London to-do's

[Olympicnut]

I thought I'd get the party started by talking about London!

Here's my to-do's if you ever make it there. Remember, these are just MY to-do's, yours might be different. In fact I think it'd be great for people that have been there to talk about their experiences.

The first thing I want to bring up is, when you travel to places you've never been to, it's ok to do touristy things. I mean, you're a tourist right? Nothing wrong with taking guided tours, or going to tourist hot spots. That's part of the travel experience.

London Eye. Yea, it's a ferris wheel, and yes it's touristy, but it gives you great views of the city and if you can make it on near dusk, and it's clear, the views are beautiful. It's a 30 minutes ride, but tack on some time before to wait in line.

Tower of London. I absolutely LOVE going here. I have gone every time I've been and am never disappointed. The history. The building architecture inside and out. Just so cool. Have lunch at the restaurant, the food is really good! (particularly the spaghetti, and be sure to get a fairy cake!)

Harrods. Even if you don't like shopping, it's still really cool to walk around this place. It has absolutely everything, from electronics to lingerie to electronic lingerie to a grocery store to restaurants. An absolute MUST is to stop by the Chocolate Bar. Nothing but chocolate products. My fave - a brownie and what I call and iced chocolate. They call it a shake but really it's more like they took a hot chocolate and whipped it up and poured it over ice. HEA-VEN!

Hyde Park. Take a leisurely stroll through Hyde Park after you leave the Chocolate Bar at Harrods. It's a great little breather. The Peter Pan statue is there, as well as Princess Dianas memorial.

Kensington Palace. It's where Diana lived. Such a beautiful place, again with a lot of history.

The Imperial War Museum. I didn't think I'd enjoy this place at all, but it was one of the highlights for me. I could have spent WAY more time in there. My sister, who isn't into this sort of stuff at ALL, told me to go. It didn't disappoint.

[Olympicnut]

There's a lot to see in London, but I also wanted to see parts outside of the city, so I have taken guided bus trips to places not too too far away, but far enough to see other parts of England.

One trip was to Stonehenge and Bath. Stonehenge was meh. It really didn't do much for me, and I wa shocked at the fact that the highway ran a few FEET from it! Bath on the other hand was an amazing town. We got a private tour of the Roman Baths (with dessert and champagne) and that was really cool. Plus all the Georgian architecture was awesome to see.

The other trip was to Leeds Castle, Dover and Canterbury (ending back in London with a boat trip up the Thames). Leeds Castle was really beautiful to see and walk through (private tour before the place opened to the public). Dover was nothing spectacular IMHO, but the castle looming above looked really cool. That's a tour I'd like to take in the future. Canterbury was fun to walk around and the Cathedral was amazing!

[Olympicnut]

Some things that I didn't think were all that great, were:

The Tate Modern. I had heard nothing but great things about it, but when I went with my friend who is really into modern art, we both left there going, ummm, ok. The restaurant is good though, with nice views of the Thames.

Changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.

The Tower Bridge tour. Kinda boring. Not worth the money.

St. Pauls Cathedral. Maybe the climb up the dome is worth it (I didn't do that) but the cathedral itself just didn't do much for me.

[lesmisfan]

these are some really good places to visit. i am to go to london my first time in august. I was planning on doing the ferris wheel, harrods, tower of london, i wanted to also go around england and go to stratford upon avon were shakespeare is from and also stone henge is on my must do list. I would really like to go hyde park and see it. any other must dos. i plan on seeing some theatre while im down there as well as well as seeing the outside of buckingham palace like everyone else.

[tassie]

madame Tusauds is wonderful fun, and don't miss the rock circus at piccadilly circus.
I just LOVE windsor

[Morrigoon]

I think the London Dungeon (or as I call it, Goth Disneyland) is a must. It's just a short walk from the Tower, across Tower Bridge.

[SusieP.]

Oooh, thanks for this thread, Matt. We are going to England next June/July, so I'm starting to research it now. Mr P. has been many times, but it will be my first time. If anyone has any recommendations especially for kids, please let me know! (Legoland is already on the list, time permitting!)

[IndianaJenn]

I'm a history buff, so I loved Westminster Abbey. So much history in such a tiny space!

I also really enjoyed the Portobello Market. Saturdays there is a great outdoor market with some wonderful antiques. http://www.portobelloroad.co.uk/

[TraceCub]

I enjoyed many of the things all ready listed. One not listed that I enjoyed was Warwick Castle.

It was the first thing we did on our first trip and I had a blast on the tours!

[Olympicnut]

Yes Ijenn, Westminster is a pretty cool place. So crowded with dead people, but really awesome!

[IndianaJenn]

But it's dead people I've read about!

[Roo719]

I've wanted to see London next to forever! Keep this list going. But can you be a bit more specific? When you say 'dead people,' like whom? Tower of London? What parts of history (but, having taken two credits of Brit Lit, I can get a guess!)?

Peace,
Roo

[Olympicnut]

Queen Liz 1 and Mary Queen of Scots are at Westminster, for example.