London sightseeing suggestions?

If I have foreign friends visiting for the first time I usually take them on a walk around the area surrounding the palace as a starter, as it covers a lot of the iconic London sights.

Starting from Buckingham Palace, walk up The Mall to Trafalgar Square (Nelson's Column). Then walk down Whitehall past Downing Street (Prime Minister's house) to Parliament Square for the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. If you want to, you can easily walk across Westminster Bridge from here, to the Southbank, and ride the London Eye (it's worth booking in advance if you want to do this).

From here, if you want to keep walking, follow the river heading east, there's a path that runs along the Southbank taking you to Tower Bridge and, if you cross the bridge, the Tower of London. If you don't want to keep walking from the London Eye, you can jump on a boat at the bottom of the Eye which will take you up to the Tower. If you take a 'City Cruises' boat (they're white with red signwriting) you get a little commentary explaining what you're motoring past which can be quite interesting.

Once you've had a look at the Tower you could carry on up to Greenwich by boat to have a look at the GMT line at the observatory and a walk around the park up there if it's a nice day.

There's a few ideas for you to look at on a map anyway. Feel free to drop me a PM if you'd like any specific information.

 

Tom's foot tour can more-or-less also be done in an open top bus (eg original london sightseeing tour) which is both quicker and gives a feel for places you might want to go back to

Its possible some of the many other UK threads with London in the title will have ideas we forget too

Lots of places have pre-theatre menus if you sit down between 6&7

 

Totally agree.

The cheesy tourist buses are always a great idea if you're in a new city. You see everything in one swoop and can more easily decide what you'd like to visit for a closer look and what not to bother with at all. Swallow your pride and join the plaid-trousered on the top deck

 

I agree with this. You can also hop off and on all day if there's something you really want to see.

It's a great way to get a sense of the layout of the city.

Matt

 

To each their own but I much prefer walking about at my own pace!

 

If the palace is a big deal then time your visit right and you can go in it (and see a view from the other side of the Royal Balcony!). At the end of the tour you exit through the gardens where you can have Tea and scones etc which I'm sure your wife would love.

http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/the-state-rooms-buckingham-palace?_$ja=cgid:3943099868|tsid:5255|cid:97683788|lid:269797949|nw:g|crid:52187300708|rnd:4590374316759021467|dvc:c|adp:1t1&gclid=CMbEhM6mkL8CFQqDfgod4gIAmA

+1 on tour tour bus or if your a bit more adventerous buy an "oyster" card and use the tube (London's underground train).

Another alternative is to use one the river ferrys to travel down the thames to the Tower of London where the crown jewels are kept.

It would use up a day but you could also catch the eurostar to paris for a day trip???!!!

Saint Pancras, Kings Cross, Fitzrovia, Euston and Bloomsbury | Eurostar

TBH 3 days is nowwwhere long enough to see London - I'd extend your trip if you can

 

click on the "must dos" tab fro some ideas...

City Sightseeing London, Hop On - Hop Off Bus Tours

 

Musee de Cluny
Musee Jacquemart Andre

Not on most first choice lists but very worthwhile

 

"afternoon tea" at selfridges or ritz

also worth a look

Find Out About Historic Royal Palaces, Official Site

Harrods

 

Be sure to check out Covent Garden for some alfresco dining. There is a good pizza place there with Parma ham and rocket. Delicious.

Also, whenever I go to London, make a stop in to Harrods for some food. I know its a very cliche place, but its a great experience and they have great snacks. Its right on Knightsbridge so you'll also see a really nice area of London, too.

For car spotting, you absolutely must check out Park Lane by the Dorchester Hotel. Its right by Hyde Park.

 

Walking St Paul's to Millenium Bridge to Tate Modern & Shakespeare's recreated Globe Theatre, then walk along the South Bank to the National Theatre, Royal Festival Hall & evening across Waterloo Bridge which is unremarkable but has the best views of the Thames & London. From there, you can walk up Embankment to Trafalgar Square & the National Gallery. Or the other way Lots of places to stop for a break / coffee / meal along the way. Use English - Journey Planner - Transport for London if you need to catch a bus. Always much nicer than the tube.

 

Even better than TFL's website! If you have an iPhone or an Android phone, download Citymapper.

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/citymapper-london-paris-berlin/id469463298?mt=8

 

Just thought, also near buckingham palace/downing street is the churchill warrooms which is the bunker system the war was fought from.

Churchill War Rooms | Imperial War Museums

On the same sort of theme is HMS Belfast moored along the thames which yiu can go around

HMS Belfast | Imperial War Museums

As mentioned on other thread - the 50 years of bond in motion which is near covent garden.

 

Don't forget to try some English wines with your dinners !

 

With no offence to Jeff,
i would suggest afternoon tea at the Claridges or Alfresco in the FourSeasons.

 

You could get to the top of the Shard

 

After seeing Buckingham Palace and the Royal Mews (where they keep the royal coaches and a few special cars) walk over to the Cask & Glass, one of the smallest pubs in the world (holds about 20 people). 39 Palace St, closed Sundays.

 

I agree with prior posters with one modification, namely that I would take the "cheesy tourist" open-topped bus FIRST. In this manner, you can get at least a glimpse of all major sights and determine which you want to explore. I, too, am a big walker, and London is great for that. By all means go to the Tower of London and allow about 2 1/2 to 3 hrs for your visit. Whatever your interests are, that is quintessential London: 2 or 3 suits of Henry VIII's armor, the Crown Jewels, Walter Raleigh's desk & bed where he did so much of his writing, the axe 7 block used to dispatch with undesirables, Beefeaters, ravens, etc. And, a suit of armor for an elephant, which is mounted on a replica elephant! Just fabulous!
Have fun, & keep your eyes open for exotic cars; you will see dozens.

 

I agree with David...London is a hotbed for exotic cars. McLarens, Lambos, Aston Martins and Ferraris are all over the place. Best place for viewing is King's Road on a Saturday afternoon. Last time I was there, I spotted an F40 and an F50 cruising the road nose to tail.

 

I agree with David...London is a hotbed for exotic cars. McLarens, Lambos, Aston Martins and Ferraris are all over the place. Best place for viewing is King's Road on a Saturday afternoon. Last time I was there, I spotted an F40 and an F50 cruising the road nose to tail.