Londontonians...please provide advice...
Mar 17, 2022, 3:12 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,201
Londontonians...please provide advice...
Taking my nephew to Europe in June. One stop is London. I know little of London.
He'd like to see Windsor Castle, National Gallery, northern Westminster area, and Big Ben...in 3 full days.
What area/neighboorhood is best for this itinerary? Trying not to spend too much time with transportation given the compressed time frame.
Thanks in advance!
He'd like to see Windsor Castle, National Gallery, northern Westminster area, and Big Ben...in 3 full days.
What area/neighboorhood is best for this itinerary? Trying not to spend too much time with transportation given the compressed time frame.
Thanks in advance!
Mar 18, 2022, 6:12 am
#2
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 7,212
Hi Steve
So, the good news is that Westminster and National Gallery are very close to one another. Windsor, on the other hand, is outside of London. My recommendation would be to stay in the Waterloo area, so immediately south of the river. This is within walking distance from the various attraction you mention, and Great Western Railway serves Windsor and Eton Riverside from Waterloo. No changes required.
Bear in mind - there might be limits to what you can and can't visit; for instance, the Big Ben can be seen only from the outside as far as I know.
So, the good news is that Westminster and National Gallery are very close to one another. Windsor, on the other hand, is outside of London. My recommendation would be to stay in the Waterloo area, so immediately south of the river. This is within walking distance from the various attraction you mention, and Great Western Railway serves Windsor and Eton Riverside from Waterloo. No changes required.
Bear in mind - there might be limits to what you can and can't visit; for instance, the Big Ben can be seen only from the outside as far as I know.
Mar 18, 2022, 7:29 am
#3
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Hi,
Also Windsor castle need to be prebooked at the current time . currently closed on Tue/Wed and 12-13 june. It may be popular ( especially with the platinum jubillee this year ( we get 2 bank holidays on Thr/Fri for 4 day weekend at the start of June) so I might not leave it to the last minute to book
https://www.rct.uk/visit/windsor-castle
Regards
TBS
Also Windsor castle need to be prebooked at the current time . currently closed on Tue/Wed and 12-13 june. It may be popular ( especially with the platinum jubillee this year ( we get 2 bank holidays on Thr/Fri for 4 day weekend at the start of June) so I might not leave it to the last minute to book
https://www.rct.uk/visit/windsor-castle
Regards
TBS
Last edited by The _Banking_Scot; Mar 18, 2022 at 1:08 pm
Mar 18, 2022, 1:05 pm
#5
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Hi,
I wonder if prebooking is here to stay.I suppose it helps the institution manage capacity but it does limit your freedom a bit (ie need to plan for the popular attractions)
Regards
TBS
I wonder if prebooking is here to stay.I suppose it helps the institution manage capacity but it does limit your freedom a bit (ie need to plan for the popular attractions)
Regards
TBS
Mar 18, 2022, 3:02 pm
#7
Join Date: Sep 2012
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For attractions which are free, I wonder how many people just make multiple bookings to retain flexibility - I do.
Mar 18, 2022, 5:20 pm
#10
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OK for first time visitor to London.
https://www.bigbustours.com/en/londo...op-off-london/
https://www.hop-on-hop-off-bus.com/london-bus-tours
https://city-sightseeing.com/en/95/london
https://city-sightseeing.com/en/95/l...hop-off-london
Buck House changing the guards is also popular
https://changing-guard.com/changing-...am-palace.html
https://www.bigbustours.com/en/londo...op-off-london/
https://www.hop-on-hop-off-bus.com/london-bus-tours
https://city-sightseeing.com/en/95/london
https://city-sightseeing.com/en/95/l...hop-off-london
Buck House changing the guards is also popular
https://changing-guard.com/changing-...am-palace.html
Mar 19, 2022, 7:41 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,201
Hi Steve
So, the good news is that Westminster and National Gallery are very close to one another. Windsor, on the other hand, is outside of London. My recommendation would be to stay in the Waterloo area, so immediately south of the river. This is within walking distance from the various attraction you mention, and Great Western Railway serves Windsor and Eton Riverside from Waterloo. No changes required.
Bear in mind - there might be limits to what you can and can't visit; for instance, the Big Ben can be seen only from the outside as far as I know.
So, the good news is that Westminster and National Gallery are very close to one another. Windsor, on the other hand, is outside of London. My recommendation would be to stay in the Waterloo area, so immediately south of the river. This is within walking distance from the various attraction you mention, and Great Western Railway serves Windsor and Eton Riverside from Waterloo. No changes required.
Bear in mind - there might be limits to what you can and can't visit; for instance, the Big Ben can be seen only from the outside as far as I know.
Hi,
Also Windsor castle need to be prebooked at the current time . currently closed on Tue/Wed and 12-13 june. It may be popular ( especially with the platinum jubillee this year ( we get 2 bank holidays on Thr/Fri for 4 day weekend at the start of June) so I might not leave it to the last minute to book
https://www.rct.uk/visit/windsor-castle
Regards
TBS
Also Windsor castle need to be prebooked at the current time . currently closed on Tue/Wed and 12-13 june. It may be popular ( especially with the platinum jubillee this year ( we get 2 bank holidays on Thr/Fri for 4 day weekend at the start of June) so I might not leave it to the last minute to book
https://www.rct.uk/visit/windsor-castle
Regards
TBS
OK for first time visitor to London.
https://www.bigbustours.com/en/londo...op-off-london/
https://www.hop-on-hop-off-bus.com/london-bus-tours
https://city-sightseeing.com/en/95/london
https://city-sightseeing.com/en/95/l...hop-off-london
Buck House changing the guards is also popular
https://changing-guard.com/changing-...am-palace.html
https://www.bigbustours.com/en/londo...op-off-london/
https://www.hop-on-hop-off-bus.com/london-bus-tours
https://city-sightseeing.com/en/95/london
https://city-sightseeing.com/en/95/l...hop-off-london
Buck House changing the guards is also popular
https://changing-guard.com/changing-...am-palace.html
Not sure why he wants to go to Windsor (and I see now it is not London), but this is his first international trip and I want him to plan most of it for the experience.
As for Londontonians, I know it is not a real word; just equating it to Washingtonians. I hope I didn't insult anyone. Is there a proper term to better describe those living in the London area?
Thanks again!
Mar 19, 2022, 8:04 am
#14
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Londoners is the accepted name
As to Windsor why not? One of the largest castles in the world is a good enough reason to visit with all the history associated with it.
And to wonder why they built it under the LHR flightpath ...
How old is he? There is all sorts of stuff that's not on the usual tourist path that he might find interesting - what's he interested in?
As to Windsor why not? One of the largest castles in the world is a good enough reason to visit with all the history associated with it.
And to wonder why they built it under the LHR flightpath ...
How old is he? There is all sorts of stuff that's not on the usual tourist path that he might find interesting - what's he interested in?
Mar 19, 2022, 1:15 pm
#15
Join Date: May 2005
Location: London, England, United Kingdom
Programs: Marriott (Lifetime Titantium), whatever other programs as benefits make sense.
Posts: 1,920
I'm interested to know what he wants to see in "north Westminster." I kind of feel this might be a look at Camden? Otherwise - Euston Station, Madame Tussaud, Wellcome Collection?
Anyway, Windsor is a day trip so for 3 days, take that as a day. National Gallery and Big Ben easy on the same day (you can see Big Ben from the steps of the National Gallery). You can't generally enter big Ben, so it's a 10 minute visit.
So think you have two days in central London.
Anyway, Windsor is a day trip so for 3 days, take that as a day. National Gallery and Big Ben easy on the same day (you can see Big Ben from the steps of the National Gallery). You can't generally enter big Ben, so it's a 10 minute visit.
So think you have two days in central London.
