London - what should we go to see and do?

Jo4

Hubby & I are going to London for our holidays and we have booked a voucher for the London showboat cruise as we intend to actually book it for our wedding anniversary presuming it is available. We were wondering where we could stay in London from Monday 2nd September to Thursday 5th September 2013 but we want some where that it clean, reasonably priced and has reasonably priced car parking facilities.

Can anyone suggest what we should do or see during these four days and what we should avoid? What is the best way to get about London - should we leave the car parked and if so, are things within walking distance, should we use the bus/train/taxi? Apologies for all the questions but I did do a search and I am none the wiser. :eek:

googler

Where are you travelling from?

IMHO, trying to drive around London would be madness. Factor in the congestion charge, lack of parking, etc. makes it doubly so.

Your 'reasonably priced' could be someone else's 'prohibitively expensive', so until you indicate a budget ...

Based on a recent visit, I would avoid Madame Tussauds like the plague (queueing round the block), and also the river cruise pier at Westminster Bridge, which seemed far more crowded than others.

As to what to actually do and see - what do you want to do? Concerts? Exhibitions? Museums? Art Galleries? Cinema? Theatre? Castles? Palaces? Or do you just want to walk?

It's all there, it's pretty much all on t'internut, you just have to decide what.

You did 'a search' - only one? A search for what?

wallbash

as googler posted , DON'T even think of driving .

should we use the bus/train/taxi?

None of the above , use the tube . Plan your attractions. work out the nearest tube station , BUT avoid the rush hour

What to see ?? where do you begin ?

British Museum
St Pauls
Oxford St
Tate Modern
Buckingham Palace
etc etc

The list is far too long , we need some info on what you like doing/seeing / interests.

Jo4

googler wrote: »

Where are you travelling from?

We are coming into Holyhead and travelling down to London.

googler wrote: »

Your 'reasonably priced' could be someone else's 'prohibitively expensive', so until you indicate a budget ...

Definitley less than £100 but preferably less than £80 if possible - I know I am asking a lot.

googler wrote: »

As to what to actually do and see - what do you want to do? Concerts? Exhibitions? Museums? Art Galleries? Cinema? Theatre? Castles? Palaces? Or do you just want to walk?

We like concerts, exhibitions, museums, cinema, theatre, castles, palaces, shopping. I don't like going out at night as I have limited night vision although I do know the showboat cruise we have the tickets for is at night time.

googler wrote: »

You did 'a search' - only one? A search for what?

I did numerous searches regarding where to stay and what to see but I thought if we had definitley three full days that we could possibly attempt to do things close by each other on three different days in different areas of London but I thought I would ask on here because I am sure someone lives/works/has visited this area??!?

ladylouise62

Get yourself an Oyster card (topup card) for public transport. It's cheaper than buying a single for cash, you can buy it by post and top us as you need it at the time. It also has a capped charge per day of what a day ticket would be, so you can use it for one journey or many and not lose out. Just ensure you tap it against the terminals each time you enter/leave.
http://visitorshop.tfl.gov.uk/help-centre/oyster-card-help.html

As for activities, I can recommend mush, but try a history/ghost walk for something a little different.

Jo4

wallbash wrote: »

as googler posted , DON'T even think of driving .



None of the above , use the tube . Plan your attractions. work out the nearest tube station , BUT avoid the rush hour

What to see ?? where do you begin ?

British Museum
St Pauls
Oxford St
Tate Modern
Buckingham Palace
etc etc

The list is far too long , we need some info on what you like doing/seeing / interests.

We like concerts, exhibitions, museums, cinema, theatre, castles, palaces, shopping. I don't like going out at night as I have limited night vision although I do know the showboat cruise we have the tickets for is at night time.

I would like to visit Harrods, possibly the Shard (don't know if we can visit there because the body scanner does not agree with my insulin pump). The showboat cruise is supposed to depart and return to
Westminister Pier - Victoria Embankment, by Westminister Bridge so I had hoped we could have got somewhere to stay around here.

googler

Jo4 wrote: »

We are coming into Holyhead and travelling down to London.

Definitley less than £100 but preferably less than £80 if possible - I know I am asking a lot.

Less than £80? Per night? For a double or twin room?

Jo4

ladylouise62 wrote: »

Get yourself an Oyster card (topup card) for public transport. It's cheaper than buying a single for cash, you can buy it by post and top us as you need it at the time. It also has a capped charge per day of what a day ticket would be, so you can use it for one journey or many and not lose out. Just ensure you tap it against the terminals each time you enter/leave.
http://visitorshop.tfl.gov.uk/help-centre/oyster-card-help.html

As for activities, I can recommend mush, but try a history/ghost walk for something a little different.

Seen the London pass but didn't know if it was any use. Thanks for your suggestion regarding activites but due to my health I don't like scares/shocks/pressure.

Jo4

googler wrote: »

Less than £80? Per night? For a double or twin room?

For hubby & I it would have to be a double room. £80 per night, I know it is not a lot but I would rather spend money on the attractions and the hotel is only somewhere to rest for the following days adventure imho!

Jo4

We don't like theme parks. I am a tee totaller and hubby rarely drinks (last time was about eight years ago as it was a big birthday and my sister wouldn't give him peace and it was only one drink).

googler

Jo4 wrote: »

...... due to my health I don't like scares/shocks/pressure.

Should you really be heading to a busy, high-pressure metropolis such as London, then ... ?