London .. yuhuu .. Ok, I need some tips folks !!?

Question

I've always dreamt that the first trip to Europe, would be an English one. This is coming true at the end of January 08, I'll be visiting central london. It'd be kool if someone would be intrested to show me around !! I live in the US by the NJ/NY area, and I promise to do the same and show you around if you ever came over.
Intrested .. say so and I'll send ya a message.

Since I have to post a question, then .....

What are the main important sight seeings that one must see in central london ? The 10 points will go to the best answerer that would provide a good plan trip for one day in central london.

Thank you !!!

Answer 1

Hope you have a great trip
If you are tempted to do one of those open topped bus tours, don't bother, and get the no53 instead. It will save you $30.

Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge and HMS Belfast, Houses of Parliament (Big Ben) are all pretty close to each other.

If you are staying a while, get out of town, and get on the A303 past Stonehenge, and keep going until you get to Cornwall. Most spectacular coastline in Europe. Go to a pub, by warm ale. Stay a while. Enjoy.

Best wishes and welcome to UK!!!

Answer 2

Look on the Transport for London web site, it'll give you maps of the underground and bus routes.
There are heaps of buses and trains to get around on but make sure you buy a travel card it will work out much cheaper for you.
Try and do the "Jack the Ripper " tour that goes from Aldgate station most evenings and while you're in the city try and visit the ancient tiny churches around there.The Tower of London is close by - you must see that. The Crown Jewels are kept there. There are Yeomen of the Guard to guide you round.
Look out for "the block" and Traitors Gate.
You could take a trip by boat down the Thames from Westminster
(Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey)
to Greenwich ( that's where I live ) and you'll pass
The London Eye, the New Bridge, H.M.S Belfast, Millenium Dome, Greenwich Observatoryl (Meridian Line), and the Royal Naval college.
Make sure you wrap up warm though, I was frozen last time I went and that was in April.
There's so many places to see and things to do in London and heaps more elsewhere.
I'm sure you'll love it, my son-in-law did. He came here last year from Texas and he's coming again at the end of January.
What he really lived best of all though I think was coming out shopping with me, he was stunned by the racket at my local market. There was even an old man there playing the spoons.
His face was a picture. Every-one liked him. He's a keen cyclist and the man at our local bike shop went out of his way giving him the lowdown on British bikes even though he knew John couldn't buy anything.
Have a great time and btw you will see a lot of things from the 53 bus.

Answer 3

I don't live in England but have visited there a few times. The one thing that you will not want to miss is Buckingham Palace, make sure that you go into the stables where the horses and carriages are kept, they do have guided tours around the palace I think.
Another must is to see the crown jewels...I think they are kept at the London Bridge...been a long time since last there.
Don't forget to see where King Henry the VIII kept his wives in prison before doing away with them..that is the Tower of London, a lot of history there. I am sure if you google these places you will get the right names.. Trafalgar square is a good historical place to see and of course Big Ben( I was kind of disappointed in Ben) but hey at least I can say that I saw it. It was kind of cool to get a B&B ot far from the Palace, we could walk to the palace to see everything, then near the end of the day, we could rub elbows with the locals there in many of pubs, that is where I aquired a taste for sherry...good luck with it

Answer 4

Congratulations on choosing England as your first trip to Europe! London takes an age to explore fully but is truely the greatest city in Europe for things to do,however the best "must See's" are The Houses of Parliament,Westminster Abbey,The British Airways London Eye, The London Dungeon,Buckingham Palace/The Mall/St.James Area,Oxford Street,Piccadilly Circus,The British Museum...etc, hope you have a great time!

Answer 5

Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Trafalgar Square, Some lunch near Picadilly Circus, The Tate Modern in the afternoon and then off to The Argyle Arms at the end of Argyle Street off Tottenham Court Road.

Just being there and hanging around in central London is amazing the first time.

Answer 6

Agree with all the above answers. More ideas.

For a more relaxing & intimate experience try Marylebone High Street - Madonna has her London pad nearby.
Lots of trendy boutiques & cafes & mainly locals. Start at Bond Street tube and walk up through St Christophers Place and keep on going.

Also do not miss Portobello market - an antique/flea market with lots of character which has a real buzz on market days - lots of characters and some bargains if you search & haggle (all prices negotiable). Film Notting Hill shot in area & you can see travel bookshop featured in film.

For an English country feel try Hampstead Heath - walk up to Kenwood House and have afternoon cream tea.

Have a good time - London is the greatest city on Earth.

ps I have seen NY a couple of times thanks.

Answer 7

While I don't live in London, I had a chance to visit this beautiful city and saw quite a few sites.
I got to ride the "Tube"( the subway - novelty for me), I got to see Big Ben, we saw some castles and got tours of the castles. It was just wonderful everywhere I looked.
Don't forget Madam Tousads ( sorry - not sure of the spelling) this is a very famous wax museum.
It has been many years ago, but like I always tell people no one can take away my memories of these wonderful places that I have been fortunate enough to visit.
Be sure to take along a good camera with lots and lots of film, buy lots and lots of postcards and get interesting and unique souvenirs.
Good luck, enjoy, be very careful and above all - have fun.

Answer 8

Go on a guided tour. Lasts about 2 hours. Cost only £6 and the guides are amazing. Usually lots of Americans on the tours. The tours are fantastic, full of interesting and quirky facts that you'll never learn from a tourist book. You'll be taken down all the back alleys and explore nooks and crannies you'll never see as a conventional tourist.

Answer 9

I live in London and it's an exciting place to live but can get boring through over-familiarity

Answer 10

Call British Tourist Board...or pull up visitbritain on the web...they will tell you whats happening for the month you are going.