Thought I'd post what we have here since I couldn't figure out how to attach it at this point. I hope to get a lot more info together in the next week or so and clean it up a bit to make available.
Lodging:
Renaissance Chancery Court London
252 High Holborn
London, WC1V 7EN United Kingdom
The Tube:
The Holburn tube stop is within a blocks walk of the hotel.
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/modalpages/2625.aspx
Children aged 11 to 15 years can get an 11-15 Oyster photocard to travel free on buses and trams and at child-rate on Tube, DLR and London Overground services. (From TripAdvisor) The Oyster card can also be used for buses. Best to ask at the underground ticket agent for a bus map as well, since this will come in handy. While the underground is exceedingly easy to navigate (find where you are, find the stop you want to exit and see what line will take you there), the bus system is a little harder. You will need a good map to find where you want to go, and an eagle eye to see when you get there. Read the bus stop information carefully to know which direction it is going and how many stops until you need to get off. Remember that some stops are "request only" and the bus will only stop if you signal. Just raise your hand as he approaches. These are marked on the upper sign with "Request Stop Only".
Our friends on our cruise last week got these cards for their daughters and said they worked out well for use with public transportation.
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/11-15-oyster-photocard-leaflet.pdf
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/Free_travel_on_buses_and_trams_11-15.pdf
Theatre:
http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/other_files/pdfs/theatrelandmap0908.pdf
I'm interested in seeing a theatre performance -- so I was thinking about seeing Wicked: the Hit Musical at Apollo Victoria Theatre
Grocery store across from the hotel.
Lots of restaurants (fast food and other) within easy walking distance of the hotel. There is a McDonalds across the street
Tower of London
Address: Tower Hill Tower Hill tube London EC3N 4AB England
Tel: 44 870 756 6060
http://www.hrp.org.uk/ (Historic Royal Palaces)
Tues Sat: 9:00 17:30
Sun Mon: 10:00 17:30
Last admission: 17:00
http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/planyourvisit/default.aspx
By London Underground
Nearest station: Tower Hill underground station
Directions: Use District or Circle lines to Tower Hill station. Follow directional signage to the Tower. The main entrance is a five minute walk from the station.
By bus
Bus routes: 15, 42, 78, 100, RV1
The Tower is also served by all major sightseeing bus tours.
We recommend visitors allow at least 2-3 hours to see everything.
The last Yeoman Warden tour starts at 14.30 (winter), 15.30 (summer).
Book up to 6 months in advance online
1 Mar '09 - 28 Feb '10 incl.
Individual rate*
Individual online rate+
Group rate (min. 15 visitors)
Adult £17.00
£16.00
£15.30
Child (under 16) Under 5s are free of charge. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
£9.50
£9.00
£8.55
Concessions Full-time student, over 60 with ID
£14.50
£13.50
£13.05
Family Up to 2 adults and 3 children
£47.00
£44.00
(looks like a lot of the attractions have a family pass that ends up saving a bit, and if you book online, you often save another bit. Our friends suggested waiting to book the London Eye until a few days before we get there so as to check the weather - or after we get there since we'll be there a couple of days. They said the concierge at the hotel could likely help us book them.)
London Eye
http://www.londoneye.com/Book up to four months out.
10% discount online. 47.20 pounds for two adults, two children (ages 4 16)
Please select a flight time from the times shown below. Your flight will take 30 minutes and you are required to start boarding for your flight 30 minutes before your flight time.
Please allow 10 minutes for ticket collection from our ticket collection machines.
Big Bus Tours
http://www.bigbustours.com/eng/london/default.aspxFamily (2 adults, 2 children ages 5 15): 60 pounds
Adults: 25 pounds
Children: 10 pounds
If you have selected to book a "fixed day" ticket you must travel on that day.
If you have selected to book an "open day" ticket you can travel on any day.
Your ticket is valid for 24hrs from the time you first board the service. (During the winter months we may extend this to 48hrs. Please check on the website or ask a member of staff for further information).
From their FAQ: What time are your first and last buses?
Generally, our first buses depart at 08:30 in the morning. Last bus times vary depending on the time of year. They are usually 16:30 in January, February, November and December, 17:00 in March and October, 18:00 April to September.
British Museum
http://www.britishmuseum.org/The Museum is open daily, 10.0017.30
Free admission
Address: Great Russell Street Near Tottenham Court Tube Station London WC1B 3DG England
Museum address
British Museum, Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG There is an alternative entrance on Montague Place
Buckingham Palace
Changing the Guard takes place at 11:30 daily from May until the end of July and on alternate days for the rest of the year, weather permitting.
Provisional Schedule for 2009 (please note that this schedule is set by the British Army and is subject to change. Please check this site prior to a visit)
October - even numbered dates (2, 4, 6, etc) November - odd numbered dates (1, 3, 5, etc) December - odd numbered dates (1, 3, 5, etc) until 23 December, then ceremony takes place on 26, 28 and 30 December. No ceremony on 3 December, ceremony takes place on 4 December
For more information about Changing the Guard visit the British Army website
The new guards arrive at the forecourt of the Palace at 11:30 from Wellington Barracks. The journey takes about 5 minutes and the soldiers are accompanied by a band. The ceremony is conducted on the Palace forecourt and takes approximately forty minutes to complete.
http://www.army.mod.uk/events/ceremonial/1068.aspx
How to get there
By train: London Victoria. (National Rail Enquiries Service 08457 484950 (UK)).
By underground: Victoria, Green Park and Hyde Park Corner.
By bus: Numbers 11, 211, C1 and C10 stop on Buckingham Palace Road.
By road: Buckingham Palace is situated within the London Congestion Charge zone. Please see
www.cclondon.com for further details.
By coach: Victoria Coach Station is a ten minute walk from the Palace. Visit the Transport for London website for maps and information about London Underground and bus routes.
Address: Buckingham Palace, SW1A 1AA
I'm still researching....it would be cool if you could come...we will stay in touch!
but glad some dis helped me out with information so I did read it and I think Dream is a beautiful ship...
Shame we pulled out and we would love to see you all and other... another time we will meet up...
