Planning a few days in London has made me quickly realize it's probably the most amazing city in the world, and several weeks wouldn't be enough. As it is, we have 3 full days.

Early June:
Thurs - arrive PM, check into a B&B in Belgravia, and go see Wicked.
Friday - Kew Gardens in the morning, and British Museum in the PM (open late). My cousin and husband join us from Holland that night.
Saturday - Hop on off. First stop, the Borough Market (my cousin is a fan of farmer's markets), and then try to see as many sites as possible. Would like to do London Eye in the evening with a walk along the river (pubs).
Sunday - A market in the morning? Maybe Petticoat Lane. Split up in the PM: Girls to Harrods and tea, Boys to Tate Modern
Monday - Fly out for a week in Holland.

Does this generally make sense? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Would like to find the quintessential London pub for a meal.

frankB

Can I come? It sounds good to me.

I don't know how many sites you can cram into one afternoon, but if you have the energy...go for it.

I love London, but always seem to meander at a slow pace just to absorb everything and never have enough time to do it all.

Elly

One thing I learned quickly in London is that it takes longer just to get from point A to B than I anticipated. Add some padding to your transit time.

I went to a great pub last I was there with some friends that live in London. It's called Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. (Yes cheesy name, but great, OLD place)

For an interesting (High Victorian) pub not far from the British Museum you could try the Princess Louise on High Holborn - there's a review of the restoration here:

http://www.pubs.com/pub_details.cfm?ID=226

There are lots of smaller pubs in residential areas that have a cosy, traditional feel - without lots of other tourists. Belgravia, where you are staying has some nice ones and I am trying to think of names. My husband works there, so I'll enquire!

It might be a good idea to book your Eye tickets online so you don't waste your precious time in London in a queue.

Your cousin will love Borough Market. Make sure to go on an empty stomach. Also, if anyone in your group likes antiques, etc, you might try to include Portobello Road on Saturday.

My husband was determined to make a stop in the Olde Cheshire Cheese on our trip. We enjoyed it but like Panda said, there are so many neat little pubs.

Have a great trip.

My fave tea spot is not far from Harrod's, at the gem that is the Cadogan hotel. It also does not cost so much as the other posh hotel teas.

Kew gardens is lovely, but with your extremely limited time in London, in your place I would choose places that are more uniquely London than a very big (and nice) garden.

Now that the Camden town market went up in literal smoke, that leaves the Portobello market, which I also consider a must.

Lastly, London is more sprawling than you may realize. Try not to be overambitious with your touring programs.

I also had a first visit to London this year. As you know by now, it's crammed with things to see and do, and the scale is larger than other European cities. As a comparison, you can see how our visit shaped up, in this thread. I'll freely admit that we were overambitious our first day, but in June you'll be able to do some restful park and garden visits! Have fun!

Thanks for all the great advice. Exactly what I needed! VERY much appreciated!

frankB

Kew Gardens are wonderful...if you've got lots of time to wander around! On such a short trip I'd hestitate to spend half a day there (plus travel time). Another option for Sunday morning is a trip down the Thames to Greenwich - from memory the market there was lots of fun & I think it's an interesting, atmospheric area at any time. DLR back for the all-important shopping!

Enjoy!

I was thinking we'd get to Kew when they open (930AM) and spend 4-5 hours. My wife really likes gardening, and she's pretty set on going. I read we should see at least the Palm House, Waterlily House and Prince of Wales Conservatory. Are there any other options for garden fans that are easier to get to?

The central London parks will be very pretty at that time of year - like St James's or Green Park and there is some lovely planting in Hyde Park. However, if your wife is keen (and it is a popular destination for serious gardeners) then you can't deprive her of Kew. 4/5 hours after a 9.30 start and you wil be ready for lunch - a suggestion might be to take the District Line tube one stop on (or one of the many buses) to Richmond - very attractive riverside, with some very nice pubs - or there are some good ones around Richmond Green. You can then either take the tube back or a fast overground train to Waterloo (covered by a Zone 4 travelcard, if that's how you got to Kew but not by Oyster Pay as You Go - on of those little anomalies)

Have you been on the official Transport for London site? Good journey planner, maps and all the fare/ticket options. www.tfl.gov.uk

That particular overgrgound train is www.southwesttrains.co.uk

Luckily I have a few weeks before we leave. I thought I was starting to understand the transit Maybe I'm back to Travelcards. Thanks VERY much for the advice. Everyone's been so helpful!

quote:

You can then either take the tube back or a fast overground train to Waterloo (covered by a Zone 4 travelcard, if that's how you got to Kew but not by Oyster Pay as You Go - on of those little anomalies)

I realise that I might have been a bit unclear when I wrote this - it is the overground mainline train that is currently not covered by Pay as You go Oyster: the District Line tube (which is out in the open on that section, just to confuse matters! !!) does accept PAYG. Richmond Station is both a mainline (commuter routes) and Underground (Tube) station.

Some things just get more complicated when you explain them (or when I explain them, anyway!)

There is a great cheese shop on a street outside the Borough market.



Also, Southwark Cathedral is nearby; and it is a short walk to the Globe Theatre. The George is a good pub near there. There is lots to see without having to go far.

That is SUCH a great photo! Since I was born in Holland, I guess I come by the love-of-cheese honestly. Never really acquired a taste for British cheeses. Guess my chance is coming up!

Is this the cheese shop you mean? It's my fav Borough Market shop, just because of the motto.

BTW, if you don't like crowds, do try to get to Borough Market as early as you can, if you're trying to cram a lot in that day. It gets REALLY crowded there towards lunchtime, and just trying to go across the market takes twice as long. Pickpockets also operate at a much more frequent level at that point. Not everyone hates crowds as much as I do, of course!

As things have taken a cheesey turn: I would urge cheeseophiles to have a look in Paxton & Whitfield. The one in Jermyn Street (parallel to Picadilly) has been there for ever and there are also branches in Bath & Stratford. I was once buying some Brie for a dinner party - the assistant said (when choosing which wheel to cut from): When for, Madam? Tonight. Of course, Madam, what time? Ooh, about 9 pm. And how are you getting it home? On the tube. (It was a hot day) With that, he made his choice of wheel. It was, at 9 pm, at the height of Brie perfection.

If your wife likes gardening and you stick to your original itinerary of going to a market on Sunday, I would suggest the Columbia Road Flower market. It's not far from Petticoat Lane, but I think it's much more interesting*. Of course you won't be able to buy any plants to take back, but it might be interesting to see what is available and how things are sold off. A few nice caffs have grown up around and about (as well as other shops) so you don't have to confine yourself to flowers.

*Although in truth I've not been to Petticoat Lane in years, so I may be wrong here. Others might correct me.

quote:

the Borough Market

The Market Porter pub rieght next to the market isn't bad. Very good range of beers. It does tend to get crowded, and service can be slow.

TimW

I've been using this site, to get an overview of the markets:
http://www.streetsensation.co.uk/markets.htm

I missed Columbia Road. Thanks! PLUS, two great cheese shops to try. Thanks for all the info.

Coincidence - I was at Columbia Rd last Sunday stocking up my window-boxes. Here are some photos and a small video-clip

http://autolycus-london.blogspot.com/2008/05/wont-you-b...-pretty-flowers.html

Wonderful! Thanks. The blog is very nicely done!