London, Day By Day

[artnbarb]

We made a list of all the things we want to see and do in London, and now we're trying to prioritize and combine activities into days. My hope was to have daytime and nighttime activities that worked well together, both in scheduling and in physical activity. We'll always be doing a lot of walking, but a day at Kew Gardens might be more tiring than a day that includes a 45 minute canal boat ride, so maybe we'd combine Kew Gardens with a play in the evening.

And that's where my planning came to a screeching halt! Finding activities at night can be challenging! All the tourist attractions (except for The Eye and The Shard) close by 6 p.m., even Kew Gardens!

Here's the (sort of) list I started for 5 full days (Sat-Wed) in London:

1. Kew Gardens, followed by a quick dinner and a 7:30 play (comedy so we don't nod off!)
2. Tower of London/St Paul's/The Shard - we've been to The Tower and St Paul's many times before. We don't need the full tour, but how can you not go??? I still need an evening activity for this day
3. Hampton Court Palace for most of the day - dinner - walking tour from my smart phone - something near our apt, like Riverwalk or South Bank
4. The Wallace Collection with friends who live outside London. They'll come in either Sunday or Wednesday. I'm planning for a good part of the day here, even tho I've never been. We'll probably have lunch here, esp if we want to see more after lunch. OK, now what? Another walking tour with RS?
5. Regent's Canal - I've never been and it sounds so pretty - you can take a 45 minute canal boat ride to Camden Market. The boat ride starts in Little Venice, so lots of wandering possible both before and after the boat ride. I love zoos, but I'm not sure the London Zoo is worthy of my (limited) time. OK, should I give in and plan for either The Eye or The Shard after dark? I still want to do The Shard during the day. (BTW, we're staying just behind The Eye!)

As you can see I'm not over-planning - and I just realized the V&A isn't on that list - darn! Anyway, do evening present problems for you all, or am I obsessing as usual? Any comments on my list? Oh! What about the Key Ceremony at The Tower - worth it, or not?

 

[SusanSeattle]

By the time we've finished dinner, we are usually ready to go back to the hotel and relax. One thing you could look for are evening music performances. There might be something on at St. Martin in the Fields. It's a lovely place to enjoy some music.
Also, look at Time Out for lectures or late evenings at the various museums, British Library, etc.

 

[artnbarb]

Great idea about the concerts! I've got TimeOut London on my phone, so that should help. Since we'll be staying in an AirB&B apt I'm thinking we won't go 'home' until it's time for bed - but the good news is our apt is right behind the London Eye, so plenty to see and do, or just walk along the Thames and people watch.

I thought evenings were going to be a problem, but I guess not!