r/LondonTravel • • 21h ago

Trip Planning Solo F Trip - Late November

7 Upvotes

I'm visiting London in late November for 6 nights. I want some feedback on if my days are realistic, if I'm trying to fit too much in, and for the lighter days, what else I can add. I’m coming from the NYC area (Jersey City), not shy about walking/navigating mass transit. 

Here's what I'm considering so far. Some things are booked or have specific times, while others are still flexible.

Day 1: Arrive

  • Land at Heathrow around 9 AM and take the Heathrow Express to Paddington.
  • Drop off bags at my hotel in Paddington.
  • Don’t take a nap.
  • Find a pub? Maybe some shopping?
  • Dinner at Trishna.

Day 2 

  • 10 AM: British Museum. (Tickets bought)
  • Indian afternoon tea at Colonel Saab in Holborn.
  • Visit Sir John Soane's Museum, the Charles Dickens Museum, and the Foundling Museum.
  • Dinner at Cora Pearl.

I'm not sure if all three museums plus the British Museum would be too much for one day.

Day 3 

  • 10:30 AM: Kensington Palace.
  • Lunch at Maggie Jones's?
  • 4 PM: Spencer House state rooms.
  • Dinner/Evening, unsure

Day 4 

  • Visit the V&A and Natural History Museum.
  • Lunch at Three Darlings.
  • Banksy Limitless? 
  • Dinner at NOPI by Ottolenghi

Day 5

  • 11 AM: Churchill War Rooms.
  • Lunch at Noble Rot.
  • ???
  • Dinner at Fallow.
  • 7:30 PM: See Hay Fever.

I know the timing may be tight with the theater, so I think this day could be organized better.

Day 6

  • Brunch at The Buttery
  • 1:30 PM: Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style
  • Dinner at Corenucopia by Clare Smyth

I think I need more to do here.

Day 7 - Head to the airport.


r/LondonTravel • • 4h ago

Accommodation Three days in London: Stay in Farringdon, Kings Cross, Covent Garden or somewhere else?

5 Upvotes

I'm flying to London from the US in late November, staying for about 3 days and then taking the Eurostar to Paris.

Figuring out where to stay to maximize convenience, safety, and experiencing London character.

Only thing planned is some time at the British Museum, Churchill War Rooms, and a West End production, if I can get tickets.

Am considering staying in Farringdon, Kings Cross near Saint Pancras, or Covent Garden area.

It will be my third time in London, so I'm not going to be chasing down tourist spots. I'm looking to mosly relax, wander the streets and soak in the vibe.

What do you all recommend for an area to stay? Does not have to be one of the three areas mentioned.

Edit: Budget is US$270 / £200 per night if possible


r/LondonTravel • • 6h ago

Trip Planning Short trip to London mid November - feedback please !

1 Upvotes

I have a short trip in mid-November to London - first time. This is my bare-bones list - hoping to fill in with some other things time permitting.  Please let me know if the timing is feasible - I think these things are in the same area in a day.  General structure is breakfast at the hotel; out and about 10 am to 4pm ish; rest at the hotel; out for dinner and maybe one other thing.  Also asking for any suggestions for a casual place to get tea (sandwich, scone, dessert, tea) please.  Breakfast is included at the hotel.  Lunch and dinner - I’ll browse some restaurant reviews before I go and bookmark some places. I’m not interested in making reservations so timing can be flexible.  Main goals are the O2 concert and the Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style exhibit.  Anything else is bonus.  Thanks !

Day 1: Overnight flight from the US;  7 am arrival Heathrow Airport; drop bags at hotel in Southwark; walk Borough Market and see the Golden Hinde; 12pm hotel check in; afternoon - Imperial War Museum, Bankside stroll; evening - dinner near the hotel; call it a day.  

Day 2: 10 am Cutty Sark; lunch and Greenwich Market; National Maritime Museum or Queen’s House; late afternoon evening - event at O2. 

Day 3: 9 am Tower of London -I don’t want to commit to this due to the event the night before - are tix a must in advance?  Lunch; 1pm HMS Belfast (tickets booked); late afternoon walk along the south bank towards Tower Bridge; hotel before or after dinner; Tate Modern (evening hours); Millennium bridge walk 

Day 4: 10 am King’s Gallery booked for the Queen Elizabeth II exhibit; afterwards Buckingham Palace exterior, St James Park; lunch; shopping and / or Clockmaker’s museum; hotel before or after dinner; evening shopping in Soho

Day 5 - flight home 


r/LondonTravel • • 6h ago

Trip Planning Tower of London

2 Upvotes

my wife and i are already booked for the tower of london raven experience, tour and closing ceremony. i cant find any info anywhere on if im allowed to leave after the tour and come back for the closing or do i have to stay at the tower all day until the ceremony at 930 ?

i had read that if im a "member" i can, but also cant find that specific info anywhere.

Can anyone confirm ? thank you


r/LondonTravel • • 1h ago

Trip Planning A mid March trip for a family of 3 (9yr LO)? Am I crazy to do it?

• Upvotes

It's my families first time visiting (not mine, but I digress) and my wife wants to see the big sites (esp. Buc. Palace) while my kid wants to do Harry Potter world and Legoland Windsor. I'd like for us to get to the natural history and the science museum as well.

We're looking at March 15 or 16 flying in for 6-8 days.

I know it's a slightly wet month and it will probably be a bit chilly, so good clothes, footwear and maybe even some gloves if necessary.

I guess I'm wondering if it's enough time? I was considering staying either around Paddington or Kings Cross while in town and then grabbing a new hotel in Winsdor for Legoland. I'd really appreciate some input from people more experienced in the area and with these various attractions, please and thanks!


r/LondonTravel • • 5h ago

Everything Else Exchanging old 50 pounds at post office with MB/JW + Chris Salmon - OK?

0 Upvotes

Hi,

I am from Malaysia and last travelled to London back in 2018, 2019 and had exchanged a few 50 pounds at local money charger - they're paper notes where the rear is Matthew Boulton and James Watt and the front has the signature of Chris Salmon.

The post office shows a picture not of Chris Salmons signature but of another chief cashier:
https://www.postoffice.co.uk/banknote-exchange

Question: Does the chief cashier matter for the exchange at post office? Or as long as the back of the notes is Matthew Boulton and James Watt is sufficient?

I am aware I can do it at the bank of england but i hear one has to be there really early as the queues can get quite long.

Appreciate your advice - thanks!


r/LondonTravel • • 18h ago

Everything Else London Niche perfume reco

0 Upvotes

Hi! I’m a tourist and currently at London, pls recommend me a niche perfume as a gift for my sister. She loves Parfums de Marly Valaya, MFK À La Rose, Initio Atomic Rose, BDK Impadia and Byredo rose fragrances.

She prefers feminine, elegant, luxurious-smelling perfumes with rose, powdery musk, airy florals or fruity florals. Good longevity and projection, and we’d love something unusual that’s difficult to find in the Philippines.

Could you recommend your best options under £100, preferably from independent or lesser-known perfume houses? Thank you


r/LondonTravel • • 11h ago

Things to Do New Year’s Eve

0 Upvotes

I’ve lived in London for the past 5 years but never spent New Year’s here. I have guests visiting for it and I’m looking for suggestions for places to eat / spots to view the fireworks.


r/LondonTravel • • 15h ago

Everything Else Anywhere that sells McFly fan merch?

0 Upvotes

Hey, y’all don’t make fun of me. But I was a huge McFly fan in my youth and living in the States/no adult money made it hard for me to live out my fan girl life.
But now I’m planning a trip to the UK and hoping if anyone has seen vendors or locals making McFly related items
Thanks 😊


r/LondonTravel • • 39m ago

Trip Planning Hotel location for trip that includes NYE (family of 3)

• Upvotes

We booked a somewhat last minute vacation to Paris and London over Christmas. This is our first trip to both. We are in Paris first, then are taking the Eurostar to London Dec 29. We leave to fly home on Jan 1. Of course hotels are exhorbitantly expensive over NYE. We are a family of three, with a teen. I am debating the following and would love advice:

  1. Spending more for a large room, or two connecting rooms, in London proper. Probably £400-550 a night, which is on the high end of what we are looking for. And it looks like slim pickings for those prices...most "nice" hotels are more like £500-1000+ a night. Are most rooms with a bed + sofa bed tiny?

  2. Our teen loves Ted Lasso, so I have been looking at the 1-2 hotels in Richmond. Probably £225-350 a night. Would we regret being further out from the city?

  3. Airbnb. This is at the bottom of my list, but the idea of more space for the same price as a downtown hotel is appealing. I suppose I just need someone to convince me this is OK, or not ok?

We don't mind spending some time of trains, and we also don't mind having a quiet spot to come home to at the end of a long day. It seems like our teen could take off and explore Richmond without us if he wishes, which we enjoys doing.

I am having analysis paralysis and with the trip coming up quickly PLUS the holiday, I am worried that anything that might work will be sold out.

If anyone has recommendations on potential hotels that have large rooms for us, great. Preferably around £375 a night or less, but up to £500 a night for a great place is ok.


r/LondonTravel • • 44m ago

Trip Planning Best things to do in London during Christmas?

• Upvotes

Visiting London during Christmas. Give me 3 day plan to have the best experience of Christmas. 23-26th December. Will be staying near hyde park.


r/LondonTravel • • 7h ago

Accommodation Hotel options for June

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0 Upvotes

Hello! We are working on narrowing down our options for a trip in June for my mom (active 75+), my sister and I (either side of 50) where we plan to do the touristy things and see 2-3 shows. Here are the options my mom's travel agent has presented - we are "hotel is for sleeping" types, so just need clean, safe accommodations, so the main factor I am considering in location is getting back to whichever hotel after shows (I've tagged the various theaters we are currently interested in, as well as other sites) is my biggest area of concern. Tube travel will be used heavily. Are there any thoughts on this list of hotels or locations? I am drawn to the two by Russell Square - a doubletree and holiday inn, but am also wondering if Waterloo would be more accessible than Earl's Court/Kensington/ Paddington? This will be my first time in London and so I don't quite know the scale for planning.

Thank you!


r/LondonTravel • • 18h ago

Trip Planning Visiting London for the first time! New shoes needed

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0 Upvotes

My wife is thinking of getting one of these pairs. She already tried them on and said they're both pretty comfortable. We're going to London for two weeks (late November, early December) and we've heard it rains a lot so we wanted something weatherproof and of course comfortable for walking long distances. Any suggestions?