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Anyone want to review my London itinerary
This is a rough draft, we are not leaving for over a month so I have time to change my mind. I am trying not to do too much because it would be hard with the kids (who will be almost 5 1/2 and 3 1/2) but I want to plan things out so that we are not sitting in the city wondering (or arguing) what to do next. I will be very flexible though and willing to skip or change things around what we all want to do.
We are staying in Central England for 5 days before going to London. We are staying at the Marriott County Hall and will be eating Breakfast in the Concierge Lounge unless anyone recommends somewhere close to our hotel that is worth passing up a free breakfast.
Any suggestions welcome.
Sorry for the format.
Day 1 - Tuesday
Mid-morning drive to London
Check in just before lunch and then return car
Lunch at Wagamam Leicester Square
Walk around Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square
London Eye or Diana Memorial Gardens
Dinner at Giraffe Royal Festival, riverside level 1
Day 2 - Wednesday
St. James Park
Horse Guard Parade
Lunch - picnic in either St. James or Kengsington Don't know from where, need backup for weather
Kengsington Gardens - Diana Memorial Playground
London Eye if not already done
If not London Eye, Harrod's - Sweets, toys and food hall for snack
Dinner - Belgo - Central Belgo - Central
Day 3 - Thursday
Tower of London
Tower Bridge
Lunch at Butler's Wharf if not in Tower of London If in Butler's Wharf, not sure where
River Bus back to hotel
Dinner Don't know where
Day 4 - Friday
Take pictures at Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey
Changing of the Guard
Lunch Don't know where
Natural History Museum
Dinner Don't know where
Day 5 - Saturday
Portobello Road Market and walk around Nottinghill
Lunch at George's Portobello Fish Bar or find a pub
Dessert at Dri Dri Gelato
Hyde Park or Diana's Memorial Playground
Harrod's if not already done
Dinner Don't know where
Re: Anyone want to review my London itinerary
This is shaping up to be a really fun trip!
I would combine day 2 a.m. and day 4 a.m., because St James' Park is right by the changing of the guards. You can take pictures of Westminster Abbey etc on day 1, because it's about 10 minutes from Trafalgar Square. I might combine the Natural History Museum with either Harrod's--it's just down the street--or Hyde Park.
On day 3, if your kids are up for it, I recommend taking the boat in the opposite direction to Greenwich. It's lovely with a market and a big green space for kids to run around. There's also a marine/naval museum with lots of really fabulous exhibits for kids, including one where they can play with boats and water. Awesome. Up the hill is the prime meridian spot where you can have your picture taken if you like. There's also a great view of London. The Royal Observatory also has hands-on exhibits and planetarium shows that are created for kids.
For your picnic, you could buy food from either a local grocery store (M&S, Waitrose, Tesco, Sainsbury's, etc) or from Pret a Manger. It's a chain of ready-made sandwiches, salads and soups, as well as fruit bowls, smoothies and a few other things. The quality is good and the price is also really nice. They are all over.
You haven't put this in your itinerary, but at some point, you might want to walk down the South Bank. It's very pretty and there are often cool things to do for kids, from face painting to playing in sand. I'd leave from your hotel and head toward Tower Bridge, bailing at London Bridge if the kids are cranky. This might also allow you to visit Borough Market if you wanted--it's nice and fun and there are free samples (closed Sundays). Also on this walk is a life size replica of Sir Francis Drake's boat and lots of other surprises.
Finally, the orangery by Kensington Palace is really kid friendly, so if you wanted to have afternoon tea with the kids, this is a great place to do it.
This should be a fun place to eat/people watch on your Tower of London/Tower Bridge day:
The Dickens Inn http://www.dickensinn.co.uk/
If the weather is fine sit out on the porch. It is definitely kid friendly and they used to have pretty damn good pizza.
St. Katherine's Dock is a nice little wander, a few cute shops and if the kids like boats there are lots of swish yachts docked there.
Yeah that's right my name's Yauch!
This for sure! Loved St. Katherine's Docks. And also ate at The Dickens Inn - yummy yummy pizza (and that's coming from somebody who currently lives in Italy)!