Spare day in London: what to do?

mr626 · 22nd June 2012, 8:36 AM

Hi all,

The wife and I are heading to the UK later this year for a busy two week coach tour of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Really looking forward to it :-)

As you'd imagine its a fairly packed itinerary, and we weren't anticipating having all that much 'free time' However, I found out this week that we will be arriving in London (where the tour starts) a full day earlier than the tour begins (and we've been given free accommodation and breakfast).

The hotel we are staying at is in Kensington, and it sounds like there are heaps of things to do that are within walking distance.

So, what would you suggest we do for the day? Would prefer things that are in easy walking distance and are free (or at least fairly cheap).

For example, the Natural History and Victoria & Albert Museums are really close by, so we'll probably check them out.

Thanks

MR CHILLED · 22nd June 2012, 8:40 AM

Pity it's only one day.....there would be heaps to do and see in London. Too much to see, not enough time.

chainbolt · 22nd June 2012, 8:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr626

Hi all,

The wife and I are heading to the UK later this year for a busy two week coach tour of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Really looking forward to it :-)

As you'd imagine its a fairly packed itinerary, and we weren't anticipating having all that much 'free time' However, I found out this week that we will be arriving in London (where the tour starts) a full day earlier than the tour begins (and we've been given free accommodation and breakfast).

The hotel we are staying at is in Kensington, and it sounds like there are heaps of things to do that are within walking distance.

So, what would you suggest we do for the day? Would prefer things that are in easy walking distance and are free (or at least fairly cheap).

For example, the Natural History and Victoria & Albert Museums are really close by, so we'll probably check them out.

Thanks

I would have a look at the giant ferry wheel. I did this a few years ago, and it was quite entertaining, good view over the city.

mr626 · 22nd June 2012, 8:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MR CHILLED

Pity it's only one day.....there would be heaps to do and see in London. Too much to see, not enough time.

Oh, I realise that. You could probably say the same thing about our whole trip in some ways, but we know that going in. The plan is to just enjoy everywhere we do make it to without having to think about how we are getting there, while taking note of places we'd visit when we one day return on a more self-paced holiday with hire car etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chainbolt

I would have a look at the giant ferry wheel. I did this a few years ago, and it was quite entertaining, good view over the city.

Sounds good, will keep it in mind.

redav · 22nd June 2012, 9:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr626

The hotel we are staying at is in Kensington, and it sounds like there are heaps of things to do that are within walking distance.

There are a few good things in that neck of the woods. Do you or the misses like cupcakes and cookies? The Hummingbird Bakery and Ben's Cookies are close by.

London's good because you can see quite a few things for free however sometimes you really should shell out for some things (I always operated from the point of view that being careful is wise but being tight is foolish). There's Harrods over at Knightsbridge and Hyde Park plus a plethora of things to see really and it only takes a few tube stops to get to them like Tower Bridge, London Eye, Westminster to see Government Houses and hear Big Ben (you won't see it), Tower of London all of which you can gape at from the outside.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MR CHILLED

Pity it's only one day.....there would be heaps to do and see in London. Too much to see, not enough time.

This is oh so true

HumbleBum · 22nd June 2012, 9:30 AM

Go see a premier league match. you will NOT regret it.

Fresh79 · 22nd June 2012, 9:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HumbleBum

Go see a premier league match. you will NOT regret it.

Most certainly! Kensington is just up a bit from Fulham Rd...go see the European Champions play at Stamford Bridge.

MR RB30 · 22nd June 2012, 9:52 AM

+1 for EPL match, haven't done so myself yet but the atmosphere would be incredible, do it!

HumbleBum · 22nd June 2012, 9:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MR RB30

+1 for EPL match, haven't done so myself yet but the atmosphere would be incredible, do it!

Even if you dont like soccer, the atmosphere, the love and devotion of people really is something you will never see anywhere in australia.

Everytime I am in Europe I always go to a game. Its a must.

mr626 · 22nd June 2012, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HumbleBum

Even if you dont like soccer, the atmosphere, the love and devotion of people really is something you will never see anywhere in australia.

Everytime I am in Europe I always go to a game. Its a must.

Haha, that's a thought. I wonder if the wife would enjoy it?

Him · 22nd June 2012, 11:12 AM

Go bust Julian out!

MR CHILLED · 22nd June 2012, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Him

Go bust Julian out!

lol....that blokes on his own, not even the PM wants a bar of him.

I reckon London would be a fantastic place to be in when you have a spare day.

mr626 · 22nd June 2012, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Him

Go bust Julian out!

Wouldn't want to deprive him of his own South American holiday.

chainbolt · 22nd June 2012, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr626

Wouldn't want to deprive him of his own South American holiday.

Right, much better weather than in rainy London. Over the last 30 years I have been there maybe 10 times or so - it was raining almost every single day I can remember.

mr626 · 22nd June 2012, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chainbolt

Right, much better weather than in rainy London. Over the last 30 years I have been there maybe 10 times or so - it was raining almost every single day I can remember.

I'm half expecting that too. I don't mind the rain to be honest. I'm tempted to wear one of my Harris Tweed jackets (which are both warm and waterproof) but I'm worried that I would be the equivalent of a UK tourist in Australia wearing a Driza-Bone jacket and Akubra hat everywhere

22nd June 2012, 8:36 AM	#1
mr626 Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 908	Spare day in London: what to do? Hi all, The wife and I are heading to the UK later this year for a busy two week coach tour of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Really looking forward to it :-) As you'd imagine its a fairly packed itinerary, and we weren't anticipating having all that much 'free time' However, I found out this week that we will be arriving in London (where the tour starts) a full day earlier than the tour begins (and we've been given free accommodation and breakfast). The hotel we are staying at is in Kensington, and it sounds like there are heaps of things to do that are within walking distance. So, what would you suggest we do for the day? Would prefer things that are in easy walking distance and are free (or at least fairly cheap). For example, the Natural History and Victoria & Albert Museums are really close by, so we'll probably check them out. Thanks __________________ My IBM Model M Restoration Part II: IBM Model M Bolt-mod / rivet replacement OVER 9000 Successful trades (well, a few anyway)

22nd June 2012, 8:40 AM	#2
MR CHILLED D'oh! Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 90,755	Pity it's only one day.....there would be heaps to do and see in London. Too much to see, not enough time. __________________ Co2 is weightless apparently. Be careful what you vote for. Howard on the economy: ''When the Prime Minister and the Treasurer and others tell you that the Australian economy is doing better than most – they are right,'' Asked how cash payments of baby bonus and school bonus are any different, Opposition Leader tony abbott says 'well look, they just are.'

22nd June 2012, 9:30 AM	#6
HumbleBum Iron Photographer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Melbourne... Posts: 14,575	Go see a premier league match. you will NOT regret it. __________________ My life is weathered down shipwreck, Splitting at the seams, held together by memories and dreams. Every face I have seen, a stitch on my mind. On a shadow of a dream And my heart is its cargo, a worn out old thing. Been dragged around this rock more times than you'd believe, To the east I call home, But the west, she is calling, From the north, to the south, Forever I'm drifting away

22nd June 2012, 11:12 AM	#11
Him Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: WA Posts: 69	Go bust Julian out!