One day in London, what should I see

[gibbo88]

Pretty much what the title says. I have one day in London before starting a TopDeck tour, what should I make sure to see?

[Demon 997]

Really depends on interests. What kinds of things do you like?

[gibbo88]

Historical buildings and people mainly. Parks are good too. I like the history aspect of places.

And if possible a historic pub...I am ozzie after all.

[dish]

But London has enough historical buildings to last you for months - if not a life time.

In one day you'd want a tour of the main highlights. I'd suggest a walking tour in the morning.
Start at Westminster tube station.
Visit the Houses of Parliament (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houses_of_Parliament). Take photos by Big Ben (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Ben).
Maybe pop round the corner to the Jewel Tower (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewel_Tower).
Visit Westminster Abbey (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westminster_Abbey) and Dean's yard (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dean%27s_Yard) behind it.
Head up Whitehall (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitehall) to Downing Street (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downing_Street) and Banqueting House (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banqueting_House).
Further up Whitehall - visit Horse Guards (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse_Guards_(building)).
Cut through Horseguards Parade (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse_Guards_Parade) to St James's Park (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._James%27s_Park).
You could pop into the Cabinet War Rooms (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabinet_War_Rooms) if that's your kind of thing.
Cross St James's Park and view Buckingham Palace (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckingham_Palace).
Have a look at Green Park (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Park) on the other side of the palace.
Head down the Mall past Clarence House (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarence_House) and St James's Palace (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._James%27s_Palace), along Pall Mall (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pall_Mall,_London) and then into Trafalgar Square (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trafalgar_Square) to have a look at the National Gallery (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Gallery_(London)) and St Martin-in-the-Fields (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Martin-in-the-Fields).

[factotum]

Silly question: what's a TopDeck Tour? Can't help you much with the London thing, I've only been there twice in my life that I recall and I didn't check out the sights on either occasion!

[Demon 997]

If you want to see the tower of London and the crown jewels, do it right as it opens and you'll have almost no line. You can also buy tickets at nearby gift shops, saving you some time.

The British Museum is amazing, you could easily spend days there.

St. Paul's is wonderful, you can climb all the way to the dome.

The Globe Theater is interesting, and right across the Thames from Saint Paul's if you need a way to spend an evening. Might be hard getting tickets.

I'd highly recommend getting a Rick Steve's guide, they've served me well so far.

[gibbo88]

Silly question: what's a TopDeck Tour?

TopDeck is a company that does tours, pretty similar to Contiki.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I know that a day isn't anywhere near enough time to see the whole thing, but I am definitely going back in the future.

[Caewil]

When a man is tired of london, he is tired of life. - Samuel Johnson

Why has nobody mentioned the Museum of Natural History yet? They have loads of things there, awesome architecture, and the most dinosaur skeletons I've ever seen in one place.

[gibbo88]

I'm assuming there is a war museum somewhere? How is it?

[Caewil]

I've never been, sadly. It wasn't very high on my list of priorities. I don't think there's a well known one, and the British are squeamish enough about their history as an empire to not make a big deal about conquering random people.

[factotum]

I don't think there's a well known one

You mean, apart from the Imperial War Museum :smallconfused:?

http://www.iwm.org.uk/

[dish]

You mean, apart from the Imperial War Museum :smallconfused:?

http://www.iwm.org.uk/

Indeed.

If you don't have time for the whole museum, you can check out the Churchill War Rooms (http://cwr.iwm.org.uk/) (which I mentioned before) or HMS Belfast (http://hmsbelfast.iwm.org.uk/) on the Thames.

For historical pubs in central London ... well you can just google a huge list. But two decent ones are: Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ye_Olde_Cheshire_Cheese) or Ye Olde Mitre (http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/pubsandbars/ye-olde-mitre-info-14043.html).

[Caewil]

Well, looks like you showed me.

There isn't a well knowm one by me. Up 'til now.

[Archonic Energy]

whatever you want.

seriously, go to the web and decide what you want to see then work out how to get from place to place. and do it.

I've been known to do a whistle-stop tour of London and though it's possible to see alot of the sights in a day it's impossible to get any depth... so decide do you want to see alot of things quickly or one thing and explore it in depth

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

Go to the George Inn. Only remaining building of it's type.

[Demon 997]

I had quite a bit of fun at the Imperial War Museum. Very nice ship models and some heartbreaking art about the Holocaust.

[Thufir]

Why has no-one mentioned the Tower yet? Seriously, Tower of London. Go there.