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London

Whirlwind London Tour

The Sherlock Holmes Pub at dusk.More Photos

by Sue Carr

An April 1998 travel journal

Last Updated: September 5, 2000

Journal Usefulness Rating 3 out of 5
Journal Usefulness Rating
13
Reviews
14
Photos

Our weekend in London was one of the most rewarding trips we have ever been on! We hit the sightseeing "biggies", saw a couple of out-of-the-way spots, and even squeezed in some relaxation time in Hyde Park.

My recommendation for the one 'tourist' attraction not to miss is the Tower of London. You can tour with a guide or without, so you have freedom to set your own pace. This place probably houses more English history in one location than any other in London. There is penty to see, so allow lots of time, and whatever you do, don't miss the Crown Jewels!

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

We did an amazing amount of walking on our trip, which is a great way to see the city without missing the little historic nooks and crannies. But this method can be very exhausting. It's a big city, after all. My recommendation is to walk as much as possible to see the sights, but if you're trying to get from one place to another in a hurry, take the Underground. You can get just about anywhere on this amazing transportation system, the oldest underground system in the world. It's clean, easy to use, and a great place to people-watch.
The Royal National Hotel is ideal for those travelling on a budget. It is clean and neat but doesn't cost an arm and a leg. It is centrally located in Russell Square close to an underground station, so it is easy to get wherever you need to go in a matter of minutes. Our room was rather small and reminded me of a dorm room: long and narrow with two twin beds on opposite sides of the room. It was a strange set-up (we Americans are used to full-sized beds), but once we got used to it, it was fine.
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by Sue Carr on September 2, 2000

Royal National Hotel
BEDFORD WAY London, England
44 207 637 2488

Porter's was our favorite place to eat while in London. We were determined that while we were in England, we would eat authentic English food, and Porters was the perfect place for that. We actually ate there twice on our visit, partaking of such traditional English fare as seafood pie, kidneys, and traditional English pudding. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was very welcoming. If you're looking for an authentic English dining experience, don't miss Porter's.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Sue Carr on September 2, 2000

Porters English Restaurant
17 Henrietta Street London, England WC2E 8QH
(020) 7836-6466

The Black Lion

Restaurant

Located within walking distance of Kensington Palace, the Black Lion is a great place to grab fish 'n chips and a Guiness. The food is typical pub fare. We ate at the bar which has a limited menu, but there is restaurant seating in the back with a larger menu to choose from.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Sue Carr on September 2, 2000

The Black Lion
123 Bayswater Road London, England W2 3JH
(087) 1332-4362

The Sherlock Holmes Pub at dusk.
We stumbled upon the Sherlock Holmses Pub purely by accident, but it turned out to be one of our favorite pub stops. It is exactly what you would picture a traditional English pub to be: cozy yet full of lively conversation. The evening we were there, there happened to be a large group of Nordic travelers in one corner who were quite merry and were singing what I can only assume were Nordic drinking songs. We only stopped in for a pint, so I have no input to offer regarding the menu. But if you're looking for a 'traditional' pub, this is it.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Sue Carr on September 2, 2000

The Sherlock Holmes
10-11 Northumberland Ave. London, England
+44 (020) 7930 2644

The front view of Westminster Abbey and its impressive Gothic architecture.
I was awestruck with Westminster Abbey. There is so much history buried within this structure, and so much more that took place in and around the abbey. I found it amazing to run my hand over worn-down stone that was thousands of years old. Also, having been an English major in college, I found it fascinating to visit Poet's Corner, where many of my literary heroes are either buried or acknowledged in stone.

The lines and large crowds are other aspects of Westminster Abbey that can be pretty unbelievable, but have patience. It is worth the wait.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Sue Carr on September 2, 2000

Westminster Abbey
20 Dean's Yard London, England SW1P 3PA
+44 (20) 7222 5152

A panoramic view of Buckingham Palace.
We did not have the opportunity to tour Buckingham Palace on our trip, however the mere sight of its enormous structure is worth seeing, and photographing. Though we didn't get to tour, we did show up bright and early at the palace to witness the Changing of the Guard. This spectacle attracts a large crowd, so if you want to get a good view, get there early. It starts at 11:30 am. I'm not sure I would recommend this event for young children, as it takes about 45 minutes and you are standing the whole time. I do think it is one of those things you have to do once, but I don't think it will be a regular stop for us on subsequent trips.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Sue Carr on September 2, 2000

Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace Road London, England SW1A 1AA
+44 (207) 321 2233

Hyde Park

Activity

Pedalboats on the Serpentine in Hyde Park.
Hyde Park is one of the most beautiful city parks I have ever seen. It's a wonderful place to spend a few hours away from the hustle and bustle of the city. There are a good deal of activities you can participate in (some listed above), but the activity we liked best was people-watching.

Along the perimeter of the park are artists selling paintings, drawings, etc. It's a great place to pick up a souvenir of your trip.

  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Sue Carr on September 2, 2000

Hyde Park & Kensington Stables
63 Bathurst Mews & 11 Elvaston Mews London, England W2 & SW7
+44 20 7723 2813

Known as the Queen
This was my personal favorite 'tourist' destination. The tower is loaded with history, and people anxious to share it. You can walk through on your own or with a guide. I recommend doing at least part of the Tower with a guide, as they offer so much color to the stories and history that it seems to come alive before your eyes. Allow a good deal of time to tour the Tower, as there are many buildings to see as well as ground to cover. Whatever you do, don't miss the crown jewels. I guarantee you've never seen anything like them in your life!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Sue Carr on September 2, 2000

Tower of London
Tower Hill London, England EC3N 4AB
+44 (207) 709 0765

The tour meets at the Tower Hill underground stop right around dusk. Our tour leader, Donald Rumbelow, wrote the book "The Complete Jack the Ripper" and is considered one of the top Ripperologists in the world. Needless to say, he really knew his stuff. He not only taught us about Jack the Ripper, but he painted a picture of British society back in 1888. I found it both fascinating and informative. We stopped off at a half dozen or so spots on the tour where Ripper killings had taken place or evidence had been found. Some of the streets in the East End look as if they haven't changed in the more than 100 years since Jack's time, which added to the scare factor. This is a great way to see some out-of-the-way areas of the city's East End in a safe manner, and learn a bit of English history as well.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Sue Carr on September 3, 2000

London Walks: Ghosts of the Old City
St. Paul Tube Stop London, England
+44 (020) 7624 3978

221B Baker Street, the address made famous by author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, is now home to the Sherlock Holmes Museum.
For anyone who is a fan of Sherlock Holmes, this is a 'must see' attraction. The rooms here are kept exactly as the master sleuth would have had them, including the pipe and hat on the table in front of the fire. The museum also contains a gift shop and Hudson's Victorian Dining Room, featuring items like Baskerville Game Pie and West Country Chicken. Take the underground to the Baker Street tube stop and you're there!
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Sue Carr on September 3, 2000

Sherlock Holmes Museum
221b Baker Street London, England NW1 5RT
+44 20 7935 8866

An authentic bathouse from the days of occupation by the Romans.
This tour was a great way to see the sites outside of London. It took most of the day, departing around 8:30 am and arriving back in London around dinnertime. The three sites we visited, Bath, Salisbury and Stonehenge, were worth taking the time out to see. Bath still houses a great deal of Roman architecture, including the centerpiece of the town, a Roman Bath, that you can tour. The rest of the town is quite beautiful as well, and is a great place to shop or just stroll around. Salisbury is home to Salisbury Cathedral, which has been receiving churchgoers and pilgrims for 750 years. It was amazing to see stained glass windows dating back to the 13th century still intact in this cathedral. And every traveller to England should take the time to see Stonehenge. This tour was well worth the money and time spent.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Sue Carr on September 3, 2000

Bath, Stonehenge and Salisbury
Driving distance from London London, England

Anyone who is into the creepy and macabre should visit the London Dungeon. This attraction is not for the faint of heart. It consists of a number of attractions including a wax museum of London's torturous past featuring scenes of some famous executions; recreated scenes and actual police photographs of Jack the Ripper's victims; and a re-enactment of a beheading via guillotine.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Sue Carr on September 3, 2000

London Dungeon
28-34 Tooley Street London, England SE1
+44 20 7403 7221

About the Writer

Sue Carr
Sue Carr
Ambridge, Pennsylvania

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