London in May

[MixedBerryJam]

I just booked a week in London (from Boston) and I'm super excited. All my friends are telling me it's too much time in the city and I should move about the country to see it all but I'm already overbooking my general itinerary.

There's a Van Gogh exhibit at the Tate which is only a block from my hotel. Already got a ticket for the first admission of the day (did I mention I'm travelling alone?) And I'm doing a day trip to Paris through the Chunnel, which is on my bucket list anyway, AND a day trip to Stonehenge. So that really only leaves 5 days to explore the city. I think they're crazy to think I'm crazy for staying in London proper.

I also already have my fare card for the underground. I'm ... a little excited. Shopping at Harrod's has been on my list since before I knew about bucket lists.

I'm going to hold off on purchasing any other actual tickets until I get closer to travel dates so I can eat between now and then! London's expensive, man!

[mrspez07]

I think you can easily fill days in London with all of the museums, plus if the sun is shining, hanging out in the parks is great. It’s a great City. I’m not sure a day trip to Paris is enough, I’d consider an overnight but maybe if you got there early?
Next time I go to London I want to spend some time at Kew Gardens, they would be pretty amazing in May, if that’s your kinda thing.
Bath is also an easy day trip.

[MixedBerryJam]

Mar 28, 2019 18:38:49 GMT -5 mrspez07 said:

I think you can easily fill days in London with all of the museums, plus if the sun is shining, hanging out in the parks is great. It’s a great City. I’m not sure a day trip to Paris is enough, I’d consider an overnight but maybe if you got there early?
Next time I go to London I want to spend some time at Kew Gardens, they would be pretty amazing in May, if that’s your kinda thing.
Bath is also an easy day trip.

Paris is going to be whirlwind for sure but this is more for the train ride than anything else. I bought a ticket for a guided group thing. I'm expecting one step up from my "favorite" tourr, which was Martha's Vineyard (or maybe Nantucket, now I don't remember) where a tour guide actually said, pointing to the distance,"You can't see it from here but John Belushi is buried over there." (I don't think very highly of guided tours.) I'll see Paris more another time.

[Vespasia]

I did a week in London back in college and felt like I barely scratched the surface. Ignore your friends!

[Pibs]

We spent 5 days in London last year, and I could have easily stayed much, much longer! So, your friends are wrong. Also, while Stonehenge is super cool and a must see no matter how you do it, I don't think I would have found it *as* enjoyable if we hadn't done an inner circle tour. I'm not sure what else is on your day trip itinerary, but if there's a way to finagle the inner circle tour it's totally worth the extra $. You get to go in with a small group before it opens to the general public, and you can go inside the roped off area, right up to the stones, instead of just circling around them from a ways back with everyone else. Have so much fun!

[goldengirlz]

I agree with everyone else. Sure, you can knock out the touristy things pretty quickly but London is such a dynamic city, part of the beauty of having the extra time is doing the non-touristy things! See a West End show (or more than one), discover cool restaurants, linger over a drink with a view and just ... you know, be there in the moment.

[neonpink]

As a person who loves all sorts of vehicles. Riding the train through the Chunnel is awesome. I was near the dining car and loved grabbing a mini champagne to drink while watching people/and views out the window.

I’m also a nerd that i took a screen shot of my google maps when we were under the channel. I wish the US had a better train system.

[neonpink]

So London’s pub culture is awesome. grab a pint and soak in the atmosphere.

[mrsukyankee]

As someone who lives here (almost 15 years), I haven't even explored the entire place yet, so your friends are mad.

I've done the one day trip to Paris and it's so easy and quick to get there. You check in about 45 minutes before and get on the train and are in Paris in about 2 hours. Yay! Please note, that with Brexit, getting back may be more difficult/lengthy in terms of checking in, etc. Luckily, the Eurostar is happy to put you on the next train if you miss yours due to all of this.

Staying in central London is the best - I have no idea why anyone would think that was crazy. I like the suburbs and outer bits but it's great to be able to walk around w/o needing public transport. It's truly a very walkable city.

Please get in touch if you want any ideas or want a local to grab a drink with as I'll be around in May for the most part. It's a great time of the year to be here.

[expatjen]

We visit London regularly and I still have things I want to see, places to eat at, and areas to explore around the city. There is so much to do and eat! plus, the theatre options and concerts galore.
Hope you have a blast and the weather is nice!

[bullygirl979]

We spent five days in London and could have EASILY stayed longer. The only time we left the city was to go to Windsor Castle.

[protozoa]

I agree 5 days is not too much in London! Sooo much to see and by yourself you can take all the time you want in museums

[wildrice]

Yeah, it's not too much time. I've been there twice (both short trips though) and still feel like I've missed so much. Thankfully my H is from there so I know I'll be back

I love the British museum and you could easily spend 2 days there if you like to read things and really look at everything. The Tower of London is most of another full day. I haven't even been to the Tate or Harrods. Actually, I haven't done a lot of stuff lol. I think I've spent 3 full days and I can think of at least another 5-10 days worth of stuff I'd like to do at some point.

Have fun! It's a great city and you will love it!

[scout8]

Yeah, your friends are nuts. We spent a week there with one day trip out of the city and had more than enough to fill our time.

[mbcdefg]

If I ever get back to London, I want to take the train out to Windsor and take my time exploring the castle. I went in 2010 on one of those bus tours that also visited Bath and Stonehenge, and I barely got any time to look around.

I spent a lot of time at Westminster Abbey (in both 2010 and 2016) looking at all the royal graves. 

The Tower of London guided tour is really good, and next time I want to spend more time looking at the Crown Jewels now that I know what they all are. 

A guided boat tour on the River Thames. Tickets were included with the London Pass when I was there in 2010. It let us off in Greenwich and we walked up the hill to the Royal Observatory (with the Prime Meridian line). 

St. Paul's Cathedral is cool. I also liked the National Portrait Gallery. Tea at Kensington Palace. Spitalfields Market. We randomly found a food truck fest and beer garden in the Brick Lane neighborhood.

I did a 3-day trip each time and really packed it in (but still had some leisure time to wander and do "nothing"), so you should be able to fill five days with no problem.

[npmg]

We did two weeks last summer and could have stayed longer! We did do a Paris overnight and a day trip out to the Cotswolds, but most of it was London. We spent a good part of one day at the Tower of London alone. Taking time to explore Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s is well worth it. I wish I’d had more time in the Tate and the National Gallery - I think we barely scratched the surface but we were with two 13 year old boys! I recommend high tea at the Sanderson Hotel, it’s Alice in Wonderland themed. Plus, the Market in Notting Hill! So much to do! Enjoy!,

[gardengal]

I also think your friends are nuts & I'm a rabid fan of the countryside in the UK! If you're a city person (I'm not), London has scores of things to do. In addition to what everyone rec'd up thread, I don't think anyone said anything about a walking tour. I do one every time I've been to London: Jack the Ripper (cheesy but good!), Sherlock Holmes, a more neighborhood history one, etc. I think the company was London Walks. You just show up & give the guide your fee, so you don't even need to plan ahead!

Last time we were in London, we went to Greenwich, did the Observatory, had lunch in Greenwich market, and then took the boat back to a stop near where we were staying. It was great to see the city, especially the Tower of London, from the river!

[smock]

London is amazing, you'll definitely have lots to do! I spent a May in London doing research at the British Library, and loved walking around the city by myself.

If you want another short day trip, take the train up to Cambridge and walk around. It's under an hour on the train, and you can visit the British Library while you're up by Kings Cross. Cambridge is absolutely gorgeous in May!

[clseale]

Another vote for your friends being insane. You will have more than enough to keep you busy. Plus you'll have plenty of time to wander and pub hop.