What to do in London after the cruise

[Candy Apple]

So, we leave on Saturday for the Norway-Iceland cruise that drops us off in Dover. We are taking the DCL bus to the London Heathrow airport and staying at the Sofitel at the airport for one night. I was really hoping that DCL would have a post-cruise excursion like we took in Barcelona after our Mediterranean cruise. It doesn't look like they're going to do this, so I need to figure out what to do in London for an afternoon. Any suggestions?

 

[dcassetta]

Have you been to London before? If not, you might look into one of the hop on hop off bus tours. This will give you a sense of some of the highlights of the city. There are several of these tour companies, I would recommend choosing one with a live guide if possible. The London walks company offers a wide variety of great walking tours www.walks.com

 

[Magicman1613]

Hi Candy Apple, having lived in or near London for all my life there is so much to do and I am sure you will get loads of suggestions.

Firstly being dropped off at Heathrow you will be a little way out of the centre of the city but you can get there ok.

One of my favourite things to do which is brilliant is to visit the Tower of London and take a tour delivered by one of the Yeoman Warders (known as Beefeaters), they are all retired servicemen and servicewomen and are both funny and informative.

After this if you have time you can see the Crown Jewels and you can also take a walk along the Thames and take some great pics of Tower Bridge.

Just my idea I hope you have a great time on the Cruise, we are on the repo from Dover to Barcelona and enjoy your time in London.

 

[owensamo]

The London Toolkit website (http://www.londontoolkit.com/travel/dover_london_transfers.htm) has a lot of information about Dover, London, and includes info on 2 tours from Dover to London - one to Canterbury and Leeds, and the other to the Harry Potter Studios. They both drop off at hotels in either London or near Heathrow.

Otherwise, there's a lot you can do in London for an afternoon. The Tower of London could take up a full afternoon. You could take an afternoon wandering along the Thames near Big Ben and the London Eye. The British Museum would be a great way to spend an afternoon, as would a trip to Hyde Park. It all depends on what you're interested in and what you think you might be up for after a cruise.

 

[wcw57]

after cruise I advise that you keep calm and carry on

 

[bumbershoot]

We are taking the DCL bus to the London Heathrow airport and staying at the Sofitel at the airport for one night.

In answer to your thread title...stay more than one night! That's the first step.

One of my favourite things to do which is brilliant is to visit the Tower of London and take a tour delivered by one of the Yeoman Warders (known as Beefeaters), they are all retired servicemen and servicewomen and are both funny and informative.

Yes yes yes! Oh our Yeoman Warder tourguide was fabulous and hilarious. Made everyone put all cameras away, and gave us all permission to "punch him/her in the kidney" if someone took out a camera. On the way into the chapel told us about the step people would trip over, then on the way out told us how many people had indeed tripped, and that the step hadn't changed. Made sure we all knew that the Yeomans live there, and if we're there after closing time to be aware that they all get naked, and we wouldn't want to see THAT.

And if the OP truly does only have one short day to experience London, I gotta agree with Magicman, that the Tower tour is tops. (and in that order...take the tour and THEN see the jewels and then take photos of the area)

 

[mylittlebuttercup]

It's been a while since I have been, but if I had to choose my top pick, it would be Tower of London.

 

[Candy Apple]

Hi Candy Apple, having lived in or near London for all my life there is so much to do and I am sure you will get loads of suggestions.

Firstly being dropped off at Heathrow you will be a little way out of the centre of the city but you can get there ok.

One of my favourite things to do which is brilliant is to visit the Tower of London and take a tour delivered by one of the Yeoman Warders (known as Beefeaters), they are all retired servicemen and servicewomen and are both funny and informative.

After this if you have time you can see the Crown Jewels and you can also take a walk along the Thames and take some great pics of Tower Bridge.

Just my idea I hope you have a great time on the Cruise, we are on the repo from Dover to Barcelona and enjoy your time in London.

What's the best way to get from Heathrow to the Tower of London? Any links would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Candy Apple]

In answer to your thread title...stay more than one night! That's the first step.



Yes yes yes! Oh our Yeoman Warder tourguide was fabulous and hilarious. Made everyone put all cameras away, and gave us all permission to "punch him/her in the kidney" if someone took out a camera. On the way into the chapel told us about the step people would trip over, then on the way out told us how many people had indeed tripped, and that the step hadn't changed. Made sure we all knew that the Yeomans live there, and if we're there after closing time to be aware that they all get naked, and we wouldn't want to see THAT.

And if the OP truly does only have one short day to experience London, I gotta agree with Magicman, that the Tower tour is tops. (and in that order...take the tour and THEN see the jewels and then take photos of the area)

I wish we did have more than a day, but DH needs to get back to work! No work, no cruising!!

 

[jdb in AZ]

What's the best way to get from Heathrow to the Tower of London? Any links would be greatly appreciated!

Take the Tube -- train/subway, whatever you want to call it. It's inexpensive and goes 'most everywhere.

 

[Chernabog1940]

We stayed in London prior to our Baltic cruise. We did the HOHO bus to get an overall view of the city. Included in that was a boat trip on the Thames as far as Greenwich. The next day we "tubed it" and went to the British Museum and St. Paul's Cathedral. Since DW had always wanted to attend Evening Prayer services there, we also did that. Got to sit in the Choir Stlalls. St. Paul's has a lovey little restaurant in the basement - right next to the cattle call cafe. Enjoy your stay.

 

[dcassetta]

What's the best way to get from Heathrow to the Tower of London? Any links would be greatly appreciated!

www.tfl.gov.uk

Easiest would be taking the Piccadilly line from Heathrow to Hammersmith, and then changing at Hammersmith for the District line to Tower Hill. This journey will take you about an hour. Make sure you get a card that covers multiple zones.

Slightly faster would be to take the Heathrow express to Piccadilly station, and continue your journey from there. But this would require a little more knowledge of central London.

Tower of London.
www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/

 

[wcw57]

It's been a while since I have been, but if I had to choose my top pick, it would be Tower of London.

let's not lose our heads here....

 

[HookedonMagic]

Hi CandyApple! Have you considered taking in a west end show? You can buy discounted tickets for many shows the day of the performance at the Tickets booth in Leicster Square. And that location is near Trafalger with its iconic fountain and the wonderful National Gallery. Depending on the weather and your level of fatigue, you'll also be an easy stroll from Big Ben/Parliament and/or Buckingham Palace. London is wonderful...whatever you decide, enjoy the day!