London tips for spring trip

[BrianL]

It's been a while since we've been, but another vote for the Tower of London. Now, I enjoyed the entire experience but I have a mild obsession with the Cullinan Diamond. Cullinan I sits atop the Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross (530+ carats) and Cullinan II (317+ carats) is in the front of the Imperial State Crown. So, it was probably my favorite part of the visit. DH made a single pass with me on the conveyer belt and then watched me go by another 4x because I was in awe. Still, seeing the guards, talking to some of the Yeomen, learning about the ravens as well as the history was very cool as well. The setting is also great for pictures with the bridge in the background.

We also toured St. Paul's when we were there. As a fan of Mary Poppins, it was kind of neat to see that cathedral in person.

I do like how they have that set up with the converyor belts. It keeps people from lingering, but you can go back around too (at least if it's not crazy buys, which it wasn't when we were there).

 

[starvenger]

Also, for two adults I’d second the recommendation for the Victoria & Albert Museum.

wrt to V&A, I think Science / History / V&A can be done in a day but you need to pace accordingly. Or you can just do two in a day and the third some other time.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

I do like how they have that set up with the converyor belts. It keeps people from lingering, but you can go back around too (at least if it's not crazy buys, which it wasn't when we were there).

I thought it was a great idea. I seem to recall DH saying to me "YOU are the reason for the conveyor belts!" That's fine though, because someone like me would probably stand there and linger for a while if they weren't there. Not to mention that there are likely others like me who would also gum up the works without that belt. It's not even being intentionally rude or inconsiderate. It's just not every day you're standing face to face with the Crown Jewels. This way, any guest who wants can catch a glimpse without inconveniencing others. It wasn't particularly busy during our visit, which made it pretty easy to jump back in line for several passes.

 

[BrianL]

I thought it was a great idea. I seem to recall DH saying to me "YOU are the reason for the conveyor belts!" That's fine though, because someone like me would probably stand there and linger for a while if they weren't there. Not to mention that there are likely others like me who would also gum up the works without that belt. It's not even being intentionally rude or inconsiderate. It's just not every day you're standing face to face with the Crown Jewels. This way, any guest who wants can catch a glimpse without inconveniencing others. It wasn't particularly busy during our visit, which made it pretty easy to jump back in line for several passes.

I remember wishing they had had this for the Rosetta Stone at The British Museum - that case always had a huge crowd around it.

Again though - the crown jewels were surrounded by armed guards, but the Rosetta Stone, one of hte most significant finds in human history - nothing. At least it had a glass case! It's the same at the Smithsonian. You'll find an armed guard in the room with the Hope Diamond, and yet around truly incredible archeological finds, they just don't worry about it.

 

[iona]

wrt to V&A, I think Science / History / V&A can be done in a day but you need to pace accordingly. Or you can just do two in a day and the third some other time.

If you just did the absolute highlights then all three in a day would be achievable, if perhaps somewhat overwhelming. I could happily spend a day in each of them. If I were to skip one it would be the Science Museum, not because it isn’t a very good museum, but because there are other similarly excellent science museums in other cities. South Kensington is also easily walkable to Harrods and Hyde Park if you wanted to visit either of them.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

I remember wishing they had had this for the Rosetta Stone at The British Museum - that case always had a huge crowd around it.

Again though - the crown jewels were surrounded by armed guards, but the Rosetta Stone, one of hte most significant finds in human history - nothing. At least it had a glass case! It's the same at the Smithsonian. You'll find an armed guard in the room with the Hope Diamond, and yet around truly incredible archeological finds, they just don't worry about it.

We got really lucky when we visited The British Museum. The place was practically a ghost town while we were there. I recall us turning to each other and wondering if it was even open. I know I have a picture of the Rosetta Stone...somewhere. I just remember being shocked that nothing was mobbed. The only negative was that it was the first day of our trip. We were staying in Bloomsbury, so it was a simple walk from our hotel to the museum. I was just so badly jetlagged and wanted to stop to sleep during most of that outing.

 

[BrianL]

We got really lucky when we visited The British Museum. The place was practically a ghost town while we were there. I recall us turning to each other and wondering if it was even open. I know I have a picture of the Rosetta Stone...somewhere. I just remember being shocked that nothing was mobbed. The only negative was that it was the first day of our trip. We were staying in Bloomsbury, so it was a simple walk from our hotel to the museum. I was just so badly jetlagged and wanted to stop to sleep during most of that outing.

Honestly, it wasn't a busy day there for us either. We got there early, and it was a ghost town, but it did get pretty steady as the day went on (like Disney!). They weren't using the bulk of the outdoor queues though.

 

[princesscinderella]

One of our favorites from our two trips to London was a full day trip I booked through Get your guide that picked us up in central London outside of a tube station and we did the Harry Potter studio tour in the morning and Oxford in the afternoon as they filmed there for certain scenes too. The HP studio tours sell out quickly still so if you miss getting tickets a tour like we booked buy them in blocks for tours so all is not lost. I liked that I didn't have to worry about transportation and it was super comfortable in a small 15 passenger type van. We did not go to the History museum but it's on our list when we go back after going to the Acropolis this summer and they had so many of the carved reliefs taken and are displayed in London's museum and they are refusing to give them back to Greece. We did a tour of Buckingham palace, but I think that's only available in the summer when the King is away in Scotland for the summer. The Tower of London complex has so much to see, and you really need a whole day to explore it. We loved the White tower there which has all the armor and weaponry. There were two food halls to eat when you are there, so you don't have to leave the grounds. We also got the GoLondon city card where you get access to a bunch of the attractions and museums for a set number of days.

I second the food being gross too!