A day in London

[JessicaTam]

I will be transiting London at the end on November with a friend. I have suggested she choose one attraction, but she is not sure where to start, and as this is her first visit I am looking for some advice.

We get into LHR at noon and will drop our bags at the HH T5. We then plan to catch the HEX into the city.

So what to do until dinner?

 

[Deleted member]

How much time in London do you have? It's all about time really. Probably not the ideal time to d a proper sight seeing trip. Maybe hang out in Covent Garden? Catch one of the hop on hop off sightseeing buses? Just being there is cool.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Just time for one thing?

If it was me it would be the British Museum. Easy to get to. Free to enter. And some great stuff to see that you can't see anywhere else inthe world (primarily because the British stole it centuries ago!).

 

[JessicaTam]

How much time in London do you have? It's all about time really. Probably not the ideal time to d a proper sight seeing trip. Maybe hang out in Covent Garden? Catch one of the hop on hop off sightseeing buses? Just being there is cool.

We land at noon, and then have dinner that evening before flying out the next morning.

Just time for one thing?

If it was me it would be the British Museum. Easy to get to. Free to enter. And some great stuff to see that you can't see anywhere else inthe world (primarily because the British stole it centuries ago!).

I would rather see one thing properly than skim over a few. I have suggested the museum with a mixed response.

 

[RB]

Novemeber is not going to offer much in the way of sunshine/length of day so that might make the decision for you
November Weather Averages for London, United Kingdom

 

[yohy?!]

stretch your legs with a stroll between thames, big ben, buckingham palace, hyde park, harrods etc (use the tube when required)

 

[YSSY]

The London Eye affords a great view of the city and would give you a few places within walking distance to go to for the ironic selfies before going for dinner.

 

[Pushka]

London Eye from me. Gives fantastic perspective across all London. Then walk across the bridge and up through the gardens to Buckingham Palace.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Many of the main attractions are too big for one day. Maybe pop in to the V&A, or the BM for a few hours and have a wander through Covent Garden to the National Gallery. The Wallace collection The Wallace Collection is a great place to spend a couple of hours.

Where you eating? Probably get into The Ledbury is you are quick. Heston's dinner or Fera at claridges, pollen street social should also be available this far out.

 

[Hvr]

Tower Bridge is iconic and a classic place for instantly recognisable London photos.

You can walk over the bridge and above it as well with a glass floor to see the river below.
London Tower Bridge | London’s Famous Bridges | London Landmarks

You might even be lucky enough to be there when it is raised:
Bridge Lift Times | Tower Bridge Exhibition

A walk along the river will yield a multitude of classic views as well as shaking off the cobwebs from a long flight.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Of course! MrsTMA reminded me! Forgive me, I forgot one of the best destinations in London! Go here Tate Britain | Tate

Tour part of the galleries, book lunch at 1pm in the fabulous Rex Whistler Restaurant at Tate Britain | Tate (winner of many wine awards) then finish the afternoon in the other half of the gallery. Extraordinary Turners and many others

We do this every few years. We did a day there like the this last xmas and were thoroughly impressed again! One of my favourite stops in London.

 

[JessicaTam]

stretch your legs with a stroll between thames, big ben, buckingham palace, hyde park, harrods etc (use the tube when required)

The London Eye affords a great view of the city and would give you a few places within walking distance to go to for the ironic selfies before going for dinner.

London Eye from me. Gives fantastic perspective across all London. Then walk across the bridge and up through the gardens to Buckingham Palace.

Just going for a walk might be the thing, as long as it is mild.

Many of the main attractions are too big for one day. Maybe pop in to the V&A, or the BM for a few hours and have a wander through Covent Garden to the National Gallery. The Wallace collection The Wallace Collection is a great place to spend a couple of hours.

Where you eating? Probably get into The Ledbury is you are quick. Heston's dinner or Fera at claridges, pollen street social should also be available this far out.

V&A? Dinner is a separate event. We won't be looking for anything fancy, just a good night with some AFFers.

Tower Bridge is iconic and a classic place for instantly recognisable London photos.

You can walk over the bridge and above it as well with a glass floor to see the river below.
London Tower Bridge | London’s Famous Bridges | London Landmarks

You might even be lucky enough to be there when it is raised:
Bridge Lift Times | Tower Bridge Exhibition

A walk along the river will yield a multitude of classic views as well as shaking off the cobwebs from a long flight.

I like the idea of a walk around. We are coming from TXL, so not that many cobwebs.

Of course! MrsTMA reminded me! Forgive me, I forgot one of the best destinations in London! Go here Tate Britain | Tate

Tour part of the galleries, book lunch at 1pm in the fabulous Rex Whistler Restaurant at Tate Britain | Tate (winner of many wine awards) then finish the afternoon in the other half of the gallery. Extraordinary Turners and many others

We do this every few years. We did a day there like the this last xmas and were thoroughly impressed again! One of my favourite stops in London.

I walked through the Tate last visit and thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

[RooFlyer]

If the weather is Ok, I'd go the walk/tube-around to hit more than one 'big name' attraction, rather than doing one 'properly'.

Buck Palace, the Mall, Thames Embankment, Tower Bridge, Tower of London (outside), Westminster Abbey (outsde) Shakespeare's Globe, Harrods, Houses of Parliament ... She'll have so many great pics by the end, it'll be like she'd been there for a week!

Of course if the weather is cough, then venture inside as needs be.

 

[Peter D]

The walkabout is probably the best, weather permitting. Or get on the top deck of a normal bus. You will see more than when using the underground. There are maps available and some routes go past many of the sites.

If you're there overnight think about an early dinner and then go to a show.

Plenty of good eats around covent garden and a short walk to the west end.

I also like covent garden as a destination it's own right for it's ambience. Has nice Cheese and Wine Bar where the classical buskers play.

 

[CaptJCool]

High Tea at the National Portrait Gallery. With a fantastic view across the square and to Westminster !



Portrait Restaurant - National Portrait Gallery

i notice there's a Picasso Portrait exhibition on then too

 

[VPS]

The National Portrait Gallery restaurant has fantastic views - I'm a big fan of the V&A and Natural History Museum - if the weather is foul Churchill's War Rooms were fascinating - also love London buses - there are some that if you get on the top deck nearly do the same route as the tourist ones - there's a gin institute https://www.theginstitute.com/the-experience/ that I'm going to try at Christmas time and this one The Gin Bar at Holborn Dining Room near Covent Garden in London

Enjoy

 

[TheRealTMA]

Walk around St James park and go to the Churchill War rooms.

 

[opusman]

This is the sort of question that will get you as many different answers as there are posts in the thread. Good luck!

 

[JessicaTam]

The National Portrait Gallery restaurant has fantastic views - I'm a big fan of the V&A and Natural History Museum - if the weather is foul Churchill's War Rooms were fascinating - also love London buses - there are some that if you get on the top deck nearly do the same route as the tourist ones - there's a gin institute https://www.theginstitute.com/the-experience/ that I'm going to try at Christmas time and this one The Gin Bar at Holborn Dining Room near Covent Garden in London

Enjoy

V&A?

This is the sort of question that will get you as many different answers as there are posts in the thread. Good luck!

I am beginning to see that!

 

[opusman]

V&A = Victoria and Albert Museum.