recall, but that was back in 2000, so perhaps it wasn't as popular at the time. I don't recall advance tickets or standing in line, but I wouldn't want that to take up too much time for you!

 

[loquere]

So what egging is out?

 

[NaokoSmith]

Oggbashan's advice is spot on. You can get a quick train from Heathrow to Paddington station but don't hang around Paddington unless you are serious fans of the children's stories about the bear (and you can visit his statue and buy overpriced memorabilia in 10 minutes).

The on-off bus tours are a good way to get about. The London Eye is great, you see the whole river in a completely different way and all the landmarks. While you're there you can check out the South Bank Centre, round the side is a bust of Nelson Mandela and if you go to Trafalgar Square (Nelson's Column) as well you can say you did the two Nelsons. There's an aquarium along the river bank but your son is too old to be amused by that.

If you have time another fun linked trip to do is to go to The Monument to the Great Fire of London, climb that (NB - there are A LOT of steps), take in that view, then go to the London Eye. The Monument is on the edge of the financial district and on Sundays it can be a really nice walk around the area since there's little traffic. You can take in the Bank of England and other famous financial buildings, narrow streets with charming Dickensian aspects blah blah blah. (Tower of London is nearby too, but again you best book online before turning up as it has serious queues.)

If you go along the river on the river boat - which is a great trip and you can plan it so you have lunch in a pub somewhere along the way, you might enjoy reading parts of Oliver Twist including Dickens's essay at the end excoriating the authorities for allowing the slummy conditions along the river banks where crime and vice flourished. Nowadays of course, full of desirable residences and expensive eateries.

Spitalfields Market near Liverpool Street Station used to be very jolly (although these days I suspect totally bourgeoisified) if you want to do artisanal shopping in a Harry Potteresque location.

PennLady is right that if you have a taste for crime, the East End is great fun to visit, with lots of louche pubs and Kray venues and also Bengali restaurants in Brick Lane. On Sundays there's a market (Brick Lane Market) sprawling all around the local streets where the artist Chris Offili used to go and sell lumps of elephant dung (now that he is famous, worth mega bucks). You can buy everything there including things you wouldn't believe anyone would pay money for: odd shoes or old clothes. There are two famous bagel bakeries at the top end of Brick Lane which are never closed - except once the Millenium New Year I went there and one of them was shut, the other was still open. Look out for Banksy graffiti.

xxx

 

[D_Lynn]

Oh, WOW! All of this information is amazing. I'm printing it off now for reference. It's going to take me a while to map it out and make some plans.

THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU! More great stuff.

Oggbashan's advice is spot on. You can get a quick train from Heathrow to Paddington station but don't hang around Paddington unless you are serious fans of the children's stories about the bear (and you can visit his statue and buy overpriced memorabilia in 10 minutes).

The on-off bus tours are a good way to get about. The London Eye is great, you see the whole river in a completely different way and all the landmarks. While you're there you can check out the South Bank Centre, round the side is a bust of Nelson Mandela and if you go to Trafalgar Square (Nelson's Column) as well you can say you did the two Nelsons. There's an aquarium along the river bank but your son is too old to be amused by that.

If you have time another fun linked trip to do is to go to The Monument to the Great Fire of London, climb that (NB - there are A LOT of steps), take in that view, then go to the London Eye. The Monument is on the edge of the financial district and on Sundays it can be a really nice walk around the area since there's little traffic. You can take in the Bank of England and other famous financial buildings, narrow streets with charming Dickensian aspects blah blah blah. (Tower of London is nearby too, but again you best book online before turning up as it has serious queues.)

If you go along the river on the river boat - which is a great trip and you can plan it so you have lunch in a pub somewhere along the way, you might enjoy reading parts of Oliver Twist including Dickens's essay at the end excoriating the authorities for allowing the slummy conditions along the river banks where crime and vice flourished. Nowadays of course, full of desirable residences and expensive eateries.

Spitalfields Market near Liverpool Street Station used to be very jolly (although these days I suspect totally bourgeoisified) if you want to do artisanal shopping in a Harry Potteresque location.

PennLady is right that if you have a taste for crime, the East End is great fun to visit, with lots of louche pubs and Kray venues and also Bengali restaurants in Brick Lane. On Sundays there's a market (Brick Lane Market) sprawling all around the local streets where the artist Chris Offili used to go and sell lumps of elephant dung (now that he is famous, worth mega bucks). You can buy everything there including things you wouldn't believe anyone would pay money for: odd shoes or old clothes. There are two famous bagel bakeries at the top end of Brick Lane which are never closed - except once the Millenium New Year I went there and one of them was shut, the other was still open. Look out for Banksy graffiti.

xxx

 

[D_Lynn]

So what egging is out?

'Fraid it's not in the budget. It's not the price of eggs, so much. It's the fines that would bust me.

 

[NaokoSmith]

Please please do the egging if you can. Include No. 10. In fact the whole road. We will all club together and pay your fines. Especially if you get Nick Clegg.

 

[loquere]

Please please do the egging if you can. Include No. 10. In fact the whole road. We will all club together and pay your fines. Especially if you get Nick Clegg.

I don't know why I said number 11 well im an idiot.

 

[oggbashan]

I don't know why I said number 11 well im an idiot.

Number 11 is the official residence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer - the man who sets the tax rate. Whoever is resident there is unpopular.

But anyone trying to throw eggs wouldn't get close enough to either No.11 nor No.10 without being arrested. There is a large gate in the way.

 

[PennLady]

Number 11 is the official residence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer - the man who sets the tax rate. Whoever is resident there is unpopular.

But anyone trying to throw eggs wouldn't get close enough to either No.11 nor No.10 without being arrested. There is a large gate in the way.

And geek that I am, all I can think of is Dr Who and the Slitheen...

 

[SCMOM44]

I am in London quite often and from Heathrow if you only have one day take the train to either Windsor Castle or go into central London, get off at parliment, your right under BigBen and a short walk from the Tower of London, you can spend a full day inboth the Tower and windsor castle with lots to keep you and your son entertained. also from parliment you can go in westminister catherdral or ride on the london eye,go to horse guards parade and buckingham palace